Energo weapon

Lets just face: the Dinobots like to kill things. They like it a lot. And they like to get up close and personal when doing it. But there are times where teeth and tail just won't cut it. When that time comes, the Dinobots will usually use their energo-swords.

Generation 1 cartoon
Apparently, Snarl's energo-sword can fire energy blasts. He did this when the Constructicons attck the Autobots base in an attempt to destroy Teletraan I. Later, after going to Dinobot Island, he used the energo-sword to for shooting at rocks during target practice. He needs to work on his aim.

Marvel Comics continuity
Ratbat led an ambush on both Fortress Maximus and Grimlock's respective Autobot contigents while Grimlock and Blaster dueled for leadership on Earth's moon. While the Decepticon forces overwhelmed the Autobots on the surface of the moon, the island base attacked the Autobots from above, protected by a force field. However, Grimlock's energo-sword was able to cut through the force field, allowing Blaster to shoot the island base with his Electro-Scrambler, forcing a Decepticon retreat.

Dreamwave continuity
While searching for Optimus Prime, Grimlock used his energo-sword to as a grapple to lower himself down a chasm. Later, he shoved the energo-sword into the Autobot leader's hands, telling him to prove himself by killing Megatron, or be killed by Grimlock. Optimus Prime used the weapon to beat Megatron senseless, but spared his life, and left the energo-sword behind. Considering the fact Optimus Prime was immediately slagged, it appears that Grimlock didn't really car.

After learning that Jetfire was meeting Shockwave in the Neutral Territories, Grimlock decided to kill them both, tyring to use his energo-sword to decapitate Jetfire. When the Fallen appeared, Grimlock tried to destroy him, but the Fallen merely grabbed the blade of the energo-sword with his bare hand.