RE: what to look for in a good deer knife
 

My favorites that are for deer are usually 3" blades and under. Usually carboned steel.

Below is a custom that I recently had made, 2 1/2" blade:

RE: what to look for in a good deer knife
 

Get a Buck 110, you'll be set for a long time :DI used that knife to gut, skin, process, and do most of the european mounting job on my last deer.

RE: what to look for in a good deer knife
 

I got a case three blade stockman that is made out of carbon steel, that is the greatest kniofe I have ever had. That carbon steel gets sharp sharp... I skinned 6 deer and a hog with mine this year alone. After the hog my buddy said is it still sharp and I pulled it out and shaved hair off my arm.. That not just skinning but gutting decapitating and everything else.