Mowing Tall Grass | Beginner's Guide to Scything: Step 4

[@toomanykWh]

Your videos are incredible. I’m recovering from long covid at the moment and your channel has enabled me to keep mowing. ‘Surfing’ the sharpness and using better movement means I don’t burn out. Totally addicted again. Cheers Jan!

[@slattergubben6702]

Wow! Glad to hear this help you keep up the spirit!

[@toomanykWh]

@@slattergubben6702 It certainly does! 🙏

[@samsmith6169]

It's been raining all the time here this spring and flooding so much. I have an acre of grass that has grown as tall as my waist. Finally the weather has settled down and sun has come out. Watched your videos to remind me of what works and what not to do. Finished in one short afternoon. Will rake tomorrow. Thank you for making this helpful video. You're a good man.

[@jonasheirwegh]

The best video's on scything i've seen. Very well explained en thought out. Thx for the inspiration!

[@isaiahberg8114]

I love your videos, started applying the mindset you have for working the land to take time in between working to enjoy the sounds and sights, and to keep a pace that is attainable daily.

[@jma80804]

Your videos are thought out very well. Great instruction, filming and editing all in the beautiful Swiss countryside. Thank you!

[@ellinora9903]

He's Swedish, so it's probably the Swedish countryside ^^ (I know it's easy to confuse Switzerland and Sweden since the names are similar :) )

[@zeisenbijl]

Good morning Janne, again nicely constrcuted and thought through tutorial! As in the other vids, it seems we teach both style and form in a quite equal way, which is comforting and motivating for me as well. Some minor constructive remarks from my side and teaching / field mowing experience: - Double swath: It works quite well for 'breaking in' to an uncut meadow. However, it works more efficient when the 1st row is wider, when experienced upto 2,2-2,5m, mowing a complete arch, perpendicular stand, and the 2nd row more narrow, ie. max. 1m, mowing half an arch and going underneath the windrow from the first, oblique stand. - I try not to mow towards an obstacle, always away from it. Actually you show it yourself when mowing around the concrete obstruction. As there is always some deviation from where the point of the blade will end up reaching the furthest point of the mowing arch, mowing towards obstructions always has some more uncertainty of hitting the obstruction and hence chance of damaging the blade. All the best! Kevin -Zeis en Bijl-

[@slattergubben6702]

Agree !

[@johnnybhoy4278]

I was going to mow today but I didn't get around to it. I am glad I saw this video because I always lean some new detail to improve my technique. I have an Austrian scythe and I am learning to to focus on starting my stroke on the beard and rolling it to the center for the stroke In front of me and then ending on the toe. I'm getting a more even cut that way. I've been using a scythe for two years now and I have much yet to learn. It's fun and great exercise.

[@slattergubben6702]

It's a bit like freestyle swimming, so much that's need to be more or less correct at the same time! Keep on! Watch the instructions, set the correct angles, surf the sharpness and enjoy!

[@blacksmithBart]

I`ve got lots of really long grass and it`s laying flat on parts. First time for me mowing that with the scythe and while it still is a struggle in some parts, it goes with less effort and quicker than when I cut the same area with my 2stroke bush cutter. Next year I`ll start cutting the grass on these parts earlier in the season so it won`t have a chance to fall over. Slowly gaining experience and I start to realize my scythe is crap...lol. When I get to the point where I`m happy with my skills, I`ll get me a decent tool. I think I`ll even sell the bush cutter. I really start to hate that machine..👀👀. Thanks for your tutorials, please keep them coming... 👍👍

[@slattergubben6702]

Yes! Just get rid of it, no use if you do not work with clearing small trees in forestry. And remember, you won't get to a nice mowing if you do not have decent tools! Noone could!

[@samueldougoud3289]

Yet an other fine tutorial and a joy to watch ! I would stress out that you have to "obey" leaning grass if you want it be cut cleanly (which you want, since getting your fork or your rake stuck into leftovers totally spoils the pleasure), so be ready to change your scything pattern and rythm if you encounter some. It will slow you down , but it is not wasted time. No challenge, no reward...!

