Must have souveniers (Anchorage, Eagle: move to, companies, place)

[spleenificus]

Originally Posted by Barkingowl

Native walrus ivory carvings & oosik were what I brought back with me.

Yup, the oosik is what you need; perfect for souvenir hunters of all ages.
Looks like a bat, but it's not.
Get one all carved up with an eagle on it or something; the ones from Mekoryuk are outstanding.

[LEER34]

cool! thanks for the ideas. How does one tell a crappy ulu knife from a good one?

and if I buy a good one, is it too good to use? (not one of those who buy knives for show - I like to use them!)

thanks again! oh, and I love the moose turd idea!

[Floyd_Davidson]

Originally Posted by LEER34

cool! thanks for the ideas. How does one tell a crappy ulu knife from a good one?

and if I buy a good one, is it too good to use? (not one of those who buy knives for show - I like to use them!)

A good ulu is a great tool in the kitchen.

If the blade is chromed, or polished to a high gloss, it probably isn't a good knife. Typical ulus made for use have a blade that is cut from a carpenter's saw. Anything with a thicker blade than that is not going to be very good.

Another point to watch for is a good handle that won't break. But that brings up a real problem, because the handles vary greatly depending on how what the ulu is designed to do. An ulu meant to chop veggies in the kitchen is one thing, an ulu to cut whale blubber is another, one meant to cut salmon is different, and an ulu designed to be used while you eat is again different.

[JessE86]

The difference in ulu's and their inteneded purpose is the size !!

from a tiny one (for sewing) that will fit in the palm of your hand. to a 9" one used for cutting blubber and meat.

Most inupiaq women have a flat smooth stone in the kitchen for sharpening the one edge for this unique knife. I have even seen women use the bottom of a porclean coffee cup to sharpen their ulu's

[LEER34]

Interesting. I can pretty much guarantee I wont use it for whale blubbering. I saw a set of steak ulu's and thought that might be cool, but I hope to find one as a good general purpose kitchen utensil. I also liked the folding ones - thought it might be good for skinning deer.

thanks again!

[JessE86]

Perhaps the most sought after items by tourists is IVORY

you have to feel ivory and see it and wear it to understand what the attraction is.. Ivory bracelets & ear-rings are huge selling items that tourists generally purchase in Anchorage or in the villages.

The skill of the carvers in Point Hope is legendary throughout the state.

[BudinAk]

If you're going to Seward stop in at IRBI Custom Knives at mile 20 Seward Highway. If you're going to buy a souvenier it might as well be a useful one...

Bud

[Floyd_Davidson]

Originally Posted by LEER34

Interesting. I can pretty much guarantee I wont use it for whale blubbering. I saw a set of steak ulu's and thought that might be cool, but I hope to find one as a good general purpose kitchen utensil. I also liked the folding ones - thought it might be good for skinning deer.

thanks again!

Size is of course one difference; but it is not "the difference", and it is a difference that is obvious to virtually anyone even if they've never used or even seen an ulu before. Blade shape is another difference that hasn't been mentioned (but is only important to someone who is rather sophisticated in use of an ulu).

For kitchen tools, probably two ulus sizes would do, though of course most folks here would probably have three or more.

But the subtle difference of distinction is how the handle is constructed. Some have the handle directly attached to the blade. Some of those have the handle extending on each side out from the blade, some don't. There are also those where there is a space between the blade and the handle, and the handle might be attached with either one or two rods.

The difference? Agility in holding the tool when not using it is probably the biggest thing, but stability when your hands are totally soaked with oil or whatever from whatever is being worked on is also significant. For example, if you see a pair of smallish old ulus in the museum, both about hand size, one with a larger handle that is directly attached to the blade and one with a single rod holding the handle an inch or so away from the blade... the first one is for scraping skins, the second one was probably used to eat with (or for a sewing kit if it is really small).

[JohnPF]

Anyone care to mention price ranges for items mentioned? Just ballpark...

[JessE86]

chump change !! they are inexpensive as in say $20.00 - there abouts.

before skill saw blades were used, (or other metals that washed up on the beach), in times long ago. shale was used as it is plentiful in the Point Hope region.

The half dozen we have here are native made but we traded for those.

Bone, Ivory, wood, antler, 'horn' are the common substances used for handles