Generally a gun or even a bow works better than a knife for hunting.
I’m going to assume that you are taking it hunting as a secondary tool. Then the issue is, what are you hunting, and will you be skinning it in the field?
A small sharp pocket knife will do everything that must be done for field dressing on anything up to an elk.
If you don’t want to reach in up to your elbows, and feel compelled to split the sternum in the field, any good sharp ~5” knife will do. Stay away from stainless steel as it won’t hold an edge.
For skinning, get a smaller knife with a lot of curve on the edge and a harder more brittle blade (it will stay sharper longer).
If you’re hunting rabbits, just use your hands. If you hunting hogs, remember to carry a pig sticker.
[If you don’t want to reach in up to your elbows, and feel compelled to split the sternum in the field, any good sharp ~5” knife will do. Stay away from stainless steel as it won’t hold an edge.]
I’ve never heard this one. I’ve heard folks complain that a large stainless knife will break if used like an axe, but never that it won’t hold an edge. Maybe if you’re using a 420 stainless steel but the newer stainless steels don’t have a problem holding an edge. You however might have a problem giving one an edge as they are super hard. Don’t even think of using an Arkansas stone to sharpen one. Get a knife with S30V steel and some ceramic stones to maintain the edge.