I usually bring a gerber fixed blade and a kershaw set with a gut hook/skinner, regular knife and bone/small tree and brush saw. I used the kershaw on my spring black bear and it was sharp after the bear was skinned, quartered and boned out. The only problem was I had some gunk in the pivoting point, and when I tried to take the blade out, it was a little tight, and when I torqued on it some it popped off, dropped off the side of the boat and I watched it glimmer down to the ocean bottom. [] I called kershaw, told them exactly what happened and they not only sent me a new blade, but a new handle as well, even though I had not lost the handle. Can' t beat customer service like that!