We should be able to hold two-handed tools in one hand, such as a pickaxe or scythe, and be able to equip other things in the other hand, but you need the other hand free to actually use the two-handed tool. Could allow this only for tools so that you can't have, like, a B12 and shield, and keep shield on except remove when attacking, then reequip, etc.
Would make harvesting small farm fields easier, harvest with scythe, equip traveler's sack, pick up plant fibers/straw/whatever, put in stockpile, unequip traveler's sack, repeat.