New Skinning Knife?

[BIGSWANG89]

Howdy. I'm still a bit new, just been lurking for a while.

I'm in the market for a new skinning knife; I've been around knives my whole life, but I just got into hunting. I'm still new at hunting, but I love it, and I figure it'll be part of my life from now til I'm on the other side of the ground. I'm mostly hunting Whitetail Deer, Hog, Dove, and native predators.

The "best brands" that I've considered are

• Buck Knives: with whom I've had great experience with their Buck 110.
• Gerber: I've had Gerber throughout the years. Quality has been so-so, but they have had excellent customer service. Their Myth gut hook fixed blade looks promising.
• Knives of Alaska: I haven't had personal experience, but I've heard great things. I've looked at their website, and many of their individual knives and combos look promising.

Another consideration I'd like some input on is whether or not gut hooks are good. When I killed my first buck, the knife I borrowed had a gut hook, and it worked quite well.

Anyhow, thanks for reading. Sorry for the wall of text.

🐗BIGSWANG89🐗

 

[the.tinker]

Buck 110's and 119 were my staple growing up. Bark River makes numerous models, the Boone and Kalahari being my current favorites.

 

[Sonnydaze]

I do far more reading than I ever do skinning...I am far from an expert, but there are certain styles that are classic skinners.

Here is one from G.L. Drew...a knifemaker who hunts... he has good knives; I have several of his in EDC format. They are not expensive; they are usually pretty thin in the spine...perhaps 1.8" and carbon steels are very common and respected...
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/1184996-Small-Skinner-SOLD?highlight=skinners