Castilliano wrote:
The +1 is hardly different than a Free-Hand Parry weapon (or Shield spell), where in settling for a +1 for the cost of an action, you don't have to tie up a hand throughout battle as you do for a +2.
Unfortunately, it lacks the specific text and trait that says the hand is free. So it does occupy the hand. My question is it strapped? If strapped it requires the other hand to be free to unstrap it, then you can drop it, then you can draw a replacement, then you must strap that one in place, then you can re-draw your weapon.