Scythe Workshop: How to Mow with a Scythe

onescytherevolution.com/index... - I sell high-performance, top-of-the-line, scythes, whetstones, peening supplies and hayrakes. I've been farming with a scythe since 2001, and I have been teaching an average of 5 scythe workshops per year since 2007. For scythes, info, and workshops, see www.OneScytheRevolution.com
Illustrating the cutting action of an Austrian scythe blade, and a highly efficient technique for field mowing.

[@sixstringfretter]

I have learned a few tricks over the years. Most important: Spend the money to buy a high quality tool. The higher quality steel will hold a edge much better and not break or chip if you hit a rock or stump. I take my torch and heat the edge until it's glowing red. Sprinkle carbon powder on it and allow to cool. Once cool to the touch, heat it up again and then quench it in cold water. It will be hard but not brittle. Holds an edge much longer and will not dull easily.

[@CPD0123a]

I know this is an old comment, but I use mine on about nothing but steel hillsides as a weedwhacker. Actually makes it easier to go uphill because you don't have to lean over as much. I absolutly love these things. I thought it was down to my Pap being the last person in America that knew about these and knew about hammering them, then teaching me (I still suck) but fortunatly there's more people who've realized weedwhackers suck! Thanks for keeping these alive!!!

[@Nemoticon]

I know it must be back breaking work for many people who have to do this for a living... but seeing this, it looks really therapeutic! It's almost like getting that 'perfect golf swing' - smooth and relaxed.

[@CocoaHerBeansness]

its really back-making work

[@terryisaac8195]

It's actually very relaxing and therapeutic. Quiet and meditative.

[@brianmorris8045]

If you do as per this instruction video, you will find you are not using as much energy...he is using a european style blade, the best type...you peen the blade, you don't grind it..and on the field, just hone it with your wetstones. It is not as back breaking as you think if you keep your body upright. It's only idiots who do the bending. Don't take any notice of those who use their scythes like a plane coming in for a landing...like you see on the old western movies. You will certainly break your back for sure, or get a hernia. When you first use one, keep the blade on the ground and do a bit of practicing when no one is near you...when you are learning quote from a friend I used to work with years ago: "The chances of anything going wrong, is directly proportionate to the number of people looking on"..lol. But also don't tell anyone you own one, or you will have people wanting you to do their properties as well. Oh and before you start...learn how to peen your blade properly. My blade wasn't peened properly,...for safety reasons of transporting I suppose. Enjoy the fact you are not using fuel. Enjoy scything.

[@SoulDevoured]

@@brianmorris8045 hi I'm new to this after realizing it's the best option for the tall weeds and grasses that grow in my yard. Thank you for the advice! I think I'm slowly getting the hang of it. But can you please briefly explain what peening is?

[@brianmorris8045]

@@SoulDevoured It's the way the European blades are sharpened. You have peening jigs to sharpen them. Plenty of vids on that re instructions. It took a bit last time I used them to get the hang of it, but the result is good. All I needed on the field was the wetstone. My knees are dictating my movements nowadays. I'll give my lad the scythe soon...lol. Pity, as I find scything relaxing when you get into the rhythm. My scythe is set for a 5'2" fella. I did a training course for scything and the guy had English and American blades. So had to learn with those heavy things. I survived, then I discivered and Aussie outlet here who had the lighter European blades so bought a 65cm blade, and snath, and the peening jigs. Cost me a mint including the accessories, but easier to use. I later bought a shorter blade 40+cm blade as well, for doing my lawns. I prefer scythes to weed whackers, or as we call them 'down under', whipper snippers. As for handing things over,my lad might have to get a different straight snath.

[@hoebare]

Thanks for keeping this video up! I googled "scythe usage" for tabletop RPG purposes and I'm glad I did because all my assumptions were completely wrong. :)

[@BotanAnderson]

I hone the blade about every 5 minutes. I peen the blade after about every 2 hours of use. It all depends on what I have been mowing, and what I am going to mow. Mature, fertilzed bluegrass requires an extremely sharp blade. Weeds not so much.

[@brianmorris8045]

Thanks for the vids. Great relaxing work using a scythe. My son bought me a scythe for Christmas but it is too hot outside to peen the new blade...lol. I gave him my old one...training a new not grim, but cheerful reaper. lol

[@rovingrom]

@@brianmorris8045 It may relaxing but believe me it is not! Especially tough on the back - lots of twisting. However it is immensely satisfying when you begin to master the technique..... :)

[@brianmorris8045]

I found it relaxing by stand reasonably straight and letting all the body do the work, rather than bending over like those stupid competition scythers. I'm sure back specialists live those guys..lol. once I mastered the technique, it was very relaxing. I was watching one if those competitions where this old German scyther, standing up straight, taking easy, wide swathe, beat one of the young bent over scythers. It was a pleasure to watch. And while young guys needed a break, the old guy kept scything and beating the next guy. In a real situation, he'd have more energy to cover acreage than the young guys ever could, because he wouldn't be going like a bat out of hell. I only use a 65cm. But also have a shorter blade than that. It's the peening can get tedious. I use the cap system a lot mor than the anvil system. Only use the anvil if the blade is looking desperate, which is rare. Was going to scythe my back lawn this weekend, but some nice person in a crowd somewhere, has given me the flu. Not happy. Lawns can wait.

