as far as i know theer aren't one handed axes. but i can be wrong. i played only with a sword.
about the best axes around. you find them probably all in the first dungeon (slasher etc..)
and some in the very end of the game.
my gess is i used th eshield and a one handed weopon in tye beginning , because my warrior could need the extra defence. at the end the shield was -semi- useless, exept for the extra charm slots and extra bonusses..