So, Do you prefer a shortblade, longblade, or the occasional "push em down the use the hand blade to assassinate them" method? I prefer the shortblade.

The sword is my favorite.

i use mostly the sword but i barely use the short blade

Well I don't have the game anymore but I just used the counter with the hidden blade. Kill everything in one hit even templars.

I only use the sword when there are 10+ enemies, but I mostly use the short blade.

Oooh, the sword because of the AWESOME combo kills, but the hidden blade because you can sneak behind a guard, stand right behind him, hold down that right trigger, and press X. Altair pushes him to his knees, and sticks his blade right to the back of that persons neck. That and I like counter attacking them in battle. I do that one at EVERY guard I see. But I hate the one where you run and jump.
but, the short blade because awesome combo kills, counter attacks, and throwing knives... I think that comes with it?

I like to use the short blade in open combat, and toss a throwing knife in every so often.
However, my preferred style of killing is with the hidden blade. I think my favorite kill is the "Tiger Leap" of doom! One second I'm cruisin' the rooftops, next second you're dead.

I know this sounds stoopid but my favorite weapon is the throwing knives.I start a fight run away then turn around and toss some more.

I like the short blade; those counters are VICIOUS.

i am almost never in open combat any more (i am a master assasin) but when i feel like open combat i use the short blade the counters are EPIC and the knives that come with it make sure no one ever escapes me