[@fordtruxdad]

Puts me in mind of my childhood. We had a peg-legged tenant on our farm who cut all our wheat with a scythe and cradle. That man could really work. Thanks for posting!

[@mikekaup5252]

In 1957 When I was right my Grandfather taught me how to use a scythe. He had come from Norway in 1892 and homesteaded in South Dakota. His first home was a tiny sod house.

[@sierracuban]

THIS IS AN ART.......My uncle in Northern Spain would take me to watch him do exactly this back in 1962, when I was a boy of 9........He would then stack the feed hay for his three Holstein cows......MEMORIES ! Hey, with the end of petroleum fuels, we may go back to this ART......WE MAY BE BETTER OFF......The old days were filled with BETTER HUMAN BEINGS.....GOD HELP OUR WORLD..... Sierra Cuban, Miami, Florida

[@kotasilver2300]

Amen, on that sister. Here I am 9 years later and Reading this comment really touched home with almost every aspect of my life right now mind, body, soul. Dakota Silver, Cartersville Ga

[@DLSmith92056]

Excellent video! Thanks so much for such a clear and straight forward instruction.

[@dmu9736]

Thank you for sharing your knowledge. Excellent video, demonstration, and instruction.

[@johnford7847]

IMO, this video gives the best illustration of the body movements to scythe effectively. Thank you.

[@Emiliapocalypse]

Wow. I’m so glad I stumbled upon your website this morning. I’ve been thinking about finding an alternative to my weed whacker, and when I spotted a scythe in the shed of a local beekeeper, I realized I had found my answer. Upon googling, your website was the first I clicked on (One Scythe Revolution, great name!!) and your site even mentions the inner reasons that I began looking for this alternative in the first place. When I watched this video there, I was also struck by the peace and quiet that accompanied the work. Just a sharp “swoosh....swoosh” accompanying the sounds of nature, that seems almost like meditation to me. Thank you for your videos and your website! I’m very much looking forward to ordering a scythe from you in the future and being a part of your “quiet” revolution :)

[@unfinisheproject]

Oh my gosh. I did this to giant cane grass in Hawaii. A much less graceful act. I do love the scythe though. I felt it to be much more efficient than the variety of machetes we employed for much of our cane grass clearing work. Relaxing to watch you do it. Thank you.

[@owenhurrell268]

Thanks for this video, it really helped me! My newly acquired scythe has just gone to our local sharpener to be peened and sharpened. Even thought the edge looked moth eaten it was still capable of clearing about 50m square in about 30 minutes with my inexpert technique!

[@AntoniusRome]

Works amazingly well you have to admit.

[@Thelonelyscavenger]

great demonstration! I used one for the first time today and I apparently need more practice. I kept pulling in a raking motion. thanks!

[@shantilus]

Thanks for compiling this video. It's very helpful to watch the motion and proper angle to hold the scythe. I think I'm going to pick this up as a hobby for natural motion exercise. You make it look like an art.

[@Mike_Muffler]

How has the hobby come along? ;-)

[@lilpetz500]

I'm here for similar reasons. I could be doing Russian twists indoors daily for abs and paying a mowing service to do the work, or I could instead combine them and save money

[@nathanyamaha465]

neat video, i read about mowing with a scythe in a book by Leo Tolstoy and wanted to see it done.. nice job, now I want to get a scythe.

[@tylergraham4039]

I was inspired to watch this video after reading a chapter in Leo Tolstoy’s Anna Karenina about Levin mowing grass with a scythe. I was expecting one to clear the field at a walking-pace, not a shuffle. Not exactly what I had imagined!

[@dobe762]

@Scythesman8 Thank you ... I'm in Ireland and bought my scythe from Simon in the UK. I have not peened the blade yet, but its cutting great at the moment. I have the jig and will use it soon. Your vids are really good, you can tell when someone knows what they are doing ;-)

[@PlasticBubbleCosplay]

Satisfying sound of the grass getting cut like that :-)

[@TheSchlaudt]

Thanks a ton for the video, i just got a scythe and this is very helpful.

