Is it better/more effective to use a sword, axe, or mace in your all's opinion?

Sorry if this has been written about before.

I prefer mace, just because it does the most damage. Although, honestly, the game is more fun if you play what you want to play rather than worry about what is technically the best.

sword faster and still effective dual-wield you can shred enemies besides swords are sweet

I prefer swords because I like the way they look.

It's mostly just going to come down to your preference of weapon choice. Each have their own perk sets with 'hack n slash', 'bladesman', and 'bonebreaker' which will make whatever you pick more effective. I was dual wielding maces for a little while & can say 2 maces are devastating to alot of enemies. But your power attacks don't move you forward so if the enemy backs up you'll miss and that can be bothersome. I think it's just what you want to roll with really, they all have killing potential.

Yeah, I prefer the look of swords to most anything else.

However, when I think of situations like going into a Dwemer ruin, I think in reality a sword would not be very effective against those machines, whereas a mace would bash them in nicely. Maybe I'll just switch back and forth based on the situation.

I am asking mainly based on which perk tree line to choose between Hack n Slash, Bladesman, Bonebreaker.

One handed mace
Two handed sword
Dual wield axes

It all depends on my character,some of my characters prefer sword,some axes and my current character a mace.
There's really no right or wrong way to go here.
However if you like to switch between the weapon types you probably shouldn't take the weapon type perks.
Even if you do stick to one weapon type the perks are not needed,I like to role play so sometimes those perks are good.

The differences are really pretty minor. Just pick what you like best or think looks coolest.

I'm a sword guy myself.

Honestly, the perks don't do that much. The mace perk causes armour penetration. Which would be great, but practically no enemy in the game has above 200 armour. So the perk is pretty much useless. The axe bleeding damage is almost totally insignificant, and the sword's perk is OK. Perk-wise, I would pick the sword. However, the difference is minor. Go with whatever you want.

Swords all the way!

We see a lot of Elfs holding swords and bow in their hands.
I prefer the axe because it makes my Elfic character looks more authentic.

I go with whatever weapon looks cooler. But if I had to choose I'm a swort man myself.

reckon swords have more killcams, could be wrong.

For 1H i prefer swords, 2H I go with axes like Ysgramor used to.

Mace, I prefer smashing skulls, not splitting them.

I use a sword for my "efficient character" to swathe through enemies, but a mace for RP on my Paladin. The war axes are the coolest in terms of appearance to me, so I have Serana carry one.

Axe and sword combo