IMO, swords shine more as you progress closer to the current end-game. If I'm in the Plains, I'd pick the blackmetal sword over the Porcupine anytime.

On a neutral target like fulings, I tend to do higher damage with my blackmetal sword than the Porcupine, even though my swords skill is like 5 levels lower.

The swords' low knockback also makes it easier to land the full 3 hit combo. I actually find the clubs' high knockback annoying, to be honest.