[@carlosayala6754]

Love the sound

[@mollyisagooddog]

Bought a scythe yesterday for €58 and €5 for the sharpening stone. It is the dog's bollox for effectively cutting scutch grass on the perimiter of your property. Areas you can't get at with a lawnmower or grass that is too tall for a mower too negotiate. I watched this video for technique and it's spot on. All hail to Scytheman8 for uploading.

[@atter219]

I had the opportunity to work as a ranger in Algonquin Provincial Park in Canada. We used scythes to clear dense brush around rocks and on all kinds of slopes. The shape of the snath is a bit different from the one in this video in the way that they were more curved as well as had shorter, fatter blades equipped. The handles we used were short and snugged right up against the snath and because they were straight they allowed us the pull the blade up and around obstacles mid-swing. The scythe is an amazingly efficient and satisfying tool and I traded in my weedwacker a long time ago for work at the cottage. The one seen in this video is optimized for field cutting and mowing and I would love to get my hands on one. I use my scythe mainly in rocky areas, on slopes and around tree lines where I encounter small saplings constantly. For me, a shorter, thicker blade is more effective in tighter spaces, and in dealing with thicker stock (like saplings and shrubs).

[@atter219]

Pretty accurate synopsis of my summer, you forgot the porcupines though.

[@Emiliapocalypse]

Wow, what great information. Thanks for posting this, I learned a lot about different types of scythes. Old school hand tools are new to me, and this kind of info will really help me find the right tools to get the job done. Thanks again!

[@AmunRa1]

It's symbolic of him 'harvesting' our souls, like a farmer harvests crops.

[@rentacowisgoogle]

I'm using an antique scythe my parents had in the garage to clear a beach that's overgrown with bamboo and crab grass. We can't get the tractor down onto the sandy riverside and a weed-whacker can't handle the bamboo. The scythe goes through one inch thick bamboo and DENSE crab grass/black berry bushes like butter. A very useful tool.

[@Mike_Muffler]

Simple, Meditative, Hypnotic.. God I'm in the city and just wanna get a scythe because cutting grass never looks so poetic.

[@lilpetz500]

I'm in the city too in a rental, and I hate having a lawn, the upkeep is expensive with the lawn service. I considered this option with the scythe a year ago but didn't think it would be practical, but honestly, this seems worth it!

[@audreybarnes6527]

Great video, thanks.

[@252Maplehurst]

Thank you for your help!

[@ReverendRobot]

this is useful and good. thank you

[@mollyisagooddog]

@Crunchy68 Can be used on a hillside alright. Draw the blade in the direction of the downward slope for best effect.

[@FatherOfTheParty]

Looks like a great core workout. Who needs a gym membership? Go get a scythe

[@carolineholding]

thanks so much, am going to give it a go tomorrow...

[@jitteringdarkness]

Man that thing is sharp

[@durere]

Thank you Mr. Green Reaper

[@ataraxic89]

That is surprisingly efficient. I suppose if you were far from modern civilization where an engine could break, and even the push type could break, this would be ideal. It would be hard but if you kept it sharp It could last you generations. Maybe replacing the handle once every 50-100 years. I imagine the blade would last until it rusted or you sharpened it away.

[@orangejoe204]

Also give you excellent muscles if you did that all day. To think that people actually pay exorbitant rates to learn exercises to tone their "core".

[@orangejoe204]

Stefan Dingenouts "Actually this would be a nice replacement for a gym membership. Very zen-like, and you're doing something usefull ;-)" My thoughts precisely!

[@martinkuliza]

ataraxic89 i suppose i won't laugh, because this is not in common use, but to me, it's funny to hear you say this. because i grew up using this. now based on your icon i'm guessing your proud to be an engineer or have some association to Ohms Law, and therefore your intelligent enough to respect good engineering. Mate we had a saying in the old days. my grandad use to say this "Someone much smarter and wiser has already figured out the best way to do it" this saying usually came about when i would look at something and try to figure out how it worked and then i would try to improve on it and my grandad would show me an improvement on what i thought was an improvement of my own. yes it's very efficient my grandad's shed still has his Scythe , he also has a sickel and a hand pump for pumping water, i guess we would call it a tap. but this is a hand levered tap with a pump mechanism, not a tap that you turn and water starts gushing out. after this came the push type mower, then came the push type with a motor, then came your traditional mowers in basic form, but because of the circular motion the Scythe is superior to the push type mower

[@Marialla.]

@Scythesman8 Thanks for that! Another VERY cool video. Very inspirational.

