High Int = 1 prac per skill instead of 2, so the hp from con is pretty easy to make up. Also helps with saves.
High int means far less time spamming skills.
Perma sneak is really useful for flow of shadows so I am told, in addition to it's general usefulness.
STSF is a useful legacy for any sword spec, as they don't have great lagging options.
Metal vulns are not so bad, as people actually have to hit you with a weapon of that material, and dexy sword specs are great at passive melee defense
Elves have pretty good inherents - swiftstrike, acute vision or faerie fire are all pretty useful.
Pretty much highest lifespans.

Halfies are just pretty crappy if you're looking at sword, I don't really see any reason to do a halfie as a sword spec. The int alone, even not taking STSF, makes the pure elves better to me.
Have to go half drow to get 24 dex, the str and con differences are trivial, but the int difference is not.
Handle but not wear, so they have the same gear restrictions, so that doesn't matter really.
Probably other reasons that people who play more warriors could tell you to.