Everything to Know about the Scythe

[@paleozon]

We're woefully addicted to power tools and equipment. Thanks for sharing.

[@laszlonemet4425]

Impossible for unskilled, sadly

[@rrbb36]

Just watch lots of scything videos on KZbin. I studied lots of people and just copied the people demonstrating the most effective and efficient form. 👍

[@jenniferl9603]

Thank you for teaching how to scythe weeds and brush on difficult terrain with the correct blades. Most videos show grass or flat ground.

[@jeremyovering3046]

Get the right blade or all. Grass, brush,and dich blades. Nothing worse then using the wrong blade.

[@rogerjudy1]

never used a scythe growed up on a dairy farm have seen this tool throughout my life 68 years old i think i will try to get one of these and try it out

[@KennyRider137]

You can throw that brush and grass from the scythe into a goat pen or chicken run and they will gobble it up. String trimmers mince it into nothing. I love my scythe and thanks for this video.

[@angelikakaljukits6726]

This is by far the best tutorial on the entriegeln KZbin! Trank you for Sharing this!

[@BareMtnFarm]

Thank you so much for the kind words. We really appreciate you watching!

[@Mountainandmolehill]

Might be ordering one of these tomorrow. I’m really excited and expect it to freak out the neighbors

[@BareMtnFarm]

I think you'll really enjoy this tool. Its very light weight and cuts through grass and brush fast.

[@jazzman1626]

Dave, where are you buying yours from? I saw one on eBay. It’s a 60cm bladed Freund German scythe with a tubular shaft and adjustable handle. It comes with a pair of gloves and a sharpening stone.

[@UCSBSpeech]

Own a scythe too. Use it on my property. I'm sure neighbors think I'm weird since it's not the American culture to use a scythe. Nevertheless, it's a wonderful tool to have around my Idaho property.

[@peterellis4262]

I got my first scythe while living in suburban NJ. Pretty much the same one in the video. Mowed my suburban lawn with it for a couple of years. I've picked up several more since then and my American pattern bush blade sees more work than any of the others, because our homestead doesn't have much nice clear grass area ;) One really clear sign you need to hone again is when you see grass springing back up because it was only bent, not cut.

[@BareMtnFarm]

Yeah I've also noticed that some types of grass have a lot more silica in their leaves or stems. And that can really dull the blade fast. It's always good to keep things honed to sharpness. Thanks for watching!

[@radharcanna]

What a great demonstration. Thank you. My father had a scythe and he was very good at mowing. It’s been stored away for years but I might take it out, since I have a large area of invasive Himalayan Balsam to clear. Wasn’t sure about how I’d get rid of it but the scythe would probably be perfect for the job.

[@marymadalenem2351]

Thank you! can't wait to get one. I have buffalo grass living in New Mexico, they are clumps of grass. Many Blessings.

[@BareMtnFarm]

Hi @Asharay The ditch blade works well across many types of weeds,grasses, and berry vines. Key is to keep it well honed!

[@a.scottclement6967]

I live in NW Mexico. Years ago people used scythes(guadañas) here. A friend who owns a hardware store has some blades in stock and tells me he used to move them years ago. Now I'm about the only person buying them. I keep my place trimmed with it and on occasion help neighbors cut back weeds. They work with machetes, hoes and a tool called a traspana that a cross between a hoe and a sling blade. They are always amazed at how fast the guadaña works. i have a fine Austrian blade, but my hardware vendor friend has a heavier Truper blade that I want to get for rougher work.

[@laszlonemet4425]

Most important he handle

[@notthereyethomestead8413]

Thank you to both of you! Blessigs!!

[@dpete8995]

We have those weeds in North Central Texas in the spring… I hate that stuff!… I think I’ve about convinced myself to buy a scythe. Pretty cool old school tool!

[@BareMtnFarm]

As time has gone on, I have found the scythe to be my favorite tool.

[@carlaworden6566]

I bought a scythe and thank you for the video!

[@BareMtnFarm]

Awesome! 👍 Hope it works as well for you as it does for us. Thank you so much for watching.

