Out of axes or maces whats the fastest?I usually use swords but want a different weapon this run through.

axes are faster, less stagger.
and of course vice versa.

I personally like maces the best.
if you ignore smithing like I do, they're the best DPS weapons early game, and stay pretty good until the late game.
but smithing favors fast weapons so that's probably why everybody seems to like swords so much.

In theory, it works like this:

Speed = Swords > Axes > Maces

Stagger = Maces > Axes > Swords

I prefer maces because the extra stagger more than makes up for the reduced speed, especially with elemental fury. Also, maces look the best (Steel and Ebony, especially), and there is a badass unique mace gained from a Daedric quest (which I can't use on my current play through as a paladin)