Before hurricane Katrina washed all of my guns, knives and everything else I owned away, I had some nice stuff I had collected over 45 years. I can no longer afford the quality guns or knives that I once had. However, these few skinners are better than some I had paid a whole-lot-more for!
The top knife is a "Cold Steel" Roach Belly costs $13.00. Will out-perform many knives costing MUCH MORE!
The middle knife is the Schrade/Old Timer in the classic Sharpfinger design. It costs about $23.00 on Amazon. Again, an excellent bargain.
The bottom knife is I believe, the best $39.00 knife I've ever seen! It was made by Hen & Rooster. Cutlery Corner sells this $+100.00 knife for $39.00 from the H & R company that has closed it's doors. There are other companies selling the H & Rs, this is the least expensive I've found. Buy one before they are all gone. You will never regret it.
The utility knife has a roofing shingle-cutter hook blade in it. I use this to cut the hog-hide in 2-inch strips and pull down. Gets dull, flip it around. Gets dull again, replace it for another $1.00 blade.
I had just about every sharpening system out there. The Lansky was/is my favorite. The Lansky is the one with the "guide wires and stuff". It just takes too long to set up and, is not practical to use while in the process of skinning a few animals. The Smith's is a very good sharpener with the metal carbide "V" on one side and the ceramic "V" on the other side. It's heavy with a large handle. Every time we go to any of the hunting camps, I must go chase-down from campsite-to-campsite to get my sharpener back. If you allow your knife to get really dull, you may have to use the Lansky or, whatever "stone" you use. Then, continue to touch-up and polish your edge with the Smith's.
All of this stuff is low-end stuff. Please show us pics of your skinning gear. I have no affiliation with any company what-so-ever. I am on disability, and once cut all of the meat we raised on our farm. I also cut meat for a living for a short season of my life.
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