looking for an Ulu knife, help!

Runs With Scissors

Runs With Scissors

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Dec 3, 2000
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I'm not posting this with really high expectations, but...y'all have come through before with odd situations, so I figure it's worth a try.

My mother wants an Ulu for Christmas. It is the ONLY thing she wants. She's not one of those people who already has everything, she just doesn't want much. She's one of the odd folks that uses the hell out of her current Ulu (China Special) and she greatly prefers it to other knife designs due to the fact that she's got Lupus, ans well as arthritis and suffers frequent joint pain and weakness in her wrists. She does alot of incredible stuff with it. But...her current one is a worn out tourist trap POS, and she wants to upgrade.

I've found three different types of Ulus available here.

First one is the Grocery store tourist trap section. Ulus imported from China. Need I say more?:rolleyes:

Second is made here in Alaska, but...has a carbon steel blade, a RC hardness of just 47, and bone handles. She's not big into knife sharpening, especially every time after she cuts a carrot. Also she wants a real deal user she can rinse off in the river when camping, and not have to baby while in the kitchen, as opposed to a "lookie what I got in Alaska" trinket.

Third is the best. Also made locally, it has a 440-C blade laminated wood handles, and seems real well designed, except for the fact that I just got laid off work, and can't afford to spend no $100 on it.

Does anyone have any suggestions regarding a fourth option?:(

thanks!
 
http://www.theulufactory.com Don't know how much they cost.

Also, Spyderco makes something called a Maddox that is "ulu like" . Its Spyderco, so you know its good. only about 25 bucks. Discontinued, but you could probably find one at New Graham.
 
As a post script, don't get her a heavy duty model if she really likes the cheap models. She may need the blade to be really thin to reduce the force needed for cutting. It's OK to upgrade blade hardness, but don't change the ergonomics if they work for her. There are a few different major styles of ulus. Some have a split blade where it connects to the handle, some are relatively solid across the handle, and some have sort of a narrow tang. Look at the one she has and how she uses it before you make your choice. The blade and handle design may be much more important for her than the materials.
 
Knives of Alaska is looking like one helluva good option! She originally wanted one with the hole below the handle due, but...the handle on the knives of Alaska ulu definitely appears more user friendly than most. I'm still considering all options, but those are probably as good as it's gonna get.

thanks much!
 
I've seen them in Backwoodsman magazine, made in Alaska, under $50. I'll check tonight and see what I can find out.
 
That Wusthof mezzaluna would make a great hunting frisbee! :) I like the mincing set with that shallow bowl cutting block. What kind of steel does Wusthof usually use?
 
I don't know what steel Wusthoff uses in the mezzaluna, but I like the other Wusthoffs that I had. They are probably only about 56 RC, but they really get freakin sharp.
 
You could try looking for that Spyderco knife that looks kind of like an Ulu, it's supposed to work great.
 
My wife and I go junking quite a bit and to yard sales. But some of the antique stores have Ulus that I never buy. Usually they are in fact old looking but not old. Nevertheless the point is if you have some antique hot spots in your own area you can probably find one there. I've seen more than just a couple while we were out and about shopping.
 
The Maddox is a great knife in its own right, but its not an ulu. The curve is to short and too shallow, and the grip his mother is looking for isn't there.
 
While the Maddox grip is not the same as an ulu it might be even easier to use than the familiar grip. With an ulu you apply pressure with your hand rotated to a palm (well knuckles actually) down orientation. With a Maddox you are applying pressure with your hand rotated like you were going to pound your fist on a table. Depending on her particular disabilities the Maddox might be more comfortable to use.
 
Maddox is definitely a no-go for this particular situation, although the suggestion is appreciated. I found out that my favorite knife store in the state has a few Ulus in stock they say are quite decent, so I hope to check them out tomorrow.

If all else fails it may not be too late for me to buy some 440-C and start grinding...:D

Ulu factory hasn't impressed me so far. real similar to the forementioned China specials.

Knives of Alaska is still looking like the best bet thus far, but....I'm gonna have to seriously consider the grip. It's a helluva lot more ergonomic than most, butso far she greatly prefers the Inupiat styled ones. Like Jeff Clark said, don't screw with success.

(interestingly she has used her current Ulu to clean a mess of Silver Salmon, and cleaned two to my father and brothers every one. My father was using a Microtech Black Marlin fillet knife):D Seems to be a pretty under rated style.
 
The Roselli ulu:
ulu1a-w.jpg


This is an Alaskan style ulu knife. This knife is used as a multi-purpose tool. The blade is hand forged carbon steel. The handle is curly birch and the storage block is birch. 11" $126.95
 
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