I'm just going to point this out here.
Early in the game, when I was a level, what, 8 Lancer and had nothing else, I found a chest in a leve with a Tarred Velveteen Longsash.
Sarah's still using that thing, she went to the final battle wearing that belt. I like that belt more than I like my primal weapons...
I hope someday I can find a decent bit of Materia to put on it, i'd never risk it with a double meld but since a single is assured