Fillet Knives
Items May Vary
Every piece of antler or bone is shaped by the life story of the animal, and a unique journey from the wilderness to the workshop. These photos are representative samples of the item you will receive. If you have a specific need, you may add a note at checkout or call to discuss. Or browse our small selection of individually photographed actual items.
Knife Types
6-inch Curved Fillet Knife: 6-6.5" Band Saw blade, about 10.5-11.5" overall
6-inch Straight Fillet Knife: 6-6.5" Hand Saw blade, about 10.5-11.5" overall
8-inch Curved Fillet Knife: 8-8.5" Band Saw blade, about 12-13.5" overall
8-inch Straight Fillet Knife: 8-8.5" Hand Saw blade, about 12-13.5" overall
Handle Materials
Antler: Naturally shed antler from Alaskan Caribou or Moose, sometimes deer
Mermaid Bone (tm): Rib bone from extinct Alaskan Steller's sea cow
Walrus Bone: Ancient rib bone from Alaskan walrus
Dancing Man Knives
About Our Knives
Our Dancing Man Eskimo knives carry on a tradition stretching thousands of years into antiquity.
Our blades resemble the ancient slate side- and end-handled styles preferred by the ancient people of Alaska.
In addition to the traditional Eskimo style knives, we also have a full line of paring, skinning, and fillet knives.
The handles are made of caribou, moose or deer antler. Other handle materials are fossil walrus bone, extinct Steller's Sea Cow bone (Mermaid BoneTM), wood, and sometimes Musk Ox horn. The blades are made of antique handsaw blades, two-man crosscut saws, or bandsaw blades. We prefer this type of steel for its flexibility and its ability to take an edge fast and hold it well. All of our steel and handles are 100% recycled.
Care:
Since our steel is high carbon, it can rust and must be taken care of. Dry the blade immediately after use. Rust can be removed with steel wool. A light coating of almost any food-safe oil will prevent rusting.
Dancing Man Knives & Ulus
Maynard Linder
Homer, Alaska
Maynard Linder began crafting authentic, hand-made ulus in 1990, and by 1997 he left a successful Journeyman Carpentry career to make knives and ulus full-time. Today, he supplies knives to gift shops around the state, and to individuals around the world
Maynard spends his time making knives and ulus, so he can sojourn to the Seward Peninsula, and collect shed antler for his knife handles. When he has the chance, he works on carvings, such as Native-inspired masks, or ivory jewelry.
Maynard's Family
Maynard's wife Meriam is a crafter and owns/operates the Local Showcase gallery and www.HandsofAlaska.com website.
Maynard's older son, Sung, works in the knife shop with him. His younger son, Gryffyn, turns 6 in December 2015, and his daughter Arwyn is 3.
