A better starting weapon (IMHO):
Gamble rare javelins (not War Javelins, the Normal base item)
Do this with a level 30+ character to get good elemental damage & stack-size & IAS/replenish mods.
Temper them for either elemental or physical damage (this removes the level requirements)
Now they not only do MORE damage, they can be used by a level 1 character.
I found a mage staff with such big elemental damage mods on it that it had a level 66 requirement, but no skills bonuses or spell charges. After tempering with three jaw bones, the level requirement disappeared, there were no strength or dex requirements, and it did "KillNormalAndyInOneHit" fire damage. I gave that to my new character's rogue, and she used it as a bow.