Mai Sang Kha (Mai Mue Suea) — a Four-Tined Bamboo Comb That Straightens Cogon Grass

"In use, villagers divide the cogon grass from the bundle; one hand grips the tops of the grass and holds them high, the other hand holds the mai mue suea and combs from the tops down to the base, so that the tines catch or rake out the leaves that are not straight, short or tangled, combing them into order." (Sirindhorn Anthropology Centre, author พิชชา ทองขลิบ (Phitcha Thongkhlip), CC BY 4.0)

Take one internode of a large thorny bamboo (phai si suk), about 30 cm long, and split it in half; one internode makes two mai mue suea. Shave the split halves smooth and flat.

Hew and shave the end into sharp tines like a fork, four tines in all, with a 2 cm gap between each, 15-20 cm long.

Shave the handle tapering toward its end so it is easy to hold; you may drill a hole to thread a cord for hanging. Sand it smooth with no splinters.

Real photos of a ไม้มือเสือ (mai mue suea) from พิพิธภัณฑ์พื้นบ้านจ่าทวี (Ja Thawee Folk Museum) (Sirindhorn Anthropology Centre, author พิชชา ทองขลิบ (Phitcha Thongkhlip), CC BY 4.0)

Divide the cogon grass from the bundle; grip the tops in one hand and hold them high; with the other hand comb with the mai mue suea from the tops down to the base, so the tines catch out the leaves that are not straight, short or tangled. Once combed into order, the grass is easy and quick to weave into thatch panels.

The mai mue suea looks like a mai pakka but differs from it; it is called mai mue suea because its sharp tips are like a tiger's claws. Source: Sirindhorn Anthropology Centre, database of traditional everyday objects, "ไม้มือเสือ" (local name ไม้สางคา), author พิชชา ทองขลิบ (licence CC BY 4.0), from the Sergeant Major Thawee Folk Museum, Phitsanulok. **Limits.** The source gives no tine width; the width in the model is an example.