I am surprised that it took that long for someone to come up with Doug Ritter RSK Mk1? (Benchmade Model 552) on this forum, but sounds to me like it would be a good bet. I do not have one. If he does not like it, I do know where you could find a good home for it. <img src="/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />
I am not much on serrated blades especially when you threw skinning in as a use, but to each his own.
A good knife is a personal thing, really hard to pick for someone else.
I second the comment made about Smith and Wesson knives. I think S&W has done like Winchester and put an old reputable name on cheap products. I have a couple of S&W knives and am not impressed.
Suggestion: If he had a Benchmade that he liked and no longer has (lost?), try to find out more about it and buy a similiar one.