Szeth could definitely do more damage with a honorblade than most with shardblades. For instance, Gavilar. But I can't see him beating a Fifth ordeal Knight Radiant in combat. If Szeth had the honorblade of Talenelat, maybe.
His Mistborn book was recommended to me by a friend and after reading that, I became addicted. I have now read Skyward, Starsight, Hero of Ages, and just about every book he has published. My favorite however is the Stormlight Archive.