i want to make a melee class which uses smithing. but having trouble deciding on duel weilding or sword and shield..any suggestions??

whenever I use a sword, I use an ebony sword and close wounds/fast healing. sword in right, healing in left

Do you want to get into a block and counter battle or jump right in to slice and dice with dual swords? I like both styles but a shield helps keep you alive while dual requires you to kill quickly or be killed.

You know it only takes three perks to max out the dual wield branch of the one arm tree, so you could easily go for both dual wield and sword and board with the same character. Not many do that but it would be very easy to do.

Which is better? Depends on which you enjoy most. My first character was a dual wielder but I am now starting to really enjoy shields because of the bash in the face you can do with them that causes stagger.

I use DW for large groups and sword and board for tougher opponents.