General

This is actually an interesting topic. While the game is down, I think it would be beneficial to take some time and put the effort into calculations instead of assumptions.

[b]Stuff To Know[/b]
Two-Handed Axe: http://www.basilmarket.com/MapleStory-item-Fafnir-Battle-Cleaver-11853.html
One-Handed Sword: http://www.basilmarket.com/MapleStory-item-Fafnir-Mystletaine-11873.html
The weapon multiplier for a two-handed axe is 1.34. A clean two-handed axe has 171 weapon attack.
The weapon multiplier for a one-handed sword is 1.2. A clean one-handed sword has 164 weapon attack.

Weapons between 200 and 249 weapon attack get 5 attack per enhance.
Weapons between 250 and 299 weapon attack get 6 attack per enhance.
Weapons between 300 and 349 weapon attack get 7 attack per enhance.

[b]Things To Keep In Mind[/b]
Although the weapon attack between between the two clean weapons is only 7, the difference grows then the items are enhanced.
Using a one-handed sword and sheild is more expensive than using a two-handed axe and secondary weapon.
People do say that a sheild is great if you are funded. However, a sheild can only add 27 weapon attack using shield for attack scrolls.

[b]Enhancing[/b]
A clean one-handed sword is 164 attack. After being scrolled with +7 attack scrolls, 70 weapon attack is added. It is then 234 weapon attack. For benefit of the doubt, [b]one attack above average[/b] sword can be scrolled. Thus, the weapon is 235 attack when scrolled. At this point, enhances add 5 weapon attack per success.
After three enhances, the weapon is 250 weapon attack. At this point, enhances add 6 weapon attack per success.
After twelve enhances, the weapon attack is 304 weapon attack.

A clean two-handed axe is 171 attack. After being scrolled with +7 attack scrolls, 70 weapon attack is added. It is then 241 weapon attack. For benefit of the doubt, [b]one attack above average[/b] axe can be scrolled. Thus, the weapon is 242 weapon attack when scrolled. At this point, enhances add 5 weapon attack per success.
After two enhances, the weapon is 252 weapon attack. At this point, enhances add 6 weapon attack per success.
After ten enhances, the weapon is 300 weapon attack. At this point, enhances add 7 weapon attack per success.
After twelve enhances, the weapon is 314 weapon attack.

[b]Comparisons Between Weapon Attack[/b]
After eight enhances, the two-handed axe has 8 more weapon attack.
After twelve enhances, the two-handed axe has 10 more weapon attack.

Some people like me think that going for over something like eight enhances is wasteful. All this concludes is that if one attack above average one-handed sword [b]or[/b] two-handed axe is scrolled, the two-handed axe is 8 attack higher at eight enhances each.

People say when someone goes one-handed, they have the option to go with a 27 attack sheild, giving one-handed uses a 27 weapon attack advantage. As the situation was shown above, the two-handed axe was eight attack greater than the one-handed sword. Also, along with any two-handed weapon, a secondary weapon can be equipped. A secondary weapon, worth investing into if one would make it their end game, has 5 attack and 10 STR/DEX.
When everything is looked at as a whole, with eight enhances on each weapon, the one-handed set has a 14 weapon attack advantage.
When everything is looked at as a whole, with twelve enhances on each weapon, the one-handed set has a 12 weapon attack advantage. This applies to less people but still has some practicality.

Surely, the two-handed axe will hit higher because of the much higher weapon multiplier to more than compensate the 14 weapon attack loss. However, it comes at the price of speed.

[b]Attacking Speed[/b]
http://maplearchive.com/skill-wp.php?id=1121008
Most heros who care enough about their damage would bother to get the attack speed increase, which increases the speed by 1 (lowers the assigned speed number). The speed booster that all heros use increase the attack speed by 2 (lowers the assigned speed number).
The two-handed axe starts off as a Normal(6). After these speed boosts, a hero attacks as a fast(3). The duration of raging blow is 690ms.
The one-handed sword starts off as a fast(5). After these speed boosts, a hero attacks as fast(2). The duration of raging blow is 630ms.
Fast(3) takes 9.53% more time than fast(2). Therefore, Raging Blow with fast(2) takes the inverse, 91.3% the time that a fast(3) does.

[b]Looking At Weapon Multiplier[/b]
Two-handed Axe: 1.34
One-handed sword: 1.2
Raging blow with a two-handed axe is 11.67% stronger.

[b]Combining Speed With Power[/b]
If all contributors to damage (STR, DEX, w.ATT) are kept the same, the two-handed axe is slightly stronger by approximately 1.956%.
[630/690][1.34/1.2]
[(630)(1.34)]/[(690)(1.2)]
1.019565217391304x

However, the weapon attack is not equal. The two-handed axe situation has 8 less weapon attack. The 1.956% boost has to compensate for the 8 less weapon attack.
A situation can be represented where the 1.956% boost from going two-handed axe is equal to the 8 weapon attack gain by going with a one-handed sword.
1.01956x = x + 8
.01956x = 8
x = 408.89 ~ 409 weapon attack
This number, 409, is significant because it determines several things. If you have less than 409 weapon attack, the one-handed set up is better [b]with all buffs[/b]. If you have 409 weapon attack or more [b]with all buffs[/b], the two-handed set up is better.

[b]TL;DR[/b]: Two-handed axes are better! Also getting Decent Speed Infusion only makes it better.

[quote=NonExistentt]My friend did the math and a fafnir 1h sword scrolled with the +9 atk +3 all stat scrolls and enhanced 12 times and a 42 attack shield WOULD beat a fafnir 2h axe scrolled the same as the sword and enhanced 12 times assuming both were normal average stats, xD sorry if this doesn't help a lot[/quote]

Are you saying it takes the 42 attack shield to be able to surpass it or did you just randomly make up the shield attack?

Let's see... 2H Axe: ~1B tops.
1H Sword: ~$100...

So, I was able to get a 1h sword for very cheap. I suppose I'll just stick with it then. At least scrolling a shield will give me something to continue to work for. I don't have decent SI at the moment, or the azwan inner ability. I suppose the 3% damage loss isn't that big of a deal. Plus I guess I can transfer it to my paladin if I ever want to some day. Thanks for everyone's input. Sorry I kinda went against what everyone said lol.

If you have crazy funds go 1h+shield

If you have the decent si and aswan then the 2h would be reasonable.

2h axe would be better well scrolled if u dont have a perfected shield with watk, but if u do then 1h is better