If he pulls out his knife, you have that thing on your shoulder called a plasma caster. Or if you are wielding the stick, throw that thing through his chest. I’ve done it, I’ve seen others do it, and it has been done to me too (yes, I did pull out my knife when coming face to face with a beserker, as my experience taught me they tend to rush in swinging that stick… Big teachable moment getting blast through the face point blank by a plasma caster…).
You have more than just that stick or your blades… Use them!