Making MAE SOKS
Making mae sowks is relatively simple:
- take a round bole of wood (hard wood if possible)
- ~ 10-12 cm in diameter
- ~ 42 cm long (your elbow to your finger tips)
- cut it length-wise down the middle
- put two pegs in-line in the flat face at one end of each
- drill a hole parallel to the flat face
- run cord/rope through hole as a forearm loop
Pictured below are a pair of typical mae sowks purchased near Chiang Mai. They are approximately the length of the forearm. The specific dimensions can be found in this schematic diagram.
These are painted a simple black varnish. Others can be found that are decorated with traditional patterns.
In an effort to develop the concept of the forearms shields (and due to a lack of good examples), several prototypes were produced at maelstrom. These tended to be over-heavy and somewhat impractical.
The preferred pair are the black ones which are traditionally made in Thailand - they have been used in Dog Brothers-style combat against the likes of Top Dog.
The most elegant pair so far produced (with the help of a very skilled wood craftsman) have included some interesting features such off-center pegs, deep arm groove, and peg holes to let the two pieces fit together.
In the Movies:
From Tom Yum Goong - faux mae sowks using elephant bones
A more traditional use appears in the first Ong Bak.
As well, a demo is available by ajahn Stephen Wilson showing the short "ram sowks" (as performed by Brian Dobler).