Who else uses a scythe?

No, looks like I did have it sleuthed out correctly. Managed to find a photograph of the date shown on the blades, and it's the very date Mr. Bartlett references in the 1915 patent, and while initial searches weren't turning up the original patent, I found it here.

US992476-0.png


20431481_10213518192737640_1839964766580397966_n.jpg
 
Yeah, these are the only truly stamped American blades I've come across to date, and as you can see they have very distinctive construction and markings that make it very difficult to confuse with another. I'd be surprised if literally no one made something similar, but they sure weren't common in the slightest. These are quite uncommon, themselves.
 
Just received my first batch of custom stamped box wrenches for Seymour snaths (all current models.) The large end is sized for the nut of the loop bolt and the small end is sized for the retaining bolt of the heel plate. Nice and flat so it slips in a pocket unobtrusively, and made for us in the USA out of plated, heat treated steel. They'll only be about $1.50 and I'll be getting them up on the site tomorrow if things go to plan. Wish I had one of these things years ago--it would have made field adjustments a lot easier than carrying around a typical wrench

23472772_10214350743230882_307987679557310429_n.jpg
 
FortyTwoBlades said:
Just received my first batch of custom stamped box wrenches for Seymour snaths (all current models.) The large end is sized for the nut of the loop bolt and the small end is sized for the retaining bolt of the heel plate. Nice and flat so it slips in a pocket unobtrusively, and made for us in the USA out of plated, heat treated steel. They'll only be about $1.50 and I'll be getting them up on the site tomorrow if things go to plan. Wish I had one of these things years ago--it would have made field adjustments a lot easier than carrying around a typical wrench

23472772_10214350743230882_307987679557310429_n.jpg
Click to expand...

Are they stamped, or are they forged? ;)
They look handy and easy on the pockets.
 
is one side 5/8"? i might get one of those instead of having a ratchet in my pocket. why a ratchet? i like using a ratchet more than an adjustable wrench
 
phantomknives said:
is one side 5/8"? i might get one of those instead of having a ratchet in my pocket. why a ratchet? i like using a ratchet more than an adjustable wrench
Click to expand...

11/16" on the large side and 7/16" on the other. Once we have our North Star scythe rings available (soon!) we'll also have them with a 9/16" end instead of 11/16" to match the size of the set screw on the rings.
 
Considering original snathwrenches are scarce, hope you do well selling those.
I am obviously a wanker using ViseGrip.
But soo handy also pulling out or cutting off old fence wires found.
 
Last edited:
Lieblad said:
Considering original snathwrenches are scarce, hope you do well selling those.
Click to expand...

They turn up with relative frequency, but the problem is that there wasn't a particular standard size that they came in, so the odds of finding one the same size as the loop bolt nut on a particular snath are somewhat slim. However, Seymour's been using the same loop bolt size on their No.1, No.8, and No.9 snaths for quite some time now, so these'll work on older ones just dandy. The smaller end might not work on some of the oldest No.1 snaths, though, as the older ones used a heel plate carriage bolt that was just one size larger than they do now. They used a standard nut and washer to secure those, rather than the integrated nut w/serrated washer they do now. But the loop bolt nut size (the one that's most important and most likely to need tightening or loosening in the field) has been the same throughout. Older No.8 and No.9 snaths used a rivet, and so don't need the small end at all, though current ones use the same integrated nut and serrated washer as the No.1 does. :)
 
I grabbed this scythe handle today to put to use a True Temper blade I have.

20171212_113557.jpg


20171212_113633.jpg


20171212_113628.jpg


20171212_113713.jpg


20171212_193643.jpg


This True Temper Blade appears to be bent, pretty good to.
If anyone has an opinion...if I should leave it and work with it as is or attempt to bring it back to or close to it's original shape?
If possible I do want to have this handle and blade in working order as a team.

20171212_193632.jpg


20171212_193700.jpg


20171212_193728.jpg


Thanks for looking :thumbsup::cool:
 
Looks like a Derby & Ball No.50 snath that was contracted by a hardware store, as it doesn't have their usual branded label. Do you have any photographs of the bends in the blade? I can't see anything clearly amiss in the photos above.
 
Good looking rig.
Thats cool Kelly blade with ”WPA” stamped. Tang angle set also. Its prior user knew how to set up a scythe.
 
FortyTwoBlades said:
Looks like a Derby & Ball No.50 snath that was contracted by a hardware store, as it doesn't have their usual branded label. Do you have any photographs of the bends in the blade? I can't see anything clearly amiss in the photos above.
Click to expand...

Thanks fortytwo, I will try grabbing a few more pictures of what i think is a bend/twist and post them up in a bit.

Lieblad said:
Good looking rig.
Thats cool Kelly blade with ”WPA” stamped. Tang angle set also. Its prior user knew how to set up a scythe.
Click to expand...

Yes that WPA stamped in along with a word or letters I can't make out stamped in after and below WPA.
Thanks Lieblad, I have a lot to learn about the scythe but I am all in, getting ready for spring and summer to scare my neighbors!
Seriously though when I came into the True Temper blade and then learned of this handle well I thought the two should get together.
 
FortyTwoBlades said:
Looks like a Derby & Ball No.50 snath that was contracted by a hardware store, as it doesn't have their usual branded label. Do you have any photographs of the bends in the blade? I can't see anything clearly amiss in the photos above.
Click to expand...

I hope these shots are clear and help...
The Kelly WPA True Temper is the one on the right in this shot.

20171212_221027.jpg


20171212_220914.jpg


20171212_220924.jpg


20171212_220704.jpg


20171212_220848.jpg


20171212_220856.jpg


crbnSteeladdict said:
When I think WPA terms new infrastructure, improvements come to mind(construction tools marked wpa make sense). Just wonder what project did it come from
Click to expand...

So am I now. When I grabbed the Kelly Scythe blade it came to me as one of two blades and a handle, all for $5 believe it or not.
I got them from a guy in my hometown and his new to him home is situated along a large and fast moving brook that flows into the CT River near by, and also close to where the RR came thru on that side of town...and before the RR there were a series of locks and canals for shipping.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top