What Makes the Cut

In stories set multiple centuries past
Or in fantasies pseudo-medieval,
I find the main hero must carry a sword,
As if all other weapons were evil.
I gather that daggers are not only puny
But made to be hidden from sight,
And clubs seem too primitive, spears not much better,
But what makes the axes not right?
Their cousins the polearms get even less love,
Being carried entirely by minions.
The bows have some grace, but their range is unfit
For heroics in writers’ opinions.
The staves are for wizards and martial arts masters,
Both prone to support the main man;
And whips, while unlikely to kill, are just mean.
Is that why the tradition began?