The fur traders in my area used these huge Hudson bay knives and they had to carry everything so if big knives were not useful they would not have bothered.
Here is a photo of a couple actual Hudson Bay knives. They are between the DF and Hooker in size and quite heavy.
[Linked Image from img2.putfile.com]

Maybe your DFLE will end up in a museum?

"if you want to be a hero you have to learn to drive stick"! Sara Conner