Drop the strimmer and pick up a scythe

Would you be brave enough to put your petrol guzzling strimmer away and pick up a scythe to chomp through the long grass on your next job?

Well according to the Telegraph the ancient art of using a scythe is making a comeback as the quiet and almost meditative air of the job has an appeal to some.

But it is not just a simple task of swinging the scythe from side-to-side, as the Scythe Shop website explains, who not only supply various bits of kit, but also offer an online resource of hints and tips.

For starters you have to scythe the grass in the early morning and there are different blade types for different jobs, a bramble cutter is too heavy for grass cutting as it just folds the blades of grass over.

Austrian scythes feature thinner, sharper blades that are extremely effective on grasses and meadows, but they quickly blunt against stones and woody branches so you have to be careful about the route you take.

And you also have to care for the blade, which means sharpening it with a whetstone and also peening, which involves the tapping out of the blade after repeated sharpening.

But when you consider how much time you spend, and the cost, of filling up petrol reservoirs, cleaning equipment and gathering up the grass left by strimmers.

I wonder if the quiet swish of the scythe may soon be heard again.

Replies

Sue/Bayleaf's Traditional July 24, 2013 at 2:21pm

Hi Craig,
Yes defiantly I would give it a go,it must be better than all that noise fumes etc...Did you notice that chap with bare feet! Not to sure what health and safety would say about that, I think I'd keep my boots on.
We have my great grandfathers Scythe but it's very heavy so I've never given it a go but I have used Swop hooks before.
We use sharp hand tools some very old (antique) so are quite used to sharpening with a whetstone, but some people are scared to use anything sharper than a butter knife or don't know how to get and edge. So I guess this wouldn't be for them.
I wonder if the guys who love their machines could live without them and go native?
Sue
PRO

Craig McGinty July 24, 2013 at 4:59pm

Yep, I think boots are best!

Many moons ago there was a member of the network, from Brighton, who was completely petrol free.

He is still going strong http://www.brightoncyclinggardener.co.uk/
PRO

Brian www.mibservices.co.uk July 24, 2013 at 5:43pm

Thats all good for the hobby gardener, but as a money making business tool, I think not, at least for the majority. Wouldn't mind having a go with one though, just for the experience.
Gary Orton July 27, 2013 at 1:20pm

I really like using a scythe. There is a bit of a knack to it, but if you let the blade do the work and get your swing right it can be quite meditative. Much better for stinging nettles than a strimmer too as you don't get splattered in stinging bits. Also a lot more pleasant to hit dog mess with.