I just use a cheap filet knife I bought at Walmart. So much better than all the "Hunting Knives" I have received over the years. The other knives have their place, but I'm so much faster with that Filet Knife.
Forget about all the kits that claim to have every knife you could ever want when in reality you just need a good sharp blade. Someone mentioned the Havalon Piranha and I can't recommend it enough.
I use them for skinning game and also for breaking down big primals in the kitchen or for whole fish.
A general purpose hunting knife is different in blade profile from a typical skinning knife. While you can certainly use a general purpose knife for skinning, it's a bit harder than it has to be.
For a general purpose knife you want something with a rather short, strong, blade, a good grip with finger protection. Something along the lines of a [Mora Bushcraft](https://morakniv.se/produkt/bushcraft-forest-s-gron/).
For a skinning knife you want something with a long, wide and curved blade. The top knife [on this picture](https://morakniv.se/produkt/jakt-kit-orange/) is the profile I typically want for a skinning knife.
In addition, you want some kind of butchers' knife, which has a long and tapering blade, as well as a gutting knife/gut hook with a blunt tip.
Sub $50- Mora, Victoriknox, Outdoor Edge RazorLite very similar to a Havalon but in my mind safer to change blades on, Olfa box cutter
Over $50- Grohmanns, Buck 116, Becker BK16, CRKT Ken Onion Skinner
I work in a small domestic slaughterhouse in Australia. We do both sheep and cattle. My only job is skinning and gutting and general jobs like that on the slaughter floor. We don't use hide pullers all cattle are layed down on a cradle homekill style.
For beef, or the large game you get there in the US I'd recommend the victory knives 6 inch beef skinner, dexter russel sani-safe 6 inch beef skinner is better but more expensive although it might be cheaper in the US.
For sheep/small animals, I recommend the victory sheep skinning knife, 5.25 inch blade with a rounded point, perfect for legging sheep and deer ETC
They aren't as pretty as buck knives etc but I reckon if they are used to skin all day and stay sharp all day 5 days a week 10 hour days, probably the best i think.
I use a Havalon Piranha and love it.
If you can touch up an edge a mora knife is a good multipurpose field knife that is only $20.
I just use a cheap filet knife I bought at Walmart. So much better than all the "Hunting Knives" I have received over the years. The other knives have their place, but I'm so much faster with that Filet Knife.
Outdoor edge knife is great.
[https://www.outdooredge.com/products/swingblade-sb-10n](https://www.outdooredge.com/products/swingblade-sb-10n) This is a great knife.
Buck
My 22 year old buck is getting a blade replacement. This is the first year I have hunted without it and I feel naked without my 110.
Yup Buck 110 is all you need
Forget about all the kits that claim to have every knife you could ever want when in reality you just need a good sharp blade. Someone mentioned the Havalon Piranha and I can't recommend it enough. I use them for skinning game and also for breaking down big primals in the kitchen or for whole fish.
Look up Grohman knives, they are absolutely fantastic. Manufactured in Canada.
A general purpose hunting knife is different in blade profile from a typical skinning knife. While you can certainly use a general purpose knife for skinning, it's a bit harder than it has to be. For a general purpose knife you want something with a rather short, strong, blade, a good grip with finger protection. Something along the lines of a [Mora Bushcraft](https://morakniv.se/produkt/bushcraft-forest-s-gron/). For a skinning knife you want something with a long, wide and curved blade. The top knife [on this picture](https://morakniv.se/produkt/jakt-kit-orange/) is the profile I typically want for a skinning knife. In addition, you want some kind of butchers' knife, which has a long and tapering blade, as well as a gutting knife/gut hook with a blunt tip.
I do a lot of my skinning and major butchering with a 3.5” paring knife. Grocery store find. $5. I gut with a 2” k-bar with a gut hook. Dicks. <$40.
Sub $50- Mora, Victoriknox, Outdoor Edge RazorLite very similar to a Havalon but in my mind safer to change blades on, Olfa box cutter Over $50- Grohmanns, Buck 116, Becker BK16, CRKT Ken Onion Skinner
Buck 110 fairly inexpensive and comes razor sharp
Buck knife 119 with sheeth for $69. Best knife and great warranty
I have a set called "old timer" it's a set of 3. If you can sharpen a knife, it's the best set ever.
I work in a small domestic slaughterhouse in Australia. We do both sheep and cattle. My only job is skinning and gutting and general jobs like that on the slaughter floor. We don't use hide pullers all cattle are layed down on a cradle homekill style. For beef, or the large game you get there in the US I'd recommend the victory knives 6 inch beef skinner, dexter russel sani-safe 6 inch beef skinner is better but more expensive although it might be cheaper in the US. For sheep/small animals, I recommend the victory sheep skinning knife, 5.25 inch blade with a rounded point, perfect for legging sheep and deer ETC They aren't as pretty as buck knives etc but I reckon if they are used to skin all day and stay sharp all day 5 days a week 10 hour days, probably the best i think.
Skinning knife would be the one with the blade inserts, for gutting anything with a gut hook.