Best weapon...

[Hrith]

With all due respect, you don't see too many melee Rangers. Only RAcasts would be good enough for that department...

Actually RAmarl is much better for melee, and she's excellent at it, she has everything one needs to melee, including a very important part: good animations.

I do melee a lot with Terra (ask Omar XP), and always have, it's not just for big levels.
I use many melee weapons with her, including, Yamigarasu, Twin Brand, Morning Glory, God Hand, Twin Chakram, DB's Sword 3075, Red Saber, and probably some others

RAcast is 2nd best melee Ranger, and I don't really advise meleeing with him past Caves >_>

Terra melees in Seabed or Tower, well not always, but for a change of pace, I do.