One of the best attributes of Ken Onion, the award-winning and highly respected knifemaker, is his fearlessness in trying new things and experimenting with designs. His quest for innovation and functionality is never more evident than in the unique CRKT Shakaulu.
This unusual hunting knife is the combination of two tools: the cleaver and the ulu. The ulu is an all-purpose knife traditionally used by the indigenous people of Alaska for everything from skinning animals to trimming blocks of ice for igloos.
Onion adapted the ulu to become the ultimate hunting knife for big game. The 9.5-inch knife features a small gut hook, a curved skinning edge, and a design that allows for effortless cleaving.
The hefty 5.5-inch blade is made from 65MN carbon steel and comes in at a little more than a quarter of an inch thick. A hole in the blade cuts down on some of the weight and allows the knife to be gripped high like an ulu for skinning.
Complementing the thick blade is the Twin-Fused handle, which is injection molded with black polypropylene before dark green TPE plastic inserts are added. Not only does it feel comfortable in the hand but it also offers a secure grip in wet environments.
Rounding out the Shakaulu is a unique polypropylene sheath that uses a locking pin to keep the knife in place. This, along with the removable belt clip, allows the knife to be carried in a variety of ways, including inverted carry.
For more information on this Badass Knife of the Week, check out the product page for the CRKT Shakaulu.
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