Using a scythe to cut grass

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.

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.

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. In many countries it is still the preferred tool since a scythe is portable and easy to manage. Mowing a lawn with a scythe isn't something you see every day in modernized regions, but the tool is adaptable, easy to keep sharp, and a lightweight piece of land management. It is also eco-friendly and adds no noise pollution because it is human, rather than gas powered. A scythe is a curved, sharp blade at the end of a long pole. It is used to trim grass and light brush. During use, the operator is standing and making controlled sweeps to cut plant material. The benefit of a grass cutting scythe is in the management it gives on high grasses without using fossil fuels. Scythes are also relatively inexpensive and readily available. A scythe was used widely in Europe and North America up until the early 20th century. After that, mechanization methods took over. But the scythe is still used in many regions. The versatile scythe requires frequent peening and stoning.

Part 1 is about your lawn; Part 2 will be about your scythe and blade; and Part 3 about scything techniques for short grass. But the scythe is still used in many regions.

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.

Home » Grass. It takes practice to learn the correct technique. Place the scythe blade on the ground and extend your arms. Sweep the blade in a semi-circle in one fluid motion through the grass or weeds in front of you. The blade should pass along the ground, cutting through the plant stems near the base with a shearing action. Short grass is often harder to cut with a scythe than long grass. Sometimes, lawn grass gets flattened by people walking on it, causing it to point in different directions.

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. The snath of the American scythe contains an intricate curve; on the contrary, the European scythe commonly has a straight snath.

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The first step is to fix the lower handle to sit on a level with the hip bone. Keeping the tool sharp will make using a scythe to cut grass much easier and efficient. A scythe can cut a swath of grass 6 feet 1. Support the blade carefully and work from heel to point, beat the cutting edge against the peening anvil with the hammer to flatten and smooth it out, before sharpening with a whetstone. Yes they can! Lawns and the scythe — a brief history Lawns as we know them arose in 17th century England at the homes of large, wealthy landowners. Gardening tips, videos, info and more delivered right to your inbox! Mowers working on a larger scale favour a longer blade, up to 90cm although the average is 75cm , for obvious reasons, however, this will also be more prone to damage and harder to wield effectively. Kit out your shed with our selection of the best gardening tools on the market today. I have a push mower but it limits how long u can let the grass grow before needing another option. She has been gardening and writing for 15 years. The area in this video had been left to grow all summer, the previous year, and then was mowed with a tractor in the fall, but the grass was left in place as mulch. If you plan on cutting a lot of grass at a 6-inch height, I would suggest lowering the grips on your adjustable snath and using a light grass blade, to make it more comfortable on your arms.

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 answer is yes and there are many people in the UK doing just that! The mulch was quite thick but was matted down by heavy wet snow during the winter. Whetstone Holders. How to use a scythe: a step-by-step guide 1 Each scythe should be uniquely set up to suit the physique and mowing style of its owner. And then Poldark hit our screens. Lawns as we know them arose in 17th century England at the homes of large, wealthy landowners. Good technique is key, both for safety and efficiency, which is why Simon encourages beginners to get a bit of hands-on training. The European version is made of alloyed steel that is easier to peen than the American tool. Only the rich could afford to pay for the labour needed, so a lawn was a mark of wealth and status. Post Comment. A sharp blade is easier to work with and produces a neater cut.