I like a carbon steel fixed blade with gut hook on tip...ya you can use your two finger tips to lift up belly skin....but damn that hook is fast...AND IMO....blade should be at least 4-4.5" min. I say this so when your cutting around the bung hole...your getting ALL of the skin so...when you pop open the inside...that area should be done or req minimal trimming at least...any shorter and your just cutting twice inside and out.