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Ranging from pairing knife to a chef’s knife to butcher’s knife, there are many types of knives useful industrially and in the kitchen. One of such is the Alaskan Ulu Knife. This is a very versatile knife that was formally used to clean and skin animals by the Aleut natives.
The best ulu knives these days now find application in the kitchen as well. They can be used in place of other types of knives for standard cutting of meat, pizza, vegetables, fruits, etc. The top ulu knives come in various sizes, which reflects its uses. For instance, an Ulu knife with a blade of 2 is used for making patterns on an animal skin.
If you are in the market for the best Ulu knives, this article will be of great help. We will shed light on the five best Alaskan ulu knives in the market. This way, you will be able to make a befitting choice that will serve your purpose. We also have a detailed section that will explore the types and uses of ulu knives as well as questions that you might want to ask. This is In addition to a detailed buying guide that will explore the important things to note about an ulu knife.
With this in mind, sit back, relax as I take you through the journey of the best ulu knives in the market.
Best Ulu Knives
1. Arctic Circle Alaska Ulu Knife – Most Versatile Ulu Knife
With a stainless steel blade measuring six inches, this is one of the most used and widely preferred Alaskan ulu knives. In addition, this Ulu knife stands out for being aesthetically pleasing. Beauty and durability were built into this knife as it features a crafted etch that will stand the test of time.
The blade, made from stainless steel is resistant to rust and staining. It is reasonably priced and pretty versatile. It will come in handy in the kitchen. This is a knife that will make slicing veggies and meat very easy.
You can use this Arctic Circle Alaska Ulu for many years as all you have to do is sharpen it once it gets blunt. Once you maintain it by washing, rinsing, and drying after use, it will last many years to come. Click here to see the best price.
- Very easy to use
- Excellent for cutting vegetables and kale
- Pleasing aesthetics
- Reasonably priced
- Durable and can be sharpened and reused for many years
- Easy to clean
- Low tendency to rust
- Possibility of the handle coming off
- You need to keep the wood dry to prevent rusting
2. Ulu Factory Ulu Knife & Bowl Set – Most Durable Ulu Knife
Also, in the list of our best ulu knife is Ulu Factory Ulu Knife & Bowl set. Measuring about five inches, it is a top-quality Alaska Ulu knife with excellent features designed to stand the test of time. It is engraved with the Alaskan Cutlery logo, made in the United States, and features a high quality stainless steel that will surely last many uses.
One of the most durable woods that has been used for knife handles over the year is birch wood. The handle comes with durable and well crafted Birchwood that will stand the test of time. If you need the ideal knife for chopping, this is worth considering.
The bowl complements the blade well, which makes chopping of meat and other food items a pretty easy task. From chocolate to onions to pizza, you can cut whatever you want into the tiniest bit with this Alaskan Ulu knife. It is a knife that is recommended for slicing, chopping, cutting, and dicing. Click here to see the best price.
- Durable and aesthetically pleasing handle
- Waterproof handle, will not suffer damage from water
- The knife is suitable for cutting, slicing, chopping, and dicing
- Low tendency to rust
- You can easily sharpen the knife
- The chopping board should be washed and dried before storing. Mold could grow if stored immediately after washing
- Excessive soaking can make the blade come off
3. Alaska Ulu Knife & Chopping Bowl Set – Top Pick
The Alaska Ulu Knife & Chopping Bowl Set from Arctic Circle comes with an Alaska knife and a cutting block. It features a six inches steel blade that is linked to a wooden handle. The cutting block is a square block measuring eight inches alongside an insert bowl that serves as a stand to hold the knife. This way, storing becomes easy.
The handle gives an optimal grip, which makes it fit for all sorts of tasks in the kitchen. This is in addition to the very sharp stainless steel blade. With a small size, it is suitable for people with smaller hands, giving them the needed control to use the knife.
This is a high-quality material that is strong, sharp, and resistant to wear and rust. This ulu knife is the perfect definition of beauty as it features a beautifully ingrained decoration on the handle and the blade. The cutting bowl is ideal for cheese and small herbs. Click here to see the best price.
- Easy to use
- Handles all your kitchen needs
- Sharp edge, resistant to rust and wear
- Stain-proof stainless steel blade
- Possibility of rust with excess moisture
- Small and shallow cutting bowl
4. Alaska Ulu Knife Set WIth Wood Handle – Top Customer’s Choice
Made by the Ulu factory, this Alaska Ulu knife set comes with the Alaska knife, wooden knife stand, and a chopping board. With many features and accessories, it stands out as one of the best ulu knives available in the market. Measuring six inches, it can handle all your cutting, chopping, dicing, and slicing needs. The chopping board comes in an eight inches square shape. There is a wooden stand as well that holds the knife.
Designed in Alaska, it is a product of the ulu factory. Ulu factory is a top-quality industry known for producing varieties of Ulu knives. The sharp blade is made from premium American stainless steel, which is durable and can take care of all your cutting needs. In addition, the blade is heat-treated to ensure that it withstands all needs.
