i rather see a shodan do 11 techniques very well than do 50 techniques half A $$. I don't always think more is better.
The only weapons I really care for is tanto. I am glad we do a lot of weapons because I think it gives a different perspective on the open hand technique. And it forces me to do it
Also when you start going to seminars, if you know weapons you are sometimes a lot farther ahead than others.
I know when we have our weapons seminar people come from other organizations (that don't do weapons) and you can really tell the difference in everything (form, open hand technique).