[@SDGFDSZXC]

Who needs grass cutter robot, if you can get some good outside workout! God bless!

[@hereticsaint100]

I just ordered my scythe from scythe supply. I can't wait to try it.

[@BareMtnFarm]

Hope it is not to long of a wait. Good luck on your new scythe adventure. Thank you.

[@hereticsaint100]

@@BareMtnFarm it arrived and I finally got the wood glue to assemble it. I like it. I wasn't aware that it took so much skill and practice, but it's a relaxing activity once you get the hang of it.

[@walterpen371]

Thank you for sharing the basics. Your explanation and demonstration is far the best. Seems others have different techniques for honing. I want to stress that using a scythe is the best prevention of bush/forest fires. WE DON'T NEED ANYMORE FOREST FIRES. Years ago I encountered a very dangerous situation with a gas powered weedeater that leaked gas on me and not the hot engine. A manufacturing bad design which I could not resolve. Conclusion that it would cost almost as much as buying brand new. Garbage and never again.

[@TheKarellieloo]

this looks so satisfying I can't wait to get one

[@BareMtnFarm]

Its quite peaceful when you get in a rhythm

[@PelicanMobBoss]

OK KAREN

[@timsworld9875]

recieved my scythe today in the mail...cant wait to use it!...also just subscribed to your channel...

[@BareMtnFarm]

Hi @tim's homestead. You'll love this tool. Its so light and makes quick work of grass and brush!

[@cliffp.8396]

Nice tutorial

[@BareMtnFarm]

Thank you for watching and hope it is helpful

[@fergusrb]

Thanks for the video, just watch your video on peening. My scythe just came in the mail the other day from scythe supply. The peening jig is on back order.. I still have to put it together, but have been reading the book that came with it. I got it for the back yard grass which is tall now. It has stalky weeds like milkweed and my electric string trimmer just bounces off it. My blade is a 28" TOPS blade. Scythe supply was very helpful to me in choosing what to get. I know nothing about scythes, so cutting with one should be interesting. Thanks for the videos. Bruce from the City of Orange in Orange county California.

[@BareMtnFarm]

Hi @Bruce Ferguson hope the sycthing went well.

[@fergusrb]

@@BareMtnFarm Well it is not as easy as it looks. Like anything else it is easier if some one can show you what you are doing wrong. Got the peening jig in the mail but need to set it in some timber. Don't know if it needs peening again. That will be something new to learn. When I tried it it either slid over the grass or the tip caught in it. Now the yard is brown from the hot weather. I will try peening the blade then try again. On a video i watched he was discussing problems like lowering the left hand to change the angle of the blade and holding the right handle by the end of the handle to control the tip. I will have to try that.Thank you for the post, I appreciate your interest.

[@KennyRider137]

@@fergusrb I got a scythe this summer and I can attest that the success of it varies from place to place on my property. The tall, dry grass drops as clean as one would imagine, but other areas the grass is so thick and heavy I have to keep circling around it, slipping the blade under it and giving it a good flick. I let my yards and fields grow so I could cut hay to store for the winter for my livestock and I may have created a lot more work for myself.

[@lukegrabkowski8661]

Thanks for the video. I'm getting one

[@BareMtnFarm]

Glad I could help

[@rrbb36]

I’m an official convert !! I bought my scythe setup last year…and THIS year I GAVE AWAY all my gas-powered yard & field tools (DR Trimmer, Stihl string trimmer & Husquvarna w/brush blade). Now I’m using ONLY my Austrian scythe: the grass blade on my field and a ditch blade along the roadside. I will never use “modern” lawn tools again!! PS… the “A” in snath is correctly pronounced the same as the “A” in “apple”… NOT like the “A” in “bait”. Nice demo. 👍

[@BareMtnFarm]

Glad to see you like the tool too!

[@robertcornelius3514]

Looks like a lot of fun.

[@Pp7450-n5u]

You make that look easy.

[@BareMtnFarm]

After some practice, it really is pretty easy. Thanks for watching.

