Melee types can use 1HB. In fact, warriors 1HB skill maxes out the same as 1HS, 2HS, and 2HB. This weapon, other than being 1HB has little about it to make it a priest weap. The melee ratio is decent for an offhander for melee types.
Possibly, though I see it more as an offhand weapon, replacing many centi longswords. Either way, I see both weapons dropping in price. Depends on how common this becomes.