Article 18189 of misc.rural:
Path: bigblue.oit.unc.edu!sunSITE!london
From: london@sunSITE.unc.edu (Larry London)
Newsgroups: misc.rural
Subject: Re: Scythe instruction wanted...
Date: 25 May 1995 03:04:49 GMT
Organization: SunSITE at the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill
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References: <3pt8v4$a27@brtph500.bnr.ca>
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In article <3pt8v4$a27@brtph500.bnr.ca>,  <sawczyn@brtphaa0.bnr.ca> wrote:
>  I've got about 3/4 acre of winter wheat which I planted late December,
>intending it as pasture for sheep which I haven't got around to acquiring 
>yet, and want to clear it and use it for compost fodder and mulch.
>
>  Rather than going out and buying a sickle-bar attachment for my BCS 
>rototiller right away, I borrowed and sharpened an old scythe, hoping I
>could do the job with it.

It's do-able. 

>  I remembered reading, possibly in this group some time ago, that there
>was a knack to using the scythe efficiently.  After using it for about an
>hour, I think I'm getting part of that knack, but would appreciate 
>confirmation,or hints from any expert scythe users out there in the 
>rural netlands. 
>
>  The only way I'm able to get this tool to cut the wheat, is to cut in areas
>where the wheat is thick; if it is sparse, the stalks bend out of the way.
>Is this true in general?

It needs to be real sharp - use a small file on it - and keep it topped up.
Maybe you're using one of the old curved snath types. The one with the 
straight snath and the grass&grain blade should work quire well. I've 
used this combination on large areas of grasses intermixed with
a variety of large weeds (pigweed, lambs quarters, crabgrass, Johnson grass,
Bermuda, ryegrass, & many other unidentified weeds) - heavy going at times.

>  I also pull the scythe back with my left hand and swing my body by rotating
>to the left, as I swing the scythe from right to left.  It seems that most

Don't just rotate, _pull_ the blade too: rotate it and pull forward at 
the same time - you kind of lean forward to do this. Also, concentrating on
where you're leaving the pile of cut grain (randomly piled or in a row
(straight or curved [outwardly expanding arcs or parallel rows]) will 
help you organize your work and force you to get into an efficient rythym
where all your grain gets cut cleanly and close to the ground.

Resharpen the blade frequently.

>of the cutting is done by the end of the blade, that part farthest from the
>snaft.  My right hand moves the least amount during the swing, working to
>keep the scythe balanced.  

It cuts with the whole blade, not just the tip (you risk breaking the blade
at the shank when you hit an unexpected heavy weed, stump or rock).

>  Anyway, if anyone has any hints or insights on how I could improve my
>scythe swing (it can't be as hard as golfing, can it?) please let me know.

Much easier than golfing.




Article 18188 of misc.rural:
Newsgroups: misc.rural
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From: smithr@rl.af.mil (Richard A. Smith)
Subject: Re: Scythe instruction wanted...  
Message-ID: <1995May24.143310.11604@news.rlcn.rl.af.mil>
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Date: Wed, 24 May 1995 14:33:10 GMT
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In message <3pt8v4$a27@brtph500.bnr.ca>, sawczyn@brtphaa0.bnr.ca () writes:

>  I've got about 3/4 acre of winter wheat which I planted late December,
>intending it as pasture for sheep which I haven't got around to acquiring 
>yet, and want to clear it and use it for compost fodder and mulch.

Somehow knowing how to use a scythe seems to be a dubious honor.  Rather like 
being the only one in town old enough to know how to start a Model T Ford!!

>  Rather than going out and buying a sickle-bar attachment for my BCS 
>rototiller right away, I borrowed and sharpened an old scythe, hoping I
>could do the job with it.

After cutting that pasture you are going to vote for the BCS!!  : )


>  I remembered reading, possibly in this group some time ago, that there
>was a knack to using the scythe efficiently.  After using it for about an
>hour, I think I'm getting part of that knack, but would appreciate 
>confirmation,or hints from any expert scythe users out there in the rural 
>netlands.

Trying to explain the technique might be a lot harder than actually mowing with 
the thing.  You  also have to make sure that the handles are adjusted for the 
most comfortable fit and that the blade is sharp. Just being able to keep a 
sharp blade is an art form of its own.


>  The only way I'm able to get this tool to cut the wheat, is to cut in areas
>where the wheat is thick; if it is sparse, the stalks bend out of the way.
>Is this true in general?

Sounds like your blade isn't sharp enough.  It needs to be more like a straight 
razor as opposed to a sharp bread knife.  You should be able to cut June grass 
with it.  

>  I also pull the scythe back with my left hand and swing my body by rotating
>to the left, as I swing the scythe from right to left.  It seems that most
>of the cutting is done by the end of the blade, that part farthest from the
>snaft.  My right hand moves the least amount during the swing, working to
>keep the scythe balanced.  

I haven't got mine right here to get the fine details, but I keep both arms 
rather rigid.  The real secret is to get the swing and the step coordinated.  
As the scythe comes back your weight shifts to the rear foot.  As you swing the 
scythe forward you turn your body slightly and transfer your weight to the 
front foot.  After you get proficient at this you will be able to move each 
foot forward and before you know it you are accross the field!!

>  Anyway, if anyone has any hints or insights on how I could improve my
>scythe swing (it can't be as hard as golfing, can it?) please let me know.

I can't compare it to golfing, but I think it is easier than hoeing corn or 
hilling potatoes.

And when you have cut the grass with the scythe it should land in a neat row ( 
called a swath).  

Richard 





