claymore can decapitate 2-3 men easily. katanas can easily slice thru an entire human and into next one. morningstars and heavy hammers can knock enemies into each other. spears can easily completely impale and hit people behind the first target. you dont know how weak the human body is or your weapons very well.
Katana aint all they are made out to be, it's all just E-hype. But a completely unarmoured guy, maybe it could, if the wielder is very strong. However, a nodachi is more likely to achieve slicing through a man due to it's length. Back in the day many were poorly made, and passed down through generations.
On topic:
We NEED shield bash, similar to that of the 1257AD mod.
You know that stumble animation you get from being hit with a polearm? It could cause you to do that, but move further back, and deal a small amount of damage. Also should depend on shield weight, and heavier shields can knock men onto the ground. Would be really nice, seeing as shielders are kinda under-powered a little. It could also cause a few more people to decide to go shielder, and then ranged would be detered a little more.