The wooden handle is comfortable to use and comes with the company logo ingrained on it. This is the perfect knife to handle your chopping, mincing, and slicing needs. Click here to see the best price.
- Small and easy to use
- Deep rich wood
- High-quality blade
- The large bowl can handle a large number of herbs and veggies
- Edges stay sharp for long
- Does not need constant sharpening
- The small handle might be uncomfortable for some people
- The blade should be kept dry always
- A little pricey
5. Amhoo Multicolored Ulu Knife – Best Value for Price
Finally, on our list of best ulu knife reviews is Amhoo Multicolored Ulu Knife. This is a high-quality knife that comes with a beautiful design making it suitable for various kitchen needs. The extra-sharp knife makes it suitable to handle different types of food and vegetable items. It also features a wooden store that houses the knife after use.
There is a premium steel blade which can be washed by hand or with a dishwasher. The edge is durable and will stand the test of time. The premium food-grade hardened stainless steel makes it fit to handle and cut every food, fruit, pizza, and vegetable. It looks great and will surely spice up your kitchen.
The wooden handle has been reprocessed to give a robust and durable handle. As a result, the quality will not diminish from heavy use. Click here to see the best price.
- Dishwasher friendly
- Colorful wooden handle
- A strong and sharp blade
- Multipurpose knife
- Safe and food-grade materials
- 100% money-back guarantee
- Price is reasonable
- Might be too small for some people
- Extremely sharp
- Fades after washing with a dishwasher
Types of Ulu Knives
There are four distinct types of Ulu knives, each named based on their region of origination. This section will shed light on the various types available:
Alaskan Ulu Knife
This is also known as the Inuit ulu knife. It comes with a distinct section that is cut out from the blade. The two ends of the blade are linked to the handle, providing a perfect and robust grip.
Canadian Ulu Knife
Native to the Canadian, it is characterized by a thin stem that joins the handle. It comes in two variants.
- The Eastern Canadian ulu knife uses the one with a pointed blade
- The Western Canadian ulu knife comes with a triangular blade
West Greenlandic
This Ulu knife comes with an oval knife that is linked to the handle with a thin stem. The handle is small and compact, which is attached to the pointed blade.
East Greenlandic
This ulu knife features a large and rectangular shaped blade that is linked to a small and curved handle.
Uses of Ulu Knives
To many people, the definition of a knife is that it comes in a rectangular shape with a wooden handle that features a long steel blade. Thanks to innovation, however, there are various types of knives, and one of such is the Ulu knife. If you care about improving your culinary skills, it is essential to get accustomed to an ulu knife.
The ulu knife stands out in that it can be used for a wide variety of purposes. Not only does it help with the traditional cutting and chopping, but it also comes in handy as a tool to skin animals. Back in the Stone Age, the ulu knife was known as the “woman’s knife.” Back then, it was made of stone. However, these days, the best ulu knives are made with varieties of plastic and a sturdy wooden handle that will stand the test of time.
Many people must have seen this type of knife at the pizza shop. It looks funny because of shape, which gives an impression of being a weapon rather than a household tool. You do not need much effort when cutting with an ulu knife; that is why it is used mainly to cut and slice pizza. As you can imagine, all you have to do is rock the knife back and forth without lifting it, unlike the traditional knife. Then you have your pizza cut. Simple and easy, isn’t it?
An ulu blade is appropriately a slicing machine. Many of the best ulu blades are made from tempered and hardened high carbon stainless steel that is joined to a beveled edge. It can cut easily for many years without the need for sharpening.
FAQs
This Alaskan ulu knife review is not complete without exploring some vital questions that users might have. As a result, we will explore these questions with the hope that it handles any concerns that you might have.
What is an Ulu Knife?
The Ulu knife is one of the oldest knives that date back to 2500 BC. It is usually known for its simplicity and versatility, making it suitable to handle various cutting operations in the kitchen. All you need to do is rock the ulu knife over the vegetable, pizza, fish, or meat, and the knife will slice it effortlessly.
The Alaskan ulu knife is designed such that the middle part carries more force, which allows it to slide effortlessly into hard foods. With its rocking motion, it effortless pins down the item to be cut, making food preparation faster and fun.
Like many other types of knife, it comes in two distinct parts: the blade and the handle.
The best ulu knives are made of hardwood material while the handles were made of iron, copper, or slate years back. These days, Alaskan ulu knives are made strictly of steel and plastic or wooden handles. Also, they sometimes come with a cutting bowl or cutting board. Many of the best ulu knives that we reviewed above come with the cutting board.
The curve of the ulu knife gives it a steady rocking motion. This makes ulu knives the best choice for slicing and cutting in a single motion. The ulu knife is designed such that the handler’s weight is on the handle, which is transferred directly to the blade. This allows effortless cutting of strong and hard objects like bones.
