Ever Chop Weeds With a Scythe ?

I've always wondered how it would be to use a Scythe....well, we have one, so lets find out!

[@josemufflei3949]

Full disclosure.. my grandpa taught me and I grew up using one every summer.. but you do many more things alot better than most.... better than I! Happy Father's Day. Great job😊 love you guys

[@MuskratOutdoors]

Thanks! I think this would take awhile to get good at it.

[@turdfurgeson8006]

Helped the neighbors with an acre of wheat they had grown for a project. Worked well, but it was dry so it cut easy. I was just thinking about that snow avalanche and what it looked like now..hint..hint. Lol Stay safe out there and thanks for sharing. From the great red State of Idaho!

[@MuskratOutdoors]

Wow! That would be kind of fun to try I think. This one feels fairly sharp, but not real sharp. It worked better than I expected really. That avalanche from a distance doesn't look like much now. Just a bare brown spot, but I'd like to try to see it close up. I won't have time enough until maybe September, but I'll try to show it before that. Thanks for the idea!

[@thecamocowboyoutdoors5693]

I have used a scythe alot. Dad was really good at using one. We always had a couple stud horses in over the summer and would cut down hay to feed them. Still have a couple of those scythes hanging around. Sure brings back memories. Thanks for sharing my Friend.

[@MuskratOutdoors]

It's easier than I thought it would be really. This one isn't really all that sharp either. As a weed chopper, it's not great because the weeds are just piled up, but for hay, I can see this working really well.

[@reginaldwinsor2759]

As a boy, I admired how the old guys used those with ease. I could never get the hang of it. I got 10 turkeys coming Wednesday. The dandelion wine is coming along. I added 2 cups golden raisons. Thanks for sharing.

[@MuskratOutdoors]

It's pretty neat to watch someone good at it. I saw several recipes for that dandelion wine that used raisins and different things. Kind of interesting the same stuff can have so many variations. Mine is picking up speed bubbling now.

[@mazlosoutdooradventures8594]

I remember growing up, and on the weekend we'd watch some wholesome family shows like little house on the prairie... Or bonanza ....Now days I don't see that much anymore. All you hear or see is drama adultery and corrupted government playing out in movies TV and of course real life. It's good to see your videos they remind me of what we left behind, in the hopes of comfort and progress

[@MuskratOutdoors]

Thank you very much! I agree! John Wayne got censored for saying Damn, and now every other word on TV starts with an F......How did that happen, and why?

[@perrybutler5970]

I have one but have never used one. I believe it is in the category as a "Lazy Ladd". Nothing lazy about using either. Great to see the poults doing well. Looking forward to seeing how the wine turns out. Have a blessed day, my friends. PB

[@MuskratOutdoors]

It was kind of fun to play with and see what it's like. You should give it a try. We have had ours a long time, but never tried it.

[@ImixSpb]

What enjoyable video! There are so many memories linked with... I cut grass with a scythe many times in my boyhood days. A well-sharpened scythe edge and mowing technique are the main things to do this job well. A scythe is not an ax, there is no need do the 'chopping'. The scythe should 'slide smoothly' close to weed-grown land surface. I emailed you a link to suitable short video. Thank you so much for the video!

[@MuskratOutdoors]

Thanks Igor! I just got finished watching that. Very interesting! Thank you for sending it. I can see for sure that mine needs sharpened!

[@douglawrence9616]

Not too many people know how to operate one of those anymore. You got to have a rhythm. And you have to keep them sharp.

[@kdseiwert7360]

This one dont sounds sharp to me!

[@MuskratOutdoors]

I think so! This one could sure be sharper, and the rhythm I could kind of feel after playing with it.

[@MuskratOutdoors]

It could sure be sharper. It feels reasonably sharp, but not sharp enough.

[@timberdrifter8225]

