I have a Benchmade Hunt Saddle Mtn Skinner
I can't explain how sharp it is or how well it retains it's edge.
In 3 seasons I haven't had to do more than run it over a ceramic rod a few times.
Yes, this. Anything from the Benchmade Hunt series. And just one person mentioned the Steep Country Hunter in S30V with the orange / black Kydex sheath. BM says that's one of their most popular as it does the job and is only about $129 or so. (Last year you could get it for just over $100, but that was before "Putin's Price Hike!!" Damned Russians! ….
)
The other two mentioned, the Hidden Canyon Hunter and Saddle Mountain Skinner come in two configs: the pretty wood handle and nice trad leather sheath versions in easier to sharpen S30V, which is cheaper, and versions with a super thin insanely sharp 14 degree "Selectedge" in S90V, that come with the same orange/black kydex that will run you over $200 each.
The downside, you WILL need to avail yourself of their sharpening service with those, or learn how to use a diamond hone. Otherwise it will take you 6 months with a standard whetstone. But the edge lasts a really long time as that steel is near 61 HRC. Those two models also come with Richlite handles.
I usually carry the smaller, shorter S90V Hidden Canyon in Scout carry on my left belt, and the Steep Country or a Fallkniven NL5 Idun on my right, or in a pack, with a Second Gen Havalon with the stiffer 60A blades somewhere, since they weigh nothing. I'd use the old 60XT blades only if you needed a scalpel. They do make skinning blades as well.
Remember Fallkniven has their numbers switched around for some reason: the NL5 "Idun" is just 4", while the NL4 "Frej" is 5.5". Great knives.