Companion weapons

[Charlemagne]

The companion's special power description seems tied to their original weapon. It says that Parvati uses her hammer, or the vicar uses his shotgun. Does this mean that they have to keep their original to use their power, or that you have to provide a similar weapon (i.e. just hammers or shotguns)? Or can they be given any weapon?
For that matter, how do you know what weapons are good for each companion? It doesn't say in their section, and what they say in their introduction is vague and easy to forget "I'm good with a handgun" for instance.

[FullestCarton93]

You can replace their weapons with whatever you want and your companions will still use their abilities with their original weapon. For example, Parvati with use her hammer special ability even if she doesn't have a hammer equipped.

[Charlemagne]

Cool

[KarmaTheAlligator]

Originally posted by FullestCarton93:

You can replace their weapons with whatever you want and your companions will still use their abilities with their original weapon. For example, Parvati with use her hammer special ability even if she doesn't have a hammer equipped.

But then, is the damage done by those abilities taken from the weapon equipped or their original weapon?

[Rye Encoke]

If you sell her hammer after you give her some other weapon, she still can use her ability? Same with Vicar? If you replace his shotgun with assault rifle he can still use his shotgun ability even if you sell his shotgun?