This isn't true. I've tested this.
Also, buffing the stats to what you said in your most recent stats post is simply too much. If they raised the long dagger thrust to only 28, they wouldn't have to add penalty with shield. It would be in line with what the long dagger stats were pre-patch, which wasn't OP anyhow. Just drop the idea of penalty with shield completely, and your idea is much more sound.
A 30 pierce weapon becomes a 20 pierce weapon when used with a steel buckler? No. Fucking. Thanks.
True that with a really small buff there needs to be no penalty with shield. And really, I don't think 32 pierce is too much for a dagger that can't block, or even 33 cut on a slash with a knife that can't block either. You are really hung up on the idea that I want to nerf using it with a shield, when I want to keep it the same. If there was a way to Buff damage by 15 - 20% and have a shield penalty of 15 - 20% that would be ideal. However, there is not until cmp gets his super magic code working.
And the athletics thing is true, as I have tested it myself with others. The lower athletics takes a longer time to reach the top speed but it will have the same exact top speed as everyone else. You effectively run faster by reaching that top speed first, but you are not any faster at top speed. If you run in circles and zig zags the difference is real though since you will maintain top and they won't.