personally, i think that these weapons are well balanced. its shortness, like axes, is offset by its damage output.
does it suck to get hit by one, yes. is it in need of a nerf? no. i think that as an educational experience, you should try fighting with either and see that while rewarding, it is a difficult weapon to fight well with unless you spam... which everyone does with every weapon anyway, so really trying to get a nerf is a moot point.