The Power of the American Scythe

A powerful tool that runs on breakfast and lets you hear the birds sing while you work.
Get yours at www.BYXCO.com

[@JamesMcCutcheon]

I was in Romania JUNE 2018 they still use a Sythe on the deep areas Carpathian mountains. Farming on steep hillside requires handwork for haystacks and modern tractors fail to plow and horses turn soils in springtime where no modern man dares to tread. Cell phones are a novelty and the old ways still prevail harsh long winters.

[@mlg779]

Man, you are one of the few people in US that I saw on you tube that knows how to use a scythe.

[@211steelman]

form is excellent.

[@Dreyno]

He’s throwing the swarth onto the uncut grass. That makes it harder to cut the next time around. Right handed mowers should go clockwise.

[@mlg779]

@@Dreyno That was only in the first clip first few seconds. 2nd clip is done the other way.

[@Dreyno]

@@mlg779 You can’t praise someone as one of the few people using a scythe properly when the first thing he does is make a rookie error.

[@mlg779]

@@Dreyno Have you ever used a scythe? I have done it every summer from 13 years old to 20 when I came to US. Every summer for 2 weeks with my grand father we would wake up at 5 AM to 7 PM for 2 weeks. Now not sure with that scythe and his technique how many hours he would last but what I see here looks good. We used totally different handles. I do not like this type of scythe.

[@ladykatiecrafts]

I can't believe I just watched you mow...... oddly soothing and pleasant..... I have to do this more often.... powering down without going stir crazy...... nailed it! 5 stars buddy!

[@nuparadigm4419]

Watching an American Scythe in action is intriguing. Especially after discovering my 9th Great Grandfather Joseph Jenckes Sr. was the one that created this elegant tool out of the crude and inefficient English scythes of the time. He was quite the remarkable fellow.

[@FortyTwoBlades]

Joseph Jenckes made several notable inventions that were arguably the first steps of the American scythe's development and delineation from the English scythe. You will find sources that claim that he invented the modern curved snath, but my research suggests that this was only partly true, and that while the details of his original invention are lost, the innovation he made was the primary arch of the snath at the right hand, while Silas Lamson invented the further recurve bend of the neck of the snath. Loop bolt fasteners were invented by Pinckney Frost, while the twist-to-tighten nib was developed by Joseph and Erasmus S. Clapp. Notably, Jenckes also invented a method of welding an iron bar to the back of scythe blades to stiffen them, but it is unclear if this was the origin of the V-shaped stiffening rib along the back of American blades or not.

[@MrSaemichlaus]

My last name is Scyther (translated). Somebody as skillful as you must have earned my elders their name with this beautiful trade!

[@sethmoking]

Senser?

[@CinemaBiohazard]

This is oddly relaxing.

[@FortyTwoBlades]

A common sentiment!

[@mogatdula]

I was thinking the same. I could watch for hours. hell I think I would PAY people to let me cut their lawns lol

[@JoelKreider]

A fair bit of ASMR going on with your average scythe work.

[@x-19nibiru86]

Watch at 2x speed its better

[@alexandernelson9190]

OMG I couldn't help but go back and forth with my mouse on the loading bar to watch you magically repair the grass with your scythe

[@martialme84]

WOW that looks SO COOL! XD You, sir, are a magician! XD

[@afrog2666]

HAHAHA, I just tried it after you wrote that, pretty funny xD

[@PixelGunner3D]

Alexander Nelson 2:44-3:27 dam I didnt know U could rollerscate and cut flown grass

[@SASunDog]

I was not prepared for how funny that was! Thanks, Alexander!

[@spunkyprep]

...fuck you. I had to do that because of this comment and it is glorious.

[@prun8893]

I wish Crocs hadn't discontinued their scything clogs.

[@FortyTwoBlades]

They're Specialist II Work Clogs, or their predecessor, at least.

[@johnnybhoy4278]

That is a nice sharp scythe. I have an Austrian scythe and I love it but I love the look of an American scythe, especially if it is wooden. He didn't miss a single blade of grass.

[@FortyTwoBlades]

I own a bunch of European style scythes of various makes to stay in practice with them but much prefer the American style. It's just hard to beat the crisp edge that can be easily obtained and how long it lasts. Having a bit of mass on the end of the snath helps make for a smooth ride to the cut, too, with less strain on the muscles.

[@johnnybhoy4278]

@@FortyTwoBlades that's interesting. So the heavier blade makes for easier work. I'm in the market for a garden blade next and a new anvil. I have the jig type for beginners. I love mowing with a scythe so I can listen to my headphones etc.

[@alexbelle3941]

Nothing like old world tech. This is also healthier for the lawn as well. Never used one of these tools but I have used a Reel Mower.

[@ct5390]

your technique is something to strive for. Just got my aluminum snath today to go with my american scythe and you definitely make it look easy. I have to keep practicing.

[@FortyTwoBlades]

Just have to have everything tuned up right and then use the right movements. When done right, it *is* easy, but getting all of those factors lined up right is the part most folks have to troubleshoot! One of the biggest common issues is simply not having the edge thin and crisp enough, or with enough of a tooth to the scratch pattern. An edge that will easily slice flesh may not be keen enough for cutting grass.

