The 101-103 speed is not for spam. Is for hitting fast. I tried all of the top-tier one handed: Knightly, Regular and elite scimitar, long eslavona for a long time. Speed factor and reach is the most important thing for a onehander. If your weapon lack one of both, you will pay for it.
If you want to fight against 2handers/poles, you need both. Lenght and speed. Fighting skilled players with a slow weapon is difficult.