Best skinning knife?

[Kioti]

Schrade Sharpfinger works for me.  I have skinned out tons of deer and elk with it.  Great knife.  Handy, small, and if you keep it razor sharp, there is nothing it wont cut.
I carry that along with my Buck Kalinga, and I do just fine.

[matt345]

Havalon Paranta for sure!!!!!!

[sirmissalot]

I just can't bring myself to pack a havalon, I'm sure they are great but I like the feel of a sturdy fixed blade in my hand.

I have a diamond blade and love it for the most part, but the steel is so hard it makes it a pain to touch up, and it would also be out of your price range.

My vote goes to knives of Alaska, I believe they are owned by the same company as diamond blade just use a milder steel which I would prefer.

[bradslam]

If you want something way under $100, there is nothing wrong with a Green River by Dexter-Russell.  They are carbon steel and have a thin blade that is easy to touch up if you carry a sharpener with you.  I bet more animals have been skinned with them than any other knife.

[Huntboy]

Outdoor Edge, Swingblade.

[kentrek]

all of the above are great options..anything with good steel an a drop point is money

but id avoid the razor blade type knives (havalon)...if you cut your self with one of those in the backcountry your in some trouble..ive got the scar to prove it

sharp is great but tooo sharp is deadly..esp with a super light knife

[golfguy0912]

I just can't bring myself to pack a havalon, I'm sure they are great but I like the feel of a sturdy fixed blade in my hand.

I thought the same thing, until I got one last year for christmas. Thought they would be flimsy. Completely wrong. I have used it on two deer this year and it performed as well as my Schrade Old timer that I have had since I started hunting 18 years ago. I could not recommend this knife enough for skinning out any animal.

The one down side to them as it has been said is they are EXTREMELY sharp. I pricked myself this last week on my dad's buck as we were skinning it out. Thankfully it was just a minor knick and stopped bleeding after a few minutes.

[sirmissalot]

Seems to me the razor blade inserts would be too sharp for skinning. Never even held one though so I don't know... I just know it is possible to have a knife too sharp when skinning or caping. I do plan on getting one and giving it a shot though.

[sebek556]

Wife got me these knifes of Alaska muskrat/cub combo last year for x-mas. and I love them!! I have done deer this year with the cub and it will still shave the hair off my arm 
http://www.knivesofalaska.com/item.asp?id=65&r=store%2Easp%3Fc%3D35

[golfguy0912]

I dont know if I would use a Havalon for gutting an animal though. Having something that sharp while your hands are up inside the animal. All it would take is one slight mistake and your either cut or cut open something you shouldnt have.

[NRA4LIFE]

I just skinned 4 deer last week with one of Rainshadow's pack skinners.  That is an outstanding skinner.  Holds it's edge great and the blade design seems ideal.

[nwwanderer]

For skinning, whatever fits your hand, is easy fir YOU to sharpen and has a nice bow to the edge.  Sure do not need to spend $100.

[dscubame]

I like the Alaskan Blade trader for Elk.  Kershaw Alaskan Blade Trader Knife 1098AK Demo

Nothing but a small pocket knife for deer.

[bradslam]

I've started using a kevlar glove on my left hand when cutting up animals in the field.  It beats getting nasty cuts when in the backcountry.  When I'm done, I just throw it in a Zip-loc bag and wash it with bleach when I get home.  I used to commercial fish in Alaska and I always used one during halibut trips.  I didn't have to worry about getting sliced while going a-mile-a-minute while gutting them.

[Bshiftbc]

I dont know if I would use a Havalon for gutting an animal though. Having something that sharp while your hands are up inside the animal. All it would take is one slight mistake and your either cut or cut open something you shouldnt have.

Agreed! Like I stated before, the Havalon is scary sharp. I use the gutless method...but if I gutted, I would NOT use the Havalon for that part. It is handy for detail stuff (caping around the face etc).
I used one on several WY elk this season, and was impressed. Like many here have stated, I was skeptical of its durability. I tried to use it on some heavier work and was able to break a blade. I tried to use it as I would my Alpha Wolf (as a test). It is simply not made for that type of work.
I would also not give this knife to a newbie or a person doing his first animal!