OK... I tried 1 and 3. 3 is WAY better! My life would go down with 1, and it did take more hits...so I think speed is worse the higher the number. Anyway, #3 is good so I'm staying with it.
BTW, "frost" didn't happen much on either sword until I got to a monster that gives me more than 2000 XP. I still killed them, but didn't even know what frost did until later when I got to a stronger monster.
Thanks to all.