Blacksmithing - Forging a scythe

[@sebw.4939]

Grandpa taught me how to mow - but folks that can make good scythes are very rare these days. Deep respect to your blacksmithing skills!!

[@ElGoogKO]

Not rare at all, plenty of skilled bladesmiths. They just don't make scytes because there isn't a relevant market anymore. The shape is easy to form and as you can see here , without much care to the quality of the result. Thus any generic smith can do a scyte. Making an exceptional one (not seen here) would require one of the exceptional smiths, that will use soft and hard steel and a proper tempering for an amazing long lasting sharp blade

[@ChrisMcClure-n5d]

See we have a key board blacksmith just slot if talk

[@frank3manuel]

I absolutely love this channel. My favorite forging channel. He actually makes stuff he uses, and not just to cut gallons of milk. And he takes the time to forge it right, instead of where you see other people jump right to milling and grinding. Also, alpacas.

[@torbjornahman]

Thanks! :)

[@fourgedmushrooms5958]

Yea surprised more people don't. Knives and weapons get pretty boring when you can make thousands of other things on a fourge. I'm thinking about making a frying pan, a spatula and a soop ladle, but I've made some very good garden tools that I use all the time. What I don't make much is videos. Sorry. Couple of fourge ones though

[@gerry343]

Your videos are excellent, Torbjorn, we can see exactly what you are doing without having endless explanations and no intrusive music. In my humble opinion you also are a very skilled blacksmith.

[@kazimierzmarkiel5400]

In age 74 the grass cutting with the scythe in my garden under the trees is one of my few male pleasures, but I have seen the scythe making the first time in my life and I watched it with the curiosity. Working with the computer need some pause and grass mowing is excellent ecxercise, especially if you do not have to, but still you can . I was working one year in Sweden -in one factory construction project- some 10 years ago and I brought to my country (due to high quality) two their brushes for the floor sweeping. Swedes in Goetheborg airport were looking at it smiling slightly , and I had to pass it through the special procedure for oversized luggage. After landing, I was able to retrieve my brushes only after two weeks, because the airport services were searching the items thoroughly -apparently expecting to discover something more unusual there. I told my wife : do not touch it , it is for me only. So we are using it both up to now, and my wife is thinking to buy the same one or something similar. Today I look with the some sadness when I see , what the swedish politicians did with the Sweden I have seen. Stary

[@barrymartin7085]

I think it's a very credible scythe and it works well. And it's how I imagine the scythes of old would look. Clearly not as easy to produce as some would like to believe.

[@douglasgault2578]

When I was younger I used a scythe a lot for clearing. It's really effortless and much faster than a string trimmer. This is a much better blade than these modern stamped ones on the market. Again great work my man your an artist with a hammer.

[@DavyJones-bv5zo]

A good craft from a good forge does good work in the hands of a good man or woman

[@basedbuddha777]

You make moving metal look so easy. You are an inspiration to all of us. Thank you for your craft and skill!

[@mountainwolf1]

The sign of a true blacksmithing making tools to make tools great job and thanks for sharing your wisdom.

[@cracklingpumpkin1569]

Great work! No commentary, no music, just the sound of tools, perfect video

[@NofaKingway]

All I can say Is I am impressed that you take great effort to have appropriate PPE on, many people forget working with metals is very dusty. Most have ear protection, some use eye protection but very few use dust protection. I cant even imagine how uncomfortable that must be in a forge with a respirator on but good on you for taking care of your health!

[@torbjornahman]

Thanks Kenny!

[@Fumwum]

The high and mighty experts in these comments, wow, yes he's doing some things wrong but god dammit he DID it! He went and made a scythe blade and it works, yes he stoned it wrong and his handle is too damn short but it's a blade, it cuts, it works, he made it and he was proud to show us even with all the little things he's maybe not the proudest of. I for one am proud to watch the video, his creation. This was very cool, thank you for uploading.

[@torbjornahman]

Thanks! :) I may have to revisit this one....

[@goblin550]

@@torbjornahman Make a nice metal cup to keep water in your pocket and keep your stone wet.

