Who goes by looks? I remember what weapons are longer than others. When someone is charging me with a chambered German Poleaxe Thrust (for instance), in my head I go "OK, his effective range is 150". My Long Espada thrust is 164, so I will try to outreach him on my thrust (rather than block first).
An elite scimi has an effective reach of 119 on a right swing, same as a Longsword right swing. Nothing "ghost" about that, just the nature of the M&B animations. Don't just assume you will outrange every 1-hander you see on the battlefield, do the math in your head. Take solice in the fact that 1h thrusts and right swings may have good range, but they glance nonstop.