[@TapioBlue]

I got a bush scythe from an elderly friend here in Ontario Canada. I'm surprised how well it works for trail clearing. Cuts sapling up to 3/4" and berry bushes are a breeze. I cleaned the rust with a flap sanding disc on the grinder and final sharpen with a file. It has a fat aluminum handle ( 1 1/2" D ) and the grip nuts need to be worked loose so I can position and properly tighten them. The blade doesn't seem to lay flat enough relative to the ground. Encouraged to buy a proper set-up but I'll see if I can tweak this one for now. I used a scythe for hay as a youngster and it sure is fun digging into this topic.

[@vinnettepope8255]

Thank you for sharing this wonderful ❤️ video 👌 tutorial on using an American scythe.

[@poisonedking4346]

Man I need to get one of those

[@mikeh9710]

Holy hell thank you bro I knew sumn wuz off , not with technique but the application and direction of the curve of the American style

[@FortyTwoBlades]

Most often they're found with the blade in extremely rough condition, and the tang angle not set. The blade needs to be considerably more thin and keen than most folks are accustomed to even with tools like knives, and they usually need a liberal application of elbow grease to get them functioning properly. When the snaths are properly slimmed down and the blades tuned up, they'll mow with the best of them.

[@laverneh2030]

So silent I love it. Use to get the hard to reach spots with something of that order. Miss it too.

[@marymadalenem2351]

Mesmerizing been watching diff video for days I need to get one. Blessings

[@markmarquardt8016]

I am going to buy one of these, hand it to my kid and tell him to mow the yard. The look on his face will be priceless.

[@t3topic264]

He gone mistake it for the fortnite pickaxe and attempt to harvest wood lmaooo

[@morescodesup2087]

Hopefully he doesn’t cut your toes of

[@working2bselfsufficient724]

Record it plz lol

[@0sergey1]

Any updates on this?

[@wesleyofficer1237]

Very clean mowing! Thanks for sharing Ben.

[@NoneofyourBusiness-hy5ln]

I had no idea scythes did such a clean job.

[@northbaseuk882]

I could watch that action all day! Man I'm getting old...

[@Heyalth]

this used to be regular routine, now people are using it as therapy or exercise... seems to me like humans are sliding backwards

[@joepike1972]

Or they took a wrong turn and making a correction for it.

[@bryanbridges2987]

Heyalth Or we've made such leaps and bounds in technology that we don't need scythes anymore, and thus only use them for fun. I think that sounds about right.

[@ashesofhopesinabonfireofdr6341]

@@bryanbridges2987 or we've become so lazy that we'd pollute and kill our planet just to save some effort.

[@CHEEKYMONKEY1618]

Years ago everyone had horses and only the wealthy had cars, Now everyone has cars and only the wealthy have horses !!!

[@knyt_mayor]

1:25 Cool cat be like "EZ hooman

[@AberBraham]

The curve on this scythe looks like it's a lot more comfortable to use than the straight handle one. You don't have to bend down as much.

[@FortyTwoBlades]

With either style one shouldn't have to bend over more than the simple tilt at the waist to set one's rate of advance. But I definitely prefer the curved American snath.

[@MrPocketfullOfSteel]

Fantastic job there young man!👏👏👏👏💪 Well done. As always.😁

[@FortyTwoBlades]

Why, thank you! :D

[@dantist32]

Oh! I always thought it was used to collect the souls of the damned!

[@masonr2624]

Dny Choong it can do 2 things

[@dagonfirechimera]

Dny Choong yeah, you can collect the souls if the grass too

[@Spuggy357]

Dny Choong it's for harvesting

[@stephenleaf3848]

You can only collect souls once your finished mowing your lawn with one. Gotta get the chores done 1st you know.

[@floormatt4131]

Gun.

[@megatazuar]

Wow, it's an art by itself.

[@melrichardson2392]

Who needs a gym!!!

[@EnsoLLC]

I want to buy one this for some rice farmer in my hometown. Theyre still bending down on their back to cut down the rice plant with a sickle , this will speed things up.

[@FortyTwoBlades]

In the harvesting of grains, the stalks need to be kept in alignment, which is a given with sickles. For a scythe to harvest grains it needs a cradle added to catch the cut stalks and hold them together. You can see the technique of using a grain cradle in this old stock film, although he's harvesting oats. www.criticalpast.com/video/65675066806_wheat-field_cutting-wheat_binding-shocks_stalks-of-wheat_cutting-with-hand-scythe

[@EnsoLLC]

I see the same design in the "Scythe Project in India 2016" I just watched on youtube. I want to do the same thing for Vietnam. Scythe is only in Western culture, most people in Asia dont know about it.

[@FortyTwoBlades]

They're wonderful tools, and it's interesting how their use remained mostly confined to Europe, North America, and Australia, other than a few other isolated regions.

[@Vikalp]

Hi Enso...you can visit us anytime you want in India...the scythe project is in full swing in India and will soon expand to Bangladesh, Thailand, Pakistan and Nepal...We would love to help you do the same for Vietnam

[@bryanbridges2987]

Enso ,LLC Wow, really? I can't imagine bending down and cutting enough rice to feed my country with a sickle. Dear lord!

[@melrichardson2392]

Love this guy what a awesome tool long forgotten rather do this than push a stupid lawn mower.

[@donbags5542]

I saw a video of a guy that does this for hire, and he never lifts the blade from the ground when he's mowing. He even says you don't lift the blade...drag it lightly on the ground. The guy in this video lifts it on the the return stroke.

