Been using bastard sword since Jesus was a pup, never had a problem, can shieldbash, neutral nudge, polearm nudge, and of course the glorious bounty that is the original 2h buttsmack.
I ask you, in all honesty, what could be MORE demeaning to your enemy than taking a second mid fight just to strike him with the pommel: it doesn't often lead to a free hit, doesn't do great damage, and its main function is to infuriate him, cause you just played him like a bone xylaphone.