[@NielsdR]

@@goblin550 With this kind of scythe you use a dry stone, the sharpening is not by the stone but with the hammer. The stone is only for polishing the edge

[@goblin550]

@@NielsdR I've always heard you use a wet stone even for honing. I'm not experienced however so I could be wrong. Thanks for the info!

[@verdigrissirgidrev4152]

@@goblin550 the stone will sharpen more aggressively if it's wet but it can be used dry. the blade is not hardened in a conventional sense i.e. martensitic, so it doesn't matter.

I remember my grandpa scything the grass. He said that grass should be wet when scything, compared to when mowing with the modern lawn mowers. Beautifully crafted as always.

[@xeonxeon7013]

My grandfather said that the bad dancer is prevented from dancing eggs. A good scythe mows any grass in any weather. But with such a handle it will never work to cut grass well. And the blacksmith does not know how to mow.

[@icacrubin6511]

@@xeonxeon7013 Main reason for cutting wet is not because scythe is not able to cut. Wet grass simply reduces friction and cutting takes less effort. Water also softens older, already hardened hay and yet again cutting is easier.

[@gigel99324]

Well yes, it's why people went scything at 4 in the morning

[@СергейФелькин-ж4ы]

Мастер своего дела, чаровник и кудесник. Смотреть в кайф, и это наподобие некоторой нирваны, когда смотришь, смотришь и не оторваться никак, пока ролик не закончится.

[@mybootscamewithoutstraps]

I think what I love most about this channel is that many of the games I play where there's a Dwarf Character who's clearly hitting stereotypes and forging shit with metal....his name is Torbjörn or somethin close. Seeing as I just picked up the craft of scything, I really appreciate being able to see a simple cylinder of metal become a tool. Incredible.

[@torbjornahman]

Ha ha, thanks!

[@Nyghtprowler]

Amazing job! Man, can you imagine how long it would take to draw that out by hand back in the day?! Power hammers are a god send! It would have taken a lot of energy to get that length and thickness!

[@ragnar0721]

You're overestimating it

[@mohamedkamal262]

Work of art. Pride in what you created. Loved watching you create the scythe out of the piece of metal.

[@seanbailey6004]

A true privilege to watch you at work. Thank you for allowing us into your home.

[@tankerd1847]

Your videos are great, the effort you put into the camera work to show different tools you're using is awesome.

[@MrPendell]

Love that you included the complete process for building the guide you used for fullering and thinning the blade, and the process for rolling over the back of the blade. I’ve been thinking about trying my hand at a scythe. Yours looks like the right process, with the right result, but in my 100% manual shop with no power hammer in sight in any direction, I have to admit that this much work thinning the blade looks more than a little daunting. Also love that you included whole process of peening and honing, and showed it in action doing its thing. The only things I might have wished for a bit more on were the process of adjusting angle of the tang and fitting it to the snathe.

[@kelvinsparks4651]

Excellent job on the scythe I bet it holds a good edge. Your anvil though can only be described as amazing. Thanks for sharing.

[@elchick8328]

The original weed whacker! Quality work as always! I love watching your smithing and you have a great sense of subtle humor. Thanks for sharing with us!

[@crazygamernerd2399]

He's a dad. I'd feel sorry for the kid if he didn't have a dad's sense of humor.

[@alexandreelsabbagh1589]

I love how you did the cutting edge ! It is simple and elegant. Not to mention your skill. Well done !

[@TutorialTelevision]

Awesome!! I loved how you showed the creation of the little rig you had to make for the hydraulic hammer!

[@denegillespie5767]

Superb craftsmanship in all aspects. I find your videos very instructive, therapeutic and sublimely satisfying

[@kennymiller4428]

your sense of humor is epic, and so is your scythe.

[@foolwise4703]

Fascinating. I did never think of how intricate a "simple" scythe is.

[@s10m0t10n]

I really enjoyed seeing the whole process from formless steel to a functional scythe. Fascinating and theraputic.

[@h2o270]

That scythe is amazing! I have a European scythe and did not realize the small creases in the blade were to tension it, interesting. This has motivated me to get out and do some scything.

[@hermanbakkes4008]

Where are you from?

[@Killbilly31]

I'm still trying to save and watch all of your videos. I'm a 2yr bladesmith that's learning on my own and I really appreciate what you've posted.

[@torbjornahman]

Great!

