This is the best comparison I have seen on this forum, Jerry. We live in similar terrain, but I have to say that having spent quite a few days and even nights in the swamps, that I'd take a big bowie, kukri, or machete over an axe. There is little need for the chopping power of an axe there. The RTAK, Ontario Survival Bowie, any good machete, the old thin 10" CS Kukri are great there. The DF is a bit too heavy for that, but it would work. The new Ratweiler and a lockback would be perfect. I leave the axe back in camp or in the boat or jeep. A good lockback or a nice small fixed blade like the SS4, YK, Bravo-1, DM, or HR and you are set for anything. This is based on my own experiences in such terrain and I've caught a lot of grief for carrying such big a** knives from fellow hunters....until we needed it! But if I had to carry just one knife, it would be the Scrapper 6. It will do it all.