Perfect Khukuri Companion

W

Will Kwan

Joined
Nov 23, 1998
Messages
1,594
I recently picked up a scythe with 3 blades at a flea market, thanks to Dan K.'s comments about it's performance compared to a weed eater. It is a real complement to my khukuri for bush clearing.

Is this a tool seen in Nepal?

Will
 
I can't even begin to imagine what a three bladed scythe looks like - it makes my brain hurt. Is there any chance you can post a picture?
 
I thin khe meant a scythe and 2 extra blades,if im not mistaken
smile.gif
 
Of course. That's what I get for firing off a response without engaging my brain first. Apologies to all.
 
There are very few apologies needed in Uncle Bill's Cantina. However, good manners as you have just shown are certainly appreciated and are one of the things that makes the HI forum different -- and perhaps popular.

Great forumites make a great forum.

------------------
Blessings from the computer shack in Reno.

Uncle Bill
Himalayan Imports Website
Khukuri FAQ
 
Any pics Will? What brand is it? I'm looking for a good one, as I too HATE my weed-eater! Thanks


Rob

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Nothing soothes the nerves like a sharp knife in hand...
 
You can't beat a good scythe for cutting grass and such; no strimmer or power tool yet made comes anywhere near it.

I've used a scythe ever since I was tall enough to handle one safely. Since they aren't made any more, I used one that belonged to my grandfather (it was old when he got it) and the blade has the characteristic serrated profile of a much-sharpened edge.

A month or so back, I managed to find another in a junk shop. It was the first one I'd seen for sale where the handle (called the 'snaithe' in the west of England) wasn't eaten through with woodworm. The blade was cracked and bent, but I had it repaired by a good blacksmith, and it cuts as well as Old Faithful.

Query; do American scythes have the two small holes in the blade by the joint, for wiring the blade to the snaithe so as to stop the blade bending forward?
 
Rob, the scythe is similar to the aluminum handle ones show at:

http://www.scythesource.com/

The blades are Austria style and origin.

Rob is correct it came with 3 blades rather than have 3 blades attached. It will go through 1/8" thick brush easily. It is even be capable of taking down individual pieces 1/2" thick (possibly even better but I have not tried yet). I have a saw and chain attachment for my weed eater which can take down thick brush but nowhere as fast as the scythe.

I did don't recall seeing a hole in the blade (Austria manufacturer). I will check. Any safety tips Tom? I found that it was quite safe to use but somewhat hazardous to carry.

Will


[This message has been edited by Will Kwan (edited 07-12-2000).]
 
Tom, most of the ones I've used and seen had no such holes. At the end of the blade is a short arm several inches long with a small tab at the end that allows you to mount the blade at slightly different angles. Tomorrow I'll try to get a picture of one and email it to you. Unfortunately, I am not computer literate enough to post pix on the forum.

Around here they're still rather easy to find. In fact, I came across one just yesterday that I'm thinking about buying. Not that I'll really use it; I'd just like to have it as a reminder of the "good ol' days."

[This message has been edited by Steven F (edited 07-12-2000).]
 
Pix would be nice. Both grandfathers owned sythes and used them a lot. Kansas has plenty of weeds and crops do well there if they can survive the weeds and they all need cutting. But, power mowers were coming in when I was a kid and I preferred the roar of a Briggs and Stratton to the soft swish of a sythe.

------------------
Blessings from the computer shack in Reno.

Uncle Bill
Himalayan Imports Website
Khukuri FAQ
 
Bill, which sound do you prefer now?

The noise and smell of a weed eater running does keep bugs and animals away (bears and moose). Apparently when moose are in heat a male moose may mistake the swinging action of an axe, scythe, pick, etc. as a challenge and charge.

Will
 
Will -

First, *many* thanks for the scythesource URL; gotta check & see if they ship to the UK... I badly need a new snaithe bolt (the bolt that goes through the top of the snaithe, securing the blade) and it was looking like I'd have to make one myself.

You said; "Any safety tips Tom? I found that it was quite safe to use but somewhat hazardous to carry."


I carry my scythe over my left shoulder with my left hand on the bottom handle, so that the blade points forward over my right shoulder and the bend of the snaithe rests against my neck. I also make damn sure I look where I'm going... My dad told me this is the only safe way to carry a scythe from the barn to the fields.

If you're not used to working with a scythe; fercryinoutloud, watch out for your left foot... I used to have a pair of heavy leather boots with a chunk neatly sliced off the left toecap, which bore witness to what can happen if you allow your attention to wander. These days I wear steel-capped workshop boots, just in case. Also, watch your hand when you're sharpening the blade; it's easy to get into that nice sweeping to-and-fro rhythm with the stone, and get your index finger knuckle a tad too close to the edge.

If you scythe in what my dad assures me is the "suant" way ("suant" is a West Somerset word that means neat, tidy, proper, according to Hoyle) with your left elbow up and the blade angled up and describing an arc as it cuts, it's pretty hard to do yourself an injury; also, the straighter you can keep your back, the better you'll cut and the less weary you'll be at the end of the day.

(I've been scything for 30 years; my dad assures me I'm just starting to get the hang of it... At 75, he can still clear a half-acre of dense weed and briar in a day with Old Faithful, while I'm leaning on the gate catching my breath)

Pity you haven't got the 2 wire holes; we use them to wire the blade securely to the snaithe to stop the blade getting bent forward - very easy to do if you hit an unseen obstacle such as a log or an ant's nest in long grass.

The pix on the front page of scythesource have a familiar-looking wooden snaithe, but the blades are a different shape - blunt instead of pointed - and even the longest one shown is shorter than anything I've ever used.
 
“First, *many* thanks for the scythesource URL; gotta check & see if they ship to the UK..."

You welcome.

“I badly need a new snaithe bolt (the bolt that goes through the top of the snaithe, securing the blade) and it was looking like I'd have to make one myself.”

Take a look at a “wire eyebolt”, it looks like it can be formed into what you need without too much effort.

I saw a picture of this someone carrying the scythe in the same method you described. I am new to the scythe and appreciate your advice.

There is another page with an aluminum handle snithe and formed wood handle. My blades are similar to these but with no holes at all.

Will
 
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