"Until I can complete some rather major refurbishments on another ulu, this one will have to be the last one of mine I share.
This is ulu seems to be a blending of design from Iñupiat and Inuit people. The blade is…"
iKnife Collector
The online community of knife collectors, A Knife Family Forged in Steel
-
Lars Ray
- Mckinney, TX
- United States
- User/Collector
- Blog Posts (6)
- Discussions (294)
- Events
- Groups (21)
- Photos (406)
- Photo Albums (9)
- Videos
Lars Ray's Groups
Lars Ray's Discussions
A Wonderful Christmas Conspiracy
Started this discussion. Last reply by Lars Ray Jan 9, 2024. 5 Replies 4 Likes
If you have spent any time browsing iKC over the last two years, you will have come across the work of member Kevin Drummond at one point or another. He’s that guy who seems to find really neat old…Continue
Mossberg MSG9899 General Purpose Hunter and Skinning Knife
Started this discussion. Last reply by Lars Ray Apr 24, 2015. 6 Replies 6 Likes
Not too long ago I uploaded some photos of my Mossberg MSG9899 Skinning knife into my Gun Maker’s Knives Photo Album. To my surprise, I received several comments – well questions actually – about its…Continue
iKC Member in Need Request #14 - Western W35 Bowie
Started this discussion. Last reply by Shlomo ben Maved May 20, 2015. 17 Replies 4 Likes
The NeedSimilar to my first request, please take a look at this and the other postings I have similar to this one and share with me what you know about it. My goal is to use the information you…Continue
iKC Member in Need Request #13 - Colonial Executive
Started this discussion. Last reply by Lars Ray Apr 9, 2015. 2 Replies 1 Like
The NeedSimilar to my first request, please take a look at this and the other postings I have similar to this one and share with me what you know about it. My goal is to use the information you…Continue
Lars Ray's Page
Lars Ray's Photos
If all knives are tools, and they are the oldest tools known to man, then why not own one with some style. I am always on the hunt for an "ideal" knife.
After all - the best knife in the world is the one you carry!
Profile Information
- Profile
- User/Collector
- How did you hear about iKnifeCollector?
- I found iKC while researching my Imperial Kamp King knife.
- Do you currently subscribe to any knife publication (offline)
- No
- How long have you collected knives?
- 46 to 50 years
- Favorite Kind of Knives
- Sharp ones! While I am always on the look out for the ideal knife, I specialize in fixed blades - Bowies, Daggers, and Combat knives primarily, but I've been known to pick up a folder or two when they capture my imagination. In the broadest sense, I am a collector of edged pieces - Swords, Knives, Bayonets, Ethnographic / Aboriginal, and Historical.
- About Me
- I am passionate about all edged pieces...Knives, Bayonets, and Swords. Always looking for the ideal knife, I collect knives when I cannot afford a Bayonet. I collect Bayonets when I cannot afford a Sword. When I can afford a Sword, I look to see how many knives I can buy for the same money. And so it goes.
I am also a firm believer that a sword is just an over sized knife, and equally worthy of collecting!
Joined February 23, 2015. Never been sorry.
My dedicated email to all things edged: Szabla.collector@gmail.com (Szabla = Polish for Sabre)
- Interests
- Edged weapons, wood working (treen ware), back country exploration, music, Polish cuisine.
I love using the hunting knives I collect in preparing the food I make and enjoy.
- Other Hobbies
- Hot Wheels, cycling - road touring, Polish BBQ, Former member of the Bayonet Collectors Network - a global community of passionate bayonet enthusiasts (shut down in 2015)
Latest Activity
"Everytime you post something Kevin that you reburbished, I hear myself sounding like a 5 year old saying "I want one!". Great photos and nice work. That is an Ulu!!!"
"Oh cool! Thanks George!"
"Another ulu that was in the lot required a new handle. The before, after and details about the repair can be found in the Knife Modification, and Restoration group.
I will not subject you to a reiteration of that information, but rather share…"
"Completely unrelated to knives at the moment...
One thing that I have shared with no one as of yet about this lot; It was found as part of an Alaskan estate. That, coupled with the guesstimate of it being a dough knife, slams into my…"
"Most ULU knives made today come from this factory:
https://theulufactory.com
I visited the ULU factory in 2008 while waiting for a flight from Anchorage."
"I share your doubts on this one being an Ulu per se. If we apply the term "Ulu" generically to all knives with a cresent shaped blade, then I suppose it cab be considered an ulu - but I bet there will be some serious pushback from hard…"
"Probably the newest of the knives in the small lot I recently acquired, this particular knife is not one of my favorites being as it is entirely metal. The straight design of the blade without the flared tips has me questioning if this is…"
"Similar to Lars, my first ulu was a 'souvenir' ulu from when my sister went to Alaska several years ago. I spent several weeks in that area (Alaska, the Yukon, and the NW territory) back in 1989. During my visit, I saw a few…"
"Just an additional side note : Every knife in the small 'lot' have carbon steel blades."
