Hide stretching tool

Pakshé is a wooden stretching tool used to scrape across a hide to soften it. The tool is made of cork tree or bamboo an arm-span in length, and one end is sharpened with a knife. To tan a hide, the hide is stretched, then one tael of butter and two tael of brain slurry are rubbed on the hide and dried in the sun. To stretch the hide, it is rubbed with both hands and occasionally stretched towards the chest by using one's right hand. It is vitally important to use proper pressure in stretching, otherwise the hide is going to tear when too much pressure is applied. Pakshé are usually carried by the elderly. One end of the hide is tied to a tent pole or to a fixed object, while the other end is pulled by the hands.