Match the scaling to your build
Heavy favors Strength and Sharp favors Dexterity. Refined supports a balanced physical investment, but it is not automatically best on every weapon. Compare the actual attack values at Andre with your current stats, then consider the moveset you enjoy.
Early power and elemental damage
Raw removes scaling in exchange for base damage, which can help while you invest in health. Chaos adds fire damage and Dark adds dark damage, both scaling with Intelligence and Faith. Split damage passes through more than one defense, so a larger total number is not a universal damage upgrade.
Know what can take a buff
Standard physical infusions such as Heavy, Sharp and Raw usually allow resins or spell buffs on infusible weapons. Chaos and Dark do not. Many unique weapons cannot be infused at all. Check the weapon before building your whole plan around a buff.