I find the shape does matter, a sweeping curve works better for me. I cut through the hide much less with the skinning blade design. I use several: Gerber Flayer M2 steel, Shrade D2 Skinner, Victorinox skinner, Godogs Loveless M4, Ansi skinner old file blade. These all have some curve to them and the Shrade is almost an Ulu in shape. All of these have good to great steel and will only need touching up if I hit the gambrel or other steel with them.
My neighbor gave me a carpenters hatchet re-shaped as a round head tomahawk, this works well for flaying where you hammer off the hide. I will have him round and taper the blade some more so it will work by itself. Now I hammer with the right hand and use a knife in the left. The less cutting the better.
An Ulu makes a great skinning tool.
