Grass scythe

[ren531]

Yes its nice there are visual resources now. Do update this thread with any useful links you find and how you get on with your scythe as I would really like to know of more info and of how it goes for you. It feels more as if you 'belong' to the ground/plants etc in the quiet of hand tools.

It seems there are now Scythe Festivals in the UK, see link to Scythe association below. Sadly they seem a bit down on British tools, but apart from various advantages/disadvantages I imagine europen handles and blades are much cheaper and easier to get as they are still in commercial use in europe, so an easier supply chain / product to sell on to people.

A few links I have on my computer (be aware if buying scythes if you are getting european or Bristish blades given the different sharpening requirements). The blades come in different weight, lengths for different crops etc, also handle length varies

History (bill hooks and hand tools)
https://www.billhooks.co.uk/catalogues/english
https://www.billhooks.co.uk
http://timelesstools.co.uk/morris_dunsford.htm
https://www.theluddite.com/south-west-bills.html

Resources (inc additional suppliers)
https://scytheassociation.org
https://scytheassociation.org/equipment

Shops (scythes, lessons, hand tools)
https://scytheassociation.org/equipment/
http://timelesstools.co.uk (various handtools)
https://www.woodsmith.co.uk/forestry-and-outdoors/billhooks (various tools)
https://www.oldtoolstore.co.uk/index.asp (various tools)
http://www.thescytheshop.co.uk (european style scythes)
https://www.scythecymru.co.uk/shop

Thanks for all the links I will be having a good look at those, looks really interesting.
I have my scythe in bits at the moment, doing a bit of restoration on it , derusting the metal parts ,repaint them and treat the wooden bits with Linseed oil then a good sharpening session .
So I will post more photos and information as I get into it .
I am a long time member of a local conservation group and in the twenty years I've been with them no one as ever mentioned sythes but apparently the group used to use them and still has 3 of them so there could be a plan to put them to good use next summer on our projects, that would be fantastic.

 

[lazybloke]

My better-half has been scything a fair bit this year with the Nat Trust. Most recently to maintain a wildflower meadow. A previous experiment with a horse-drawn mower didn't work too well.

Here's a pic with one of the scythes. And apparently that's a whetstone hanging off her belt, in a container with water (to ensure damp trousers all day). She has to sharpen the blade frequently. When she's back, i'll ask her about sharpening technique.


She worked with a team at a nearby Sussex property for a day, and was v jealous of their larger/better scythes!

 

[ren531]

My better-half has been scything a fair bit this year with the Nat Trust. Most recently to maintain a wildflower meadow. A previous experiment with a horse-drawn mower didn't work too well.

Here's a pic with one of the scythes. And apparently that's a whetstone hanging off her belt, in a container with water (to ensure damp trousers all day). She has to sharpen the blade frequently. When she's back, i'll ask her about sharpening technique.


She worked with a team at a nearby Sussex property for a day, and was v jealous of their larger/better scythes!

View attachment 752487

Scythes used in conjunction with creating a wildflower meadow seems to be a very comfortable relationship and it's something we are hopefully going to do in the future ,we already have small wild flower meadows , just mowed mechanically at the moment.
Looks a great meadow your other half is involved in, amazing that they got to try out a horse pulled mower, that must be a rare sight indeed.
Scything must be great exercise too .

 

[classic33]

My better-half has been scything a fair bit this year with the Nat Trust. Most recently to maintain a wildflower meadow. A previous experiment with a horse-drawn mower didn't work too well.

Here's a pic with one of the scythes. And apparently that's a whetstone hanging off her belt, in a container with water (to ensure damp trousers all day). She has to sharpen the blade frequently. When she's back, i'll ask her about sharpening technique.


She worked with a team at a nearby Sussex property for a day, and was v jealous of their larger/better scythes!

View attachment 752487

She mis-swung?

 

[simongt]

There's a number of videos on t'Tube showing a competition t'wixt scythe & a powered grass cutting device.
The scythe wins every time.

 

[mickle]

This thread is why i love this forum.

 

[lazybloke]

Update on scything, the National Trust way.

My other half tells me they sharpen every 10 minutes. They sharpen the edge then quickly take off the burr on the reverse side. She was scything today!

