The Design of an Uluaq
(Mason, 32)
The Design of an Uluaq
(Mason, 32)
There are many different designs of uluaqs. Uluaqs were shaped according to the owners' preference, comfort, and artistic ability. "Natives decorated the bone and ivory handles of their ULUs with skilled carvings of animals and scenes of their everyday lives" (http://www.alaskaguide.com/alaskan_ulu_knife.htm)
For example, "The handle of this common implement varies greatly in material, form, and finish. In form alone the specimens from each typical area are uniqe. so much so that one who has handled a great many of them find no difficulty in relegating a stray example to it's proper companionships" (Mason, 412). Also, some handles were made so that the ownwer could wrap their fingers all the way around the handle by making a hole in the middle, and some were made so that the owner could only grip the top and the sides.
(Mason, 34)
Some blades were lashed to the handle with a piece of sinew, others were glued to the handle, and others were just tightly fitted into a fixed groove in the handle (Mason, 412). Some blades were more curved than others but each had a purpose and was created to the owner's liking.