pfff. sword cane is the true weapon. I am a dex build. also, after Father Gascoigne, the next boss is a BASTARD SON OF A BASTARD.
and, you can get Diablo like random gen dungeons to play in after the third boss, so awesome.
I've been using the Sword Cane, but I already buffed my axe up to 3+. So I've been using the Sword Cane to clear crows and large hordes, since that whip mode is pretty coolio.