Gauntlet
Gauntlets are melee weapons that replicate the archaic combat system from Minecraft 1.8 and earlier.
Gauntlets have a lacking attack damage of 5, however they have no attack cooldown at all. Gauntlets also have the ability to block, similarly to shields, and swords prior to Minecraft 1.9. This blocks significantly less damage than shields.
Gauntlets can be dropped uncommonly by Brutes wearing them. This is a reference to how players who enjoy pre-1.9 PvP are morons, similarly to the Brute. They can also rarely be found inside Cellar weapon vaults.
Gauntlets can be repaired using leather.
Because of the low damage of gauntlets and the fact that they cannot be enchanted means that lategame use requires damage increases from outside sources, such as strength potions, beacons, and obviously Totems of Irregularity.
A Totem of Irregularity specializing in both damage and armor would likely be best, to emphasize the gauntlet's blocking ability as well as refining its damage.
Because of invincibility ticks, clicking as fast as possible is not optimal, but rather attempting to click right as invincibility ticks expire.
Do not forget that gauntlets can be enchanted with Guard, which of course, stacks with any item with Guard in the offhand.