[@MrMikeEdie]

Nice video, thanks.

[@denisececil8762]

Fantastic, love the comparison.

[@BareMtnFarm]

Thanks for watching! Besides the lack of motor noise, we also don't have to choke on the exhaust from a 2 cycle motor,😁

[@denisececil8762]

Bare Mtn Farm Environmental and Healthy

[@synapticaxon9303]

The Fonz doppelganger is cool!

[@BareMtnFarm]

Ehhhh!😉

[@Macovic]

Ueah I am gettin the Scythe. Have not used one since I was a kid but..

[@robertcorradi8573]

Excellent..... Thank you . Great video. 👍

[@deportedtocanada8683]

Those stick weed things, I know exactly what you're you're talking about, because of your mention of dogs. We call those plants "Burr Dogs". They get on your socks and everything. Little hooks on them, like Velcro.

[@BareMtnFarm]

@Deported to Canada...that's probably where the idea for velcro came from😉

[@HutsHomestead]

Is there a recommended brand of scythe for beginners just looking to control tall grass that won’t break the bank?

[@BareMtnFarm]

Hi, this is a tool that you do not want to go cheap. The scythe we have is about the same cost as a string trimmer. You can get a ditch blade, snatch and sharpen stone from the Scythe Supple store in Maine. Your cheaper scythes are heavier with blades that don't hold the edge as well. Spending a little more for the scythe, your body will be happier. Thank you for the question and for watching.

[@michaelthescreechowl9427]

I have several wildflower meadows with varying brushy perennials that I mow once per year in the spring. Mowing is extremely inefficient at this job as the plants can get 4 - 5 ft tall; a mower more or less lays the plants over, uprooting perennials, and clogging up the blades. I'd like to simply cut through these plants at the base and remove the debris for the next season of growth. Would a scythe work for this? I'm interested but have never done this before. I like the older ways of doing things.

[@BareMtnFarm]

Absolutely, if it is more brushy than weeds get a brush blade.

[@tomjones4318]

I have a much better understanding of this tool now. Mainly that it floats on the ground. I intend to try it on my bank one day.

[@BareMtnFarm]

Definitely works best with a light touch @Tom Jones

[@avideshmahabir8728]

I had a European style snath made, would an American blade like the Seymour work with it?

[@BareMtnFarm]

I'm sure it would work. The great thing about the Austrian blades are the steel used is strong and the blades are light.

[@kingzbob]

Any tips where to find a good basic scythe? Ever one I've seen is like $300 for just a 8 inch blade without a handle

[@BareMtnFarm]

Sycthesupply.com of perryville Maine is our goto. A snatch and ditch blade for general trimming would run you about $150-160. You'd then also need a peening jig and hone stones. The complete setup would probably be around $200-225.

[@williaml8474]

What was the assembly process for it? How was the snath darkened from it's original white?

[@carolinegray3150]

Good and light

[@lapisredux]

just finished scything for the first time a very steep bank of tall tussocky grass in my back yard here in cornwall UK ......it was hard work in the hot sun but still far preferable to using a noisy frog and hedgehog killing weed whacker.

[@BareMtnFarm]

Absolutely! And as you get better at it you will find it does a better job in tight spaces. Thanks for watching.

[@evilst.management8810]

Awesome stuff.

[@BareMtnFarm]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@donmulder8061]

I'm in Virginia. Where do I get a scythe. I want to manually clear a rough terrain area about half an acre. All we have is Lowes and Home depot. Help me out -- where do I go? Online I see 20 inch scythes and that is not what I see on these videos.

[@BareMtnFarm]

The company we use is called "The Scythe Supply Company. They are located in Perry Maine and have a website and online store. There are several blade styles designed for different uses. For example our brush blade is 16" and our ditch/grass blade is 26".

[@donaldlee6699]

I am considering purchasing a scythe. I am 5'8. What size would I want. I am left-handed. My grass is 5'. I subscribed. Thanks for the video.

