The Ulu Factory
The Ulu Factory
4
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Neighbourhood: Downtown
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4.0
738 reviews
Excellent
241
Very good
268
Average
182
Poor
38
Terrible
9
BigTool
Chicago vicinity455 contributions
June 2019
I sure hope that I used the proper plural form for "ulu." We arrived late in the day, but one worker hung around to finish an ulu. They aren't making ulus, the sales staff will demonstrate their product, so it helps to bring an appetite. Prices here seemed a bit lower than in the gift shops elsewhere, and they shipped to the lower 48 at a competitive rate.
Written 27 May 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
L B
Tinton Falls, NJ789 contributions
June 2021
Went here to get an authentic Alaska Ulu knife. Glad we did. They have inexpensive to expensive knives.
They also have very nice cutting boards. We got both a knife and a board (FYI, the knife cannot be packed in carry on baggage).
They also do engraving of the blade and wooden handle.
FYI, a short walk from the factory is a fishing bridge where they fish for salmon when the salmon are running. We saw a lot of fisherman when we were there but no salmon.
They also have very nice cutting boards. We got both a knife and a board (FYI, the knife cannot be packed in carry on baggage).
They also do engraving of the blade and wooden handle.
FYI, a short walk from the factory is a fishing bridge where they fish for salmon when the salmon are running. We saw a lot of fisherman when we were there but no salmon.
Written 26 August 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tyler A
18 contributions
July 2022 • Friends
The Ulu Factory was less of a factory and more of a gift shop that specializes in Ulu knives. I was disappointed to learn that this business isn’t Alaska native owned/operated, but profits off the culture of indigenous communities. There also wasn’t much information available about how the knives are made - just a brief video played on a small TV that seems like it was produced in 1998. It may have been the fact that we went on a weekday morning but there were no tours or explanations about what was going on in the factory. I bought one Ulu as a souvenir and did feel that it was priced fairly, but overall I wouldn’t recommend this.
Written 7 July 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Derekanddoc
Odessa, TX172 contributions
July 2021
Was suggested by a friend to see the factory. Well worth it, as the gift store is huge, the factory is small and between the 2 it was a great hour! Not 25 yards from the factory is the river where fisherman are spread out to get a surprise of catch of the day. We saw one fisherman catch a nice fish and return it back to the river. Very cool. The store has plenty of "tourist" items but also good usefullkitchen items as well.
Written 25 July 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Yisroelf
Miami Beach, FL174 contributions
May 2021
Not a lot to see but it was very interesting. We bought few gifts from the #2 rated items. That was great and a great price for the same quality items just not as cosmetic appealing as the regular items. Beware, I bought some salmon jerky. We later found it cheaper at gift shops on 4th Ave and even at the airport.
Written 13 May 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
veryuniquetraveler
NEBRASKA580 contributions
Aug 2022
Yes, it is a bit of a tourist trap, but seriously, everyone just has to take one of these home, and makes a great souvenir or gift. It would have been better if we could have seen them making the actual knives, but we were there shortly before closing time and got to see them sanding and polishing the bowls and packaging the items. Lady by entrance was demonstrating the use of the knives.
Written 20 August 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
NPT1999
Commack, NY207 contributions
Mar 2023 • Family
Perfect place to purchase souvenirs that are made in Alaska. You are able to watch Ulu’s being handmade. They ship if you are not checking luggage when returning home. They have native Syrup in sizes that can be brought through security at the airport. Beautiful handcrafted cards, post cards, and jewelry as well.
Written 2 April 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Theresa G
Troupsburg, NY36 contributions
June 2021
This factory and shop is right next to Ship Creek so you can watch some fishing, then visit the business. They are making the product on site and you can watch some of the process. The employee at the door will also show you how best to use the ulu. There are many to choose from and the store has other items available for sale. You will find other 'ulu's throughout Alaska, but the original is sold here and doesn't say 'made in China' on it. We like to support local businesses.
Written 28 June 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jon C
3 contributions
Mar 2022
Last week I stopped by about an hour before closing. My friends and I were the only ones in the shop. Despite the small crowd, May took the time to give us a demonstration and gave us an overview of several different types of Ulus. She made this experience a 10/10.
Written 19 March 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
VillagerRick
The Villages, FL1,017 contributions
July 2023 • Couples
When entering, we were warmly greeted and offered information on the knives. There is a representative display of various Ulu knives they make and offer for sale. There is also a small display of historic knives made by indigenous people just behind the podium. If you arrive mid day weekdays you are likely to see parts of the production process both left and right of the gift store. There are windows where you can view the workers, but sadly no printed or oral indication of what is happening. Note: no restrooms available inside, but a couple of portable potties just outside - there is also a public restroom next to the bridge very close by (not well maintained).
Written 29 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
When does the factory operate? We have a couple of days we could possibly go and would like to go when the factory is operating
Written 29 November 2019
Weekdays - we went on a Saturday and it wasn’t operating that day.
Written 30 November 2019
Can you ship your purchase back home from the store? We don't want to have to put it in our luggage
Written 27 October 2019
You absolutely can! We sent a couple of things back, they take care of it right there when you purchase the items.
Written 11 January 2020
When we visited the ULU factory, all the staff appeared to be native Alaskans and gave us that impression. How do you know that the people making the ulu's are not also native Alaskan's?
Written 18 August 2019
The two staff were not native when I was there.
Written 29 September 2019
We are here now and it's open
Written 20 October 2018
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