[@Kenjiro5775]

I ditched my gas lawn equipment for an Austrian style scythe and I have not enjoyed mowing like this for decades! Awesome forge work! 😁✌

[@c.rob2323]

As a romanian that tool brings back memories. I still use it from time to time although its blade got really narrow in the middle. Thing belongs in a museum if I think about it.. / Edit: Everything you did was proper, you are a true craftsman!

[@gargava9533]

Eu tot o folosesc

[@c.rob2323]

@@gargava9533 Cool, si eu. I-am si facut un update saptamana trecuta, haha.. i.imgur.com/EewKuU3.png

[@zjork]

i love a good scythe, and that is one very good scythe you made there! my most used and favoritt gardening tool! all so, nice to see the kids helping out and taking an interest in your work! that warms my hearth :) great vid!

[@gregiep]

Loved the theatrics! Great intro! Great job lighting the forge!

[@torbjornahman]

:)

[@4444-m4t]

@@torbjornahman hay

[@phungphan2245]

So beautiful, the ting of that Scythe have me goosebumps! Thanks for sharing your process and work!

[@GlennBrockett]

Beautifully done scythe. Better scything than 90% of the videos out there. (not counting the competitions, of course.)

[@johannesels5288]

Good to see you're back beating on some steel and reaping the rewards.

[@crazygamernerd2399]

No.... I want to say good pun, but I'm just gonna say no...

[@spencerdunn866]

I see what you did there

[@pauldrowns7270]

It sounds beautiful, and the ridge from the neck into the beard is interesting (and I think a good idea). The post below me describes and American snathe. I prefer a 1-grip because I can move my my hand up and down to adjust if I choose to. Your work is truly beautiful!

[@СергейЛебедев-в6ш]

Молодец, мастер! Отлично сделано! Видно что с душой! Побольше бы таких толковых людей! ))

[@petersabatie4181]

Thank you very much because you're the first who forged an austrian scythe on KZbin

[@torbjornahman]

Thanks

[@POOTHAITUMSAB]

งานตีเหล็ก ขึ้นรูปใบมีด เป็นกิจกรรมที่น่าหลงไหล ทุกอย่างแฝงความคิดตรรกะลงในเคียวด้ามเดียว เมื่อผู้คนได้ใช้งานมัน เค้าจะทึ่งเลยทีเดียวว่า...คุณทำมันขึ้นมาได้ยังไง..มันน่าทึ่งมาก😊😊😊

[@samblandford9863]

Best. Opening. Ever. Oh, and the lighting of the forge was spot on too.

[@magicdaveable]

Beautiful work. Thanks for sharing your skills. I too use Boiled Linseed Oil to protect the bare steel. Better that the grass is wet. Dry grass is very tough to cut.

[@drewrogge4798]

Absolutely amazing. To start with such a small piece of metal and end up with something so large and thin.

[@wanderingcalamity360]

Right?

[@wanderingcalamity360]

Certainly demonstrates the economy of material that a skilled craftsman is capable of.

[@KravchenkoAudioPerth]

You bring back many memories of working with my Grandfathers scythe. I especially appreciate your proper forging of the edge and the final penning of the edge on the log. No KZbin sander and grinder to form blacksmithing here! A pleasure to watch you work sir. I learn something new almost in every video.

[@torbjornahman]

Great! Thanks!!

[@neilb7544]

holy hell?! the way you made/attach the blocking leveling guide tool was a nice touch..

[@fox111qc]

I like how your rough work is still clean and precise. amazing work!

[@mattymcsplatty5440]

sir, u are a genius. that attachment for the powerhammer was awesome. just found yr channel. fantastic skills, a real pleasure to watch.

[@Rouverius]

1:00 "Look, there is no way he's gonna make a full-scale scythe with that little chuck of metal" 22:10 "OK, I've been known to be wrong on occasions..." Great work! It looks like it works well.

[@johnjude2677]

I need a trimmer aaround my rassberries .I am going to make a shorter pole cycle for my needs . Think watching this gets me ideals. Thank you again Sir ...love your teachings.

