Ulu Factory
4.5(231)google
3.9(31)yelp
CraftFactory TourLocal LifeDowntown
Overview
The Ulu Factory, situated in the historic Ship Creek area of Anchorage, is a highly popular cultural shop and operational manufacturing site dedicated to crafting traditional Alaskan native knives. The 'ulu' is an iconic, crescent-shaped cutting tool originally invented by the Inuit people thousands of years ago for skinning and filleting. Visitors can watch expert craftsmen through large viewing windows as they cut, grind, and handle these unique blades using native woods and antler materials, offering a brilliant blend of history and practical artistry.
Practical Info
Mon8:00 AM– 6:00 PM
Tue8:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Wed8:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Thu8:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Fri8:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Sat9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Sun9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Suggested Duration30-60 minutes
Best TimeYear-round indoor retail attraction, with weekday mornings during summer being peak. Visitors can browse an endless collection of authentic, traditional Alaska Native ulu knives and look through glass viewing windows to watch artisans craft and polish antler handles.
Getting ThereLocated near the Ship Creek area on the northern edge of downtown Anchorage. It is highly accessible via a 5-to-10-minute walk northward from downtown hotels. A dedicated mid-sized free parking lot sits outside, and seasonal free tourist trolleys stop here.
Travel Tips
- The dedicated lot is highly constrained and completely bans RVs over 24 feet; park large motorhomes at the nearby Ship Creek public flats.
- Ulu knives featuring walrus ivory or whalebone handles require federal wildlife export certificates to clear international customs.
- Ulu blades are treated as hazardous weapons and are prohibited in carry-on bags; you must pack them in checked luggage or ship via store mail.
Reviews
Positive
- A traditional Ulu knife factory full of local Alaskan character; you can watch the live craftsmanship and sharpening process, which is highly entertaining.
- The shop is packed with goods featuring handles of various materials (like caribou antler, walnut wood), making it an excellent stop for high-quality authentic souvenirs.
- The service staff are extremely warm, patiently demonstrating the correct cutting techniques and maintenance tips for the Ulu knife to every visitor.
- Located in the heart of downtown Anchorage with highly convenient access, featuring a giant iconic Ulu knife outside for visitors to take photos.
Heads up
- The space is very cramped; rather than a real factory, it functions more like a full-blown tourist souvenir shop with heavy commercial vibes.
- When tour buses flood in, the store becomes packed to the gills, making it impossible to appreciate the crafts, and checkout lines take forever.
- Prices are noticeably steeper than similar Ulu knives found in regular supermarkets or general gift shops, carrying a clear 'tourist premium'.
- Some cheaper items are actually not entirely handmade locally in Alaska; you must read labels carefully to avoid mismatched expectations.