Scythes are no longer the domain of Grim Reaper costumes . They are repay to favor as farm tools for modest - scale sodbuster and homesteaders wanting to move off from flatulency - power machines . scythe can be used in any atmospheric condition , require no fogy fuels , and can last a lifetime . They put up flexibility for orchardists await to keep sess closemouthed to their trees , livestock proprietor wanting to pout under electrical fences , and crime syndicate withsmall meadowsthat require infrequent brush mowing — but they can be a big assist on city plot , as well .
A scythe is a long , sharpened long blade attached to a foresighted , bent , wooden grip , called a snath . According to the Scythe Association of Britain and Ireland , the scythe originated in Europe as a curved adjustment of a sickle - manner machete . Due to the curvature of the snath , a scythe is useful for mowing grasses close to the soil and harvesting grains , such as rye , pale yellow and barleycorn . It is predominantly establish in body politic that produce pasture for stock and grains , include Europe , the Middle East , and America .
Finding a Scythe
Many people begin with a borrowed , gifted or thrifted scythe to apply the technique before investing in the accurate scythe they desire . This is a dandy approximation if you could find a scythe to use because scythe is n’t for everyone and purchasing a new scythe will cost between $ 175 to $ 250 .
Blade character and snath sizing are the two specify factors to consider when buying a scythe . Blades are in the main categorized as either grass or coppice . Long , thin steel cut grass easily and efficiently , while brush requires a stouter , thicker blade . Some companies volunteer a “ ditch ” blade that fall in between grass and light touch blades in price of heft and sturdiness . blade are sold as either right- or left - handed . Rachel Tayse
“ If no one is around to instruct you , start with something stout and small ( 45 atomic number 96 ) and focus on unforesightful strokes , ” advises Andy Graybeal , who uses a scythe on his farm in Sugar Grove , Ohio . Shorter blades also have less Earth’s surface to maintain , a process which is slow for many beginners .
Several variables be for a scythe ’s wooden grip . in effect - character snaths are made from hardwood , traditionally ash , carefully selected for light weighting and sturdiness . A bent shape is most popular , providing a thin angle for optimal mowing . short citizenry may prefer a straight snath because it provides a more comfortable angle to the basis . If more than one someone will be using the scythe , choose a snath of middle duration with adjustable handles . Many manufacturers custom make a snath to your height , arm and leg length because a well - fitted scythe will make mowing more efficient and less strain on the organic structure .
Using a Scythe
Rather than the straight line of a machine mower , scythe user mow in a half - round pattern . With base pelvic arch width aside , swing the blade in an arc , slicing through textile like a knife through bread . Shuffle animal foot forward and go on the swinging circling movement , keep the blade as near as potential to the ground open . Learn to move from the hips and thighs to reduce upper - body weariness .
The scythe steel will dull apace , especially with woody brush . Carry a small whetstone to re - hone the edge by guard it at a slight angle to the brand and slide across from border to border . take over this often during a mowing session , watching your fingers cautiously as they are prone to be rationalise by the sharp leaf blade during this process .
Practice circumspection when carrying and storing your scythe . If you take a body of work shift , pay heed the tool from a tree branch or identify it in a blatant post , so no one steps on the blade . Make or buy an inexpensive canvas blade cross to further protect the blade and tramp finger . Very few harm occur when mow with a scythe , but mishandling before and after can ensue in cuts .
Rachel Tayse
Maintaining a Scythe
The most skilled element of scything is not the mowing but the peening . After foresighted use , a scythe blade edge dulls beyond what a whetstone can perfect . Peening is the technique to restore the sword ’s sharpness by forge the cutting edge so that it ’s thin enough to snub effectively .
“ For anyone new to scything , focus on hand - peening , ” Graybeal articulate . “ The strokes of the lawn mower will descend tardily enough once you learn to peen well . Peen early and often . ”
To peen a blade , you ’ll call for either a small anvil or hammer jig and a hybridisation peen hammer . Mount the anvil or jig to a log block or bench vice , and hammer carefully to slenderly lengthen and thin the blade , moving from the beard ( the thick part of the blade near the snath ) to the pourboire . Use delicacy to avoid crack the leaf blade border , and rehone with a whetstone when you ’re finished peening .
Some scythe manufacturers and experient knife sharpeners offer peening service . While this might be a good choice to restore an previous or damaged blade , most scythe users choose to practice peening on their own so they ’re never without a acuate scythe .
With a little exercise , a scythe becomes an essential shaft . A scythe will exchange alawn lawn mower , weed whopper and thicket hog in experient hands with no stochasticity , pollution or fossil fuel consumption . Join the scything revolution , and you ’ll quickly see why this ancient tool is making a comeback .
