The highest item level main hand weapons a level 31–40 character can wear as a Hunter start with Curve-bladed Ripper (item level 45, rare). 21 items fit the slot and band; the top 12 are ranked here by item level, then quality, not by simulation.
| # | Name | ILvl | Req. | DPS | Speed | Type | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Curve-bladed Ripper | 45 | 40 | 30.3 | 1.90 | One-Handed Axe | Drops from Narillasanz (Alterac Mountains) at 0.0% (+344 more) (vanilla) |
| 2 |  Furious Falchion | 45 | 40 | 26.6 | 2.50 | One-Handed Sword | Found in Captain's Chest (Tanaris) at 1.3% (+496 more) (vanilla) |
| 3 |  Greater Scythe | 40 | 35 | 22.1 | 2.80 | One-Handed Axe | Drops from Darbel Montrose (Arathi Highlands) at 1.1% (+475 more) (vanilla) |
| 4 |  Savage Axe | 39 | 34 | 21.4 | 2.80 | One-Handed Axe | Drops from Lost One Chieftain (Swamp of Sorrows) at 1.1% (+447 more) (vanilla) |
| 5 | Keen Axe | 38 | 33 | 12.3 | 2.20 | One-Handed Axe | Found in Solid Chest (Arathi Highlands) at 1.5% (+449 more) (vanilla) |
| 6 |  Broadsword | 36 | 31 | 17.6 | 2.30 | One-Handed Sword | Sold by Brenwyn Wintersteel (+15 more) (vanilla) |
| 7 |  Light Scimitar | 36 | 31 | 11.3 | 1.90 | One-Handed Sword | Drops from Lady Falther'ess (Razorfen Downs) at 33.3% (+451 more) (vanilla) |
| 8 |  Bleeding Crescent | 35 | 18.1 | 2.40 | One-Handed Axe | Quest: Parts of the Swarm (vanilla) | |
| 9 |  Crescent of Forlorn Spirits | 35 | 18.1 | 1.60 | One-Handed Axe | Quest: The Legend of Stalvan (vanilla) | |
| 10 |  Guerrilla Cleaver | 34 | 17.7 | 2.80 | One-Handed Axe | Quest: Bad Medicine (vanilla) | |
| 11 |  Barreling Reaper | 32 | 16.6 | 1.90 | One-Handed Axe | Quest: Defeat Nek'rosh (vanilla) | |
| 12 |  Fish Gutter | 32 | 16.7 | 2.10 | One-Handed Axe | Quest: Stormwind Ho! (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 40 (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.