Just created a typical nord on the side, biggest weight, warpaint...but can't decide if I want to do two handed Battleaxes or 1h axe and shield. Either would capture that Nord Barbaric feel. I would only choose one.

Two-handed battle axe nord's are for real men cause shield's are for imperials wimps

I'd go with the two-handed mead drinking nord.

Two-handed Battleaxe!

It's all personal preference. Personally for me two handed weapons get old real quick.

The Blocking seems to work just as well with Two Handed as it does with One Handed

True. Also how does the magic resistance work? I remember taking the block perk for 50% elemental damage reduction and being a nord, yet still getting destroyed by higher level frost spells from that clown in Meridias shrine, the final boss there.