[@BotanAnderson]

@dobe762 If the tip of the blade is 3" below in circle, it is closed. Most beginners instinctively whack away at the vegetation with the full edge all at once. This forces the tang to slip back into a fully open position. Which leads to more whacking, a very dull blade, and eventually big cracks. Austrian scythe blades are meant to shear the grass. They are not machetes at the end of a long stick. Where did you get your scythe? Quality and sharpness makes a big difference.

[@laserstun]

I'm still trying to get the hang of one of these. I tend to flatten the grass instead of cutting it. Practice practice...

[@holdvilagarok]

Great work this video! Thank you! :)

[@BishBaroniee]

this is just fun to watch.

[@bfinfinity]

Thanks for the demo, but for some people, the constant contracting of muscles in one direction and relaxing in the other will and does result in torquing the body-esp if one suffers pain conditions such as fibromyalgia or chronic pain syndrome. In that case, they are limited to admiring how well you do it, but cannot risk the activity due to the resulting intense pain, and need for therapy to recover. In any case it was very nice to see how well it works and how it can be done naturally, without gas and oil being burned and polluting and a lot of noise besides! I am sure many can take advantage of this method since it is so effective.

[@Emiliapocalypse]

bfinfinity excellent point! I wonder if he makes a scythe handle that faces the opposite direction so that one could balance out the repetitive motions in one direction? It wouldn’t solve every problem, but it might help ease the discomfort and damage to your body

[@brianmorris8045]

Well, it's been a year since my last contribution. Has the scythe revolution quietened down somewhat, not your's, but the general popularity of it? One of the best versions of a scythe ever created, is the European blade with a straight snath, and easy to use if one is in an upright stance as you are. I found it easy on the back. My son uses mine on occasions. I taught him how to peen it...not a bad job on his part, but I end up doing more to it when he returns it. I use the smaller blade for my backyard.

[@Marialla.]

This is just lovely. Would it work on a steep hillside, though? Every video I've seen shows it being used on flat ground.

[@BotanAnderson]

Yes, I do, but they are intended to illustrate what I am describing in the peening manual that I wrote. It's available at my website.

[@BotanAnderson]

@laserstun Make sure that your blade is sharp, your hafting angle is closed, and your blade stays on the ground through the entire stroke.

[@BotanAnderson]

@Crunchy68 Of course! They are from Austria. see the youtube video of steep alpine haymaking: "Keeping Ancient Hay Making Tradition Alive". It's actually in Switerland but you'll get the idea.

[@mopbrothers]

Very helpful and beautiful. Is an acre too much to do by hand? I wonder how often sharpening is needed.

[@modex20]

Six John Deere execs watched this video

[@dominic6055]

I'm waiting for John Deere to produce a $5000 scythe xD

[@strega42]

How do I determine what angle haft is best for me? Are there particular measurements one should take? Is there a particular stance one should be in when one takes those measurements? I'm going to have to order a scythe blade on line and make a snath; I'd like to minimize my margin for error in that regard. Thanks for some great videos!

[@BotanAnderson]

Yes.

[@Patriotman54]

need to buy of of theses! where can I get one? I am going to be using one of these on a property that people help ! They do not know how to mow their lawn

[@misstinwhistle1]

Brushcutters (battery) costs nearly a grand, and I only need one for maybe a year on a house plot. This is my answer!

[@joshgrami]

Wilson, WI as in the small town south of Sheboygan? I'm in Gibbsville!

[@BotanAnderson]

J.A.Grami No, the other Wilson in WI, up by Menomonie.

[@colonelcorazonsantiago7335]

Soothing susurration

[@Shivasavasana]

Does the blade have to be kept razor sharp to work properly? What do you use to sharpen it?

[@olstar18]

I always thought something like this was slow. Sure its nothing compared to a lawnmower but you were still clearing that grass pretty fast.

[@pumpSHO]

that looks like come good chigung

[@avideshmahabir8728]

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

[@SmitEvan]

how often do you have to sharpen it

[@donkeebaIs]

My back started hurting 2 minutes in to this

[@dobe762]

@Scythesman8 'your hafting angle is closed' Sir can you please explain this to me? I have bought an Austrian scythe and have it hafted at 3''. I'm waiting on some grass growing ;-)

[@Jommpa11]

What animals do you got?

[@gavinthegamekiller]

i live in wisconsin to. what county is this in.

[@johnytwo]

You raise the blade during the returning stroke, even when you advise not to do so.

[@rbbiefah]

Are the handles adjustable so you switch work from LEFT to RIGHT to get a more balanced development of your body ?

