They're more of a knuckle weapon. The name literally translate to Fetid Tigerclaw, a weapon used in India.
If it had a sword graphic it wouldn't make much a difference I think.. also, Seedler can no longer be fished up.
The change makes sense for normal mode. Expert? I have no idea what to use on Plantera now.. I had a terrible time with it then, and now I can't use it until Plantera is dead.