Kirk - Howdy and Welcome to the Scrap Yard ! I have used a Buck Vanguard for dressing out deer and it worked quite well. I have not used my Scrapper 6 from the Yard yet, but I'm sure it would work well for you, especially in the chopping arena. It is a VERY substantial knife for its size. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" /> Tom