User blog comment:Xilinoc/Ch. 582 - The Headless Star/@comment-11446176-20140528080608/@comment-1338810-20140530004108

"You're completely correct, but the way I see it, the Sternritter using swords and javelins and so on is more a sign of their progression. Much like with the Quincy: Letzt Stil, they've mostly moved on from outdated Quincy powers and weapons to newer, more powerful ones in preparation for fighting the Shinigami."

But again, are swords really a progression from the bows and arrows? You'd think if the Quincy really wanted to gain a weapons-based advantage over the Shinigami, most of them would use guns and such like Gremy, BG9, and that one Sternritter who looks like Commissioner Gordon. But you're probably right that every Sternritter with a sword can probably also turn it into a very creative arrow, or shoot arrows from it a la Quilge.