>>2644182how often do you actually have to do this? I was always told to wait 20 min before following a deer, though I've always been within eyeshot of where they fall (I've shot two deer, new hunter).
furthermore, the old guys I hunt with all expouse small knives as superior for field dressing, I don't think anyone can argue with that (granted I only have limited experience with it). you don't even really need a big knife to skin a deer, we mostly use our hands and when you do need a knife it's just to separate the skin from some fat. just need a good belly on the knife for that, not length.
honestly, I'm hard pressed to imagine many situations where I need a "large knife" as much as I love them. filleting (but you should have a different knife for that), batoning (you should have an axe really), prying things, cutting rope is annoying with a short knife got to admit. small bladed knives with generous handles are great for wood carving.