[@FortyTwoBlades]

That''s because of the rate of advance being in excess of what one could achieve if dragging the blade on the ground. The reason for that "rule" is to keep people from lifting the blade way up off the ground and hacking with it. When you understand the rules, you can bend the rules. The speed I was going at would have caused me to trip over myself if I didn't lift the blade. Watch scythe racing videos and you'll see that lifting the blade in those circumstances is the norm. :)

[@donbags5542]

@@FortyTwoBlades Again...this guy does this for hire, not for fun. His rules are for making it efficient for him. Racing is one thing: but doing it for hours on end...all of a sudden saving energy by not lifting the blade completely off the ground makes a whole lot of sense. It's the tortoise that won the race, not the hare.

[@hankwang8324]

Powerful strokes. Impressive

[@mikeminden1090]

Nice. I like to let my yard grow and bloom for the sake of the pollinators, then try to cut it before the grasses release their hay-fever inducing pollen. That leaves a narrow space on the calendar to get it done: let it go too long and it's almost impossible with the gas push mower and the sneezing. (It'll grow eight feet where I let it.) However, my yard is very lumpy and uneven, so that the surface is a hindrance even to a large-wheeled push mower when the grass is short. The string trimmer is noisy, messy, itchy, sweaty, and involves the least pleasant hours spent outdoors. How would a scythe manage uneven ground, without scraping into the high spots and missing the low spots? By the way, I read many of the comments here: you not only make mowing look easy, you communicate well and with equanimity even when rudely challenged.

[@FortyTwoBlades]

Scythes work wonderfully uneven ground, though it naturally requires more experience to mow well than flat ground. In general one would want a little more "crown" (gradual upward curvature) to the blade to deal with bumpy ground, and the smaller the width of those depressions, the shorter and more heavily crowned of a blade you'll want. Think of it as making the blade more like a scoop. Such a blade does leave a less even stubble on flat ground, though, so it's about striking the right balance!

[@creeperking0017]

just make ur yard a garden by that point

[@billingersoll1266]

Now I know how good this tool is!

[@Erik-ti3sp]

1:38 sir your dog is escaping

[@FortyTwoBlades]

Barn cat. ;)

[@vaspinxboi8492]

Looks like a cat

[@TechCarnivore1]

No, it can't be a cat. After reexamining the video in depth I now believe it's a pet lizard of some kind.

[@afrog2666]

Lizard people in disguise ;)

[@Darkness19Z]

Ok i have to walk in this I work for illuminati and that is clearly a fucking alien you fucking Idiots and now that I told you this I have to put yall down.

[@JanColdwater]

Nice arch strokes!

[@theobserver2674]

American scythe is ergonomic.

[@FortyTwoBlades]

Absolutely! Though other global styles, when done well, are ergonomic as well, the American sort is one of the few snath styles that allow for altering the rotation of the grips around the shaft of the snath, which allows for very fine adjustment!

[@KazarSanaga]

I recently bought an Austrian style scythe and I'm running into issues cutting my lawn. Video after video I see of scything a lawn and you're all cutting through it like butter, but even working on my form and trying to make sure the blade is properly angled, etc; and it's not really having the same result. My best cuts, keeping the blade to the ground, so far still leave about 4" of grass when my preferred length to aim for is about 2".

[@FortyTwoBlades]

It's very possible that your geometry isn't thin enough, that your edge is smooth and polished rather than toothy, is insufficiently crisp and has a burr or wire edge on it, or that your stroke style is a poor match for the curves of your particular blade. There's lots of possible contributing factors, but those are the most likely culprits based on your description.

[@KazarSanaga]

@@FortyTwoBlades The model I have was brought from Lee Valley and the blade is the "PC501 - Scythe Blade" on their site. It's a 29” blade. The grasses that I'm dealing with are St Augustine and Bermuda. Hopefully this info can narrow it down a little.

[@andrewgarratt5191]

Just fixed one I found in a barn... weed eater = $125 scythe = free ! 😁 much to my landladys approval I cut the backyard with it,I could not believe how well it works on thick wet grass....WAY better than a cheap weed eater....kinda fun too. The front yard however is very thin dry grass...it kinda looks like pigpins hair now. What did they do right next to trees and walls back in this tools.. HAY-day ?? I don’t think the answer is “slipping the blade between the wall and grass and snatching back fast” I got frustrated and just yanked out all the hard to get to stuff.

[@FortyTwoBlades]

For up against objects either the blade must be kept well-pointed at the toe and the spine ridden up against the obstacle like a guide, or else a grass hook would be used for trimming work of that nature. Depending on the shape of the toe on your blade, the former technique may or may not be especially viable, as many blades made for rough field mowing conditions have fairly broad-angled toes designed to deflect off hillocks and rocks, and the angle of presentation you'd need to get such a tip to cut effectively in that manner would be uncomfortable. But if the toe of your blade is fine enough, it works quite nicely.

[@andrewgarratt5191]

FortyTwoBlades well thank you 👍🏽😁 Never heard of a “grass hook”...but I just google imaged it and know where I can get one for super cheap. I must have me the rough,field type... I’m gonna research and know a lot more tonight,seeing you in the video I know my swings all wrong,I look like I’m auditioning for a new kill bill sequel, You’ve got grace happening. Thanks again, I’ll know exactly what I’m doing in a very short while.