[@IamHueGraves]

I was hoping for that too, they might make those specifically even if they aren't typical, like ambidextrous bows

[@Emiliapocalypse]

That would make an excellent product. Another commenter on here mentioned having chronic pain and fibromyalgia and how only twisting your body in one direction repeatedly affects it badly. Rotatable handles on a scythe could be a pretty cool advance in farming technology :)

[@georgcantor7172]

TAI SCYTHING: The body form when doing the scything can be improved by using the body mechanics of Tai Chi--that is, you keep your spine straight and do most of your rotational movement by the waist (old Chinese saying: "Move a thousand caties with one tael." I don't really know what a catie or tael is; but it means to get "more bang for the buck" by using your waist rather than using only your shoulders and arms to do the scything.) Also, your knees should not go over your toes (if your knees go over your toes, you run the risk of getting off balance and falling. Then the enemy can whip your ass). And when you breath, you need to breath through your nose, not through your mouth (if you breath through your mouth, you tire more easily and you'll be a goner--the enemy will whomp you good!). :D

[@RubenRodriguez-sq8nc]

Where can I buy one

[@johnnyk427]

Some folks call it a sling blade, I call it a Kaiser blade.

[@NecroBanana]

@rentacowisgoogle You should make a video about that...but I guess you already cleared that beach 3 times over. lol

[@SunnyII3ridges]

Gherman in action

[@GENdandyboy]

Gobba tend them beast crops fam

[@SunnyII3ridges]

Seegar Klim lol I can see it xD

[@SunnyII3ridges]

marco greene you're never alone my brother xD. Keep hunting

[@primecreator5257]

this is so funny. I came exactly to verify how plausible it was for a scythe to be used as a weapon. A hunter must hunt!

[@estreya7370]

I'm guessing this wouldn't work so well on a slope? I have a sloped area, a rather large ditch, actually, that needs fairly regular maintenance. The walk-behind mower can't manage the slope, and the gas powered weed whacker is just a nightmare. I'd love a tool like this for the job but i'm thinking the slope would be problematic. Suggestions?

[@BotanAnderson]

Scythes work great on slopes.

[@homesteadmania1038]

How well does this work on regular height lawn grass that is not as rigid as taller field grasses? Also, can it get into smaller spots in around bushes and be used to replace a weed wacker?

[@thomasdaly6245]

Lawns can be mowed with a scythe, sort of. If you're looking for the "smooth-as-a-baby's-fanny/golf course" look, forget it. Some considerations: The scythe must be shaving-sharp. A triple-peened blade (as sold by 1SR) is best, although single-peened edges will work. *Learn to peen, and do so every four hours of scything, Hone often while scything--every five minutes or less. Good technique is very important. Scything videos make mowing look easy--just swing the scythe back and forth--but proper technique is much more subtle and involved. The scythe blade is not perfectly flat, but instead has a complex geometry. The blade lies mostly flat at the tang, but gradually rises until the tip (stone point/toe) is elevated some distance above it. (The tip of my blade is approximately 1-1/4 inches higher.) The blade also curves upward from an (undefined) longitudinal midpoint to the edge. As well, the spine itself curves upwards from the blade midpoint. Proper technique must include sliding the blade centered along this midpoint but without raising the spine (thus pushing the edge into the ground) nor lowering the spine (thus raising the edge into an unfavorable cutting angle). The technique is actually somewhat easily learned, but only when blade geometry is well understood, and with a generous assist from the trial-and-error method. Lay your blade on a flat surface to learn the particulars its geometry. Proper swing is important as well. The blade should follow an arc that more-or-less matches the curve of the blade. Also, small bites should be taken, especially while learning. Think in terms of a cut that is no wider than the width of the blade at it widest point (the beard). Scything is not an Olympic event! Strength is necessary, but points are awarded for technique only, not for power. Taking an overly-large bite, then trying to power through it, can only lead to pulled muscles, early and unnecessary fatigue, endless frustration, and possible damage to blade and snath. Re: lawn mowing--some grasses cut easily, some don't. Crabgrass and clover are easily mowed. The slender, lay-down-flat stuff in my yard is much more difficult to mow, even under ideal conditions. Using the right hand to press the blade against the ground helps to cut difficult grasses, but is no cure-all. Lawns are best mowed pre-sunrise where soils are damp. Plant cells will be plump with water under these conditions and therefore more easily penetrated by a sharp edge. The cutting ability of even the most keenly sharpened edge will become more and more reduced as the air dries and dew evaporates from the grass, until finally no amount of sharpness nor technique will suffice to cut lawn grass. (Note that the mere presence of dew on the grass can have little to no bearing on whether or not the grass is sufficiently well-hydrated to mow well. Mowing can be done all day, including during the hottest part of the hottest days, but only with stiffer-stemmed vegetation, not lawn grass.) Results: Expect divots (where the blade cut into the ground), and high spots (where an overly-large bite cause grasses to be missed). Also expect small clumps and individual stems that resist cutting by any and all means. As well, expect only a close cut. A scythed lawn will have the look of a well-grazed pasture, where animals have closely-cropped the most desirable grasses while only nibbling at others. As for getting under bushes, etc: All of the above applies.

