Using a scythe to cut grass

Sometimes the old ways are best. Scythe lawn mowing was once a very common way to manage high grasses.

The answer is yes and there are many people in the UK doing just that! Lawn mowing can be a test of a scythers skill, it takes some thought and practice to do well. Here is a summary of the factors you need to consider if you are thinking of scything a lawn. Part 1 is about your lawn; Part 2 will be about your scythe and blade; and Part 3 about scything techniques for short grass. Lawns as we know them arose in 17th century England at the homes of large, wealthy landowners.

Using a scythe to cut grass

Champion mower Simon Damant shows how to wield one safely. The air is filled with birdsong and the buzz of insects as Simon Damant mows the meadows on the Wimpole Estate where he works as a forester. The scythe in his hands makes barely a whisper as it slices effortlessly through a stand of grass and wildflowers in a wide arc. The tool he is using might look primitive but, Simon passionately believes, it has yet to be bettered, whether you are cutting small garden meadows or the paths in your allotment. Simon is a regular champion at national scything competitions and has made good on this claim in strictly adjudicated conditions on many occasions. Even so, by the Second World War many in the UK had largely abandoned this traditional low-cost, low-impact tool in favour of motorised lawn mowers and combine harvesters. Only the Grim Reaper and a niche group of environmental enthusiasts kept hold of their scythes. And then Poldark hit our screens. The scene in which actor Aidan Turner stripped off his shirt for a spot of sweaty mowing was voted the best TV moment of by Radio Times readers and suddenly everyone was interested again. Good technique is key, both for safety and efficiency, which is why Simon encourages beginners to get a bit of hands-on training. The Scythe Association website is a good first port of call. Instead of battling with temperamental starter cords and smelly engines you discover that, as with all the best gardening jobs, there is real joy to be had from working in tune with nature. If you're not convinced scything is for you, here's the best cordless mowers. As a skilled mower, Simon uses very little energy to wield his scythe. Rotating from the hips, he slides the blade along the ground from right to left, simultaneously moving his weight from right to left foot.

Gardening Know How is part of Future plc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. It is also eco-friendly and adds no noise pollution because it is human, rather than gas powered. Most people instinctively swing a scythe like a hockey stick or golf club, superhorrorbro chop at the grass.

One Scythe Revolution. Whetstone Holders. Secale multicaule. Contact Info Reviews In the media Links. How to Mow with a Scythe. I have created some virtual workshops to help you start out successfully with the European scythe. Start slow and first get a feel for the cutting action of the blade.

JavaScript seems to be disabled in your browser. For the best experience on our site, be sure to turn on Javascript in your browser. The scythe is an instrument used to cut grass or shrub. It was used extensively in Europe and North America until the early twentieth century, after which it went out of favor as farm mechanization progressed. However, the scythe is gaining new interest among small farmers in the West, and could be a useful tool for farmers in the tropics who do not have the resources to buy expensive mowing equipment.

Using a scythe to cut grass

Are you looking for a way how to use a scythe to cut weeds and grass? You have come to the right place- here; we will illustrate everything you need to know to use a scythe for cutting grass. For example, before cutting the grass, you must have a basic knowledge of scythe parts, the right time to mow the grass, sharpen a scythe, etc. A scythe consists of a blade and a snath figure 2. The blade parts include edge, heel, back, knob, beard, and neck, whereas the heel, knob, and neck together form a tang figure 3. Blades are different in length, usually 12 inches to 50 inches long. The longer blades are helpful for wide-open fields and lawns, while the short blades are suitable to work in tight corners and around barriers. Bush blades are usually heavier than grass blades to make up the increased stress pretended by stems and brushes of one or two-year-old trees.

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We moved to a smallholding coming up to retirement 18 years ago, and still have a small number of elderly livestock animals. If you're not convinced scything is for you, here's the best cordless mowers. Today there are a many models to choose from, often named after the geographical regions where they originated. In the video below, I am using a super-sharp blade and mowing the grass about 3 inches above the soil surface. The Austrian scythe above, in the foreground is generally regarded as the best for a beginner. Part 1 is about your lawn; Part 2 will be about your scythe and blade; and Part 3 about scything techniques for short grass. Scythes are not like lawn mowers — it is easier to mow damp grass rather then dry. The grips on an American blade are adjustable, whereas European scythes are not adjustable on the top grip. Kit out your shed with our selection of the best gardening tools on the market today. Keep your grass even and your edges pristine with our selection of the best push mowers in summer Decreasing the frequency of mowing and rotating the areas that you mow will make the task easier. Just like sharpening a scythe , it takes some practice to develop the correct body movements for use of the tool. He He He!

Home » Grass. It takes practice to learn the correct technique. Place the scythe blade on the ground and extend your arms.

This area had not been mowed in years and the thatch was quite thick and substantial, but somewhat loose. You may need to fine tune the set up if you have problems mowing. We welcome questions. Yes they can! Registered in England. Here is a summary of the factors you need to consider if you are thinking of scything a lawn. Only mow as far as you can keep this shearing action going. Hi Cliff, Thanks for the question - costs are mainly maintainng this site - and we keep them as low as possible thanks to people I believe there are country shows now where you can watch somebody doing it properly i. Useful links stay in touch About us Contact us Job Opportunities. Simon is a regular champion at national scything competitions and has made good on this claim in strictly adjudicated conditions on many occasions.