The highest item level main hand weapons a level 1–10 character can wear as a Hunter start with Brutish Riverpaw Axe (item level 15, uncommon). 64 items fit the slot and band; the top 25 are ranked here by item level, then quality, not by simulation.
| # | Name | ILvl | Req. | DPS | Speed | Type | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Brutish Riverpaw Axe | 15 | 10 | 7.9 | 2.80 | One-Handed Axe | Drops from Riverpaw Brute (Westfall) at 2.0% (vanilla) |
| 2 |  Deadmines Cleaver | 15 | 10 | 7.9 | 2.60 | One-Handed Axe | Drops from Defias Henchman (Westfall) at 2.0% (vanilla) |
| 3 |  Dwarven Hatchet | 15 | 10 | 7.5 | 2.00 | One-Handed Axe | Drops from Licillin (Darkshore) at 2.4% (+396 more) (vanilla) |
| 4 |  Right-Handed Brass Knuckles | 15 | 10 | 6.8 | 1.40 | Fist Weapon | Sold by Ariyell Skyshadow (+1 more) (Alliance) (vanilla) |
| 5 |  Enamelled Broadsword | 14 | 9 | 7.3 | 2.40 | One-Handed Sword | Sold by Lizzarik (+3 more) (vanilla) |
| 6 |  Pale SkinnerCHANGED | 14 | 9 | 7.3 | 2.20 | One-Handed Sword | Drops from Fedfennel (Elwynn Forest) at 30.0% (vanilla) |
| 7 |  Worn Hatchet | 14 | 9 | 4.3 | 2.10 | One-Handed Axe | Found in Hidden Strongbox (Alterac Mountains) at 0.9% (+229 more) (vanilla) |
| 8 | Feral Blade | 13 | 8 | 6.9 | 2.60 | One-Handed Sword | Sold by Lizzarik (+3 more) (vanilla) |
| 9 |  Stonesplinter Axe | 13 | 8 | 6.8 | 2.20 | One-Handed Axe | Drops from Stonesplinter Skullthumper (Loch Modan) at 5.7% (vanilla) |
| 10 |  Commoner's Sword | 13 | 8 | 3.9 | 2.30 | One-Handed Sword | Found in Hidden Strongbox (Alterac Mountains) at 0.6% (+228 more) (vanilla) |
| 11 | Rodentia Flint Axe | 11 | 6 | 6.0 | 2.00 | One-Handed Axe | Drops from Tunnel Rat Forager (Loch Modan) at 4.1% (+1 more) (vanilla) |
| 12 | Scalping Tomahawk | 11 | 6 | 5.8 | 1.80 | One-Handed Axe | Found in Battered Chest (Westfall) at 0.4% (+381 more) (vanilla) |
| 13 |  Ceremonial Tomahawk | 10 | 4.4 | 1.70 | One-Handed Axe | Quest: Wildmane Cleansing (vanilla) | |
| 14 |  Rodentia Shortsword | 10 | 5 | 4.3 | 2.30 | One-Handed Sword | Drops from Tunnel Rat Vermin (Loch Modan) at 2.0% (+1 more) (vanilla) |
| 15 | Stonesplinter Blade | 10 | 5 | 4.5 | 2.00 | One-Handed Sword | Drops from Stonesplinter Trogg (Loch Modan) at 2.0% (+1 more) (vanilla) |
| 16 | Well-used Sword | 10 | 4.3 | 2.10 | One-Handed Sword | Quest: Bounty on Murlocs (vanilla) | |
| 17 |  Frostmane Hand Axe | 9 | 4 | 3.8 | 2.00 | One-Handed Axe | Drops from Frostmane Hideskinner (Dun Morogh) at 4.0% (+1 more) (vanilla) |
| 18 | Lumberjack Axe | 9 | 4 | 3.8 | 2.60 | One-Handed Axe | Drops from Snagglespear (Mulgore) at 4.2% (+209 more) (vanilla) |
| 19 | Rockjaw Blade | 9 | 4 | 3.8 | 2.10 | One-Handed Sword | Drops from Rockjaw Ambusher (Dun Morogh) at 4.1% (vanilla) |
| 20 | Short Sabre | 9 | 4 | 3.9 | 1.90 | One-Handed Sword | Drops from Bleeding Horror (Tirisfal Glades) at 4.0% (vanilla) |
| 21 | Rusty Hatchet | 9 | 4 | 2.9 | 2.10 | One-Handed Axe | Drops from Saean (Loch Modan) at 0.9% (+222 more) (vanilla) |
| 22 | Frostmane Shortsword | 8 | 3 | 3.3 | 2.00 | One-Handed Sword | Drops from Frostmane Troll (Dun Morogh) at 4.0% (vanilla) |
| 23 |  Keen MacheteCHANGED | 8 | 3 | 3.3 | 1.80 | One-Handed Sword | Drops from Threggil (Teldrassil) at 100.0% (vanilla) |
| 24 | Sharp Axe | 8 | 3.3 | 2.60 | One-Handed Axe | Quest: Return to Bellowfiz (vanilla) | |
| 25 | Skull Hatchet | 8 | 3 | 3.3 | 2.00 | One-Handed Axe | Drops from Rockjaw Skullthumper (Dun Morogh) at 4.0% (vanilla) |
Ranked by item level, then quality, among items with a known source: gear nothing drops, sells, rewards or makes yet (raids not yet open, the client's test items) is left out. The class filter keeps what the class can equip at level 10 (armor type, weapon skill, Dual Wield, the item's own class limit); the side filter drops items that only the other side's vendors and quests offer. Source: the best known drop first (a Forever rate at 10+ loots, else the vanilla 1.12 chance), then vendors, quest rewards and the profession that makes it. Reviewed picks: Hunter Best in Slot.
Other slots: One-Hand, Two-Hand. Every slot and level.