tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5086026991280831425.post4098328257105234951..comments2024-03-18T11:38:13.384-02:30Comments on Elfshot: Making the Steel UluTimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11473674521424237610noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5086026991280831425.post-24210290092648805392012-12-13T08:22:40.910-03:302012-12-13T08:22:40.910-03:30Thanks Richard for sharing that. I like the tip a...Thanks Richard for sharing that. I like the tip about splitting nails lengthwise for stems - I'll have to keep an eye out for that in collections. The single sided bevel is the norm in the east as well.Timhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11473674521424237610noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5086026991280831425.post-71490884401767874722012-12-08T09:50:48.800-03:302012-12-08T09:50:48.800-03:30Frank D. is right when suggest using old handsaw ...Frank D. is right when suggest using old handsaw blades. My sons and I make ulus (uliaq) for sale and for familyu members. The Yupik people of my my wife's family nearly always use hand saw blades. Hard to drill so we use a sharp punch and then drill the hole clean. My father in law used a two stem handle and small blade. Te stems were usually large nails split partially with a hacksaw. I use a single stem ulu and use an iron ail or heavy brass rod split with a hacksaw. We use finishing nails, copper brads or braas rod to attach handles. Yupik women prefer hard wood or antler handles but tourists prefer ivory although it becomes slick with blood. We make a few large heavy ones for heavy butchering but most women prefer a more modest 5 50 6 in. wide blade and older woman like a much smaller one for sewing. Most ladies have a stone of fine grained sand stone they use to sharpen their ulus. When the men finish them they usually only beveled on one side. We still use a bit of trap spring and an antler tine to make crooked knives for men's knives. again bevel on one side and sharpened on on side. A very good carving tool to creat wooden or baleen implements. We also make & use hand adzes with steel blades. I also us Tlingit or Haida styled adzes and crooked knives to carve wood. Richard Wisecarvernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5086026991280831425.post-4133956028844716612011-08-09T17:13:34.627-02:302011-08-09T17:13:34.627-02:30Oh, ok, that's why you used the Chinese cleave...Oh, ok, that's why you used the Chinese cleaver, that makes a lot of sense, if you don't have a machine shop (and most of the Native craftsmen/women probably didn't) you want to start with something as close to the shape and size of the item your making. It's interesting- you said the original was made from a carving knife, (I suppose that puts it in the mid 19th century to mid 20th century)They already had a functional knife, yet the person went to the trouble to turn it into an ulu, instead of using it as is. That says a lot about the deep rooted tradition of the ulu, and the fact that whoever made it, preferred using the ulu to a perfectly good Western style carving knife. Maybe it was easier to use for them (her probably) Yes, the old saws really take the old look well, if they aren't old and rusty already. I have some that are so pitted and rusty, I got a great deal, since they usually go for display, collections, etc. I make ulus and "old-time" style replicas, similar to what you make, except yours are MUCH prettier! Oh, P.S. just wondering -mhow much are the Dorset knife repros (the flint ones with the "polar bear" shape handle? God, I love those!frank d.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5086026991280831425.post-72688489550469248152011-08-09T10:41:28.901-02:302011-08-09T10:41:28.901-02:30Thanks, Frank - I've heard saw blades make goo...Thanks, Frank - I've heard saw blades make good ulus - I guess I was stuck in the knife mindset because the original artifact was made on an old carving knife. But I bet the old saw blades would take the rust antiquing quite nicely.Timhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11473674521424237610noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5086026991280831425.post-80837506527643350932011-08-05T02:48:40.694-02:302011-08-05T02:48:40.694-02:30Great work Tim, beautiful ulu! Your steel ones are...Great work Tim, beautiful ulu! Your steel ones are just as great as your stone ones! Maybe try using some old saw blades next time, they usually need no antiquing, they are carbon steel, not stainless, (the steel the Old Time Inuit/Indians used) They should be plentiful up there, if not, they are easy to find-or buy 'em on Ebay, they are all over the place, the rusty old junkers sell for cheap, usually. I am jealous, your ulus are so beautiful! Actually, your work is one of my present inspirations, I make the steel ulus already, but always wanted to try slate and stone ones, now you inspired me to try some, they are coming along nicely, will have to post some pics soon.Also, if you don't have any handsaws or crosscut saws, get some circular blades and let 'em rust, it works, but the steel is so much better in the hand and crosscut saws, these are truly traditional, especially the older blades, typically better steel in those. Thanks a lot for the beautiful ulu pics!frank d.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5086026991280831425.post-80533580951875902382011-03-03T16:19:41.364-03:302011-03-03T16:19:41.364-03:30Sounds like potential for the creation of a rift i...Sounds like potential for the creation of a rift in the space time continuum :)John Erwinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11557136521355806134noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5086026991280831425.post-71103767030984212302011-03-01T11:29:19.306-03:302011-03-01T11:29:19.306-03:30As long as Future-Tim remembers that these notes a...As long as Future-Tim remembers that these notes are here and actually bothers to read them and save some future trial and error, then Present-Tim is willing to take that risk.Timhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11473674521424237610noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5086026991280831425.post-83017097282675753102011-03-01T09:26:53.519-03:302011-03-01T09:26:53.519-03:30Giving away all your trade secrets...now everyone ...Giving away all your trade secrets...now everyone will be making them!Klaushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05006608076041962884noreply@blogger.com