6 power strike is enough that you can use any 1h weapon well. If it is lower, your attacks will glance with cutting weapons such as swords. Try out many types of weapons to find the style you like best. Don't forget that you scavenge items as needed during a round. Spears are great for rearing horses and supporting allied melee fighters. If you are facing another shielder and don't have an axe, pick one up and make him scared! Even with only 1 wpf in two handed and polearms, 6 powerstrike will let you do decent damage. Your swings will just be on the slow side.
For armor, I would recommend something that gives 30-40 armor for your body and head. Anything more will slow you down and the high athletics won't be of any use. You can also switch to very light cloth armor and you will fly around the battlefield at nearly the speed of a horse.
With 8 shield skill, you can use any shield and do well. Heavy round, board, and plate covered round shield are very durable with okay speed. The knightly heater, steel buckler, round steel buckler, and all of the cheap low-level shields will be faster and still last a very long time. Enemies with axes can break those in a few hits, though.