[@slattergubben6702]

Exactly! So talks one who have the experience of the whole cycle!

[@irkone]

Hey Janne, I’ve been studying your videos for the past few weeks and they have raised my scythe mowing and sharpening abilities to a whole new level. Your advice to peen the blade beyond its limit to achieve sharpness and the athletic mowing technique have been game-changing. Big thanks - Liels paldies!

[@slattergubben6702]

So happy to hear this! Great. Are you from Latvia? Been there a lot and learned a lot from that country! Scythe is iskapts...right?

[@irkone]

@@slattergubben6702 My family is from Latvia, yes. I was born in the US, but the culture is very much alive here. Scythe is izkapts and mowing is pļaušana. I have heard stories of my grandfather and the old timers scythe mowing the fields. In some of the videos I have seen, it looks like the Latvians use a more neutral grip, like your Nordic snath design.

[@Spokebeest]

Hi, your videos inspired me to follow a "mowing with a scythe" workshop here in Belgium. I found someone with a lot of experience: Zeis en bijl (Scythe and axe). It was very educational, he also knows a lot about it and he moves as beautifully powerfully and smoothly as you do.. I will continue to follow you on YT, you make very nice instructional videos!

[@slattergubben6702]

@@Spokebeest thanks! I know him very well and he also preferens the Nordic snath I make!

[@Spokebeest]

@@slattergubben6702 Ha, I'm not surprised that you guys know each other 🙂

[@ChrisFredriksson]

Vilka underbara videos i denna kurs! Nu känner jag att jag åtminstone kan börja och försöka lära mig, lyckas jag inte får jag köpa en kurs 😂😋

[@slattergubben6702]

Exakt! Just avslutat en fortbildningskurs som blev mycket väl mottagen! Ganska många små detaljer man tror gör bra som behöver korrigeras!

[@jasont8628]

I found your channel and love it. You have made me want a scythe. Always wanted to try. Your videos are very easy to pick up good techniques. Keep the great work coming my friend.

[@slattergubben6702]

Thank you so much! And go for it! :D

[@beni445]

Great content as usual 😊

[@hectorblogsviajero1623]

😂🎉 genial 👌👍

[@jeff62327]

whats the best technique to mowe cat tails marsh reeds? I live in America and a beginner with a scythe .I have an Austrian snath and 24inch ditch blade.ive been enjoying you'r videos about this amazing tool.

[@slattergubben6702]

@@jeff62327 Ahh! Needed to translate first. Those are in Sweden too but usually not many together. The stem is very soft so you do not need any certain strength on the bevel. Strength acquired by honing some hours on. Athin edge or only peened at the very very tip. Are they in water? In that case good with much shorter snath and/or higher set lay

[@lekarzjacekbujko]

Great vid!

[@jt659]

Finally ordered myself a European style scythe outfit. I have 2 lawn mowers and a tractor, but I really hate all the noise.

[@slattergubben6702]

Great! Did you buy from us?

[@jt659]

I went to the website and looked at everything that I wanted, but the shipping got me since I'm in the US. I'll probably ask for one of your snaths for Christmas or my next birthday@@slattergubben6702

[@radharcanna]

A great instructional video. I have a large area of invasive weed (Himalayan Balsam) to cut, using a short brush blade. The plants are about a metre tall and on uneven ground. Any advice you could give me?

[@slattergubben6702]

@@radharcanna no, they are easy to mow. Just be aware you don't cut them too late so they can develop proper seeds

[@radharcanna]

@@slattergubben6702 Great. Thank you very much.

[@GiselaGibbon]

Question (probably a daft one, but.. ) how do you deal with thigh high grass that's been flattened with heavy rain and some footfall? And what month is best to cut to safeguard the insect world? Thanks, and what a great channel!

[@slattergubben6702]

@@GiselaGibbon laying grass needs alemways to be cut from behind and you can like fish it up with the tip of the scythe. Tilting the scythe forward and just draw the tip along in short strokes

[@GiselaGibbon]

@@slattergubben6702 Ah, ok, thank you, makes sense. Do you always cut when it's dry or does it work just as well when the grass is wet? I used the scythe briefly many years ago but not during a wet summer...

