Quote Originally Posted by Ars Moriendi
Most of our experience with weapons comes from videogames and it's true that the weights and their effect on the speed are greatly exagerated. Just look at any RPG on the market : 60lbs swords ??? I mean, c'mon, most people could barely lift, let alone do something useful with such a weight.

On the other hand, while the swing itself might be almost as fast with 2h weapons as with one-handed, the recovery time and range of movements is definitely affected by the blade/handle length, weight and distribution and the fact that you have two hands on it. Certainly more than "microseconds" (that's milionths of a second, I think you meant miliseconds)

Now, I've never used a sword, one or two handed. But I did use axes of almost all sizes - from small, meat chopping ones to the large tree felling variety ; and various big hammers. Seeing that in M2TW there are more axe/hammer two-handers than swords, I think my experience is rellevant.
As a matter of fact, your post (and my ever-growing belly) prompted me to remove my fat lazy arse from in front the computer, go outside and do some real-life tests with various implements I could find around, both to satisfy my curiosity and to get some much needed exercise. I could post the results, if anyone cares...
There's quite alot of difference between an axe and a 2hd sword. A good greatsword/cleavemore is going to be balanced right after the hand guard. While an axe is completely balanced at it's head. A fulcrum directly where your hands are means it's going to be easy and fast to move. You wont have the recovery time is very little. Also one should note that they werent that much heavier then a single handed bastard sword. Only 1-2 lb's more. The recovery time difference between a 2hd and a 1hd sword is very little. As most fighting techniques will show even 2hd swords are sometimes only used by one.

Still a danish axe rings it at an iffy 9 lbs (4.09 kilo). A 2 handed great sword rings in around 7 lb's (3.2 kilo's). Although you arent going to really feel much of the wieght in a good sword with proper balance.