You're right... there was a european gentleman who and whose friend were attacked by a gang of 20... the almost-victims had swords, the attackers swords, helmets, suits of mail...
So much for the so-called chivalry. Which, again, stands against the "small size means better" thing. Short knives/daggers are good, especially if used combined with other weapons, but relying only on one of those, while the enemy has a full wardrobe handy... is not good.
And if I'd have to chose only 1 weapon, I'd pick a longsword. Handy in distance-keeping, but if needed, lethal in CQ as well... think about halfswording. BTW, did the eastern people invent it as well? I mean, halfswording?