I was given a cheaper buck maybe 18 years ago. Since then it's gutted and skinned over 100 deer, two elk, a black bear, four antelope, and lots of small game.
What you need to find is a knife that fits your hand well, has some type of a locking blade or fixed blade so that it doesn't close on your fingers, and that can be sharpened and hold an edge. These don't have to be expensive.
My buck sold for $ 30-$40.
There's plenty of better knives out there. I own some of them. I cannot get this knife as sharp as some of my others, but it's a sentimental thing that I keep carrying it.
Point being you don't have to spend a bunch. Go look at some knives and see what you like and decide from there.
-Jake