I never found a single shield in the game that was worth taking the enormous damage reduction in order to keep, so 2H-swords are always better, IMO.
Historically speaking, a Claymore is/was a type of 2H sword, BTW - but it would have been nice if the descriptions on a lot of weapons made the distinctions clearer, I agree <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />
