My first instinct is a blade, but as I think about it, it all depends on what kind of a scenario I'm in. As has been said, if I was on a battlefield, I would probably want plate, but normal life, a blade.
But give me gold or pewter, and I'd take a blade any day. even if they wouldn't heal me or enhance my strength that fast, I have a blade that destroys the soul of anything it cuts.