big or little

[bambam]

for deer and bear I love my buck knife with a 4 1/4 inch blade. Any smaller animal I prefer a 3 1/2 inch blade, or smaller.

[FinsnFur]

Butt hole knife. Who makes that?  Chicago Cutlery?

[slagmaker]

Butt hole knife. Who makes that?  Chicago Cutlery?

I belive it is a frost cutlery but dont quote me on that.

[Jimmie in Ky]

As long as it's sharp and holds it's edge. If it isn't and doesn't it's worthless no matter how long the blade.  I actually have three I like . A kershaw skinner with a 3 1/2 inch blade, wyoming knife, and a 7 inch bowie . All these hold an edge really well. I have several buck knives that aren't worth throwing out.

You really want to get one sharp , try that method Semp talked about. It's called the scarry sharp system if you want to look it up. Jimmie

[vvarmitr]

I really like my Kershaw knives for skinning too. 

[gadsdengirl01]

My dad uses a 3inch knife for skinning

[securpro]

Jim I use a Gatco sharpener to get the angle I need and it works really well for me, Its also nice to fix a broken tip or a chiped blade..

http://www.gatcosharpeners.com/product/sharp_systems/edgemate_pro_sys.mgi?mgiToken=41D30B035135226CB

[FinsnFur]

I actually got one of those too.....or most of one. 
The kids found it and 
But I always thought it was a nuisance to drag all that stuff out, and go through the motions, and then switch stones, and......

[vvarmitr]

I love this for sharping knives .....
http://www.spyderco.com/catalog/details.php?product=77
in addition to this I have an old leather tongue from out of a boot that I put some tripoly on for honing/stropping.