Thinking about it, to drop the LOTR feel, it would be great to make dwarves eigther more viking (round shields, long danish axes, viking helms, like this [link] and this [link] ), or, even better, babylonian (with overly braided hair and beards like this: [link] )
Plus, the handle should not be made of metal since it would unbalance the weapon. The inner part of the shiel should feel more real and under the plate should be a mail or something sturdier.