User blog comment:Plexioth- xD/Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate/@comment-4714392-20120108150644/@comment-969093-20120108214423

Axe mode is not slower than sword mode and the damage output of the Jaw-Downswing-Sideswing-repeat is slightly more powerful than the Downswing-Upswings-Sideswing in Sword Mode. You would need Power Coating at all times for Sword Mode to deal more damage with its infinite combo than the combos you can do in Axe Mode.

Then there's the Downswing-Sideswing-Upswing-repeat combo in Axe Mode which is considerably more powerful than the other one I just mentioned. It isn't that slow either and can almost compete with an infinite combo with a Power Coating.

Nice thought you had there with your example of the Lance, but it is out of place.