[@davidsferrazzo]

This should be put on one of those satisfying vids

[@SkillCult]

Looks like you have that thing tuned up pretty well. I gave up on American blades and snaths a long time ago. I never could get the handles set up comfortably and they were always moving around. Had to put pieces of leather and cardboard and stuff under there to try to keep them in place, but it never seemed to work. The aluminum is light, but the wood are quite heavy. The last handle I made was straight, but I need to make another that fits me better. Still, it seems far better than any American style I've tried before. I bookmarked your site, will check out your American pattern scythe stuff later.

[@FortyTwoBlades]

You can shave wooden ones down to appropriate weight. I consider a good wooden snath for general purpose mowing as weighing no more than 2lb 12oz including all hardware. If your nibs weren't gripping properly then the bands needed tuning so they could clamp properly. See this video on how to do it: kzbin.info/www/bejne/eqHal4Sbaqp-a5o Note that in that video I use a larger number of lighter blows than I normally do, as I'm trying more carefully to preserve the round shape of the band. I usually use a heavy cross-pein hammer on my conventional anvil to get the band down to rough size, then true it up on the blowhorn anvil. You can improvise various methods of attaining the same result, as you're not likely to have such an anvil available to you. When doing these using my usual method it takes only about 2 minutes but me to completely reshape the band to the proper size and shape.

[@SkillCult]

It makes sense I suppose that modern wood snaths are overly thick just like a lot of axe handles are now. Still it would seem that quite a lot more thickness would be required for a curved wooden snaths to retain shape over time. I've seen a lot of old wooden snaths and don't recall any that were what I'd call light. Given that the blades are also heavier by quite a lot the traditional American scythe would necessarily seem a lot heavier. I know the Vidos seems to think that lighter is better, pretty much as light as you can make them as far as I can tell. I know Peter told me I wouldn't realize the full potential of the scythe until I got into a very light tool. Do you think there is any advantage to the extra weight, or what's your take on that? feel free to point me to something you've written. I haven't read through your site yet. Looks awesome though. I have a mandrel I made for the hardy hole from an axel for that sort of thing, but got rid of American snaths a while ago. I still see them quite a bit though.

[@FortyTwoBlades]

To start off, disregard what the Vidos say when it comes to American scythes. They have little to no knowledge of them and how they work. :) Lighter scythes are easier to set in motion, but are also more easily stopped by the vegetation you're cutting. A heavier unit provides a flywheel effect that is useful in heavier growth. As most of the work in using a scythe is actually in carrying the weight of the cut material through the swath, the load is highest at the end of the stroke. With light scythes--especially European ones--this is very noticeable, and you end up with a sharp spike in required energy input at the end of the stroke that will beat you up quickly in dense growth unless you slow to a snail's pace. With a heavier scythe initial input is stored as inertia that is released at the end of the stroke. This levels out the required energy input across the stroke, increasing it at the start but lowering it at the end, and this helps keep you in the aerobic zone. I've put together American scythes with wooden snaths that only weight 4lb 4oz in total, including the 30" grass blade. That's lighter than just the snath of a Scythe Supply scythe.

[@SkillCult]

we'll I'd certainly thought of the inertia factor in both cases, but that's something that can't be assessed on theory alone. You're going to have me looking for American scythes to try it out myself :) I've passed up piles of them through the years. Most of the wood handles were seriously ponderous things to put it mildly. You and Peter have very similar approaches to tools and to understanding and explaining things. He's also brilliant and ultimately seeks the truth. Everybody is surely wrong about something or has a limited perspective, in which we have to include ourselves if we are going to sidestep the trap of building constructs on misassumptions. That may be the ultimate lesson in truth seeking. You guys should be allies (not to be confused with being in agreement :).

[@FortyTwoBlades]

We're on friendly terms with one another, even if we butt heads often. That being said, I'd say he seeks authority rather than seeking truth, in the strictest sense. He enjoys being considered the global scythe guru, despite his outward modesty regarding it. He holds many pseudo-scientific and New Age mystic beliefs, such as peening somehow causing electromagnetic mumbojumbo in the edge of blades, when blows from a hammer will actually demagnetize steel. I have much to write on the technical aspects of how scythes of all types function, and what strengths and weaknesses various global styles have from an engineering perspective, but haven't had time to get them all down yet, especially as they require a lot of diagrams to make sense to a person reading from afar. Ultimately a good scythe is a good scythe, regardless of style. Peter has done much to popularize scything in the modern era, and his approach IS one that works, but so do many others. I have and use European scythes, but overwhelmingly prefer a well-tuned American. Just bear in mind that if you pick up a vintage one it will need a LOT of work to restore it to ready-to-mow condition.

[@melissagoetz8847]

Beautifully amazing!

[@joshuanagel4535]

I think a European Scythe with a 90cm Falci or Gina's blade is just as quick, but it's also more ergonomic and comfortable on your back and arms

[@FortyTwoBlades]

Joshua Nagel it sounds like perhaps you haven't used an American pattern much. :) A good scythe of any pattern is just that--a good scythe. And this is a good scythe.

[@HipposHateWater]

@@FortyTwoBlades I see a lot of people having this same conversation all over the place lol. Is there a difference in technique or something that may have lead to this misunderstanding?

[@macmurfy2jka]

Nice. Appears to be about as fast as a powered push mower.

[@FortyTwoBlades]

+macmurfy2jka And it allows me to cut selectively, avoiding bird nests, snakes, flowers, etc. while turning the cut vegetation into a useful harvest for our animals. :)

[@FrederickDunn]

You said it right there! Avoiding cutting snakes and other slow moving critters. I have over 8 acres to cut, so can't do it all this way, BUT, I can use it in the areas where I most frequently see snakes. My goats appreciate the cuttings... hate using the tractor for many reasons...

