I've played one gen of 1h, a couple gens of 2h, and one gen of polearm. I will be playing 1h next gen so I will get pincushioned less in strat.
I did not find my 1h gen to be any harder (or any easier) than playing 2H. My KDR was pretty much exactly the same.
It is my opinion that 1H, 2H, and polearms are really well balanced right now:
* 1H gets a shield, a left-swing that nearly always hits the head, and animations that can be very tricky to block when well feinted.
* 2H gets all-round excellent animations, and fairly high damage weapons.
* Polearms get polestun, high damage weapons, and balanced shieldbreakers (in exchange for really bad animations).