I have been thinking of making a video about scything since im using one about every 3 or 4 days a week for about an hour a day right now. My neighbors field has a tall invasive grass we are trying to kill. A string trimmer lasts about a minute on that grass before becoming tangled up. It needs to be sharpened properly. That type of scythe is sharpened in a similar way to a straight razor. The stone rides on top of that rib at the same time as the edge to keep the edge in proper alignment. On the otherside of the blade, the stone rides on the flat to keep the blade thinned out and clean up the wire edge that is formed from sharpening the otherside. When maintaining it in the feild it just takes a few swipes of the stone on either side to keep the edge aligned. As far a technique- on your back swing keep the scythe level to the ground dont raise it up. And keep it level to the ground for the full swing. It's easy to wear yourself out swinging it too hard in that up and down arc motion. The movement is all in the hips. The upper body doesn't play into it much other than holding on. It shouldn't take a lot of muscle or force. Its an easy smothe motion once you get the hang of it. Not as hard as you'd think. The blade has to really be sharp though. It's more difficult on uneven ground but manageable. Its best to cut in the morning when the dew is still on. The grass is heavier and kinda holds together. In years past ive done a 2 acer field 3 times a summer. If you walk in a straight line all the hay ends up in a neat row and a bailer can pick it up easily or it can be pushed into big piles with a fork and tossed in the back of a truck. Once you get passed the initial lower back soreness its really great to keep a fella loosened up. Especially if your a little tight in the hips. No stinking exhaust and screaming motor. No gas required, just breakfast. A pleasant ringing swish, the smell of cut grass and birdsong in the background. Just about the most pleasant damn thing in the world as far as work is concerned. I cant put a link in this comment but check out a channel Mr. Chickadee for good instruction.

[@MuskratOutdoors]

VERY INTERESTING! Thanks for explaining that! This one could sure be sharper, but I didn't know the right way to do it. Even as it was, I was surprised that it cut as well as it did. Not as much work as I imagined it would be. Still, I didn't do a big area, just playing with it. We have had it quite awhile, but never tried it until now. I would love to see a video of you using yours and how to sharpen it! Back when I used to shave, I used my Great Grandpa's straight razor. It takes a little practice, but they aren't hard to use either. I like at least trying some of the old ways of doing things. Modern equipment is easier, but in some ways I'm not sure it's better. It takes more effort, but it's more quite and good exercise. Cross cut two man saws are the same way. I've cut a lot of wood that way for hunting camps, but give me a chainsaw any day! If they are sharp enough, it's really surprising how much they cut each swipe, but it is a lot of work too.

[@paulsisco7595]

It's hard work ,we have a older gentleman here down the road a bit , buckaroo horseman he goes down the side of the road cutting and loading it in his apache truck I asked him one time if he wanted me to bring my weedeater and help him he said vary politely ,no sir this is what keeps him looking Studley at 75 years young .

[@MuskratOutdoors]

Cool! We had an old Apache truck for awhile. I wish we still had it. I've always figured if you have to go to the Gym for exercise, you aren't working hard enough!

[@craigboots7929]

Used them many a time . See them used every day in my neck of the woods in Amish country !

[@MuskratOutdoors]

Very neat! We have Amish here, but ours use tractors! Our Amish don't seem very Amish! I know some are strict and some aren't.

[@joysteward8785]

Yes sir in the mountains of eastern Kentucky as a little girl I learned how to use one of them.

[@MuskratOutdoors]

Very neat!!!

[@elkaholic338]

I couldn't Imadgine running a Scythe for just a little while let alone all day like they did years ago ... it would get you in good shape or kill your back , one of the two! The little poult sitting on it's momma's back is pretty cute!

[@MuskratOutdoors]

Me either. It's fun to play with one like this, but to use it for real work on acreage would be tough! I've never seen those chicks ride on Mom's back like that before. Pretty neat! There was three of them up there, but I wasn't fast enough with the camera.

[@PuskwaskaOutdoors]

I remember watching some old timers use them when I was a kid, they’d spend the first 5-10min taking a couple strokes and sharpening with a fine flat file… couple more strokes and a bit more file work… when they were happy they’d start laying down tall grass like nobody’s business with a quick edge tune up here and there…. They need to be scary sharp 😉👍

[@MuskratOutdoors]

I can sure see that. This one is fairly sharp, but not sharp enough!

[@lonelypatriot9334]

Used one every summer before the whipper snippers (string trimmers) came along. The key to it is they got to be sharp. My granddad was a master at sharpening and using a scythe. Granddad taught me as a young lad to only cut with the front half of the blade until i got bigger and stronger. He would say "your takin to big of a bite"

[@MuskratOutdoors]

Interesting. Just shallower strokes?

[@bumpkinrocks]

Afternoon Gary Nope never have and never will, fortunately I've got a big strimmer and blade. It was a way of life yrs ago, I think there's alot of technique needed and keeping it razor sharp with a stone every few strokes. I've seen competitions here in England for scything.

[@MuskratOutdoors]

It's kind of fun to play with, but yeah, I'd hate to have to actually have to use one to get a job done!

[@conifers.galore]

Ahhh, the old scythe. Yes, I see these depicted in scary themes all the time. Imagine having to collect hay with that on several acres. It's scary! You did a pretty good run down on it. If I took my 125cc mower on that mess it would shorten the lifespan very quickly. My mower is already 3 years old and started putting the other day so I did routine maintenance on her. Hopefully she can survive. Otherwise, I'll have to buy a new piece of junk. I have some pretty thick stuff similar to what you have there due to mountain runoff.