In addition, the best ulu knives are of various shapes and sizes. The most common ulu knife comes with a six-inch blade, which is widely used. There is also a small size that comes with a two inches blade. It is used for making a pattern from animal skin. Also, there are ulu knives with a blade as long as 12 inches.
What is an Alaskan Knife called?
It is also called a mezzaluna knife or a rocker knife.
How do you clean an Ulu Knife?
There is no special cleaning tradition for an ulu knife. However, to ensure that the ulu knife lasts, it is essential to maintain it by cleaning it after use. Many at times, you can use an Alaskan knife for many years without needing sharpening.
Make sure you wash and rinse the Ulu knife with warm water after use. It must be dried before storage. It is a good idea to avoid soaking the ulu knife in water to prevent the handle from losing its integrity. Also, this is important to prevent mold from growing on the knife handle.
How do you sharpen an Ulu Knife?
The Ulu knife, like any other blade, is made of a sharp edge and handle made of plastic or hardwood. With continuous use, in time, the blade could become dull and blunt. This makes it necessary to sharpen your ulu knife to keep enjoying it.
The following step will guide users on how to sharpen it:
- Hold the Alaskan ulu knife tightly on a table with a clamp. You can hold it with one hand in the absence of a clamp. You should keep the ulu knife down such that the handle sits comfortably on the table, and the blade protrudes. Clamp or hold it firmly to prevent disruption while sharpening.
- You can use diamond-coated steel, a file, or a whetstone as a sharpener. Run it up and down the length of the blade. The up and down movement should be gentle until you can comfortably pick up the pace.
- Move the sharpener along the blunt cut to sharpen the blade. Be careful, however, as ulu blades during manufacturing are sharpened in a specific direction. It is essential to stick to this direction while sharpening the blade. All you need to do is move the sharpener along the edge until the face of the blade is shiny and sharp to touch.
- When you are done with that direction, change the direction and sharpen the other side of the blade. Make sure it is well clamped before you start sharpening. Now repeat the entire process for this new side.
What do you use an Ulu Knife for?
The ulu knife can be used for many things. It is an impressive and versatile kitchen tool that handles all sorts of cutting like meat, fish, poultry, fruits, vegetables, cheese, and so on. It is because of the rocking motion peculiar to the ulu knife that gives an effortless cut, making it versatile.
Traditionally, Alaskan ulu knife was used both as a kitchen utensil and for industrial use. They use it for skinning animals, slicing and cutting of food, cutting hair and trimming blocks of ice and snows.
These days, ulu knives are used for cutting, mincing, dicing, and slicing. It finds application in both local and commercial kitchens. Fisherman and hunters use the ulu knife to skin animals. They also use it dress small and large games. They use it to clean and fillet fishes as well.
One of the most distinguishing features of the ulu knife is that you can use it comfortably with one hand. As a result, disabled people with one hand or people suffering from wrist pain, arthritis, nerve disorder, and other conditions can use it.
What Is the Ulu Knife Made of?
Most Ulu knives are created with a stainless steel blade. Their handles are constructed with hardwood or caribou antlers. There are also commercial ulu knives with durable and strong plastic handles, and they are usually combined with a board or a cutting bowl. It has a rocking-like movement when in use, thanks to the curvature of the blade. The rocking-like movement makes users slice and chops whatever item they want with ease. Your hand on the knife’s handle and how you place it adds to the pressure. This is especially beneficial when you want to cut through foods that are stronger. The majority of ulu knives are available in 6-inch blades while there are other smaller knives of 2-inches and much larger ones of 12-inches. They are all designed to be used for different purposes.
Final Verdict
Choosing the best and most appropriate ulu knife is very important as it can make your job easier and make challenging cutting smooth. We have extensively explored the top Alaskan ulu knife available in the market. After exploring the features, pros, and cons, we hope that you can make a thoughtful selection.
We made sure to consider customer experience and user rating before making our selection. As a result, whatever your line of work, you will find this ulu knife helpful. Both commercial applications and household use will find the Alaska ulu knife helpful.
We hope this best Alaskan ulu knife review will guide you to choosing the best and most appropriate one for your use.
Top Selling Ulu Knives
- Natural Earth-Tone & Reds Colored Wood^ulu knife standard blade stainless steel^#1 Imported Souvenir^Boxed^Stand Included
- 8" x 8.25" cutting block
- 6" inset bowl fitted to knife blade
- Alaskan (or Inupiat): The Alaskan ulu knife features a section that is cut out of the blade. Both ends of the blade are then fitted into the Walnut handle and then attached with rivets.
- The Lamson Alaskan Ulu Knife can be a great help with a variety of tasks. In the kitchen, it can grant independence and participation to those with limited functionality in their hands. It can help with almost any task in the kitchen, including slicing, dicing, chopping, and mincing a variety of meats, fish, vegetables, and herbs.