It is really hard to beat your cultural armors. Especially starting at level 55 due to the fact that every piece has some kind of mana regen, hp regen, or DS on it. You also get some pieces with +ATK, and the saves and stats will also smoke most of your options.

If you are good with a 2HB weapon a stave of the eternal should be getting a pretty good ratio at that level and can usually be picked up fairly cheap in the bazaar. As far as martial (Hand to hand) weaps...those can be a bear to find so just keep searching in the bazaar. Kashek's kataar (sp?), razor-edged claw is nice and has a good graphic :-), immaculate elven dagger is also pretty good, Golden wraps of the compact. Once you hit 65 you can get a bejewelled parry point, dawnshroud fistwraps, and all will be great.