The shortsword is much better than your Exq rapier. You're not at a level where monsters have that much of physical mitigation. Even at my level a high ADB shortsword remains much better than a Mag Rapier, and probably still better than a low ADB Leg Rapier.
He's roughly at my level, and judging by how often he is dropping legendaries, he is fighting everything on pfudor just as I am. We are probably all facing the same, maximum strength monsters by now.
Best advice would be to use the SmartSearch script and look up force shields from prior auctions. That should give you some idea. For reference, I bought mine for 7m (SDE, 97% block). So adjust your expectations accordingly (IMG:[invalid] style_emoticons/default/happy.gif)