40-50 scythe choice, and other questions

[Aaramis]

Ok, a couple of questions on DRK, foremost among them, the scythe choice for 40-50.

I'm currently using Mutilator, and I've seen a few guides suggesting I go Mutilator (40) -> Raven Scythe (AF1 - 43) -> Falcastra (47) -> Barbarian's (49).

So I'd like some input on some scythe paths people have chosen, as it seems a bit silly to go through 4 scythes in 9 levels.
I'm currently thinking Mutilator will last me until either Falcastra or Barbarian's, as the +3 ACC is damn nice to have (hey, every little bit helps!), and as I'm already stealing aggro from the majority of tanks with Mutilator + Absorbs + Drain + Aspir + Stuns, a higher dps weapon isn't going to help much :p
So my question is - is Barbarian's worth it at 49? or is it only really an option if you're one of those twin woodsman's + PCC DRKs? :p (in which case I'd go Falcastra for the +dex)

Also - despite Axe skill starting to lag behind our A-rank weapons at this point, is it worth looking at when I hit 48 for a Viking Axe? +10 ACC is damn nice, and +20 (if DRK/NIN) is droolworthy (although no Rampage till 56 - so I'd have to stick with Souleater + Raging Axe).
Worth it?

And one final question - is it normal to have our A-class weapons not skilling up well?
Scythe, for instance, has been my *only* weapon choice in PTs thus far (currently 42), and it's *still not capped*. In fact, it's about 5 points behind, which is quite good considering all the way to 40 I couldn't get it within 10 points of cap.
I'm using sushi, and often had BRDs in PT, so I was hitting a vast majority of my swings... so it's not like it hasn't been skilling up because of a high miss rate.
I'm hitting. Alot. The damn thing just isn't going up.
Is this normal?

I'm sure once xp starts to slow, I'll be able to easily cap it (and possibly a second weapon - GS most likely - as well), but for now it's a little bit frustrating being several points behind (which doesn't help accuracy any either!).
But it just seems odd that I can't even keep ONE weapon capped. Has anyone else experienced this?

[Cacti]

When i went through 40-50 i got my af scythe and used it until barbarians at 49. With a bard and sushi the -5 accuracy isnt going to be much of an issue. At least it didn't seem to make much of a difference to me. As far as skill ups go I had the same issue until about 60 or so and now my scythe skills up in 3-4k of leveling and caps out. Remember that stun, drain, aspir, and the absorb spells will increase your hate alot, so casting too many in a fight isn't always a good idea. Good luck!!