[@homesteadmania1038]

Thomas Daly This is a great answer! More than I could have hoped for since I'm serious about buying a scythe and will be learning how to use and maintain it on my own. I live rurally and have no need for a golf-green lawn. I'm waiting to hear back from Botan about which one to buy.....Botan, did you get my email....hello...my weeds are very tall and I don't want to buy more trimmer string.

[@thomasdaly6245]

Homestead Mania Thank you for your kind words regarding my reply. What follows will be an enlargement upon what I've previously written. Botan Anderson has taken down his email because of overwhelming spam problems. Clicking on the "Contact" button will give you his phone number and dot com address. Blade choice: You likely will need two blades. You write that your weeds are very tall. They would be late-season weeds with thick, woody stalks. My advice would be to get the light bush blade to cut such weeds. The grass blades (Gartensense) sold by Mr. Anderson are triple-peened, which means the metal has been lightly hammered (peened) until it is very thin at the edge. Such peening yields an exceptionally sharp edge, but its thinness also means that it is easily blunted when cutting woody plants such as weeds. Triple-peened blades are meant for haying, nothing else, although they can be pressed into service to cut other vegetation; but such vegetation is best cut when it is young and tender to avoid damage to the edge of the blade. The edge of the bush blade, on the other hand, has a much more obtuse angle which better resists blunting and so is more suitable for cutting mid-and-late-season weeds and small-diameter saplings. You will still need a grass blade, however, because persistent cutting of broadleaf weeds will allow grass to compete more effectively, eventually yielding a field of grass that would best be cut with the grass blade. Which blade would be best suited to you? Your photograph suggests that you are shorter and more lightly built than the middle-of-the-bell-shaped-curve ("average") American woman. My advice, then, is to get the shortest of the three blades. Counterweight your snath. Mowing videos always show mowers hard at work in smooth, level fields that allow the blade to slide along the ground in the classic manner. You may not have such a field, however. You may encounter rocks, but you are as likely or more likely to find your field full of pocket gopher mounds. Driving your blade into or scalping one definitely takes some of the keenness from an edge. The only solution is to lift and swing the blade above such obstacles (a technique that I describe as a "floating cut"). Your scythe may seem light, but frequent lifting and swinging is tiring and causes loss of technique. Counterweighting the snath is the antidote. I've added 2-1/2 pounds to the upper end of my snath. I used Water Gremlin-brand 4-oz. duck decoy anchor straps. The scythe is now very nearly equally balanced at the lower handle, with just a bit of weight toward the blade. Wear cut-resistant (Kevlar, etc.) gloves, or cut-resistant liners inside leather gloves, or gloves with slip-resistant palms. Murphy's Law ("Anything that can go wrong, will go wrong.") rules. Don't tempt Murphy. Wear sturdy work boots. Some videos show barefooted mowers. Don't. Just don't. The notion seems to be that barefooted mowing is somehow more natural, more spiritual, the way the old-timers mowed. Baloney. Mowers of the past who mowed barefooted did so because the leather footgear of the time wore out or rotted quickly, and the mowers were too poor to keep replacing shoes. Remember Murphy--and Murphy never sleeps. Wear a broad-brimmed hat, keep your sleeves down to prevent sunburn, and stay hydrated. David Tresemer's book, "The Scythe Book" gives a recipe for switchel, an old-time mower's drink. His recipe must contain two typos, however, because it lists a tablespoon of ginger and only one quart of water. The resultant drink is enough to make your eyeballs pop out of your head. Eric Sloane, in his "Seasons of America's Past" gives a much more reasonable recipe of one teaspoon of ginger and two quarts of water. I have amended the recipe by using one quart water and one quart apple juice. Switchel should be used instead of soda or other sugared drinks by those wanting a sweet drink because drinking switchel will not result in dry-mouth hangover. Scything videos also show mowers sharpening their blades by rapidly banging a scythe stone against the blade. Use a knife steel instead, and draw it along the full length of the "topside" edge in one or more single, smooth strokes, followed by one or two light strokes along the "bottomside" edge to remove the burr (wire edge). A complete set of stones is still required and should be taken to the field, however, in case the edge needs reshaping should it hit a stone or the like, or if tough weeds have blunted the edge to the point where the steel is no longer effective. Rest as frequently as necessary, even every few minutes, and hone before or after doing so. Scything is a great muscular and aerobic workout, but beginners should expect fatigue to the point of exhaustion and sore muscles where they didn't know that they had muscles. One word: ibuprofen. Also, exhale during the cutting stroke rather than holding your breath. Your weeds: I don't know what they are, but here is a list of common weeds and advice as to mowing them. Note that the advice is for late-season weeds. Giant ragweed: Cut with a saw. Thistle: Cut with a saw. Burdock: Cut with a saw. Common ragweed: Cut with a scythe, but good technique and a strong application of directed strength (not power) will be necessary. Several partial swings may be necessary to complete a full stroke. Milkweed: Tougher than common ragweed, but cut the same way. Goldenrod: Worse than milkweed. Waterweed: May or may not need to be cut with a saw. Inspect before swinging. Brambles: Test carefully before taking a full-bore swing. Anything greater than pencil-diameter should be mowed with care or cut with nippers. Wild grape: As above. Reed canary grass: Cut with a scythe but will foul the blade. Correction--all of the above will foul the blade. Weeds rarely (if ever) grow as a monoculture. Expect grass with the weeds, and therefore expect a world of headaches and frustration. The worst of the grasses to encounter mixed with weeds is of a category called "fine fescues," the lay-flat stuff that I have in my yard. Back injury is very possible if a strong stroke is suddenly bogged down by this grass--or any other vegetation, for that matter. As well, expect the blade to catch on the stumps of previously-cut weeds, and expect a wrench to your back should this happen. Oh, and the scythe might be pulled from your hands as well. Expect that several days of partial mowing may be necessary to clear a patch of weeds. That is, partial mowing may be unavoidable because fitness limitations. Then--what to do with the windrows of cut weeds? Leaving them in place isn't really an option, especially if the land is being reclaimed for pasture or hay. The solution is to allow them to dry (lightness facilitates handling), then remove them to wherever. A hay fork will be needed to shift the weeds onto the chosen conveyance. The simplest homemade, non-wheeled conveyance is what I call a drag tarp. Use a 6x8 tarp. Tie a pole (a sapling can be used) to the grommets of one end, then fasten a length of rope to the ends of the pole. Load the vegetation onto the underside (unfinished seam) side to avoid shredding at the seams. I recommend a hay fork over the usual 4-6-tined pitchfork. Vegetation can and will jam between the smaller spaces of the tines of such pitchforks and so resist release when the user attempts to withdraw the pitchfork. 1SR sells two hayforks. I don't have either (although I'm temped to get the longer one), but the shorter Austrian-style hayfork (not sold by 1SR) at approximately 60 inches is likely most suited to the shorter person than the longer ones sold by 1SR. (Either fork could be shortened by cutting the handle shorter, then shaping the cut end.) Cut weeds in a methodical manner, as if you were mowing a hayfield. Don't just wade in and begin slashing right and left. Two margins only can be cut, rather than cutting a margin around the entire patch. Cut an end and side margin, mow one or the other to its end, then walk back to your starting point and begin again. I've run out of advice for the moment. Good luck with your mania!

