Who else uses a scythe?

FortyTwoBlades said:
Looks like a clone of the North Wayne Tool Co.'s "scythook"

content


However, it's a tang-and-ferrule construction rather than the two-piece shell socket that NWT Co. used. My guess is maybe someone like True Temper made it, or maybe Village Blacksmith, but I've not seen that particular model before.
Click to expand...

Thanks! I'll be trying to get the blade off and remove the rust so that I can get it in shape for the poison ivy harvest.
 
Personally I'd not worry too much about the rust, but I'd make sure that blade is ground nice and thin and honed up nicely. The mild acidity in plant juices will quickly take the rust off in use.
 
FortyTwoBlades said:
I know from direct conversation that at least one very experienced person more knowledgeable than Mr. Miller was turned down when the offer was made to assist in the technical portions of the book.
Click to expand...

1339348058018_9256916.png


I guess some, even at a "riper" age, still prefer "not being shown wrong", rather than admitting they were. How can you learn anything, without staying humble?
 
Moonw said:
Is there any doubt that people in Europe have done just that, even more, with their scythes, for centuries? If anything, you'd be hard pressed to find today people in the "civilized" world who use these tools with the same prowess I have witnessed growing up. There are still places e.g. in Eastern Europe where I could throw a rock and hit someone mowing with a scythe :) - this being their seasonal job. I assure you they do not work under ideal conditions and after 20-30-40 years of doing the same thing they are very, very efficient.

I may have missed the point of your post, and I am apologizing if so, but to me it just described "routine" I have witnessed year after year.
Click to expand...

42Blades defended me better than I could have myself!

I would point out that there are a wide variety of blades, snaths and, most importantly, mowing techniques in Europe. These are all local adaptations to available materials, tradition, terrain, etc. to meet necessity. Likewise, American blades are available in different styles, the snaths configurable, and techniques adaptable. What is often presented however is one set of hardware and technique as representative of either type, ie European or American. Usually the comparison is between an American weed blade and brush snath against an "Austrian" style blade and snath, in conditions more favorable to the Austrian setup and using the same technique for both. I consider this prejudicial rather than truthful.
 
BG_Farmer said:
42Blades defended me better than I could have myself!

I would point out that there are a wide variety of blades, snaths and, most importantly, mowing techniques in Europe. These are all local adaptations to available materials, tradition, terrain, etc. to meet necessity. Likewise, American blades are available in different styles, the snaths configurable, and techniques adaptable. What is often presented however is one set of hardware and technique as representative of either type, ie European or American. Usually the comparison is between an American weed blade and brush snath against an "Austrian" style blade and snath, in conditions more favorable to the Austrian setup and using the same technique for both. I consider this prejudicial rather than truthful.
Click to expand...

Oh, ok, I see. I thought people were past comparing the weed American vs "Austrian" scythe. I knew this was "something" at one time. Good grief.

Again, sorry for my misinterpretation.
 
Grinding points landed. Pretty psyched to have these as an economical wet grinder alternative. This Emerson & Stevens weed blade was badly nicked and pitted near the edge prior to grinding it with the point.

grinding-point-for-american-scythes-10.gif
 
well, i know i need to figure out my cubit and all that, but i need something kinda light, if it matters i'm gonna be using an american brush blade
 
Well if it's going to be only woody weeds and occasional light to moderate green bush work then an aluminum snath would probably suffice, and it's be nice and light. Heavier bush work calls for a wooden snath, and a thicker, heavier one at that.
 
Today I fitted up my wooden European style snath with a bent end to my American Seymour blade. I stopped in at Scythe Supply in Maine last fall and was measured by them and had one built for me. I planed the end of the snath to get the angle I needed. I'm thinking I got the best of both worlds. I love that Seymour blade for general brush/weed/grass mowing but I dislike the curved aluminum American handle for that application. So once the glue sets up and I get some oil finish on it I'll give it a whirl next week.
 
Hmm...what exactly did you not like about the aluminum snath for those applications? The only application I find myself preferring a "straight" snath for is for trimming-type work with short blades like this li'l Russian one.

18740743_10212879140041722_8564221791983829136_n.jpg
 
On a related note, make sure you don't set those grips on the Scythe Supply snath at a plain 90° to the shaft or it'll give ya' wrist strain. Set them at angles that minimize strain on the wrists and elbows. They'll probably need drilling/pinning in place, as they're notorious for having the grips/stem loosen up.
 
I will be interested to learn what your results are. I think those ScytheSupply snaths are a bit lightduty for a Seymour blade.
Maybe its just me. I have about the most dense grass ever. When its wet, Needs strong effort toward the end of a stroke. Thus I really have to heave into it or close hang alot & take very small bites.
 
Inspired by a humorous reference by my father in a conversation earlier today. :D

1q31ur.jpg
 
I dry fitted and got the angles comfy--then glued them up. I used gorilla glue for its expanding properties. I figured I may need to pin them after the glue sets up but I'm gonna use it a bit first to be sure I like the angles. My Seymour blade is 18" as I recall (at work now) and I don't think it's too heavy. I'll know better after I use it. I do a lot of brush trimming with it on uneven surfaces so I think I 'll like the straighter snath better. The bent aluminum handle is a little short for me while the straight snath is fitted for me.
 
Just for reference, it's possible to pretty easily fit the curved snaths for folks over 6ft. You just set the upper nib 4-5" from the end of the snath so there's room to brace your palm comfortably against it, then set the lower nib down from there by your cubit length and adjust the tang angle accordingly. :)

That being said, at some point here I'll hopefully be able to get the North Star snath into production and then it'll be perfectly scalable for folks of any height.
 
Got this Seymour blank all fitted for some period hardware. It's going to a living history group that needed a period-appropriate rig.

18814028_10212915903040774_382278321993044963_n.jpg
 
I just put a brush blade on a snath i had around, i think the snath was made for a chimp, seriously, it has barely any angle but the nibs are set to a little bit larger than my cubit, i have to bend over to use it and im already short. i know they were shorter back in the day but they werent 4'9". do grass blades have offset tangs or something?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top