[@torbjornahman]

Great, thanks

[@zachadams6451]

The tool that you made on the fly was impressive. Good job

[@JAERNSPOKET]

Wow, amazing job once again! The sound of sharpening a scythe blade reminds me of my childhood, and now i know how it's made! Great job! :)

[@dannyhaynes673]

You

[@galanie]

A welder/fabricator isn't a blacksmith but a blacksmith is a welder/fabricator. Great work!!!

[@tewdogs4475]

impressive doesn't even start to describe your artistic skill in moving the metal

[@83lamcha]

What a beautiful piece of human art😍😍. I've never seen an actual blacksmith working right in front of my eyes,and this is probably as close as I can get to see,but boy...what a tremendous amount of time and effort to forge one. Every pound mark shows true human's craftmanship,unlike uniform ones that you get when you purchase from the factory that makes them by machines. I wished I could have one of these coz I've never seen one being sold here in my country,most of them are very short ones and weirdly shape(my opinion) because they use them to cut grass while squatting,whereas European use the scythe or sickle to cut the grass while standing,hence the length matters. Thank you very much for sharing this video. Salute to you 😇😇

[@torbjornahman]

Thanks!!

[@cipo404]

Fantastico! Mi hai fatto tornare indietro di parecchi anni, a quando mio padre mi insegnò ad usare la falce, a batterla ed affilarla. Grazie!

[@robertcutburth3745]

My grandfather used to cut hay for his milk cows with one of these when he was young. Good job

[@HomeDistiller]

Amazing work as always.. Sword making is hard, but this takes some serious skill. Getting an edge that fine without burning it or cracking it!

[@Lelum_Polelum]

My grandfather teach me how to use scythe like that. Great work Torbjorn!

[@tawakerakarawa1064]

Excellent blacksmithing! I would once again like to feel the hammers and tongs in my hands, the ring of the anvil, the heat of the forge, see the shaping up of the developing work and eventually the sweet smell of burning oil as the work is tempered! Good one man! (It has been more than 50 years!)

[@torbjornahman]

:) Thanks!

[@johnlcallaway]

Thank you for sharing this. We recently bought a house with two acres that need mowed. Most of it can be done with a tractor, but there are a couple of small hills that might be dangerous, so I've been watching videos on mowing with a scythe. I'll probably buy one, but what kind of aspiring blacksmith would I be if I didn't make my own. Thanks for showing the steps you went through, I think I can figure it out from here and appreciate the detailed video.

[@torbjornahman]

Thanks, that is great! My takeaways from this video was that the blade should be hardened, and probably made from a more high carbon steel. BUT tempered back, probably beyond light blue or something like that, so it can stand the peening. Unhardened, it's too soft.

[@ИгорьКокин-и6к]

Такой инструмент - находка для понимающих и знающих работу людей! Молодец парень! Высоко ценю подобных мастеров! Успехов ему.!

[@user-fk6ku3hy5f]

Только не правильнр сделано касовьище, приходится косить раком . Это пол часа работы и дальше ты не работник. И не правильно бруском правит косу , с плоской стороны ( нижней) брусок прикладывается по всей плоскости а не под углом . А со стороны верха прикладывается на уголок. А если править как он то наклёп сточишь за день косьбы.

[@Archer-bc6cv]

Your videos are so calming and amazing

[@Gormfork]

As much as i love watching these videos, I find myself equally just having them in the background; the subtle hammering of metal is so calm, such like a lullaby almost. The hammer feels like a hand brushing the cheek.

[@arlenestanton9955]

I mute, they is no commentary

[@JCRyderRichardson]

My weekend isn’t complete until I’ve watched a Torbjorn video. Just brilliant!

[@torbjornahman]

:) That's great, thanks!

[@bakheg6153]

As I am a son of old farmer ,I appreciate your tools all .All farmers need craftsmen. Bravo guy👍👍

[@torbjornahman]

Thanks!

[@digitaIgorilla]

I jumped at 14:33 too! Creamed beeswax works well as a coating on metal to keep the oxidation down too. But then, it doesn't come in large industrial containers like the linseed oil :)

[@random40s]

Beeswax is also a bit tacky tho. Would drag a bit, and make it harder to use.

