Bought a scythe!

[Stephine]

Yes, this particular blade in the picture is a fantastic all around grass and weed blade. Inhave cut anything from fine tough short grasses, to lush dense grasses, juicy weeds, tall radishes and thistles to mature grasses with it. It will cut periwinkle and small saplings too. The harder the stuff is the more often you’ll have to peen, but it’s worth it.
There are way more than two types of blades, from very long grass blades with an edge so thin that it „runs over the nail“ (you can run the back of your thumbnail under it and it bends the edge of the blade) to thick stubby bush blades as you describe. I have a bush blade as well, for saplings and bramble, since I don’t care to ruin my beloved Tops blade with those, but it is a bear to work with.
It took me 4 years of 3 acres of spring mowing to get down the peening and honing properly, but now mowing is pretty dreamy....

 

[secuono]

There's actually 2 different types of these...one for thicker woody stuff like wild multi flora rose and small saplings. The blade on it is actually shorter and wider and almost blunt on the end. The one you have pictured is actually made specifically for just grass and weeds...stuff you would cut with a weed wacker. I used both since I was 10 years old. Matter of fact, I still have 3 of my great grandfather's that are probably twice my age old. Probably more than you'd want to know about this tool and then some. LOL!!!

There are 3 based on their website. I forgot which I bought now, but I believe it was the middle one for grass and weeds.

 

[secuono]

View attachment 61779 Yes, this particular blade in the picture is a fantastic all around grass and weed blade. Inhave cut anything from fine tough short grasses, to lush dense grasses, juicy weeds, tall radishes and thistles to mature grasses with it. It will cut periwinkle and small saplings too. The harder the stuff is the more often you’ll have to peen, but it’s worth it.
There are way more than two types of blades, from very long grass blades with an edge so thin that it „runs over the nail“ (you can run the back of your thumbnail under it and it bends the edge of the blade) to thick stubby bush blades as you describe. I have a bush blade as well, for saplings and bramble, since I don’t care to ruin my beloved Tops blade with those, but it is a bear to work with.
It took me 4 years of 3 acres of spring mowing to get down the peening and honing properly, but now mowing is pretty dreamy....

Are you, by chance, local to me & can come help...?

 

[Baymule]

@goatboy1973 and @Stephine Would you do a tutorial with lots of pictures on how to use a scythe? I have been interested in scythes, but it is a lost art. I sure wish you two would share your wealth of knowledge.

 

[Stephine]

Are you, by chance, local to me & can come help...?

Ha! I wish! No, I am in the wine country in CA, Sonoma County... I can answer questions though. A great site is „one scythe revolution“ - lots of info, videos, shop, and Botan is always ready to answer questions.

 

[Mini Horses]

@goatboy1973 and @Stephine Would you do a tutorial with lots of pictures on how to use a scythe? I have been interested in scythes, but it is a lost art. I sure wish you two would share your wealth of knowledge.

When I was a young kid, I watched a couple men cutting with them -- hay. It's lovely to watch.

But, at this point, I'm not taking on that kind of work. Nope. Turn the key -- let 'er rip!

 

[Stephine]

@goatboy1973 and @Stephine Would you do a tutorial with lots of pictures on how to use a scythe? I have been interested in scythes, but it is a lost art. I sure wish you two would share your wealth of knowledge.

I would love to, but am so swamped with rebuilding after the fire on top of everything else! Like I said above, One Scythe Revolution is a great place to learn. You can get an outfit made to your measurements at Scythe Connection. I highly recommend the Tops „Heidi“ blade for a wide range of uses. Then go to Botan at One Scythe for wet stones, anvil and lots of advice and videos. I am always happy to answer questions though!
It was a bit of a learning curve to keep the blade sharp, but now that I know what I am doing mowing is so fun, it’s kind of hypnotic, like staring at waves or into a fire. It’s quiet and the cut grass and weeds are lying in pretty orderly rows, easy to gather, not chopped into tiny pieces and all over you! And you can be very careful and precise around young trees, rosebushes, etc...
Anyway, I can highly recommend it!

 

[Stephine]

PS, you can also look on You Tube for videos - go for the Swiss and Austrians, they know what they‘re doing!

 

[Baymule]

Thanks for the info @Stephine. I will look into it.

@Mini Horses, I guess I just like old tools. I love my tractor, I love modern conveniences, but I like old tools too.

 

[secuono]

Ha! I wish! No, I am in the wine country in CA, Sonoma County... I can answer questions though. A great site is „one scythe revolution“ - lots of info, videos, shop, and Botan is always ready to answer questions.

I'm getting 4 sheep from Sonoma this summer!