More than 3,000 years ago the Ulu knife was the kitchen/campfire utensil of the native tribe women of Alaska. The knife was used like any modern kitchen utensil, to cut and prepare food. It has a crescent shaped blade with a handle fixed opposite to the blade; this is unlike most conventional knives that have the handle adjacent to the blade. It was used for everything, to skin seals, cut up sewing thread (probably made out of sinew), split fish and a lot more besides. The earliest remains of the Ulu knife found were about 3,000 years old, signifying that it is one of few pre-history knives that are still used in the modern times.

It is a rare modern kitchen utensil because of the fact it unknown to most people not living in or near Alaska, this included myself until I discovered it through research. Originally, Ulu blades were made of slate and the handles from an assortment of materials; common ones were leather, wood, ivory, bone and reindeer antler. Frequently the handles where made in two pieces with a deep groove along one edge into which the blade was forced. Sometimes, for extra security, a hole was made through both the handle and the blade then sinew, hide strips or a similar material, were used to lash the handle to the blade. Usually the fastenings were put on wet in its groove and were thereby securely fastened to the handle. Nowadays nails, bolts or other more reliable materials are used to keep the blade in place. Any and all materials were used for the blade, ranging from rock to more modern broken saws. According to tradition the knife was made by the husband or a male relative who would then give it to the future wife as a wedding gift.

The Ulu has become a functional heirloom with sentimental value as it was used by a relation or a gift from a loved one. The knife design, "Semilunar," is said to be common in almost all circumpolar people. The design is small, usefully and versatile which has made it a worthy design. Most of the old Ulus are undecorated, as this is very much a modern idea, for the owner would look after it well and not need decoration. Here is an illustration of an Ulu and accessories: