Have you tried an ULU knife?

I have a new favorite cutting implement -- an ULU knife.

A client from Alaska brought me a huge halibut fillet (from a fish she'd caught it herself . . . 60 pounds!), about 6 oz. of commercially smoked salmon in a lovely "keepsake" box, about a half pound of silver salmon she'd caught and smoked herself AND my first ULU knife.

I say "first" because I'm already plotting to order another one, a little larger than the one I received as a gift.



As my grandma used to say, this thing cuts through everything like it's hot butter! I've used it on fish, chicken and vegetables. I'm really looking forward to using it more and more.

Mine has a birch handle, but they come in a variety of materials, including rather "exotic" offerings from some manufacturers such as Jade, Caribou Antler, Moose Antler, Fossilized Mammoth, Fossilized Stellar Sea Cow, Fossilized Walrus, Fossilized Oosik, Fossilized Coral Agate, Petrified Wood.

ULUs are available all over the internet, including eBay. They are often available with a butcher block featuring a carved out bowl area that matches the diameter of the ULU blade. That's what I'm getting next.



For more info, see:
http://www.theulufactory.com
http://alaskanulu.com
http://www.ulu.com
http://www.alaskaguide.com/ulu_knife.htm
http://www.scrimshop.com/shopcart/items/ulus.html

Have you tried an ULU before?

Lois

I haven't tried it, but it looks for all the world like a mezzaluna which people have beeen using for years.

Yes, I believe the ULU and the Mezzaluna are indeed very similar. The native Alaskans apparently came up with the ULU thousands of years ago and used it for skining and cleaning fish.

From http://www.ulu.com

"Blades were originally made of polished slate and given a bone, ivory or wood handle. The handles were often inscribed with distinctive designs or markings exclusive to the maker of the knife.

"Today, Eskimos and people from all walks of life continue to use the versatile ULU as their primary cutting tool, despite the wide availability of other knife designs. Because the center of force is concentrated directly over the middle of the blade, it creates twice the direct downward force compared to that of conventional cutlery (where the force is behind the center of the blade). Anyone, including those experiencing hand or wrist problems, can perform cutting and chopping tasks effortlessly with an ULU. The Alaskan ULU is a wonderful tool for cutting pizza, cheese and vegetables of all kinds!"

I've never used a mezzaluna. If they're similar, I imagine they would also be very useful.

Lois

[Robin Garr]

I haven't tried it, but it looks for all the world like a mezzaluna which people have beeen using for years.

I could be mistaken - guess I could go Google and make myself look smart - but doesn't a mezzluna have a longer blade and a separate handle at each end? ("Mezzaluna" means "half moon," as I'm sure you know ... )

I haven't tried it, but it looks for all the world like a mezzaluna which people have beeen using for years.

I could be mistaken - guess I could go Google and make myself look smart - but doesn't a mezzluna have a longer blade and a separate handle at each end? ("Mezzaluna" means "half moon," as I'm sure you know ... )

Oh Robin, you don't need the Google to look smart, indeed two handles and a longer blade- but it still looks like an Alaskan half moon to me.

Lois, I have a brochure from a ULU maker in Alaska. I have been really thinking about buying a ULU and a board. Looks really kewl. Seems to me the Inupiat know a thing or three.