Nice, Las. Havent thought about Jake J. in a long time, he was also quite the Sheep guide, too.
The bone runners are found all over the place, at least along the Kotzebue areas,too. I have boxes of them and ''wedges'' that were always taken along in a bag for the sled, and the Umiaq's, to re-tighten soaked and loose Seal thong ties and ''tighten up'' their ride.. The woods all rotten away, but the bones remain.
The most preferrable shods for runners were young whale rib, as they had very little 'perosity' ( ya, a welding term, but the little holes in the material) and good lengths of both curved and straight material could be cut from them. I have found a few made from Caribou Antler and some from ivory.
Steel runners are noted by Hobsen, one of Charlie Browers partners, in the late 1800's after locals here figured out that barrel hoops made excellent runners. Those guys back then would make the most of everything.
Things really changed in the villages after WW2, when an airstrip and post office made the world available to everyone. Some cash and a Sears catalog and guy could have anything.