[@homesteadmania1038]

Thomas Daly A very complete and well-thought out response. I don't think I could ask for better info. And I see why I haven't had a response from Botan yet. FYI: I won't be using a scythe in bare feet or a skirt:)

[@normajeanslagel4633]

Just order my first ever scythe today. Looking forward to hopefully being as graceful at it as you are in the video. Don't know how long it takes to ship but hope it hurries.

[@neal0071234able]

And after all the advancements in lawn mowers... The old school scythe is still more efficient and doesn't require gas oil and diesel., just a good filed razor edge ..

[@fyx13579]

this is more fun

[@maylin1986]

Just curious, with the scythe itself being so long, is a scythe on average a universal length? I can see someone tall using the scythe in the video very easily, compared to someone shorter perhaps? Any help would be appreciated. 👍💫

[@BotanAnderson]

Actually, it is more difficult for tall people to find a scythe handle long enough for them, than for short people. Fortunately, Schroeckenfux makes a full range of snath sizes. I am often asked if a small woman can also manage a scythe. Yes, they can! Just get a snath for your height and a blade length that corresponds with your strength and skill level. A 60cm grass blade is a good place to start.

[@maylin1986]

@@BotanAnderson I've been recommended a scythe that starts at the 60cm mark today. I will try to buy it soon. I'm excited. I know shipping has been delayed due to covid and such, so I hope to order soon and maybe get before the end of May. Thank you for your help! :D 💛

[@BotanAnderson]

@darmokandgalad Wisconsin

[@clintsummers9728]

Trying to learn technique and it's interesting how some barely use their arms primarily using their core. Some, like the fella in this video, use their arms more and much less of their core. Suppose it's all in how you're taught.