[@MuskratOutdoors]

There is less to break with hand tools, but they are more work too...

[@jksmountaindream]

I have one of those, but never have swung it.... yet. I'll add it to the list of things to try.

[@MuskratOutdoors]

We have had this one several years, but I never tried it until now either. Give it a try! It's kind of fun if you don't have to use it for real!

[@jksmountaindream]

@@MuskratOutdoors we're going to use it for decoration probably. I was afraid I'd hit my leg with it and bleed all over the place..haha It's going to the mountains one of the these trips

[@sandyc6569]

Aww Them baby turkey's are cute!!🦃🦃Some nice looking chicken to!! You and Cindy take care and be safe up there!! ❣❤❤❣

[@MuskratOutdoors]

They really are! I've never seen them ride on Mom's back like that before.

[@sandyc6569]

@@MuskratOutdoors Yeah That's pretty cool! 😊👍

[@rhondaandrew1764]

That is a lot of work. I like like the 4 legged kind lot or the lawn mower

[@MuskratOutdoors]

Us too! Cleaning up donkey turds is easier!

[@jonfoy9166]

The old timers were smart for sure. Have a great day and thanks for sharing.

[@MuskratOutdoors]

They had to be or die! They were tough! Doing things like cutting hay with one of these, and cords of firewood with a hand saw!

[@jonfoy9166]

@@MuskratOutdoors can you imagine. Back then they were strong! Take care buddy

[@ronwatson4902]

Good Morning Gary! Looks like the scythe cuts a wider swath than a string trimmer on big stuff like you're cutting.I think you could do some real damage with a super sharp blade and some energy. More than I got. Thanks

[@MuskratOutdoors]

It actually worked easier than I expected, but still a lot of work. If you had nothing else, it would get the job done, but dang you would be sore!

[@indycharlie]

Yep . BTDT at my GM & GF country home in Indiana . They had an area of yard that was rutted and muddy all summer that they couldn't cut with push or power mover . He paid us a dollar ea. to clear the area . Maybe a 1/4 acre :D He could clear it twice as fast as we two , 8th -12th Grade . Old man was tough . Never again TY . Turkeys looking good ...

[@MuskratOutdoors]

It's kind of fun to try, but I sure wouldn't want to have to rely on one alone!

[@joni7781]

I sure have, and still have it as my shoulders won't allow me to anymore.

[@MuskratOutdoors]

I can see why! It does give ya a work out!

[@kdseiwert7360]

Just by the sound of it cutting it should be peaned or sharpend ! I do actually quit a bit mowing whit a austrian one, not as heavy as this one!

[@MuskratOutdoors]

It feels fairly sharp, but yeah, I think it could be sharper!

[@virginia7191]

Your chicks and turkeys are so cute! I have never used a scythe, but I have used a sickle. I have one now that I was fortunate enough to get from Idaho Hillbilly a while back. It just requires more bending over but works great around my yard.

[@MuskratOutdoors]

We used to have one of those single hand, hand sickles. I don't know what ever happened to it? It worked pretty well really.

[@whelenhunter4469]

I have a couple scythe, haven't used them enough to get any were near good with them. I remember watching my grate granddad use one and he was pretty good with it.

[@MuskratOutdoors]

I've never played with one much. The last time, I was about 15 years old I think? Really, it works pretty well, I can see it being pretty useful. I'll probably sharpen this and use it some more.

[@whelenhunter4469]

@@MuskratOutdoors , old tools and ways are very interesting and still very effective, just may take a little more time.

[@MuskratOutdoors]

@@whelenhunter4469 It's kind of fun to use and do things the old way too....as long as you don't have to do it!

[@whelenhunter4469]

@@MuskratOutdoors , It defiantly lets you know what kind'a physical shape your in.

[@IdahoHillbilly]

Good Morning 🌄 Your going to hurt for a MONTH after that lol

[@MuskratOutdoors]

GOOD MORNING!! Ha! I didn't do that much of it, but yeah, it would make you mighty sore until you got used to it!

[@FxFanBoy]

I’ve used an American style scythe before like yours. I use an Austrian Scythe now. It only weighs 2.5lbs. I maintain 5ackers on the side of a hill. It doesn’t hurt me to use it. And I’m Old!

[@MuskratOutdoors]

Very Neat! What is the difference in types? Handle shape?

