ulu (knife)

ulu (knife), late 1800s–1926

Where object was made: United States or British Columbia, Canada

Material/technique: metal; wood

Dimensions:
Object Length/Width (Length x Width): 15.8 x 8 cm
Object Length/Width (Length x Width): 3 1/8 x 6 1/4 in

Credit line: Gift of George W. Reed

Accession number: 2007.0602

Not on display

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Label texts

Exhibition Label:
"Climate Change at the Poles," Jan-2009, Kate Meyer, Jennifer Talbott, and Angela Watts
The ulu, often called a woman’s knife, is one of the most important items in an Inuit household. Ulus are used for preparing skins, cooking, sewing, and many other tasks. Lewis Dyche commented in his diary about the skill with which the Inuit women used their “half moon knives.” Early ulu blades were often made from stone, but as trade increased, metal blades with wooden handles replaced the older materials. The shape and size of the blade can vary according to the task being performed or personal preference.