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Ask the Experts
W
h a t i s a n 'U l u
'?
Ulu (pronounced oo' loo) means Women's Knife, and consists of a handle and semicircular blade. The knife was originally used by the women, but us guys can use it too. The Ulu is common to many people indigenous to the arctic, with many different sizes and shapes. Traditionally, Ulu blades were crafted from slate or bone, and honed to keen edge on the curved side. The handles, sometimes crafted to works of art, were made bone, antler, wood, or ivory. Ulus are very versatile and the Eskimos used them from working hides, cutting meat, felting salmon and eating. They can be used for many other tasks such as chopping vegetables.
C
a r e o f y o u r U l u
Ulu Maker Ulu handles and bases are made with Moose or Caribou antler as found in the wild. The blade is high carbon steel (RC 47), not some wimpy stainless steel. If the blade tarnishes lay the Ulu flat on counter on top of paper, and wipe Scotch Brite across the blade to renew the luster (you can use this on all your good kitchen knives). To avoid bleaching the antler, wash Ulu by hand.
For those interested, the map below shows the locations that the various designs our Ulu Knives are from. You can also see the location of Soldotna, home of the Ulu Maker.
