The Ulu Knife in Alaskan Culture The ulu (pronounced oo-loo) is a traditional, all-purpose knife developed by Indigenous Arctic peoples, especially the Inuit, Yup’ik, and Iñupiat of Alaska. What It Is An ulu has a curved, semicircular blade with a handle centered along the top. This ergonomic design allows a rocking motion, giving strong leverage and precise control. Traditionally, the blade was made from: Slate Copper Bone Later, steel (after trade contact) Handles were crafted from wood, bone,