My Ulu

[Neilau]

I love this site a whole lot of my passions here.

I have been collecting knives for many years and have some rare and unusual ones. Will post some pictures if people are interested.

Thought I’d share one. My Ulu.

For those who don’t know a Ulu is a Eskimo/Lapp all purpose knife. And for the Westerner they take a little bit of getting used to, once you do, you can do anything with them; from skinning the largest animal to the finest filleting and boning.

The Eskimo/Lapps can often be seen biting at a chunk of meat then slicing it off just in front of their face.

This one was made by a Mr. Roselli. A knife maker in Australia who hails from up the Arctic somewhere – Norway I think.

He makes his own (awesome high carbon) steel from scratch and forges it. The blade is just under 7.5 inches across the top and just under 5 inches at its deepest point – not counting the handle.

The blade is so sharp that just looking at the edge will make your eyeballs bleed!!! It is the most fabulous cutting tool.

He also makes traditional Lapp hatchets of the same quality.

Anyway, for those that have never seen one before -- Enjoy.

[MBI]

Pretty nice. The Ulu does have an interesting design and a handmade one like that sure is a treasure.

I've been interested in knives a long time, please share pics of your others.

[GWiens2001]

One of these ulus can be used to skin out a seal in nothing flat.

Gordon

[Oldfast]

Very interesting. I've never seen one before!
Beautiful handle. What type of wood is that?

Thanks for sharing it.

[Neilau]

The handle is from a burl - off a gum (Eucalypt) tree I think.

The burls are often turned to make nice table bowls.

Nice pick handle wood ???

[Oldfast]

.....Nice pick handle wood ???

I've worked with a small variety of woods for mounting my safe dials...
but in general I'm not all too knowledgeable when it comes to woods.
However, if it's sturdy enough for a ulu handle or a bowl, I'd imagine
it would be solid for a pick handle... and, it's gorgeous looking.

[Neilau]

Hi Oldfast.

It would be great for pick handles.

They are a growth on the trunks of trees with no discernable grain and come in many different colours and patterns depending on the tree.

I don't know about other parts of the world but there is a big "folk industry" here in burl craft. They are particularly popular with wood turners because of their grain characteristics and the fact that they take a high polish.

Rather then try to explain about them here are a couple of Australian sites that tell all about them and show the differences in colour, patterns etc.

http://www.aussiewoodart.com/catalogue.php?cPath=6

http://www.aussieburls.com.au/ --- I notice that these guys have a warehouse in the US.
http://www.aussieburls.com.au/our-range ... gory_id=43

http://www.westcoasttimbers.com.au/solid-wood/burls/

More Australian suppliers:

http://www.leetreewoodworks.com/

http://www.skillosburls.com/

You can get pen blanks ($1.80 AU) from these suppliers, also thin slices for folding knife handles ( aussieburls ).

I was going to PM you this but there may be other pick makers who would be interested in trying some as handles.

Might have a go myself.

Cheers.

[rai]

burls com on all sorts of trees, smokers pipes are made of them

Knifes are considered a mature technology, meaning that all forms of them are thought to have been perfected. I wonder if a hole in the blade underneath the handle so you could get your hands all the way around the handle would help.

The Ulu knife clearly shows its ancient history, these were made originally from sharpened rock. and used for the same purposes cited in the previous posts.

[Oldfast]

I was going to PM you this but there may be other pick makers who would be interested in trying some as handles.

Yeah, I'm glad you did cause I myself am not likley to use this stuff. I've made a few picks,
but NOTHING like some of the master craftsmen around here. So I'm sure they'll find more
use than I. But I CAN appreciate the beauty & really enjoyed looking thru the links. Thanks!

[gnarus8429]

I have one that I picked up in Alaska. Great for chopping veggies and slicing pizza.

[Neilau]

Hi Rai.

Rai said.
________________________________________________________________________________________________________
“I wonder if a hole in the blade underneath the handle so you could get your hands all the way around the handle would help.”
________________________________________________________________________________________________________

I don’t think that a hole under the handle would make using the ulu any easier. Depending on the type of cutting you are doing you have to shift your grip.

That said, here is a modern take on the ulu by Ken Onion. It does not cut as well as a ulu as the blade stock is too thick and it doesn’t chop a well as a cleaver BUT it does chop better than a ulu and cuts better than a clever. So if you only have room for one tool it’s a good compromise. Handy for butchering game in the field.

Looks neat too.

Cheers.

[xeo]

Looks cool. However I don't like the way you handle this weapon. It seems prone to slipping out of your hand when you go to slash someone with it. Perhaps you could add a handle grip similar to brass knuckles? That way you can punch someone in the face with it or slash them across the belly (spilling their intestines) without worrying about it slipping out of your hand and potentially cutting yourself, or giving your opponent (is that the right word?) a chance to equip himself with it. Are you going to polish/sand it? Maybe you could drill some holes in the metal for placing your fingers through it to add more grip?

[Blacky]

never see Ulu before haha

HAHA xeo me think Ulu is not to kill people

[Neilau]

Xeo.

Your joking ----- right???

Polish it !!!!!???????? Drill holes ----AAARRRGGGGGGHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!

I'd rather draw a mustache in the Mona Lisa with a Sharpie !!!!!

[xeo]

Xeo.

Your joking ----- right???

Polish it !!!!!???????? Drill holes ----AAARRRGGGGGGHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!

I'd rather draw a mustache in the Mona Lisa with a Sharpie !!!!!

LOL yes well I'm sorry I didn't realize an Ullu wasn't meant as a weapon. I would happily draw a mustache on the Mona Lisa with a sharpie.

Why not polish it up? I guess you like the old/rugged look?