Nope, both are entirely random. Only the colors are more random in TSLRCM than vanilla TSL, but what blade (short, normal, dual) is exactly the same. So 33% chance of each each time.
Yup. Original TSLRCM works the same way, and so does the 1.8.1 installer and 1.8.1 patch.
That's not odd at all, since it shouldn't be there. If it was there, it was definitely the cause of your issue. But since it isn't. Questions;
* Was this a 1.8 save and you're now using 1.8.1?
* Which do you use of the 2 right now?
* What is the status of the Handmaiden? Using Handmaiden 4 Females BETA? Or do you have Disciple?
* And of course; what other mods do you have?