Grandfathers artefacts harpoon, adze,ulu, etc.

[Joseph]

When I intoduced myself I mentioned my grandfather had some inuit/eskimo artefacts and tools. So I've posted a few pictures is my gallery.

http://www.bushcraftuk.com/gallery/showgallery.php?cat=500&ppuser=3755

He was in the Royal Canadian Mountain Police as a doctor and spent time in the far north west. Can't remember all the details but my mum remembers a polar bear skin in their hall (which he shot), fur parkas, mittens and dog sleigh reigns which rotted.

There are a lot more things including bone needles, schrimshaw on walrus tusks and a miltary compass dated 1918. He moved to England after the war where he was a doctor in the RCAF.

I've always enjoyed looking at them but would never use them (except an awl and bone smoother tried briefly on leather). Thought they would be of interest.

Joe.

 

[EdS]

with a good clean up and sharpen I do not see while the Ulu can not be used. Looks good, seems a shame not to put some life back it.

Interesting stuff you got there though.

 

[mrostov]

This is extremely cool. Thanks.

 

[Joseph]

Should have said if i ever was going to use them for the tasks intented I would. The ulu seems to still have a layer of grime/fat on from who knows when. Hopefully in the future I can get them back working. Their my mothers really but i'm sure she'd like to see them used.

I'm hoping to make my own ulu out of his old saw, but not sure about whether it's hardened correctly and can't decide whether to refurbish it as it is. Lots of projects for once I finish uni.

Cheers for appreciation,

Joe.

 

[mrostov]

I'm hoping to make my own ulu out of his old saw, but not sure about whether it's hardened correctly and can't decide whether to refurbish it as it is. Lots of projects for once I finish uni.

Leave the old ulu as original. If you make a new ulu out of a new, freshly bough saw blade, then the temper should be at least as good if not better than that old ulu. Just don't get it too hot when you cut it out.

Trace the pattern on a saw blade, and have it water-cut if you can. Also, if you can, before you put any handle on it, send it off to have it cryo tempered.

 

[Joseph]

Bit technical for what I had in mind. I was hoping the old saw blade (around 1940s maybe earlier handsaw) would be hardened completely. It's quite thin so thought I could just go the stock removal route after cutting it carefully from the blade. I've done a similar thing with a small knife blade.

Thanks for the suggestion though not sure there are many facilities for this in rural Norfolk though I'm in Sheffield at the moment, home of metallurgy but cost could be prohibitive.