I have to admit, increased melee resistance doesn't sound like a bad idea. My main problem with Brute is that without being berserked, melee fighting still basically sucks. Even though you hit better, you still get shredded just like any other chump. For any melee-build game, you're basically waiting for the damage resistance to show up, whether through Berserker or Malicious Knives.
Or if not melee resist, perhaps increased melee dodge? Maybe suddenly resisting a pinkie maw doesn't make sense, but I would certainly expect one skilled in the arts of melee to be able to dodge the bugger a little better.
The only problem is that it sounds great in the early game, but I don't know what sort of effect it would have by the end....Hey, I'm no melee builds expert, but it's a thought.