[@FxFanBoy]

@@MuskratOutdoors look up Botan Anderson here on KZbin. Yes the snath is different and lightweight. The blade is much better design. It’s sharpened differently by peening and stoning for maintenance etc. it keeps your posture upright and requires very little effort to swing. Or look up Austrian Scythes. I used an American Scythe that was great grandads when I was about 16yrs old. And wanted to die! Afterwords lol. Thanks for the content. Love your videos. American scythes do make Great Wall hanging conversation pieces 😂

[@FxFanBoy]

@@MuskratOutdoors youtube.com/@BotanAnderson

[@Bluegill_Hill]

Cool, thanks for making vid! Just subbed. I'm gonna get one pretty soon. For me, is perfect for small batches of hay. I've antique hand sickle and love it (for tiny harvest, lol.)

[@MuskratOutdoors]

Really, I can see it being very practical for that. Some fields are too small to bale, and getting someone to do it can be hard unless you have hay equipment. I've seen homemade, hand press, hay balers that seem to work pretty well too.

[@sandyc6569]

Happy Father's Day to all you daddy's out there! Have a happy and safe weekend!! 🤗🤗🤗

[@MuskratOutdoors]

Thanks! Didn't know it was today.

[@sandyc6569]

@@MuskratOutdoorsYvw! It's tomorrow! June 18th 😊

[@Leverguns50]

I agree with you it works pretty good, but I wouldn’t want to use it very much

[@MuskratOutdoors]

Yeah, fun to play with, as long as you don't have to!

[@MarkJLarsonOutdoors]

I was afraid you were going to hit the tire on your stock trailer! Looks like its pretty sharp! You did a great job clearing that area! Glad to see the turkeys are doing well! Thanks for sharing and Good luck with everything my friends!

[@MuskratOutdoors]

It looks closer on the camera than it is, but Yeah! That would be bad!!!

[@josemufflei3949]

Lol.. can tell first time... keep practicing and you'll get it... green horn...lol.. need to sharpen it also

[@MuskratOutdoors]

Yep! Never tried it before, and it does need sharpened.

[@ALs-Outdoors]

I've used a sickle a lot...those scythes gotta be sharp and with the blade laying flat on the ground the handle grip always needs adjustments. I believe it was the Dutch that used them quite a bit to cut hay? I'd rather pay some kid.😂

[@MuskratOutdoors]

This one needs sharpened for sure! Really though, it cut easier than I expected it to.

[@KRM02]

Yep sure have that was only weedeater my grandpa had on the farm other than goats and me

[@MuskratOutdoors]

In some ways, I think it works better than a string trimmer. A lot more peaceful at least!

[@quaileggsvermont]

No but done hay with a scythe, year after year a long time ago!! Good God, it was a lot of hard work! It was over rocky ground and no sidebar could go! 😕😕 But I look at it today as it was the life way back when! Good work to feed my animals in the winter! !

[@MuskratOutdoors]

I can imagine it was! Really though, a spot like that would make this very practical. Small fields, lot's of rocks, and no hay equipment, that might be the best way.

[@quaileggsvermont]

@@MuskratOutdoors And I was a teenager to! That made it even harder!

[@sandyc6569]

That look's like to much pain for me!! 😂😂

[@MuskratOutdoors]

A big area sure would be! Playing with it like that was kinda fun, but working with it wouldn't be.

[@sandyc6569]

@@MuskratOutdoors 😊👍

[@bonniek3985]

There are a number of videos on KZbin of the folks in Europe using these to make hay on mountain sides. Ladies as well as men!

[@MuskratOutdoors]

I'll have to look! I can see how that could be really useful. A lot of work, but if there's no other way, you do what needs done.

[@bonniek3985]

Going on a memory from 75 years ago(and a look in a Lehman’s catalog), I wonder if you are missing a second handle on your scythe?

[@tomhinkle2517]

Man don't show that goose the boys in green will be at your house

[@MuskratOutdoors]

Probably so!

[@charleywalker2982]

I’ve cut hours with one. We were always out of hay by this time a year and always had horses or mules dry lotted so I would cut a little every day to feed them. A few tips I can give is keep it sharp, cut as low to the ground as you can and don’t take a full swath, if it’s thick only use a 1/4 to a 1/3 of the blade. We were frugal with our money because we didn’t have any and only put up 1000 to 1200 small square bales a year and had to feed 20 to 25 cows also.

[@MuskratOutdoors]

That is awesome! It's kind of fun to play with, but I wouldn't want to "have to" do it!

[@solobushman]

Yes sir that's a very productive tool when you get the hang of it, helping my grandpa now hay as a teen for his oxen, yes he had oxen not horses. Been looking for one for years, lots for sale like yours but I cut from left very hard to find. Take care.

[@MuskratOutdoors]

Oh wow....yeah, I've never seen a left handed one.....

