I think he may have a point, albeit a small one. It always seems easier to get good swords than to get comparably good staffs, spears, polearms, etc. I've never actually tried to get whips/flails.

Goodies seem to have it easier w/ the non-popular weapons. Thunderlance, sceptre of light, staff of dawn, sung wood, all the mithril stuff from that one explore area. At low levels, silver poleaxe.

Neither seems hugely out of whack, but maybe just a little.