I will second a USA made Schrade. Look for the USA marking for a high carbon steel blade not the later USA+ stainless steel blade

Schrade, Uncle Henry, Camillus, these brands of "Sharpfinger" knives are really hard to beat, the made is USA are getting hard to find, even used bring a pretty good price. with a little practice the blade becomes an extension of your finger, makes the "Dressing" out process much cleaner. I am not saying it is the ONLY knife, but it is one of the better ones. As to the USA High carbon vs USA+ stainless, I have found no difference, both are made in the USA & great knives, I carry one of each in my pac. I believe the USA + is a "Uncle Henry" (jmop) Doc

I love my Buck 102 - belonged to my grandpa and was probably 30-40 years old when I started using it. I've used it for deer hunting primarily and wouldn't want to trade it in for anything else.

Benchmade, cold steel, and the high end Italian made Brownings.

Well, now that Benchmade has come out with this:


I think I can keep my entire stable of knives -- hunting knife included -- in the Benchmade fold! It's available at knifeworks.com. Be sure to use the discount code.

Cutco hunter

Man I hate to say this. I hate that is has come to this.

I have always been a Buck, Moore Maker and Case guy.
I guide a lot of hunts and meet a lot of great people. It's interesting what different people from different parts of the country carry or use during a hunt. On a sheep hunt years ago a man asked me to try his "new" knife. So I did. It was some cock eyed looking folding scalpel thingy....
After the hunt, three sheep later he gave the knife to me. To date I am on my sixth Havalon Piranta. Not because they wear out but because people have begged me out of them. Light, tough, handy as hell and great value. You can clean at least three elk without need for a new blade. They're fast and sharp. They don't and can't replace the feeling of good steel, but they do their job and do it well.

Call Paul Schwartz at Havalon.

My favorites are Gerber and case...

Case is my first choice followed by a American made Buck.