Handedness refers to whether a weapon is one-handed or two-handed in The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion.
One-hand
One-handed weapons are held in a single hand, in contrast to two-handed weapons. They generally do less damage, have lower reach and higher attack speed than their two-handed counterparts, but they allow for the use of a shield or torch in the other hand. Note that while a torch can be equipped with a two-handed weapon, the player only benefits from its effects while the weapon is not drawn.
As a side note, it seems that everyone in Cyrodiil is right-handed, including the player.
One-handed weapons
Two-hand
Two-handed weapons require the use of both hands to wield, making the use of secondary items such as a shield or torch impossible while the weapon is equipped and drawn. Two-handed weapons generally do more damage and have a longer reach, but they also have a lower attack speed.
Two-handed weapons
- Governed by Blade
- Governed by Blunt
- Battle Axe
- Warhammer
- Governed by Marksman
- Other
Shields
- Main article: Shield (Oblivion Armor)
Although not technically weapons, shields are wielded in the left hand. Wearing a shield prevents the player from using two-handed weapons. However, the enchantments of a shield can still be "worn" while wielding a two-handed weapon; only the armor rating does not apply.