[kart racer]

I'm looking at a buck mini alpha or alpha or knives of alaska alaskan.Which would ya'll recommend?Any other suggestions of something similar.Thanks.

[Baba Louie]

First deer I ever gutted was with a 2 bladed pocket knife. Worked fine. I've seen my Dad skin a deer using an old soup can lid (tho he also used his pocketknife to open him up and cut loose the diaphragm, lungs, etc. So basically, anything will do unless you're skinning a couple or fifty at one time (in which case you need something to keep the edge up.
I like a 3" - 4" drop point. Mine's made by Barry Dawson. Either one of those two oughta work just fine.

[hwp]

Buck 110's and Case Trappers have probably dressed more animals than all other brands combined.

They are not the flavor of the week but they work quite well.

[sm]

Case Trapper.
Case Sodbuster
I like the Yellow ones with CV Blades.
Trapper Jr ,Sodbuster Jr and the single blade Barehead fits my hands and pocket real well.

Last game I cleaned - used the Barehead - it was in my pocket.

The Old Hickory Paring knife was there and I like these as well...just wanted to use the yellow handled 048 Barehead Trapper was all...

[LHB1]

Kart Racer,
Be careful that you don't fall too far into the "right knife" trap. After using Buck 110's for many years, I decided to get something better. A year later, after spending a lot of money on equipment, I was in the custom knifemaking hobby/business. Eventually I came to my senses and quit that hobby. Now I have the inestimable pleasure of using one of my custom made knives or the old, reliable Buck 110. If I buy a knife today, the blade has to be made of ATS-34 steel hardened to 58-60.

Good shooting and be safe.
LB

[Fat_46]

Look at the Anza knives. Semi-custom made, good steel, built like a brick outhouse.

http://www.anzaknives.com/products/images%20products/6_3.jpg

[SoCalShooter]

I have a crosslock and I have another buck skinning knife...plus a ka-bar :)

[Long Knife]

I've carried a Buck 110 since the early 70's and with that said, if I was to get a new knife for gutting deer, bush craft, and survival situations, it would be one of the Bark River knives.

[The Cultural Woodsman]

Moore Maker Carbon Steel Double Lock large Trapper.....super for big game or small

[Lee Lapin]

Last deer I dressed (a smallish Alabama whitetail) was handled with a Spyderco Dragonfly (it's what I had in my pocket at the time). Dressed in this case means field dressed, then hauled home, hung up, skinned, head and lower legs/feet taken off and left to age a bit. Someone else did the butchering later.

A Dragonfly has about 1 7/8" of edge with a nice curve, decent steel that will take and hold a good edge and enough handle to get by. Maybe not a first choice for a hunting knife but it will do in a pinch (if the user will do).

Druthers for me if I think I might have to bust out a deer is a fixed blade, not a folder. About 4" of blade or a little less, drop point with a little belly to it, good steel, generous handle and a good sheath. Iff'in I could have my complete druthers it would be something like Bob Dozier's Slim Outdoorsman, with its homage to Bob Loveless' classic design. Pic? See http://www.agrussell.com/knives/by_purpose/hunting/dozier_slim_outdoorsman_with_natural_rucarta_handle.html

lpl/nc

[Dave McCracken]

Done a passel of dressing with either a Buck 110 or its Zytel handled sibling, the Bucklite. Good for GP toting also.

Current favorite is a Helle Tor. Not expensive, laminated steel blade of incredible edge and durability.

[Brian Williams]

I got an Old-timer Sharpfinger just for this reason.