[@jamesmyers2087]

I guess you can take tools for granted as simple things, but that was a very complex shape to deal with. 👍

[@chest_48]

Второй вечер смотрю Ваши видео. Завораживает. Мало что понимаю в кузнечном деле, но чрезвычайно интересно. Спасибо огромное. Привет из России.=)

[@Urd_Voiddaughter]

Lovely video. I used to work summers at a museum in Luleå (Hägnan). And that involved using 18th- early 19th century scythes to cut grass. So I can really appreciate seeing how it is made since I have spend quite a bit of time using scythes much like this one. I prefer them over the modern, often bulkier versions we also had available.

[@torbjornahman]

Cool. Thanks

[@emandejnozka1369]

My scythe is double fullered - equal height on either side so that the raised edges would be a guide for the whetstone to slide across. It looks as though you are making a harvester blade. The "weed cutter was shorter and wider. I still have the harvester blade that raised so much sweat in my youth. Thank you for all of your videos.

[@rogerj412]

Gotta like this just for the fact that you used one of my all time favorite pieces of music, Toccata in Fugue.

[@roadweary5252]

You never fail to amaze, my friend!!

[@plane_simple]

Did I really close my eyes when you started welding...? I was so riveted to the scene, I totally forgot that I'm only watching a video!

[@MikeTheMaker1]

Plane Simple I’m glad I’m not the only welder that does that.

[@loganstewart5818]

Me too! I guess few of us will ever know what it feels like to stare directly at it that first time. Feels like a thousand suns burning your eyeball lol. Bet we don’t ever do it again though ;D

[@ЕвгенийСызоев]

Видио просто супер начинается с классической музыки и переходит на природные звуки,удары механического молота,звон наковальни и молоточков,звуки работащих механизмов,а в оконцовке звук полотна косы и скошенной травы,разве это не красиво?Мастер который, как дережор и исполнитель,не произнеся и слова исполнил эту симфонию.БРАВО!!! Без конечно,можно смореть,как бежит вода,как горит огонь и как работает человек и слышать музыку природы.Заслуженная похвалы работа и показ видио.

[@tarronadam5435]

I love how you use the machines sparingly. I get it they save you time but if you just show a little love to your work then you don't have to use them so much. Especially the grinding... Omg the grinding. Love your work ' not just the blacksmithing but all of what you share here for us.

[@nandortanczos4956]

That was stunning work. Thank you. I've been wondering about those indents on the blade of my scythe. Now I know they are tensioning marks.

[@thebassknuckler]

16:52 a helping hand from a young apprentice..nice!

[@OlneyaTesota]

From Fathering to gardening, to wood and steel this guy does it all. Jc

[@mdlanor5414]

Excellent Craftsmanship. It doesn’t seem possible to get this Scythe out of that small piece of round stock piece of steel, but as this video clearly shows you did fabricate the piece of round stock into a Scythe. I doubt that there are many other Blacksmiths that could accomplish this feat. Love your videos. Keep them coming.

[@granitmiftaraj6385]

Hi, its my first time here and seeing a scythe forge its kindda rare and yes its very detalied . Im a scythe owner myself and i know how this thing works like every single thing on it ,it is very good . And i would like to give you some profesional critics the blade must be a little bit more curved and when you make the handle measure yourself and go 10cm higher the handle will fit you and making the hammer and the castle (we refer like so in my language dont know how in english) would be super cool .. good work keep it up .

[@TheSasquatch33]

1:06 That was a pretty smooth edit there man. Nice Job.

[@piney_studios]

I’ve watched so much of these, my search history looks like I’m planning a murder

[@petrgazo5184]

It is not a good weapon for murder though so you should be fine.

[@siik-ghostface]

😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@scottleft3672]

It's a worry knowing there are creeps looking over our shoulder.

[@siik-ghostface]

@@scottleft3672 The worse ones are scammers.

[@scottleft3672]

@@petrgazo5184 The hand held version is.

[@jrand2631]

Brilliant, the Grim Reaper couldn't have done it better himself! LOL

[@torbjornahman]

Thanks!

[@MakarovFox]

Maybe he's the Grim Reaper...

[@Nathan-yq5fc]

The Reaper probably pays this guy to make a new one whenever it wears out

[@HrLBolle]

@@Nathan-yq5fc with a "new" life would be my guess

[@humblymichael5823]

Accurate, he's too tied up with killing people to have time to forge lol

[@mr.ackermann807]

Nice work. I would also like trying this for mowing instead of gas every now and then for good workout and skill. Thank you for this video.

