OK,
Even though I'm land-locked down here in Florida and unable to get to the woods, thus far, that doesn't mean I ain't goin'!! I thought everyone might enjoy the topic that I cannot remember "ever" being discussed here in the "Huntin' Forum" (or anywhere else) with regard to blade preference on your Randall hunting knife.
I have used just about everything you can name (except throwers) to skin, gut & dress game. Many years of hunting and many...many critters later I have clear choices as to "my" preferences, with regards to "which one works best for what". I'd like to hear yours and, if possible photos are always a welcome addition!
Let's hear from you! If you are not proficient at posting photos, email them to me and I'll get them up there...(Or Warren or several others who, quite well, "know the drill")!
I'll post some photos and observations as well, but this ain't about me...It's about what "you" prefer for "your" type of hunting, "your" type of game and "your" methods!
Stay sharp, Capt. Chris

Pictured below is just one choice we could chose. A RMK Model #11-4 inch, ALASKAN SKINNER.
Best, Capt. Chris

Hey Captain,

My favourite has to be my #23 standard. My has done everything from bison
to beavers and lots in between. Other ones that I like are the 11, 8, 26, 3, 7, and 4.

I have a soft spot in my heart for Gamemasters as it was a re-worked #23 that lead to my Stanaback Special! Not to confuse everyone but I posted an Alaskan first, which is a classic example of a drop point. See below, a Model #4-4 1/2" (which for years had "no name")! It is just one of several "upsept/skinner" styled blades in the Randall catalog.
Stay sharp, Capt. Chris

Drop point for me or clip. Model 3 is doable, but prefer the Model 5 for all around, but strictly hunting, the 28 is hard to beat. In Alaska, it's a 19-5. In Texas, it's a Model 7-4.5 with a #6 grind. So maybe the question should be for what game animal.

Pap

My favorite is the Old Model 8 Trout & Bird.

Pretty much was one of my first Randalls.

First time out with it I used it to dress out a pheasant.

But then,any Randall is my favorite.

Wayne

For the white tails and hogs ‘round here,

It’s my 19-4.

It does a good job skinnin’ and has plenty of heft to chop through the pelvis.


But for “pure” skinnin’, my 11-3 is hard to beat!

10-4 on the 11-3 Coach. To me field dressing and skinning mean two different things. I do like the DP for field dressing a deer however I think a trailing point would be better for the rest of the work.

Agreed Warren. A trailing point or an upswept blade design gives you more cutting/skinning edge with each and every stroke/swipe! Bo's favorite blade design was the trailing point and one of my "go-to's" is a #3-5".
I only entitled this thread "drop or upswept" to see everyone's preferences. I (this is "me"..personally) find a Model #19 way too bulky and not refined enough to do proper "anything" (on whitetails) compared to a trailing point, skinning blade or a drop point. Just me...Please...no crucifixions here!
Stay sharp, Capt. Chris
PS: I also carry a knife in a day back but carry one on me whenever I am "going" in the woods!...CCS
Photo below: Trailing point example *Model #3*

Re: the phrase "...whenever I am "going" in the woods!...CCS" brings an unbearable image to mind.

Probably not what CCS meant!

For general field dressing: Drop point, no sharpened bevel or clip...so the cutting edge is going only the way I want it to, and no uppity high point is digging into stuff that might be on the opposite side from the cutting edge.

For skinning: A sweep to the cutting edge, with the high point like on the Model 4 or the Model 3.

Larry