I'm still waiting for people to see how great the 1h axe change is. It's become a jack of all trades for up-close melee fighting. 28 pierce on the iron war axe / 27 pierce on the broad 1h axe is ridiculously good for item compression. Axe, shield, polearm with a broad short sword can cover any situation. Great.
I agree that it will more of a jack-of-all trades. Kinda like the Poleaxes.
They still won't have the reach of the long 1h swords, or the speed and slots of shortswords, and while the pierce is good, the picks, maces and hammers are still overall "better" in the anti-armour category.
Personally I would take a 1h axe if I could only take one 1h with me, while taking a sword and a hammer/mace if I have the slots for it.