Seal Skinning Knife (Kaussun)
Bone, metal, ivory, sea mammal hide
Mekoryuk ca. 1968
Collector: Vernon Humble
According to Nunivak Island Elders, this man's knife was used especially for the removal of the seal's internal organs in order to make seal floats. It was important not to cut through the hide anywhere but the top of the head, the initial incision point. Floats were filled with air and tied to harpoons to keep animals from sinking after being harpooned.
UAF Museum accession # UA68-080-0002