I've been hunting for 50 yrs now. I like a small knife for gutting my deer. With less blade I don't have to worry about cutting myself as much and it take very little room in my fanny pack. I know the steel holds an edge berceuse I use Kershaw knives to Fillet over 100 salmon a year. I've field dressed 2 nice bucks with this knife already and have only had to use a strop to touch it up, though I'm not sure I had to.