Who should own a skinning knife? Decide whether you are a hunter who will go after big game or are a trophy hunter. Will you be preserving the skin or are you concerned about preserving as much meat as possible? A skinning knife is a huge time saver for those hunters that butcher the animal themselves. Or if you find that you lose a lot of your game during the skinning process, you may want to consider purchasing a skinning knife. 
What is the knife used for? Skinning hunting knives are designed to skin large animals with minimum effort while minimizing the damage to the flesh. The knife is specifically designed for the job of skinning, so it is easy to use. However, it is not as multipurpose as other knives you can buy. It can do most of the other game cleaning chores as well as the clip point and drop point designs, but it is not meant to go between the bones or cut the bones. So this is a knife that certainly has a specific purpose.
Design
Skinning knives have blades and points that are designed to effortlessly separate the flesh from the skin. The blade on these knives is extremely curved; some skinning knives even have semi-circular blades. This makes it easier to cut the tissues that attach to the hide. The skinning blade is easy to use in a wide sweeping motion to remove flesh from skin. The blade of the skinning knife is thin, allowing the knife to bend while working the hide. Blades are usually around 4″-7″. The blade must be kept sharp in order to achieve maximum effectiveness. You can find skinning knives in both the folding and fixed variety; it is s a matter of personal preference. The handle should have a good grip and something that protects you from the blade whether you pick wood, bone, leather, rubber or composite material.
Price
Skinning knives are available starting as low as $19.99. You can find a good quality knife in the $30-150 range. Look for high quality stainless steel.
When you are ready to purchase a hunting knife know what you need the knife to do and what you are hunting. Having the correct knife to work with is essential to a good hunting trip.