Dual wield f/t weapons or sword and shield question

Hi there,

Looking to start a halforc mc fighter/thief. I was thinking of dual wielding long swords and axes, off handing the axe and main hand the long swords. I know I won't get backstabs with the axe, but will I still be able to get backstabs with the long sword in the main hand?

Also, has anyone run a build like this using sword and shield? i like the idea of sword and shield as I can then easily use switch to throwing axes. Dual wielding is a pita to switch to missile weapons. However is there any penalties to thief skills if equipping tower shields?

Is half orc fighter thief a viable class and is there a better race to choose? Cheers everybody