well i didnt keep the honorblade, but the Sheild is HELLA GOOD. it fortifies Endurance, and Reflects 25% of damage i think
Plus, finding good weapons at the beggining at the game doesnt necessarily mean that they will do that much more damage than others u find at the beggining. it depends on your strength and blade level. but as Octavion said, go kill Umbra, take her sword because its like the best in the game if u have a nice level like me, my strength is 81, and my blade is 115 so the Umbra does like 27 damage for me