There has been quite a debate about this, but in my opinion, the answer is pretty simple. Despite being slower, the leaf-bladed battle axe is the superior melee weapon. The spear is - by far - the worst of the weapons. The reason people think the leaf-bladed sword is the best is because it is a lot faster. However, the strength bonus the battleaxe has is the best out of any one-handed melee weapon you get at this combat level. The damage it does per second is a lot higher, too, despite it being slower. The slash and crush bonus this axe has also ranks at the top of the weapons available to you at this level. All in all, the battleaxe is much better than the sword. It is however a lot harder to get if you are an ironman, as kurasks drop them, which require a higher slayer level than Turoth to kill.  Ammo-wise, I prefer the broad bolts above the broad arrows to kill Turoth and kurask in osrs. I think the broad bolts are just a lot more accurate and more useful to kill them off quickly. However, normal arrow work too. It is a pretty decent alternative, and it won't take you an hour extra or so to kill them. Tip: you can safe spot them with range.