You don’t have to spend much to get an excellent knife. As long as you are not chopping wood with the things, you can find a belt knife that will handle all the chores you want without pulling your pants off due to the weight of the thing.
I am of the opinion that if you want to chop wood, you should use an axe.
In so far as skinning, I used one of these in skinning a deer. I used a different knife for field dressing, but this one was the best for skinning.
The Buffalo Skinner is an authentic American design, one of the original “Green River” knives, dating back to the 1830’s. At $21.50 it is a deal.
Personally I found the sheep skinner a better “all around” design.
http://www.dexter-russell.com/Universal_Prod_Display_2.asp?Line=T&Type=06
One manufacturer who is often forgotten is Grohmann. Grohmann knives are very well made and are excellent designs. The sheaths are top quality leather and the rose wood on my handles have lots of nice figure. I own the Canadian belt knife and it is an excellent utility knife. It is literally the length of a steak knife but thicker. It works very well slicing steak, vegetables, and fruit.
This Grohmann is a true skinning knife, quite smaller than the Buffalo skinner, but lots of curve to the blade. Should work very well as a skinning knife.
http://www.grohmannknives.com/index2.html
That Wyoming knife is a very clever design.
Too bad the Morseth Casade Hunter has been off the market for at least 15 years. I have one, used it in field dressing and skinning, and it is an excellent design. Don't have pictures of mine but you can find pictures on the web.