[@BareMtnFarm]

Hi there, the best advice I can give is to go check out: sycthesupply.com. This is where I purchased all the parts and blades. They give you instructions on how to measure for the right snath size for you and will custom make it for you and will walk you through how to assemble it. Hope this helps. Thanks for watching!

[@bobdavis5398]

Where I live on the west coast those sticky weeds are called "tanglefoot"

[@BareMtnFarm]

Hi @Bob Davis Yeah, I think they go by many names and all of them rhyme with annoying!😉

[@danielorourke2677]

Hi, I am new to scything. I have an Austrian type like you. Do you think a 24 inch blade will be good for harvesting an acre of hay?

[@BareMtnFarm]

Yes, it will work. But if your field isn't too rough, a grass blade would be better. It is a 30 inch blade. Thanks for watching.

[@danielorourke2677]

@@BareMtnFarm thanks 🙂

[@anonz975]

Excellent video! I want to order a scythe this fall and am looking at the Austrian style scythes with the aluminum handles. Would you recommend that? I am female and want something light but sturdy.

[@BareMtnFarm]

Hi @Anon Z I would think either the wood or metal snath would work equally as well. The would snath is quite light just a couple of pounds. However my understanding the aluminum handles have some ability to make adjustments which may be of benefit. Myself, I prefer wood, just a personal bias not based on any facts to justify it.

[@anonz975]

@@BareMtnFarm Bought a made in Austria scythe from OneScytheRevolution and am learning to use it. Really impressed! The blade came razor sharp from the factory and it is honestly a lot of fun to use. I am a scrawny female and am amazed at the lack of sore muscles. :)

[@growsoilbiology]

hmmmm, I think that's faster than my string strimmer!

[@womanualaborhs2013]

IMHO It Really Is: Other Than Honing The Blade - Checking The Clamp 2 Ensure It's Tight (Cuz U Don't Want To Lose Those Clamp Screws In The Grass - Hard To Come By) U Really Don't Do Anything But Perfect Ur Technique W/Practice & Patience. If Ur Hurt'n In Any Way U Need 2 Adjust Ur Stance & Loosen Ur Grip, Slight Bend In Knees & Dominant Foot Just Ahead Of The Other - Stand Tall Not Bent (I Prefer Adjustable Grip Snaths For This Very Reason) Keep The Bevel Of The Blade Along The Ground & Perfect Ur Swing (Every1z Is Stance Is Bound 2 Be Different) It's Not Strength That Cuts, It's The Blade!!!!! Glide That Blade!!!! & What Ur Cut'n Will Make A Difference In The Stroke 2. No Fuel, No Adjust'n The Trimmer String, No Pick'n Up & Roll'n Over The LawnMower 2 Scrape The Grass Outta Of It & No Loud Obnoxious Fumes &/Or Noise - Just Birds & Dogs Bark'n (Oh & The Neighbor That Just Has 2 Know What Ur Do'n W/A Scythe In The City ;-) I Tell 'eM - Therapy. But, If I'm Feel'n Comical - I Say I'm Practic'n 4 Halloween - Perfect'n My Cut'n Skills - HeHeHeHe!!!!

[@BareMtnFarm]

Spot on @WoManuaLabor Hs !

[@melodycrawford9943]

So it’s basically for just grasses ? Not little tree sprouts and such

[@iaenmor]

bush blades will do about 3/4" or smaller. I have cut around 1/2" with a ditch blade with no problems.

[@BareMtnFarm]

Yep, we use the brush blade too for blackberry and other saplings

[@basicstickfigure1087]

Which blade would be good for Cat Tails ?

[@SeattlePioneer]

I have an American, steam bent snath with a grass blade stamped "Bonita." Can anyone tell me anything about the blade? I'm not finding anything using Google.

[@bustedkeel]

You sure that's an 18" blade? Looks more like 24". I'm trying to figure out if a short ditch blade or longer grass blade would be best for grass and plants spread around on uneven ground. It's stuff that a mower could tackle, except it's getting a little high.

