1 v 1 pike is not that good, but it is awesome support weapon, always when i see group of guys and pikes/spears sticking, i am like: Oh no, not again...
but then, 1v1 manageable, and if ganged properly, than even in groups its easy
imho removing block would be just stupid and render those pretty much useless, ocassionaly you need a block or two before someone arrives to your help or you can switch to other wapon