[@BotanAnderson]

I'm the fella in this video. You are confusing a torso twist with using your core. I rely heavily on my core strength to transfer the power of my shifting weight into the scythe stroke when doing a full field stroke, not my arms. I was actually taught the torso twist technique when I started out, but I found it to be very unnatural for me.

[@clintsummers9728]

@@BotanAnderson thanks much for the explanation. Trying to soak in as much as I can.

[@vicioustelekinesis74]

hey man!

[@cucogallegos9589]

Just bought a english style scythe, i must be using it wrong. When you start should your blade be flat on ground cause my edge seems to be in the upright position I literally have to squat down pretty far, please give me some feed back.

[@BotanAnderson]

A European blade is tensioned, or dished out. When it slides "flat" on the ground, the middle of the belly is in contact with the ground, but the cutting edge is actually somewhat lifted a 1/4 to half an inch. An English blade is flat, not tensioned, and gets it's rigidity from the rib and bead at the back of the blade. It slides on the ground on the bead on the underside, and the cutting edge should be somewhat lifted. If you find the right angle, but you still need to bend down too far, you will have to heat up the tang of the blade and raise the tang angle. For more info about the American or English scythe see my webpage onescytherevolution.com/a-tale-of-two-scythes.html

[@cucogallegos9589]

@@BotanAnderson thank you i will tried all the info given, I'm not giving up by no means! I have a lot too learn thank you again.

[@nutmilk6823]

eat seems like some sort of old school ab workout lol

[@evelgreytarot8401]

😕 I'm doing something wrong! All I do is knock the grass over and nothing's getting cut

[@SarahJ743]

I would get the bush hog and tractor and have that done before lunch time.

[@24Sichi]

SarahJ743 Got the money to buy a bush hog and tractor though?

[@SarahJ743]

No, but there is rental store a few miles from me that rents a little of everything. Tractors, bush hogs, back hoes, mowers, aerators etc. I've rented the back hoe and a chipper shredder a few times.

[@manthonychavez]

SarahJ743 , that will definitely get the job done! I think there are other reasons one might decide to use hand tools instead. Aside from maintenance and purchase/materials+time-to-build-it, there are no expenses related to scything. Unless you injure yourself, I suppose. Benefits include less strong vibrations from weedwhackers/mowers, the peaceful sound of grass cutting, EXERCISE. :)

[@SarahJ743]

ahh I see. scything is like your happy place. your get away. keeps you sane. I'm looking on ebay and amazon at scythes. might buy one :)

[@manthonychavez]

Though I've never scythed, I agree. The closest I've gotten is chopping a tree with an axe or grass with a machete. I'm glad you're interested, I encourage you to seek out workshops or people with experience, they know what's up! Aloha:)

[@sierracuban]

THIS IS AN ART USED ALL OVER EUROPE......See the EXACT same thing in Northern Spain here on You Tube at : Segar con guadaña en Llanera....

[@jregamey]

Mine doesn't do this. Must been sharpened wrong

[@BotanAnderson]

@mollyisagooddog see the youtube video of steep alpine haymaking: "Keeping Ancient Hay Making Tradition Alive"

[@wadeneumann4959]

are you carrying the blade in this clip?

[@BotanAnderson]

What do you mean?

[@wadeneumann4959]

@@BotanAnderson I mean what is left is quite high in this clip, you're managing the height of the cutting edge, bykeeping the heel of the blade on the ground in the cutting action? rather than keeping the blade flat? i imagine taking grass off too close to the crowning point would place a brake of the re-growth a bit...

[@ArmandoHernandez-zn4mp]

where can i buy one of these?

[@BotanAnderson]

+Armando Hernandez www.onescytherevolution.com/

[@BotanAnderson]

Ducks and geese.

[@AlexGarcia-lj4wb]

Quiero una comoesa

[@charleslittle8172]

Homeboy is a snack

[@Jommpa11]

Ok :)

[@redglare2759]

Chubs: it all in the…hat

[@pneumann4195]

Nice sound day in day out. Shoot me now.

[@scarscytheunknown2610]

What do you call a person that owns a scythe (for fighting)

[@GENdandyboy]

Battle peasant

[@rubensana126]

ScarScythe Unknown Reaper,

[@adarg2]

A virgin

[@SerenityMiya2009]

Swish, swish, swish the sound of music.

[@klattalexis]

Where can I buy a Scythe?

[@BotanAnderson]

You can buy a scythe from www.OneScytheRevolution.com

[@klattalexis]

Botan Anderson Thank you

[@lordoftheflings]

why does the grim reaper carry a scythe?

[@sierracuban]

SEE THE SAME TECHNIQUE IN SPAIN here on You Tube in : SEGANDO CON GUADAÑA.......( Asturias, Spain ) Childhood memories ! ! ! Sierra Cuban, Miami, Florida