Bear & Son is another good knife (also made in USA) at reasonable prices. I have two, plus a Remington Arms folder (same style as the Buck 110) that was made by Bear & Son (Remy and B & S contracted with each other). Bucks have nicer machining, fit and finish, but the B & S are still good and a little less expensive than a Buck.

Actually… the sharp point and sharply-angled edges of the "tanto" style blade are poorly applied in skinning.  Tanto blades are best at piercing and slicing.

Are "tanto" style blades best used in self-defense?

Is Karate a better defense than using knives?  I studied karate for two years, but had to quit because I kept coming down with H flu (bacteria), which causes pneumonia. This was the causative factor of death in the Spanish flu. Apparently, someone was a carrier of this nasty bacteria. In addition, there were some women who were ugly and evil gnostic witches. They openly hated Christians and threatened us. I left and never returned to study martial arts.

What knife do you recommend for skinning?

Are "tanto" style blades best used in self-defense?

Is Karate a better defense than using knives?  I studied karate for two years, but had to quit because I kept coming down with H flu (bacteria), which causes pneumonia. This was the causative factor of death in the Spanish flu. Apparently, someone was a carrier of this nasty bacteria. In addition, there were some women who were ugly and evil gnostic witches. They openly hated Christians and threatened us. I left and never returned to study martial arts.

What knife do you recommend for skinning?

Tanto blades are good for self-defense and many other tasks, but skinning is not among them. Skinning is best accomplished using—drum roll— a skinning knife. I am not a skilled hunter, so cannot give good advice for a particular skinning knife.
"Is Karate a better defense than using knives?" It depends on the persons involved.

A few months back I ended up purchasing an Ontario SP-1 Combat Knife.  Made in the USA, and came with sheath, for ~$30.  Good construction.  However, I have not had any real time to test it out in the real world.  Are these types of knives good for skinning?  And by that, I mean, will they get the job done (as opposed to be the best knife for the job). 

A few months back I ended up purchasing an Ontario SP-1 Combat Knife.  Made in the USA, and came with sheath, for ~$30.  Good construction.  However, I have not had any real time to test it out in the real world.  Are these types of knives good for skinning?  And by that, I mean, will they get the job done (as opposed to be the best knife for the job).

There is a skinning technique using a sharply pointed blade—sharpened edge up towards the skin, unsharpened edge down towards the "meat," regulate depth by carefully directing the point back and forth like a typewriter. The technique is not tenable with a clipped or drop point blade.