With 5 ath, you might want to look into using a Nordic champion sword, a knightly arming sword, an elite scimitar, an Italian sword, an Arabian cavalry sword, or a military cleaver as your primary weapon.
When I have 5 ath, I feel that the shorter weapons (axes, can openers) severely reduce the opportunities I have to hit enemies in group fights, especially without getting in the way of other teammates. Also, if you use a short weapon and find yourself in a 1v1 vs a faster opponent, you are in for a very tedious fight.