What I was thinking is that the blade could curve inward, fitting inside the bottom end of the cane, but sitting outside the barrel of the gun. Basically it would be between the two.
To help you picture it, if someone were stabbed by it they would have wound that looks like the sliver of the moon (crescent).
I'm also talking about something knife sized, not these swords and stuff you're talking about.
Also, a sword cane is no more difficult to use than any other sword. They are just usually a bit on the short side, Angelone.