Blade-Tech U.L.U.

The ulu knife is an unusually shaped tool traditionally used by the Inuit people (Eskimos). Used for skinning and cutting they show a crescent-shaped blade at the end of a straight or T-shaped handle. 

The modern ulu on test or more correctly the U.L.U. or Universal Locking Utility knife is not just a play on words but actually a very clever design by Mike Vellekamp of Blade Tech.

Two Position Folder

This folding design allows the user to rotate the blade out of the handle into a locked position for use as an ordinary liner-lock knife. This position makes it ideal for chopping or heavy duty cutting. But it also allows the user to slide it into a secondary locked position inside the handle with the sharpened edge out for use as a cutting, chopping, scraping tool. The crescent shaped blade also makes it ideal for fine chopping herbs.

Closed the U.L.U. is just under 5” long and weighs 7oz, so it has a fair bit of heft for chopping and deep cutting. The 3.75” blade is 3.5mm thick and is made from AUS 8 stainless steel, which is razor sharp. When open in the ordinary knife position, the edge is dropped well below the bottom line of the handle. So handy for food preparation (slicing and dicing against a hard surface) as it keeps your fingers well out of the way, and also gives extra leverage for cutting. 

The Ulu Option

There’s jimping on the spine where it meets the grip, when close control for fine cutting is needed. Just under this is a long slot that runs almost the entire length of the blade. This is the feature that allows it to be opened – then pushed straight back into the handle with the cutting edge exposed, turning it into an ulu-style tool. To do this you have to release a liner lock mechanism, then push a button at the base of the handle, which allows it to change position.

To release the blade, press the button and slide it back out of the handle (using a nail nick at the end for purchase). It will then lock into the standard knife position, where it can then be folded back as normal after releasing the liner lock.

The ergonomically designed handle is aluminium with a stippled and grooved non-slip rubber coating and comes in bright ‘Hunter Orange’ as well as black. A lanyard hole is incorporated into the base of the handle and a sprung steel pocket clip gives you options for carrying. The grip scales fit onto steel liners and the whole thing is held together with Torx screws for a very solid construction. Just behind the axis there’s a choil with jimping on the steel liner, for an even better grip.

Will I Use It?

The main advantage of this design is that the user has two different knives rolled into one - a pocket folder and ulu-type cutting tool. It is very easy to clean and maintain because of its open construction and rubber handles.

It might seem a little gimmicky, but even if you never use it as an ulu, it is still a good utility knife, especially for food preparation and moderate chopping chores. Nevertheless, once you get used to it in the ulu position you’ll be surprised how versatile it is!

For: A versatile and practical design
Against: Not a lot
Verdict: Different, but effective

PRICE: £47.95