[@TheJPDunn]

I was going to ask what you did with the cut grass. My experience is with horses and I think they'd colic if allowed to eat that much at one time. I don't think a goat's stomach is that sensitive. :)

[@FortyTwoBlades]

These horses have been pastured, not paddocked, and are accustomed to eating green lush grass. They've never colicked as a result, but those just introducing their horses to fresh cut green feed would want to introduce it slowly so that their digestion could adjust. The larger concern regarding colic from feeding grass trimmings is those cut with a power mower, which shreds and minces the grass. The scythe leaves the stalks whole, and so it's no different than turning the horse out on fresh pasture.

[@garethbaus5471]

@@TheJPDunn it is also possible to turn the grass into hay if you have the time, and a rake.

[@nneo100]

Scythe ASMR!!!! I got to get me some land.

[@JoeZelensky]

I just bought one of those exact ones from someone and was wondering how to set it up.

[@FortyTwoBlades]

Check our website for maintenance equipment and our links and reading section for the instructional material we have on our blog! We have detailed instructions for beginners. byxco.com/ site.baryonyxknife.com/blog/?p=6

[@user-zz6mk2em6c]

Молодец, работяга, уважаю.

[@metsrus]

Bruce Lee: I fear the man who has practiced one scythe stroke 10,000 times

[@Voliere-infoNl]

1. keep it on the ground, weight you don't have to lift won't make you tired. 2. walk in a circle, then the swath will be in the allready mowed area instead of to-be mowed area.

[@FortyTwoBlades]

1. It *is* on the ground and the rate at which I was advancing necessitates a small lift or else I'd be tripping over it. 2. That only works when you're planning on clearing the entire space and know when you'll be done. Different approaches work better under different circumstances. Experience with actually using a scythe will make this abundantly evident.

[@GoreTorn16]

You all know why it is called a Scythe right? Because that is the sound it makes when you make a clean smooth cut.

[@FortyTwoBlades]

Not true, but a happy coincidence. It derives from the old English/proto-Germanic "siðe", which comes from the proto-Indo-European "sek" meaning "to cut".

[@GoreTorn16]

@@FortyTwoBlades Cool facts. I was just making a gest haha

[@cbr600rrturbo]

You make cutting grass look cool

[@axeandturtle]

Most satisfying video!!

[@gblan]

On Halloween you can be the American Grim Reaper.

[@willievanhetkerkhof286]

Its not the original technique but it is very effective. he should use his arms less and his hips more. Now he gets tired quicker than with the original technique, but it effective, every cut is at least 1 foot x 6 foot (30cm x 2 mtr). I have a small garden and i use the wrong technique too. But farmers did it different in the past.

[@FortyTwoBlades]

Actually, this is fully correct form for the American pattern. The arms are used in tandem with the torso and legs to distribute the load evenly across the whole body. The stroke uses the right hand as the pivot, which has more mechanical advantage than when using a left-hand pivot. Between this and the exceptionally keen blade, very little effort is coming from any particular part of the body.

[@willievanhetkerkhof286]

In the last seconds he makes mistakes, cuts in the ground, he is tired. he should do his legs not so far away from eachother and use his hips instead of his shoulders.

[@-iIIiiiiiIiiiiIIIiiIi-]

Who needs a bowflex?

[@frasermay7825]

It's worth remembering that this style of bent snath is still used be some here in the British Isles and in Northwestern Europe, from where it went to America with the first settlers.

[@FortyTwoBlades]

Absolutely false. The American snath was wholly developed in the United States in the early to mid 19th Century by Silas Lamson (shape of the snath), Pinckney Frost (loop bolt blade fastening) and Joseph and Erasmus Clapp (twist-to-tighten nibs) and was exported to the UK where it supplanted most of the native UK snath varieties.

[@FortyTwoBlades]

While it's true that they are still in use in the UK today, and that some UK snath producers made American style snaths (and labeled them as such in their catalogs) it is in no way a British invention. They were also sold in great quantity to Australia, and some smaller quantity also found their way to the Nordic nations, especially Sweden. But it is a uniquely 19th Century American invention distinct from UK snath styles.

[@muellermade4857]

@@FortyTwoBlades When did they stop producing this style of scythe do you know?

[@PhatRobsOils]

1.5 2.0 speed so much more amusing

[@TheBrownieSundownHD]

See, it's cool and all, and seems very efficient compared to something like a weedwacker for doing the edges of property/fences/trees, but you just don't get a consistent height and in the current time, it's much more efficient to have a large lawn mower.

[@FortyTwoBlades]

Actually it totally depends on your skill and the rig you have set up. For lawn work I use a modified 48" grain cradle blade and get a surface finish nearly as to just as good as with a mechanical mower. However, I in no way discourage people from using machines where appropriate. The scythe is an exceptional companion to machine work, and it's about matching capabilities to their best applications, which is often determined by the volume you're clearing, the mix of vegetation, and the terrain. There are lots of places where you have ground that's too soft and marshy or slopes that are too steep for mechanical mowers, or places along the periphery where the machines don't reach. There are lots of other advantages as well, but I'll not write a novel here. :)

[@howardwayne3974]

That was me so many years ago !

[@brendonhenry8835]

Loved it

[@BaeLasso]

i use the electric mower, it's not that noise as the petrol ones, no need to wear earplugs, you may have a try.. and save your back...

