Is there a benefit to using a specialized weapon
other than the skills a warrior learns?
I.e., does a warrior hit more often, hit harder,
learn faster, or something like that with a specialized weapon,
or is just that he has whatever special tricks are in the
specialization path?

I ask because it occurred to me if the answer is no,
then for my char, Rp permitting, it makes more sense
for a staff specialist to switch to, say, a mithril sword,
when fighting a dark elf. Assuming that knowledge of
both weapons is roughly equal.

I've seen this go both ways in different places.

Thanks!