i totally agree with you !!
in my opinion Enhanced shadow fists is better weapon for lower geared ppl due to the additional bonuses they offer in order to max critical and attack speed which are crucial for melee classes,as mentioned you spend a lower amount of adena for a decent weapon and spend the rest of the adena for armor trinkets jewels tattoos etc,the major disdvantage is that you cant upgrade them more so if you want to improve further in the future you must sell them and purchase something new.But until then i recommend them for starting weapon.