I've toted a yellow handle Case 2 bld( I think they call it a trapper)But I use it for everything--I got skinning knives, gutting knives but always wind up using the Case--IMO cain't beat the steel that Case uses!!
I also found a diamond sharpener works best for me--But the name of the game is to keep the blade sharp--Touch it up after ever use--That way you want dull it so much and have to take off so much metal to get it sharp again!!

Wow! I bought 2 cutco's and spent 300.00 on some knife they told me will never need sharpening. There junk i think. I use a buck knife, they seem to work for me, very durable knife! I use a lansky sharpner to sharpen my knives, very good sharpener also!

Rev:

I think (and you can help me) I'm looking for 440C Carbon steel as a minimum, huh?I've done a liitle internet research.....and this seems to be what I'm learning.

I have William Henry, Benchmade and CRKT. I love them all, my benchmade is a little hard to sharpen but keeps an edge well. CRKT makes a great inexpensive knife, mine was about $80.My William Henry iseasy to sharpen keeps a great edge and is extremely nice. It is a pocket knife and for about $260 mightbe more than your willing tospend but is definetly worth the price. Otherwise i'd go with Benchmade or CRKT.

i have always been told to look for the china knives 440 stainless steel

If I thought I could buy the last knife I'd ever need (for my purposes of field dressing and butchering whitetail deer).....for $250......and that I'd be able to keep it sharp, "relatively easily"......I'd jump on it.

I want to buy the last one I'll ever need.

You can't go wrong with a Buck knife!!! I've had mine for 21 years, and it's still good as new!!! Holds an edge, and easy to sharpen (5 minutes)with a little know how!!
You don't even need to spend $250!

I have a Dave Kauffman #15 Field the blade is S30V.

I've dressed 9 deer (including cutting ribs on a few) with this knife and it will still shave the hair off my arm. Jeeze, I sound like Ron Popeil

Of all the hunting gear I've ever bought, this knife brings me the most satisfaction.

http://www.hunttools.com/product/KNI...Guide_Set.html

I don't have the set, only the #15

440C is a stainless alloy. It's good however very hard to work with. I use 1095 because it has the most carbon content 95% carbon, if heat-treated correctly it is super hard.
440 C is not a carbon steel.
The best material is Japanese STS 34, it very expensive but great for knives. It is the hardest of all the stainless types steel.
I harden my knives to 62 Rockwell Scale, making it on the verge of being too hard, too hard the knife will break, too soft easy to sharpen, but will not hold and edge. When I ship out a knife I sharpen razor sharp. I have a technique that I have developed to insure they are hard, or I won't sell them.

But I don't make any knives during hunting season ,,, too busy hunting, or flying around theU.S. onbusiness.

I have more knives at my home page see Gallery www.livehunt.com/therev

i loved my Leathermen knives. Kershaw is also another very good brand