For big areas a good scythe performs better and faster than
a weed-whacker.
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The impressive
scythe action is
by Faye Vido at their homestead in New Brunswick, Canada. |
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Watch the
correct scythe action with the video button above
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For large areas of grass like this a scythe is by
far the best homesteading tool to use. Although a petrol weed-whacker
might be tempting it does not perform well on these large areas,
particularly in long grass. If you want to cut a year's
growth of weeds, then an Austrian scythe blade will serve you well. The Austrian scythe is
hand-forged, wafer thin, with an elegant curve in all three
dimensions. That means you are less likely to dig the blade into
the ground and it's easier to sharpen with a hand stone at the correct angle. The
Austrian blade is much lighter than the American blade which means the handle (called the snath) can be lighter
too. The
blade will serve you well for
years with little maintenance other than sharpening with
a stone. However, over time, it will become gradually less
keen despite sharpening. |
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If you want to cut grass on any scale (several
acres) then you will need to peen your blade
at least once a season.
Peening is a slow process of beating out
the blade to a fine edge. Generally after spending so much time
caring for the blade in this way you will find yourself reluctant
to lend your scythe to anyone.
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Watch the
correct scythe action with the video button above
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Using a scythe to cut grass is a rhythmic exercise
shifting your balance from right to left as you draw the blade
through the grass. It's not the sort of job you want to be doing
in the full glare of sunlight or in the company of insects as you
work up a sweat. The best time to scythe is as the dawn breaks
when there is still a chill in the air, the sun is down and the
insects docile. Watch the
correct
scythe swing action. |
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