yeah, that's what remember too, but the use taking enemy's weapon or stealing items (like WW grappling hook) is a given imo (tripping is harder, since it may complicate the animation system a lot), and it's probably going to work as a climbing/swinging rope too (since this mechanic looks very recurrent in the game and fits perfectly with the item, and Indiana Jones is their generation hero =p). They wouldn't bother creating the item otherwise - picking up items that are 6-feet high and pulling out octorok, how useful -.-.
Another doubt: I have played TP only in the GC, this Wii control scheme that you call the item with B, is it as practical as using a X/Y button? I mean, in conventional control games you could in a second stun the enemy with the boomerang and strike with the sword, I'm worried is that in this system the items became more useless in battle for being harder to access and use.