[@billj503]

Technique is all askew. You dont use arms, turn at the hips using core and back in a swinging motion making an arc around you, keeping the blades point and heel at the same height throughout the swing. very effective tool that rivals modern tech.

[@MuskratOutdoors]

I'm not surprised, never tried this before.

[@claycomb556]

I have two hanging in my shed ,I use them every year a couple times

[@MuskratOutdoors]

Neat! Kind of fun to play with, as long as you don't have to.

[@dannydecare2116]

They make a cage that gather the grass as u cut it

[@MuskratOutdoors]

I've seen that. It sure looks awkward? I wonder how it would be to use?

[@dannydecare2116]

@@MuskratOutdoors it's not bad to use it makes it nice for making rabbit feed I tried with a weed Wacker and they would eat it had to go back to the old ways

[@theaquarian5849]

Yes! 😕

[@MuskratOutdoors]

Ha! Judging by the unhappy face, it wasn't much fun!

[@theaquarian5849]

@@MuskratOutdoors Weed eater broke and we had this old 'antique' hanging in the garage. It was many moons ago and I gotta say that's some young mans work. Thanks again for your content 👍

[@MuskratOutdoors]

@@theaquarian5849 Almost everyone I know it seems, has torn a rotator cup or had some sort of shoulder trouble. It makes me wonder if the "Old timers" that did this often had as much trouble? Are we "soft"? Were their muscles and ligaments in better shape than ours, or did they have the same troubles? You don't hear much about their pains, maybe because it was just a normal part of life and nothing could be done about it? Maybe doing it more, kept it from happening? I dunno....My Great Grandpa Parish was a logger using a springboard and two man saw. I don't recall him complaining much.

[@theaquarian5849]

@@MuskratOutdoors I think we are softer. We have so much modern technology to make our lives easy. I was born in SoCal but moved to rural Colorado in my early teens. (I didn't come to change it, it changed me). I got to see how fly over country really works and got enough of a taste for the old ways to have a great deal of respect for those 'Old Timers'. I guess when we know that our very lives depend on getting the harvest in one could ignore most of the aches and pains. A serious injury could be devastating, though. Makes ya think...

[@stevehamilton6070]

Yes I have my Grand pa use to let us kids cut weeds in the back barn lot after he got rid of the horse. Looks like it needs to be sharpened . You know Grand pa paid us with the experience that I'm able to know what it felt like to use a scythe. I remembering him saying "work with it not againit" that's how he said it. That goes for a lot of things.😂 Must be nice to be a baby Turkey.😅

[@MuskratOutdoors]

Very neat Steve. Sounds like Grandpa was a smart fella. It does need sharpened for sure.

[@aardhond]

I used to cut all the gras on the wall we live behind ,,, that we got a goat for that 😊

[@MuskratOutdoors]

We had a goat to eat weeds......dang thing would eat everything except the weeds!

[@aardhond]

@@MuskratOutdoors someone spoiled him than but ours liked bike tires but only those good ones from race bikes

[@MuskratOutdoors]

@@aardhond Ha! That's funny! Dang goats!

[@aardhond]

@@MuskratOutdoors we have a old wisdom here that if you wanna learn to swear you only have to take goats …

[@bonniek3985]

I wonder if you aren’t missing a second handle on your scythe.

[@MuskratOutdoors]

I've seen them with 2 also. Then a lot that only have one? I don't know if it's supposed to have 2 or not?

[@HarshmanHills]

nope and i hope i never have to lol

[@MuskratOutdoors]

HA!! Fun to play with, but I don't think I want to do a whole lot of it!

[@russelltackett4779]

Yeah have used them before think i like my weedeater better,Lol

[@MuskratOutdoors]

I think both have a use, but yeah those gas ones chop up the weeds as you go.

[@jeffryrichardson9105]

Ahh she just needs sharpening!👍🏽😀❤️🇺🇸

[@MuskratOutdoors]

I think so. It was kind of fun to use.

[@taavasantasalo7984]

You lifting your scythe too high when starting your stroke.Keep it low and you get in the rhythm and you do couple hundred acres no problem. lol

[@MuskratOutdoors]

I think so! Never tried it before really. I did a little when I was about 15 years old, but that's all. Needs sharpened too.

[@NorthMissouriOutdoors]

I’ve had to use one so many times it’s not funny anymore

[@MuskratOutdoors]

Ha! I bet the fun would wear off fast!!! Playing with one is one thing, but work is work no matter what you are doing!!

[@NorthMissouriOutdoors]

@@MuskratOutdoors your so right, I’ve used one for years to cut weeds and sports