"I recently was given the chance to purchase a small 'lot' of ulu knives. Most of these looked pretty old and all showed significant signs of corrosion. Some people would call that 'patina', and then wonder why the…"
"Very good information Lars!
And thank you for the links! I checked them all out and they confirmed what little bit I thought I knew and what I was seeing so far.
The creation and and now existence of this sub-group provides a good landing…"
"I absolutely love the ulu. I love it because of its historical roots, cultural significance, versatility, uniqueness among knives, and its dominance in the knife scene today.
Unfortunately, like so many knives in a class all their own, the decades…"
"Lol! Just posted it my friend...please, I give you the honor of being the first to post in it. But you better hurry - I am about ready to add some myself!"
Ulu Knives
With all the activity surrounding the recent postings of various ulu knives, it seemed like a logical step to create an Ulu subgroup. This will give us collectors with an ulu a common place to post, discuss, compare, and brag about the Ulu. Even if what one thinks is an ulu and it turns out to be something else, it’s a great place to share and learn.Pronounced “oo-loo”, the Ulu is the iconic curved knife of the circumpolar peoples of the Inuit (including the Alaska Native Iñupiat, the Canadian…See More
Lars Ray's Blog
Fun Summer Project for My Granddaughter
Posted on July 24, 2022 at 17:49 8 Comments 7 Likes
My 10 year old granddaughter has been into photography for several years now, growing her skills with her dad's "hand-me-down" digital cameras. This last Christmas, she got all rigged out with new tripod, new camera bag, memory cards, and a bunch of other great camera gear. Earlier this summer she was showing me some of her photos...lots of them...and I was actually surprised! I mean I have to like them all....she's my granddaughter. But I was impressed with her eye and her skills of working…
ContinueSheaths, Scabbards, Frogs, and Throgs
Posted on October 24, 2021 at 11:47 1 Comment 5 Likes
I was wandering around some of the older discussions recently and I came across one that grabbed my interest. Eight years ago, iKC member Robert Burris started a discussion called “Knife Carry?” and asked the question “What is the difference between a "Sheath"...." Scabbard"... or "Frog?"…
ContinueThe Cutting Edge: Collecting Inexpensive Knives
Posted on March 15, 2015 at 14:56 10 Comments 6 Likes
Spend any time on the internet whatsoever looking up knife stuff, and you’re bound to hit a few dozen discussions regarding “cheap” knives. In this context, cheap is referring to poor quality in materials, construction, performance, or any combination thereof. Today, cheap knives are almost synonymous with anything made in China, Pakistan, or other parts of Asia.
This is unfortunate, because many inexpensive knives come from these same regions, and they are anything but cheap. Even…
ContinueThe Cutting Edge: Hidden Gems - the ugly ducklings of knives
Posted on March 11, 2015 at 20:31 8 Comments 3 Likes
We all have them…those knives we bought some time ago…years maybe…that we really did not intend to add to our collections. We see them as disposable tools, junk knives, knives not worth mentioning or are too embarrassing to admit you ever owned.
I have a handful of such knives – those blades I purchased for a specific need at the time and really didn't care if I ever lost it, broke it, had it stolen (no such luck), or just neglected it because I no longer cared about it.
After…
ContinueWhite River Knives
Latest Activity
© 2025 Created by Jan Carter.
Powered by
Comment Wall (57 comments)
You need to be a member of iKnife Collector to add comments!
Join iKnife Collector
Thank you for the information. I've already replied a couple of times but I'm trying to figure out how to navigate this site.
Thank you. That's great info. I failed at finding out much
Thanks Lars. Will post some pics of the knife in question as I am a newbie to all of this. While I do know 2 knife makers (Ron Lake and Mike Walker who's here in NM), my knowledge is minimal. But I do enjoy seeing the passion you guys have for the craft.
Thanks for the welcome Lars. I have collected,traded,bought and sold knives for as long as I can remember. But I never was a student of the history of all the makes and brands. I will certainly be tapping into the knowledge of the forum members. I have divested 99% of my "last" collection to my two son-in-laws and my three grandsons. But collecting is a hard habit to break.
Hello Lars! thanks for your input i am new in the knife collection i am very interested to exchange with you guys !
Cheers.
We moved there in 1999 from TN for work. I retired, and we moved back to TN to be close to family. My wife and loved McKinney too, although I think it was getting a little too big for me.
Thanks, Lars Ray. I will have lots of questions..
I noticed you reside in my old hometown.
Thank you, those cutlass' are for one of my customers on the USS Bataan. The chiefs mess gives these out for transfer gifts. Where are you located at? I'm in Chesapeake VA. If you sent me some knives to work on what would you want put on them?
Lars, apologies for the poor communication, had a lot going on lately.
Let's try and get together for a coffee soon. Cheers,
Ken
Really appreciate your note which came via email, I'll be following that up, perfect!
Owe you one!
BB
View All Comments