The highest item level one-hand weapons a level 31–40 character can wear as a Hunter start with Curve-bladed Ripper (item level 45, rare). 61 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 |  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 |  Mithril ClawsFOREVER | 45 | 40 | 26.5 | 2.60 | Fist Weapon | Crafted: Blacksmithing |
| 4 |  Wicked Mithril BladeCHANGED | 45 | 40 | 26.6 | 2.50 | One-Handed Sword | Crafted: Blacksmithing |
| 5 |  Blue Glittering AxeCHANGED | 44 | 39 | 25.8 | 2.40 | One-Handed Axe | Crafted: Blacksmithing |
| 6 |  Sacrificial Kris | 44 | 39 | 25.7 | 1.40 | Dagger | Drops from Helcular's Remains at 0.6% (+495 more) (vanilla) |
| 7 |  Rondel | 44 | 39 | 24.1 | 1.60 | Dagger | Sold by Brenwyn Wintersteel (+15 more) (vanilla) |
| 8 |  Fine Pointed Dagger | 44 | 39 | 15.4 | 1.40 | Dagger | Found in Solid Chest (The Hinterlands) at 1.6% (+945 more) (vanilla) |
| 9 | Legionnaire's Sword | 43 | 38 | 29.3 | 2.70 | One-Handed Sword | Sold by Kelm Hargunth (Horde) (vanilla) |
| 10 |  Protector's Sword | 43 | 38 | 29.3 | 2.70 | One-Handed Sword | Sold by Illiyana Moonblaze (Alliance) (vanilla) |
| 11 |  Scout's Blade | 43 | 38 | 29.1 | 1.70 | Dagger | Sold by Kelm Hargunth (Horde) (vanilla) |
| 12 |  Sentinel's Blade | 43 | 38 | 29.1 | 1.70 | Dagger | Sold by Illiyana Moonblaze (Alliance) (vanilla) |
| 13 |  Ebon Scimitar | 43 | 38 | 25.0 | 1.90 | One-Handed Sword | Drops from Foulbelly (Arathi Highlands) at 1.1% (+527 more) (vanilla) |
| 14 |  Heavy Mithril AxeCHANGED | 42 | 37 | 24.1 | 2.70 | One-Handed Axe | Crafted: Blacksmithing |
| 15 |  Razor Blade | 42 | 37 | 23.8 | 1.70 | Dagger | Drops from Foulbelly (Arathi Highlands) at 1.1% (+526 more) (vanilla) |
| 16 |  Speedsteel Rapier | 41 | 36 | 28.1 | 1.80 | One-Handed Sword | Found in Solid Chest (Alterac Mountains) at 0.0% (+271 more) (vanilla) |
| 17 | Mithril ShortswordFOREVER | 41 | 36 | 22.9 | 1.70 | Dagger | Crafted: Blacksmithing |
| 18 | Greater Scythe | 40 | 35 | 22.1 | 2.80 | One-Handed Axe | Drops from Darbel Montrose (Arathi Highlands) at 1.1% (+475 more) (vanilla) |
| 19 |  Nobles Brand | 40 | 35 | 22.1 | 2.10 | One-Handed Sword | Drops from Darbel Montrose (Arathi Highlands) at 1.1% (+475 more) (vanilla) |
| 20 |  Scorpion Sting | 39 | 34 | 26.5 | 2.40 | One-Handed Sword | Found in Solid Chest (Alterac Mountains) at 0.0% (+287 more) (vanilla) |
| 21 |  The Ziggler | 39 | 34 | 26.5 | 1.70 | Dagger | Found in Solid Chest (Alterac Mountains) at 0.0% (+287 more) (vanilla) |
| 22 |  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) |
| 23 | Searing Golden BladeCHANGED | 39 | 34 | 21.4 | 1.40 | Dagger | Crafted: Blacksmithing |
| 24 | Shiny Dirk | 39 | 34 | 12.8 | 1.60 | Dagger | Found in Solid Chest (Arathi Highlands) at 1.5% (+450 more) (vanilla) |
| 25 |  Blade of the Magram ClanFOREVER | 38 | 35 | 20.5 | 2.20 | One-Handed Sword | Sold by #12792 |
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: Main Hand, Two-Hand. Every slot and level.