[@FortyTwoBlades]

Save my back from what exactly? It's very relaxing and easy work.

[@BaeLasso]

save the back pain when you get older, say 50 or 60 yo, we may young now and full of energy, but pains come later down the road, my old neighbour told me...

[@FortyTwoBlades]

Yeah it's not producing ANY back strain if used correctly. These old duffers are still mowing just fine, and historically it's generally been considered that the older you get the better you scythe since it's a tool that relies on technique and finesse, not strength. kzbin.info/www/bejne/pKDCfmqNqseiZ6M

[@Bluemanboss101]

I like to take my grass after a cutting and put it in my juicer and then fill up my bathtub with it for a nice soak after a hard days work :)

[@callmetatersalad132]

Oh wow i cant find a complete scythe, but for a blade and handle its only a little over 100 usd. Thats not to bad at all i think i want to try this out.

[@FortyTwoBlades]

Be sure to buy from a specialist instead of from a general retailer like Amazon. They don't come ready-to-mow from the factory and so need additional work if order to be brought up to that condition. To the best of our knowledge we're the only shop that offers American scythes ready to mow right now.

[@charliesymons1409]

because you are doing it backwards all your trimmings/harvest will be trampled on when you cut the next lane. not massively efficient. if you do it so that all your harvest ends on the opposite side to the standing grass then you don't have to collect it all before cutting the next lane.

[@charliesymons1409]

you started badly but ended well

[@FortyTwoBlades]

I'm Not Called Albino Panther As noted in other comments it was done deliberately to show the action clearly from that side. It's not how I'd mow usually. ;)

[@charliesymons1409]

FortyTwoBlades oh ok that makes sense

[@Vaderghost20]

When you can't find gas anymore for your lawn mower

[@davebean2886]

What are the pros and cons of aluminum vs wood snaths for American scyths?

[@FortyTwoBlades]

Wood is able to be made more robust than aluminum, and so is better for tackling heavy resistant growth like in heavy weed and bush work. Aluminum snaths are able to be lighter for a given requisite rigidity due to being hollow, and so excel for use in all less strenuous mowing (which 95% of my mowing is comprised of.)

[@swayzocrazo4398]

the cat went to its poachers spot to catch field mice. lol

[@FortyTwoBlades]

Yes that's pretty much exactly what she did. :)

[@emceha]

You started on wrong side, now grass is in your way.

[@FortyTwoBlades]

Don't worry--we're well aware of that! It was done deliberately to show the action clearly from that side. It's not how we'd go about it in the course of normal mowing.

[@TheAceTroubleshooter]

Its almost like a golf swing the way you swing a scythe.

[@FortyTwoBlades]

Nope nope nope. Not a golf swing at all. In fact, that's a common beginner mistake. Intuitively people always seem to want to swing them like golf clubs when it's more like a cross between sweeping a floor and paddling a canoe. :)

[@TheAceTroubleshooter]

Hmm... Interesting. I was assuming it was like a golf swing due to the rotation of the body/hip movement. Obviously taking to to more of a horizontal that a vertical movement of course. I saw it as combining the golf swing along with the swing of a weed eater. I would like to try this out for myself sometime soon!

[@FortyTwoBlades]

Bush hooks are a tool that uses a stroke more like a golf club, but those are used on growth too thick for a bush scythe and too light for an axe. :)

[@TheAceTroubleshooter]

Good to know! Will keep that in mind as I further my knowledge on such tools.

[@slashkuki3850]

Thank God .. American grasses are soft.

[@FortyTwoBlades]

Slash Kuki pardon? We have lots of kinds of grasses and many of them are not at all soft. The grass being cut here was chiefly timothy.

[@slashkuki3850]

By the way i like your schythe

[@heilogsl5405]

Wtf, this is way faster than a gas guzzling lawnmower. Why don't we all use these?

[@AverageGoofay]

You must have never mowed a lawn with a "gas guzzling lawnmower" then. Because this is way slower.

[@austinhenning4935]

Mustard Tiger I only know a few people who mow their lawn from inside the house

[@krikukiks]

Sythe isn't used for mowing because you can't cut as short grass with it It's hard to cut grass that has been trampled on If you cut old grass it will leave sharp cuts that are uncomfortable to walk on barefoot It is slightly slower than motorized options You have to pick up the cut hey, motorized options will pulverize the grass so don't really need to pick it up It takes skill to do, if you do it wrong you'll get tired fast More physical and mental effort even when done correctly Bet there is more, but you get the idea

[@BenjaminEsposti]

Better yet it lets you get exercise! But yeah, it won't work well on short grass.

[@EvulDali]

this is waaay slower and also crazy physically demanding. Looks easy but it is one of the hardest jobs you can do on a farm.

[@johno1544]

You reap what you sow. Grass in this case apparently.

[@FortyTwoBlades]

Pasture mix. Lots of timothy and red clover, especially.

[@theochasid8996]

I tried using this scyte and I couldn't cut the grass to such a short length, it felt like the blade was pitched in the wrong direction.

[@FortyTwoBlades]

Was it professionally ground and honed with the tang angle correctly adjusted for your height? If you purchased it off the shelf from another retailer then it would have needed some extra tuning before being ready to mow. See this guide for additional information: site.baryonyxknife.com/blog/2014/08/10/a-primer-on-the-selection-use-maintenance-of-the-american-scythe/

[@krnc1960]

Your cat photo bombed you

[@FortyTwoBlades]

She likes to do that. :D

[@carlosayala6754]

Awesome

[@pr0n3]

Mildly Satisfying fo sho.

