Processing Knives – which are the best?

I’m gearing up to process my extra pullets that didn’t make the cut, well just as soon as we have some nicer weather.   lol

But first I need a new knife. My current one is crap. I’d like to replace it with a better quality tool that holds its edge and can be used for slicing arteries, skinning, and cutting through joints. So something smallish, sturdy and sharp! What does everyone here use?  

I use a J A Henckels 3.5" . Its not the biggest but it works for me. I am also an avid sharpener of all my knives. Nothing worse than trying to cut a tomato and you end up mashing it in to the cutting board    Let alone doing a bird. I was checking out Wholesale sports knife section.

I got a filleting knife at the sporting section in Canadian Tire that works well.

I use the same as Fowler

We use Primecut knives we got from our butcher many many years ago. Hubby keeps them very sharp as well. I think any knife you get that is a good quality one will hold an edge to a certain point, but once you cut a bone or two by accident it will dull, the key is to have the ability to sharpen them up again.
In our house we use Cutco knives, they hold an edge very well but are pricey and have not hauled them out to the butcher house to try them out.

I am wondering how a boxcutter would work? Just snap off the end when it becomes dull. Give it a good wash and dry quickly when done.

I use a good filet knife. I also have a henckels chefs knife on hand to do the joints. A little more meat behind it in case I slip and hit bone. I hone it many times as I am butchering. The sharper the better. Sue I don't think a box knife would be long enough or strong enough.

Sue, I tried a box cutter to skin a head (steer head). Not strong enough and keeps bending or breaking off the tip. I have to skin the heads that I clean for skulls or doing the horns up. Best thing I found is our filet knife for skinning the hide off and a very good butcher knife, bought at Hartford Hide & Leather, to cut joints and meat off the bones before I put them in the boiling water. I keep a steel knife sharpener( round one), to keep it sharp. I have a large iron pot that I put on the fire to clean the heads up.

  Halford Hide and Leather in Edmonton is the BOMB!

Thanks for the suggestions guys.

I think I'm going to go with a boning knife (something like this one: https://www.bunzlpd.com/product.php?productid=328223&cat=991610&page=1 ) and see how I like it.  Too bad that company doesn't ship to PO boxes or I'd just order straight from them. Does anyone know a good place to order online? My selection in town is pretty limited and we haven't been getting to any cities of late....