 

[ren531]

Update on scything, the National Trust way.

My other half tells me they sharpen every 10 minutes. They sharpen the edge then quickly take off the burr on the reverse side. She was scything today!

Excellent stuff , they must have quite a yearly program of scything sounds like there doing a large area.

 

[lazybloke]

Excellent stuff , they must have quite a yearly program of scything sounds like there doing a large area.

Scythes are cheap, as are volunteers to provide the elbow grease! Although it's not just about cost; they're very carefully managing the land to encourage dormice, butterflies, bees and so on; so certain plants have been sewn in previous years, seeds collected each year so more can be sewn, other plants removed.



My impression is they use scythes a lot for wildflower and grass meadows.

Yesterday's work was clearing a glade of established brambles and cornus; requiring different scythes - heavier duty blades.

 

[Profpointy]

Yes its nice there are visual resources now. Do update this thread with any useful links you find and how you get on with your scythe as I would really like to know of more info and of how it goes for you. It feels more as if you 'belong' to the ground/plants etc in the quiet of hand tools.

It seems there are now Scythe Festivals in the UK, see link to Scythe association below. Sadly they seem a bit down on British tools, but apart from various advantages/disadvantages I imagine europen handles and blades are much cheaper and easier to get as they are still in commercial use in europe, so an easier supply chain / product to sell on to people.

A few links I have on my computer (be aware if buying scythes if you are getting european or Bristish blades given the different sharpening requirements). The blades come in different weight, lengths for different crops etc, also handle length varies

History (bill hooks and hand tools)
https://www.billhooks.co.uk/catalogues/english
https://www.billhooks.co.uk
http://timelesstools.co.uk/morris_dunsford.htm
https://www.theluddite.com/south-west-bills.html

Resources (inc additional suppliers)
https://scytheassociation.org
https://scytheassociation.org/equipment

Shops (scythes, lessons, hand tools)
https://scytheassociation.org/equipment/
http://timelesstools.co.uk (various handtools)
https://www.woodsmith.co.uk/forestry-and-outdoors/billhooks (various tools)
https://www.oldtoolstore.co.uk/index.asp (various tools)
http://www.thescytheshop.co.uk (european style scythes)
https://www.scythecymru.co.uk/shop

It's amazing the hundreds of slightly different patterns, often regional, presumably reflecting different hedge-laying practice, maybe even which bushes planted in different places, as well as tradition.

This is somewhat true of some other tools too, such as a carpenter's cross pein hammer, which is also called a "Warrington" hammer. In days gone by there were quite a few other "place-named" styles, which have now largely lapsed.

 

[simongt]

It's amazing the hundreds of slightly different patterns,

This is because when almost every village had a blacksmith, the folk who needed various tools etc., could get the blacksmith to make exactly what suited the user best for their individual purpose thus the wide variety of types & styles.
Regional styles are more noticeable with billhooks & hedging hooks.

 

[oldwheels]

I have what we call a hedge knife. A three foot wooden handle with an extension of a substantial steel blade about a foot long.
We used it to cut back substantial hedges in place of shears. It my have other names but this is from the Scottish Borders.
It is up in my garden shed so a photo is not currently possible.

 

[ren531]

An update on my scythe exploits .
Can you carry a scythe on a bike, yes you can, the shape of the shaft (snathe) lends it's self nicely to avoid head tube and seat post with blade removed and safety wrapped up in an old rag .
I traveled the 3 miles to one of our group sites no problem and had an interesting time cutting back some rough tough grass and dead Hogweed stems and trying my best to learn some of the technique's I've been watching on the tube , after a while I could feel my technique improving as in it got more efficient but I have a long ways go but it far and away exceeded my expectations and was very pleased with the results.

 

[lazybloke]

Had you left the blade attached, drivers might have afforded you more respect!

 

[ren531]

Had you left the blade attached, drivers might have afforded you more respect!

Indeed, part of the route is a narrow twisty , hilly B road with a lot of fast traffic on it might be an idea next time , though I'm a bit wary of the blade myself to be honest, after sharpening its a nasty looking thing that could do a lot of damage.