[@theblacksmith2323]

The ditch blade is a bit more rugged, it'll handle golden rod etc. Also, the ditch blade has a stone point, which prevents damage if you strike something like a root as well as protecting against stone. Ditch blade will mow grass just about as well as a grass blade. If I could only one it would be a ditch blade. (Or an American western grass)

[@marymadalenem2351]

Nice video!

[@BareMtnFarm]

Thanks so much for watching!

[@udonocmee3225]

I just ordered from them. The last measurement is hip to ground. Not your arms. Very good tutorial.

[@BareMtnFarm]

Interesting. I guess the requirements are a little different. Hope you have a good time with your scythe, we still use it all the time. Thanks for watching.

[@DeadlyDanDaMan]

Another advantage: No spending money on gas.

[@BareMtnFarm]

Yep, no gas, no string, no noise, no vibration!

[@kcunning]

No pollution, either.

[@sran9492]

But you are spending calories

[@rubybenge9301]

@@sran9492 Spending more calories is exactly what most people in North America and Europe need to do!

[@sran9492]

@@rubybenge9301 exactly

[@Snowleaf______________________]

the weed is known as 'sticky willy' hereabouts, thank you for the warning, and thank you for the instruction.

[@hakancoskan5862]

Faydalı bilgiler için teşekkurler

[@theninja001]

Cutting starts at 06:50

[@rirrid5662]

Fantastic

[@yousini]

but when are you going to get to the board game

[@jamesrickerby2756]

My uncle, I won't say his name as he's dead now, used to cut the grass beside the road worked in rural Northumber. He road out on his bike every morning with sythe strapped along cross bar, blade at back parked up cut 1.5 mile in one direction, stopped had his lunch(bait) as he called it the turned around and worked his way back to transport. He had two options when he left school fisherman or council worker. He was also the best poacher in Northumberland, his words! Caught the Lord of Northumberlands salmon and rabbits but never shot hares(unlucky) to reivers and country folk, taught me to fly fish, catch pheasants with newspaper and honey or treacle, and a little corn. Didn't talk much could drink like a fish, and would not take any man's lip. Don't make them like him anymore,

[@blacknapalm2131]

*Sometimes the old ways are the best* You had cleared that area near effortlessly in a shorter time than it would have taken to get the damn weed eater out, fueled it and started it :)

[@helenodetroyo7035]

*DO THAT STUFF CHOP FEET?*

[@BareMtnFarm]

The blade is very sharp and if you were unfortunate to get a foot in the way it would do some damage. Try to wear solid footwear and with proper stance and operation it should never get near your feet.

[@peterellis4262]

How close can you get to a tree? Right up against it. Try that with a strimmer and you'll girdle the tree :(

[@BareMtnFarm]

Oh yeah I can trim the grass right up to the tree trunk. It's really just a matter of learning the technique and how to hold the the scythe right. Plus it's important to keep a well-honed blade. If things get dull the cutting gets a lot more difficult.

[@jamiejones8508]

Cleavers...chickens love ‘em :)

[@garthwunsch]

And there’s no bits of plastic all over the place!!!!

[@wudgee]

We’ve got that weed too, annoying stuff.

[@jellygoblin]

7:45 iconic

[@tedmartin5402]

The scythe is a ripper implement.

[@laszlonemet4425]

Better show how to keep the blade not getting loose, to arrange /keep the angle, to de/reinstall for transport(on Bike, Horse, Donkey) aso., sharpening every ten blows...razsharp)..-..lot of skill needed.-even to load a video with correct volume, not tobe drowned by the ads.

[@neilyakuza6595]

Way faster than a weed trimmer.

[@BareMtnFarm]

Yep, and less jarring on the body!

[@trafalgar22a8]

110723 Cheers from Australia

[@BareMtnFarm]

Hello from Oregon. So glad you joined us. Welcome and thank you.

[@markpennella]

Sorry, but 4.5 min and no action all talking.

[@kombo731]

I'm going to start cutting grass with a butter knife. I'll create a KZbin channel, and the Gen Z kids will eat it up. I'll tell them it's how the ancient Incas did it. Some crap like that. They're easy.