[@geppeocio7436]

Stupendo lavoro complimenti,era da tanto tempo che non vedevo fare la battitura della falce fatto veramente bene

[@SerangelROM]

That's one of the things i love about watching blacksmiths and machinists. Don't have something? Gonna make that shit real quick.

[@gersonvieira3148]

oreni

[@bradleyholcombe6114]

I've always wanted to learn how to use a scythe for mowing.

[@sublustrum100]

коса весит почти столько же, сколько подписчиков на канале, желаю вам в два раза больше. хорошие вещи делаете.

[@ChrisUhlik]

Fascinating project. So many new (to me) techniques demonstrated. I learned a lot from this video.

[@projectcentral001]

Gotta commend you dude you're way more precise than I even plan to be

[@melancholicwaffle]

Is this a This Old Tony video? Holy molybdenum those edits were amazing.

[@siberian1004]

Я в афиге от количества русскоговорящих зрителей! А коса огонь, особенно в сравнении с тем , что у нас продаётся.

[@Andrej_Shliachowskij]

Коса хорошая, но косит он не очень.. Тупая, видать)

[@ЮнирКарипов]

Оказывается так много труда и энергии нужно вложить в изготовление косы,уважение кузнецу ,хорошая работа

[@michaeld5600]

This is exactly the same technique that we use in my country to make a scythe You've made an incredible job

[@torbjornahman]

Thank you so much!!

[@magicdaveable]

I think this is the third or forth time viewing this. A really beautiful scythe blade. Looks like a really difficult task without a power hammer.

[@maratkabirov531]

Человек отковал косу.,даже отбил но не закалял. И он не деревенский косарь. Если закалить и настроить будет намного лучше магазинной. Косу отковать труднее чем клинок сделать. Мастеру респект.

[@Logen23232]

косу не закаляют иначе она треснет

[@alan_a_1975]

@@Logen23232 не в этом дело, хотя это правда, отбивка косы это и есть закалка режущей кромки, при отбивке структура металла меняется, появляется твердость... все деревенские об этом знают и в древности знали... по этой технологии делается якутский нож...

[@tissuepaper9962]

The only thing I would say you need to change is you need to make a much longer snath. You are too tall for the one you have right now, and it's preventing you from using clean technique. Scything is done standing straight up, but your snath is keeping you from doing that.

[@torbjornahman]

I know. I'll make a proper one.

[@bakters]

+Torbjörn Åhman - Just take a long straight stick for a snath. One handle only. For me it's the simplest and the most convenient one to use in the long run. I also prefer wooden wedge instead of screws for fixing the blade to the snath. It falls apart with one hit from a hammer, no need to screw around (pun intended). Anyway, have you normalized the blade? It looks like there are a lot of stresses in there from forging. It may cause what we call "fishtailing" during peening later on. Overall, great job though. It's definitely a good scythe, whether it has some faults or not (all of them have some anyways). I could see she "wants to" cut grass. You can't fake it. She a good one.

[@torbjornahman]

Thanks bakters!

[@spleefgreif]

he's also stoning the scythe incorrectly

[@torbjornahman]

Ha ha, apparently, but you know what? The important thing is that the edge is sharp.

[@mitchellwerner24]

Use more hips! It should take the strain off your back and feel a little easier. The stance need to be slightly longer and adjust your back foot to a more forward facing angle. Also try switching your feet around, you might find it is easier on one than the other. Hope I helped!

[@mustafapiriyev8025]

Здравствуйте. От А до Я. Станки о которых мы только можем мечтать. Орудие труда, главный фактор в нашей труде.Вот по чему развита трудоспособность. У нас жаль что не продается такие станки. Способные люди очень много, но они без этих станков. Надо найти путь, как достать такие станки. Кузнецу Спасибо,мастер своего дела.

[@benitoma6766]

This is the most epic thing that I saw on the Internet to forge a sickle it's very hard Well done ! ! !

[@torbjornahman]

Thanks!

[@benitoma6766]

Torbjörn Åhman good job again, from Romania