The Rueful Axe is one of the better battleaxes (other that Wuuthrad of course) in the game, but it swings way to slow especially for having a weight of only 10. I would love to use it, but because of the speed it's almost not worth it. It would be awesome if Bethesda included this fix in the next patch.

Yea its pretty much useless, witch is a shame cuz its in my opinion the best looking weapon in the game. Just throw it up on a wall or spare barbus & get the helm. I vote for option two, that helm is pretty sweet too, I wish there was a way to get them both.

The helm is also required to get the Daedric Walker achieve, the axe does not count for it

Sadly most of the unique weapons of this games are far from useful and Wuuthrad is one of the worst one as any other battleaxe with a little improvement can do far better damage than it.

Anyway, a weapon that cannot be improved is of no use at all for it can be so easily beaten by any other improved weapon. Sad devs have made the game this way... : //
Perhaps next update will do a better job in balancing this issues (ratio Dmg/skills/smith & enchant.).

i LOVE The rueful Axe..its the best looking weapon in the game IMO

As for the swing speed, its really not "that slow" I don't really notice it...Battle Axes and the like are already slow anyways....if your worried about swing speed with a two-handed weapon, then your using the wrong type of weapon for your style.

Using Two handed weapons goes like this:

1. Move in Power Attack/Attack once.
2. Back off, Parry/block and wait for opportunity to Bash oppoent.
3. Then step in and attack again.

1-3 have nothing to do with how fast your weapon swings...Rueful Axe included.

i have also noticed it seems i get more killcams when using the Rueful Axe...

I use weapons based on looks and the rueful Axe is by far the best looking weapon in the game....the weapon looks flat out boss, and the fact that the guards say to me: "Tis a very wicked blade you got there, it looks sharp enough to cut through a god" that's gotta just make ya smile...just a bit..and the fact you got this boss looking weapon on your back...no one gonna mess with someone walking around with the Rueful Axe on their back...the person walking around with thhe Rueful Axe is = to Brocker Lesnar + the Rock times 1,000....no one wants none..and those that that try get pasted in style!