[@joaotrindade4754]

Esses simmm sao dignos de likees

[@Patriotman54]

i need to buy one

[@angelahale7914]

I love in the green and rolling hills of WV .. . read: Steep slopes. How do you scythe on less than level ground? (read: steep slopes)

[@FortyTwoBlades]

Scythes actually held on as a common tool the longest in hilly areas that were too steep for mechanical mowers! Work from right to left so your blade is running downhill and you're working across the hillside rather than up or down it.

[@angelahale7914]

Have you (or anyone else ) done a tutorial?

[@FortyTwoBlades]

I don't have one on hand to demonstrate, but it's not too complex. One quickly discovers the best way to go about it in actual use as you mow. :)

[@gr8H8er]

FortyTwoBlades Often I find it easier to mow up hill, standing with my right foot slightly ahead of my left. That way gravity lends itself to my sling and I get a more even finish.

[@FortyTwoBlades]

One adapts their technique to the circumstances at hand, but for someone just starting out then working across the hill's face from right to left is safest and least likely to cause them to lance the hill with the toe of their blade. Once you get the hang of riding the ground properly then uphill can work well depending on the conditions. One thing to never do is mow downhill. If you fall you can land on the blade and you'd likely die as a result. You can find period mentions of people falling on their scythes from mowing downhill and it was the end of them.

[@agusetengchanel5838]

Good 👍

[@okaynistyak]

Где купить такую удобную косу? Подскажите,плиззз

[@OscarStigen]

What's the difference between an American Scythe and a normal Scythe? They were invented like 2000+ years ago

[@FortyTwoBlades]

The "normal" scythe you're referring to is, I take it, the European variety? If so, those were hardly invented 2000+ years ago. Their current form is an evolution from ever-earlier designs that far back, but the modern styles of scythes the world over represented iterative improvements and divergent paths in terms of what performance qualities received the greatest priority. American, English, and Nordic scythes belong to a lineage that could be described as having shared design priorities. Compared to the modern continental European scythe, American scythes are more rigid, hold an edge MUCH longer, are beveled by grinding rather than peening, and--while the blades are still quite light for their size, with a 30" grass blade weighing between 1lb 8oz to 1lb 12oz on average--they have heavier blades that employ a flywheel effect in the stroke to even out the energy requirements during mowing. Typical American snaths are steam bent rather than using a stemmed grip to put the hands in an ergonomic position, and the nibs (side handles) may be moved up or down the length or rotated around the shaft at will to afford sound control of the instrument. The blades are most commonly affixed to the snath using a loop bolt that will not slip or loosen like the European style set screw rings. Once clamped down, a ring bolt is locked solidly and the blade shan't budge from its mounted position.

[@gravitysports1]

Very well done! May I ask what was the second tool you used when sharpening?

[@FortyTwoBlades]

It's what's known as a "whipping stick". It's a piece of wood with a rounded oval cross section used to grab any microscopic misalignments of the edge and draw them out straight. 3 out of 4 times you stop to maintain your edge you can use only the stick instead of the stone, as edge micro-misalignment comprises the largest part of edge dulling rather than actual abrasive wear.

[@HipposHateWater]

​@@FortyTwoBlades Interesting to see that on a yard tool. Usually you only see stropping being done on stuff sharpened to a much higher level, like knives and straight razors. What's the general grit level on the stones used for scythes?

[@leifcian4288]

@@FortyTwoBlades hi, what kind of wood is appropriate for this use please?

[@FortyTwoBlades]

@@leifcian4288 just about anything is fine. The ones I use are made from 1/2" x 2" pine.

[@leifcian4288]

@@FortyTwoBlades Thanks for the reply :) Curious about the shape you've described also, will look through some more of your videos and do a few searches. I'm now investing a into scything a fair bit.

[@rayt3342]

Nice smooth form! AT 4:20 you're using your whetstone, then pull a longer object from your lest side and run the blade. It that just a dowel to pick up any sharp spurs from the burr? Keep up the good work. Thanks for your history knowledge you shared below. Interesting.

[@FortyTwoBlades]

It's what the Swedes call a "whipping stick". You can use a simple dowel, though this was made from a piece of 1/2" x 2" pine with the length rounded to an oval shape. It's sort of like a strop and is used to align any misalignments or micro-rolls in the edge. It greatly extends how long you can go before needing to actually use an abrasive stone on the edge, as well as making an excellent finishing step.

[@rayt3342]

Interesting and Thanks for the quick rely.

[@user-zz6mk2em6c]

Werry well!!!!!!!

[@JinaSolo]

Shouldn't the back/end handle be on the other side of the bar?

[@FortyTwoBlades]

No. American snaths are conventionally used with both nibs facing forward. 😊

[@joshhodge5540]

Should a single mower always return to the side of the field they started on to begin the next swath?

[@FortyTwoBlades]

josh hodge It depends on how you plan on tackling the space. You can progress in a spiral, return to the start and run another line, or simply double back and cut a double windrow, though it's easy to miss spots that way.

[@joshhodge5540]

Thanks!

