First, I don't think Swords + Spears is a usable combo for the most part. Shield/Spear is much more flexible.
Next, don't get hung up on the Special Strikes. They are something you may find yourself not using every turn for various reasons (not the least of which is trying to remember them when the game is in full swing, but also that they can slow down things and you risk the negative result). I am finding them more of an actual 'special' strike...something I call on now and then but not every turn similar to using 2H weapons.
Orc infantry have a lot of variety available in their raw models to begin with, but are also very easy to modify since you can have the weapons look a bit more 'rough' than you may want for Rohan for example. And there's no reason not to mix up a nice variety of them in your warbands since they are more mob than formal army.
Example: Put in 4-5 shield/spear in a warband because it's so versatile and will help the others win the Fight rolls. Then thrown in a mix of what you have with some spice to represent the rabble of Orcs. Two or three with 2H options is good for getting thru high armor but 3-4 Axe/Shield models are good alternatives (I think you can even have 2H axes
but would need to re-read the rules). Another 2-3 with hammer / mace and the rest with Sword/shields. Two or three warbands like that would play well and have a lot of variety in both options and visual appeal.