Mae Sun Sawk

[Wastelander]

I'm not a "weapons guy," but I find myself strangely interested in the mae sun sawk (wooden arm shields) of Siam/Thailand. They are the ancestors of what eventually became the Okinawan tonfa, and can even be seen in Hokama Sensei's Okinawan Karate History Museum. There are many different styles, but the ones in the Museum are basically heavy round tonfa that have ropes to tie them onto the forearms, with an extra handle to act as a handguard. My Sensei has a bigger interest in weapons than I do, and with his recent birthday and belt promotion, I decided to make him a pair. My woodworking skills are pretty poor, but I think they came out okay, all things considered.

At this stage, they are basically just heavy round tonfa:

http://s21.postimg.org/resirrc2f/11173323_1594811257428094_5093106604360184379_n.jpg

Now, tonfa with a handguard:

http://s21.postimg.org/rq9z4isif/11014633_1594811267428093_4796485270016800873_n.jpg

The handle and handguard pinned in place, and the holes drilled for the forearm ropes:

http://s21.postimg.org/jolqmm9qv/11048744_1594811284094758_6977764894444985214_n.jpg

All finished, with the excess wood from the handle, guard, and pegs ground off, everything sanded smooth, and painted, with the tied forearm ropes:

http://s21.postimg.org/3p3332dp3/11125189_1594811300761423_174736905038284635_n.jpg

I presented them to my Sensei at the dojo, last night, and he was very pleased with them. Several other people were very excited about them, as well .

[Oshishinobu]

OSU!

Those look awesome great job. Yeah those look great!

OSU!

[sensei8]

Very nice there, Noah; indeed!!

[cathal]

I'm sure they're as effective as the older ones made a long time ago. They're simple and that is what tools and such are, simple.