[@alx252]

in the second Part Your mow path and Your mowmotion ;) is very wide. the sticking at the End of some of Your mowmotions ;) is the result. reduce it to 2/3 or 1/2 will be more effective and less tirering. im getting so mowmotional ;)

[@FortyTwoBlades]

Wasn't at all tiring. The input force and width/depth of the swath were properly matched but there was some old thatch in the grass in a few spots that occasionally resulted in an insignificant snag at the very end of the stroke. :)

[@chrisrodgers2590]

Anyone catch what he used to sharpen the blade?

[@FortyTwoBlades]

A couple of our scythe stones and a wooden "whipping stick" which is used much like a butcher's steel or strop to draw out any micro misalignments of the edge.

[@Paubu]

nice

[@cucogallegos9589]

If its American scythe can you please put a link where to shop for one, thank you.

[@FortyTwoBlades]

www.baryonyxknife.com/scac.html

[@trailblazerstory6445]

That is what a scythe was made for..... I never knew that Then why does the Grim reaper have one??

[@FortyTwoBlades]

The Grim Reaper and Father Time are depicted as carrying scythes because of the way that harvest with a scythe (reaping) must be done at the right time. Much as crops (whether grain or hay) must be harvested at the correct time, so too is it their duty to harvest souls when it is THEIR time.

[@MrBobby3340]

I am looking for recommendations on a scythe to purchase. Thanks.

[@FortyTwoBlades]

It's difficult for us to make a specific recommendation without knowing your height and intended context of use! Feel free to send us an email at [e-mail] if you'd like to discuss!

[@rjiggy07]

I think I found a way to lose that 20 lbs I've been needing to lose!!!

[@mikeg1032]

question.... using a scythe is more of a hobby than anything right? machines do it faster and better or no?

[@FortyTwoBlades]

Depends on the particular task. Machines are great at doing high volume removal in the absence of obstacles, but each machine can essentially do only one thing well, and there are places they can all necessarily go. A scythe can handle tasks normally performed by a lawn mower, weed whacker, bush hog, and sickle bar mower, and can go just about anywhere, while being dead silent and weighing only a few pounds that ride on the ground in use. And it starts every time and runs on breakfast. So it's great to use in conjunction with other tools for doing the cleanup work or spot-mowing in places you can't reach with other equipment or for spaces that are small enough that you can't justify the setup time and bulk of other methods. A scythe can also mow with pinpoint precision, and so when cleaning up around obstacles you'll sometimes find places that are too large for a string trimmer and too full of things to mow around for a walk-behind mower. So they're a wonderful tool to have even if you're able to afford all of the machines and their maintenance.

[@prakashrao998]

Where is available in India

[@FortyTwoBlades]

To ship packages the size of a scythe snath from the USA to India requires commercial quantities to become economically feasible, so you would need a business to invest in a quantity of them. Seymour Manufacturing produces them and you might contact them about a wholesale bulk purchase.

[@trackerbuckmann1627]

Hey, man. Your website won't let me add items to the cart. I want one.

[@FortyTwoBlades]

That's because we're out of stock! More arriving in a few days, so keep your eyes peeled for availability. :)

[@What..a..shambles]

I'm new to scything I have consumed as much info that I can glean off the internet...Is there any sense in weighting the end of an aluminium scythe so it's more balanced when lifting it with the lower nib? I'm primarily mowing rushes and thatch,I'm using a silicon carbide stone dry but I fear the blade will wear prematurely with this? should I be using a finer canoe stone with holder and water like in your other video now I have a sharp edge?there is two holes in the blade and I have seen others with a wire attached from said holes to the snath,is this for support or does it help with building a swath? I put one on but it was in the way of sharpening so I took it off . Thanks for the videos 👍🏻

[@FortyTwoBlades]

Are you located in the UK or Australia? With two holes in the base of the blade it's likely you have an English pattern blade rather than American. Grass nails (the rod connecting the blade and snath) are mostly to prevent grass from getting caught up in the heel of the blade and to provide a brace against the shaft of the snath due to their comparatively delicate tang design vs. American blades. Silicon carbide stones will not inherently result excessive wear--the performance properties of the specific stone and how you apply them will determine that.

[@What..a..shambles]

Thanks for the reply I'm in Ireland ,the blade says Sheffield on it but the makers name is illegible ,I bought a smaller NOS 24" bulldog I'm in the process of filing it..not much choice out there right now unless you go towards a new Austrian scythe...🍀

[@FortyTwoBlades]

@@What..a..shambles you can also use a resin-bond type A3 grinding point in an electric hand drill to do the work. If the blade is riveted construction don't be too bothered about keeping the edge centered, but if it's all forged as one piece then you need to keep the apex of the edge centered in the thickness of the steel, as it's likely a laminated blade and uneven grinding will cause your edge to be made of the supporting cladding iron instead of the edge steel.

[@What..a..shambles]

www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_nkw=A3+shaft&_trksid=p2334524.m4084.l1313&sid=midlandabrasives&isRefine=true. thanks for the explanation on edge centering with forged and riveted blades..I had watched your drill grind video and searched but came up with nothing but with a renewed search today and by rewatching and reading the description of the drill video I found this for sale and I think the white one is the one to go for ,I think it'll be handy for my hedge laying tools aswell ,I put in a week of evenings putting an edge on my new Yorkshire pattern billhook by hand last year 😅

[@jamesthreats5800]

Faster than a mower and no belly fat on you!!!!

[@elliottg5987]

Sir for fitment purposes might I ask, how tall are you?

[@FortyTwoBlades]

5' 9"