I choose the Swashbuckler.
The kit bonus combined with Use Any Item is reason enough. Theif skills and ToB traps are icing on the cake.
In my current game, I have my swashbuckler, Jaheira, Anomen, Keldorn, Minsc, and Edwin. Going to get rid of Edwin soon though, before the trouble starts. Minsc and my main both have a Thac0 of 1 (both using +3 weapons), and my main has a -7AC.
Since you like melee heavy parties, you should give this kit a try. BG2 has plenty of NPC warrior types to choose from, but it's kinda lacking in the NPC theif department.
The Toe