RESTORATION: Vintage Scythe​

[@FortyTwoBlades]

It's a ~1980's Seymour No.2 bush snath with one of their Austrian-made American pattern bush blades. I suggest avoiding that belt sander in any future restorations--if electrolysis was done properly then only wire-brushing should have been necessary to get down to bright steel afterward. You installed the retaining bolt of the heel plate upside down and both nibs should be facing away from you in use. The blade needs to be considerably sharper and should be kept on the ground in use. Pros will sometimes lift the blade in certain circumstances, but that's something you can do after learning the ropes with basic technique first, and so you should strive to keep the blade on the ground for your first couple of years of use.

[@thechronic555]

I have this same scythe. Ill take the advice. The video was useful as well. Thank you both.

[@brianbvachek3219]

Some of us arent pros though! to me its a tool that works quite well even when rusty and abused and drug out of a wet barn. Its a tool to me though, its not a toy so its not about the perfect form or competing its about getting the work done 👍🏻😂😂

[@FortyTwoBlades]

@@brianbvachek3219 if you want to work harder while putting more wear on your tool, have at it. But proper use and maintenance is not complicated and considerably eases the work, so I suggest opening your mind to improvement. I'd likely not enjoy using your scythe if you've treated it as you described. 😉

[@brianbvachek3219]

Works great for me 🤷‍♂️ Just like my rusty old truck does. Hahaha

[@brianbvachek3219]

Works great for me 🤷‍♂️ Just like my rusty old truck does. Hahaha

[@gamergirl209]

I literally just purchased this exact sythe in very similar condition and was so very glad to find your video!!!!

[@armyguy9735]

When I restore old tools, I use a portable Sand Blaster. Instead of using glass beads or sand, I use baking soda. Baking soda removes very material without leaving marks on the surface, but it takes longer to clean up. Just my two cents.

[@Holloesoulz]

Im sure you already know this but sitting something in vinegar for 24 hrs gets rid of rust if you dont want to bother with electrolysis. afterwards just take a brush and scrape off the rest in a bucket with a little water.

[@marylandrestorations9936]

Thank you for your suggestion, i was just experimenting around with it, i'm not totally set on it. Maybe i will try vinegar in the future :)

[@theoneaboveall9930]

I need to restore my scythe, It's my great great grandfather's scythe. I use it when I dress up as the grim reaper.

[@seancooney297]

100% Ive been using this method for years. Good for big small jobs. You can dilute vinegar with water to make it go further, just have to judge spending on job. Cheers

[@vinnivanhood]

Wow I have one almost identical that I was just going to hang for decoration but now I want to try doing a restoration on it first!

[@cococoyle7044]

this is crazy, I live in Maryland and found an ancient, rusted scythe in the shed. It looks exactly like the one in this video! I just moved to this farm it belonged to someone else before, but I don't think they used this thing. The tractor is from the 1930s so I wonder if the other tools are also that old.

[@kevinwilkinson1510]

FYI people collect old tractors.

[@FCPCOLIN]

Beauty work. Just got some at auction. Can't wait to give it a go.

[@jasonmysinger9464]

Wow! Great job with this restoration! This is exactly what I was looking for as I just bought an old scythe today, and it’s in rough shape after sitting outside as a decoration for however many years. Thanks!!

[@brianbvachek3219]

The epoxy in the handle is smart, thats what i wanted to see was a handle repair idea that i liked. Turned out nice! But i like my tools how i like my trucks…. Rusty 😂 lmao nah i use mine all the time no sense in restoring them. Nice job though man that looks great!

[@wyattszakacs3457]

Ah, WD-40, a mans best friend

[@cbdyna]

Awesome vid. Just picked up one of these near Westminster, not far from where I live here in Maryland. Mine is in what appears to be better shape than yours was, but I can not get those handles loose for anything. Haha.

[@justinbelshe]

Don't try taking apart a scythe until you have done your research. ;-) I was wondering when you would figure out the left-handed threads. ;-) Seriously, there are a lot of good educational videos about this stuff.

[@donaldlee6699]

I am considering purchasing a Seymour scythe. Austrian scythe. I have been looking at the Traditional Austrian Scythe from Lee Valley. They seem to be lighter? And slightly less expensive? c/p It is mounted to a straight aluminum snath (handle) with grips that adjust to the height of the user. Thanks for the video. I subscribed.

[@КошмарКошмар-й2б]

Very good restoration job 🔥🔥🔥👍👍👍👍

[@marylandrestorations9936]

Thank you very much!

[@justinbelshe]

If you're only interested in hanging it on the wall, then sure.

[@gracegorman642]

You're better at mending an old scythe than using it to cut grass.

[@sic-n-tiredtired4273]

FKING spectacular job very impressive. I just picked up my American scythe and have to do the same thanks for the video

[@CreepyMonkeyHeadGame]

It looks nice but the blade is not sharp at all they should not have to be swung like that to cut for something that calls instead it supposed to slice through you should improve on your sharpening skills👍

[@marylandrestorations9936]

CreepyMonkey HeadGame I sharpened it later for future use. Thanks for the advice.

[@jasontwynn7356]

Ok the music sucks so 😞 bad, I'm sorry. But I couldn't even watch the video after a minute or two.

[@ethanbown]

Hello. I love this video.. I have a pair that I hang on my wall that were my great grandparents, if not their parents. Are your services for hire? I’m from Philadelphia originally, but just moved to Houston. I could ship them to you. Would also love it if you made a another video of them being restored.. If you aren’t for hire, maybe you could make a recommendation? Let me know your thoughts. Thanks very much. -Ethan

[@ethanbown]

After reading comments, maybe they aren’t as old as I thought. But they’ve got to be older than the 80s.

[@orichimaru91]

Were you legit working on your floor at 5:00? Dunno what liquid that was, but I'd probably not get it all over my hardwood floor lmao Edit: nevermind I think it was a workbench, but the angle looked like a floor

[@marylandrestorations9936]

e__x__n yeah it’s a workbench, just mineral oil anyways.

[@Ltwilliamson1]

Preciate the video, I just found an old scythe and I was going to start with a wire brush, but I guess I'll go with electrolysis instead. BTW, What is the song that starts at 2:30?

[@marylandrestorations9936]

Electrolysis is pretty effective for rust removal ;) As for the song it is Every Morning By DJ Quads on Soundcloud.

[@ryanhagler9410]

Ruined it with the clear coat! BLO a should have been the only finish!

[@gmcoutlaw7698]

Where can I find one of the U-bolt looking bolt? Mine snapped during removal. I have a scythe here at home that is identical to the one you restored but I broke that bolt and I'm stuck until I can get ahold of another one.

[@marylandrestorations9936]

Which bolt exactly? I was unable to target my scythe to a specific model. If you were to buy another part do you care if it is from the same model or time period?

[@HNXMedia]

The technical name is a scythe nib. There are several places online that sell them such as www.baryonyxknife.com/reupnib.html and as stated in my other comment, remember they are "reverse threaded" so they tighten to the left and loosen to the right. Peace and good luck.

[@ElizabethRedingerQT]

See if you have a local blacksmiths, they could prob make you one ot help locate some :)

[@1rewd133]

Needs to be sharpened properly, and you need to learn how to scythe properly as well