The better knives are pounded and ground, not stamped. Labor is costly. If you ever have a chance to compare, eg, a Randall against a current production Buck knife, the difference is well visible. If you keep them sharp, they all work. If it is something you will use annually the rest of your life, it may make sense to get a better blade. By the way, Bucks used to be hand made. I have an old skinner from that era.