[Sca-cooks] Fw: [kl] Colonial Knives

[Terry Decker]

About 35 years ago several manufacturer's picked up on the ulu design and 
produced a number of different knives, so I would be cautious about what is 
selling on eBay.  AFAIK, prior to that ulu's were made primarily for the 
Inuit trade.  Since Hudson's Bay Company was founded in 1670, it's possible 
that some of the blades may be of colonial age, but late 19th and 20th 
Centuries are more likely in my opinion.

As to the design of the ulu, it appears to be a highly improved model of a 
Stone Age scraper used for cleaning hides.  It is very possible that the 
basic design is older than the Inuit.  A similar blade design shows up in 
other cultures.  I vaguely remember seeing a half moon blade with a short 
handle perpendicular to the spine that was labelled as Etruscan.  And there 
may be something similar from Pompeii.

I don't know of any definitive studies on the history of the ulu but you 
might contact the field office of the Smithsonian's Arctic Study Center to 
see if they can direct you to any scholarly works or other information on 
the subject.

Arctic Studies Center
121 West 7th Avenue
Anchorage, AK 99501
phone: 907-343-6162
fax: 907-343-6130
email: acrowell at alaska.net

Best of luck.

Bear


> This question just came across my knife List, another mundane smithing 
> list
> I'm on, and I thought I'd put it to these two forums, and see what Cooks 
> and
> Leathersmiths might have to say. First is the gentleman's question:
>
> Ene bichizh ogsen baina shuu...
>
> "Hello my name is Ted Bodley, I have a small knife co. in Alaska and have
> been enjoying this site for some time. Thanks for all the wonderful input. 
> I
> have come across many knives on e-bay sold as food choppers. They are
> similar to our ulu knives. A six inch half moon blade with a handle of 
> many
> different types, wood cast iron,pewter. Does anyone know of any books or
> periodicals that could give me some insight into these knives? Has anyone
> any personal knowledge of them?  They have been advertised as colonial and
> some are dated from mid 1800's to mid 1900's. We are also trying to 
> compile
> more info on ulus if anyone can help us with any info as to origin, name 
> of
> the ulu in different regions etc. it would be most appreciated.
>
> "Thanks Ted "
>
> My response was as follows:
>
> "They were recently discussed on SCA-Cooks List, since their primary 
> current
> usage is as cooking knives- I'll fwd your question along to them. Also, 
> for
> what it's worth, the blade shape is very similar to a knife used in
> leatherworking, the "head" knife, which I believe is pre-1600. The chief
> difference is that the Head knife is shaped rather like a "T" with the 
> place
> to hold it being at the bottom of the stem, whereas the ulu is shaped 
> rather
> like a "D" with the hand holding the upright. I'll fwd your question along
> to both Lists, see what they say.
>
> "One thing I'm thinking is that prior to the arrival of Europeans, the
> Inuit,
> like most native Americans, were confined to the use of stone tools, and 
> the
> ulu slape would make a much more efficient usage for stone, than a long,
> narrow blade. Perhaps the ulu was adapted from a specialized hand axe, and
> made into metal by traders seeking to have a better but familiar tool to
> trade? "
>
> Any insight that anyone can provide would be of interest. Magnus, Bear, 
> I'm
> particularly thinking you two might have something of interest to say.
>
> Saint Phlip,
> CoD