[@slattergubben6702]

@@GiselaGibbon both work. Especially if the scythe is sharp as it should be. Wet grass is more heavy so in the long run and in a challenge like here a rain is a big drawback

[@vasya9619]

I've been moving 0.25 hectare of tall grass last week. Some of the grass was laying down which slows down moving very much. Do you have some tips as a professional mover how to avoid blisters on hands and also on feet? I think I will need better snath(right now I have one handle eastern European snath) unfortunately can't afford Nordic. Thank you for your videos!

[@slattergubben6702]

Just continue to work and the skin will be hard thick and durable! Coming from behind on leaning grass, "fishing" with the tip of the blade in some conditions.

[@lollihonk]

In my experiences, when U are a beginner Ur Body and hands are under strong tension and that's not good for the skin so be more relaxed and it will be gone

[@AntwonieSmith]

Is it possible to see a course dealing with a first cut meadow and the best times of year to cut for weed reduction? Thanks.

[@slattergubben6702]

Hi, I do not understand what you mean with early cut. For weed control better cut often . In general. But I am not in the context of what you have and what you want to achieve.

[@AntwonieSmith]

@@slattergubben6702 ok. I will try to explain. I have approximately 1.5 hectares of land that has never been cut. I would like to make it to cut hay for my horses.

[@slattergubben6702]

@@AntwonieSmith ok, then I recommend just start maintaining it as a meadow. Mow and remove the material.

[@AntwonieSmith]

@@slattergubben6702 thank you for your response. Since you offered your help, I will give you a tip. I have found, for ground that has moss, mixing fresh horse manure with compost will burn it out over fall and winter. Never apply in spring.

[@leesmith7012]

Hello. I have a question for you. Where i am at, i have some grass called broomsedge that gets real wiry and tough for fall cutting, and stalky for lack of a better word. Any tips on cutting this cleanly? Thanks.

[@slattergubben6702]

Need to see it first, but I think I get the point if it's tangled and lay down in different directions. Then it is difficult. If the ground is even you are better off with a 75 or 85 blade reaching longer in. And such things needs often more to be cut in pieces or sections. Then you can lift over like a bunch to the cut area and start the next section.

[@leesmith7012]

@@slattergubben6702 thank you for replying. You may not be familiar with it for I've rarely seen it outside of Tennessee here in the states. It has the appearance of wheat, and grows in clumps out of red clay. In late August when you cut it, when cures the field will look like popcorn because it still blooms.

[@blackticket9432]

I made a scyth with around 3kg for cutting a swamp grass its stem size is 1inch

[@slattergubben6702]

Good to hear

[@trafalgar22a8]

070723 Thank you for a good tutorial. Cheers from Australia. Arnold

[@slattergubben6702]

Glad you like it!

[@evocybernation8839]

A sharper blade = less of a headache.

[@---yu7ff]

I have to cut 1 hectare, wish me luck 😅

[@stefanof8831]

OMG!

[@stefanof8831]

Have you ever done it?

[@---yu7ff]

@@stefanof8831 no, just a portion so far

[@slattergubben6702]

That is doable! Under good conditions a good mower will do that in 4-5 days. And another 1.5 day for raking if done by hand. Good luck and keep up the spirit.

[@garretti1324]

promo sm 🌈

[@jakeMTSU]

would take 10 mins with a 5 foot bush hog lol...

[@samsmith6169]

I prefer being outside early on a crisp cool morning before anyone else is up. No gas fumes, no loud noise that requires ear protection. Just this old lady and the birds and bunnies moving my body in an easy meditating dance to cut the grass. I'm not in any rush, enjoying my time outside in the fresh air. You can, of course, cut your grass however you like.

[@Theorcman2008]

Just use a gas-powered push mower. Stop messing around.

[@slattergubben6702]

I would rather not, actually. You're welcome to check out more of our videos to find out why :)