If the devs are forced to work with 15-year old weapons they would be limiting themselves for no reason. I forgot that the BLM weapon was a club too, bleh. Uh I guess your theoretical axe could be useful? I have no idea.
As for your second, preferred idea... If we're saying, oh take this old weapon from 2002 which has no sentimental value to anyone and no distinct appearance. Convert it into ammo or something so you can equip it with a real weapon. What's the point of that? Has anyone ever said, "Man I loved my
Marauder's Knife, which appears to share the same model as the aptly-named '
Knife.' I wish I could bring it back."
Again, these weapons do not have unique models so you're it's not like you're getting something distinct and cool except now your Paper Knife is an earring or something. In that case, why not save the devs the trouble and request more JSE instead of a convoluted upgrade process that has no reason to exist?