Having spent some time in the high country I know what you mean--I always carry a bottle of 100% DEET. I don't like using it and will use some of the more natural repellants when possible but sometimes I will use anything to maintain sanity.

Randy,

That is an absolutely beautiful implement; please let us know how it works on your project. I have been tempted to obtain an ulu, but have not been impressed with the ones I have seen to date. However, this one made by Mr. Linder really perks my interest. Is there a way to contact him?

Thanks
Pete

Canoe trips into Ontario and Quebec showed me a few things about the insect critters.
Yes, my survival kit contains a good repellant and a spare headnet.
One item I always take is a Shoo-Bug jacket. I bought a couple years ago. It's a very open weave net with a hood. You pour a 2 oz bottle of high concentration DEET on the jacket in a plastic bag and let it set for a couple of hours. It's amazingly effective. It was, as I recall, made by Johnson & Johnson.
I haven't seen them in years; probably taken off the market because of some presumed health problem for kids.

Pete,

Most of the ulus I ran across in Alaska and elsewhere (ebay) are tourist items. Linder makes ulus for people who use them. I have 3 of his now and each one is great. You can only get ahold of Maynard by mail, but his brochure is well worth requesting as it has handdrawing of each of his patterns along with the prices (which are very reasonable). The large sewing ulu in antler would only be $38, seacow is an additional option. The 8" Fish River in the image below is on $84 again in antler.

He is a nice guy to work with and his work has soul. The more I use an ulu the more I appreciate their design. The super thin steel just glides through vegetables, meats, cheese...the Fish River pattern is my favorite..but he offers may other native designs.

Contact him:

Maynard Linder
PO Box 2119
Homer AK 99603

907 235 9406

I picked up a small sewing ulu in Alaska made my Mike Moore. I started my moccasin repair project with that as my only cutting tool. This ulu is about half size of the Linder ulu show above. I cut out the leather, and did all repair to this point with this ulu. The rest of the project I will use the Linder large sewing ulu.

First my starting point...


Then with the major patching about done.....







And where I left off....still the other one to go.



The little ulu was perfect for cutting out the leather and the sewing . I think Maynard Linders ulus are a bit more "authentic" and traditional compared to Mike Moores, but both are vastly superior to many of the ulus I have seen both in Alaska and elsewhere.

That's good to know. I'll keep packing the net then. And I'll consider a small container of Deet as well.

Regards, Vince

Thank you Sir.

Pete