actually, that always worked but very few people did it. now you dont have to do goofy ass shit to make your stab land reliably, you just have to do a nice stab and instead of glancing 50% of the time you will probably hit! much better!
This is honestly the truth to the change. I'm a nonstop 2hand abuser but I've always enjoyed 1hand classes, which my main currently is.
Pretty sure the great majority of "good" 1handers ended up using weapons without a stab, because it was practically useless garbage in the majority of situations. Thrusting was a feint direction, unless you really wanted to punch yourself in the dick over struggling with the Warband engine to get anything but a glance at all no matter the circumstances.
Even still the 1hand stab isn't as bullshit as a 2hand stab. Its not as easy to aim and nowhere near as long. Not as reliable for killsteals or cav kills like the Longsword and up is.
But 1hand stabs are certainly fun to use! Which is the best part of the change. It actually added "fun" to a class, instead of removing it like every other cRPG change I can remember.