Thats similar to my original hybrid with the retractable blade.
I found that my FPS didn't allow me to use it effectively the missing "serrated blades" reduced their overall damage, hence I pushed more for the rocket punch as "flame surge" and "flame shield" in the Shield tech tree I think tries to encourage it more.
This is usually my opener
Explosive Dart / Neural Dart ->Jetpack->Rocket punch->rail shot->Flame burts->Rapid shots
repeat where possible