Using a scythe to cut grass

Sometimes the old ways are best. Scythe lawn mowing was once a very common way to manage high grasses. In many countries it is still the preferred tool since a scythe is portable and easy to manage.

The answer is yes and there are many people in the UK doing just that! Lawn mowing can be a test of a scythers skill, it takes some thought and practice to do well. Here is a summary of the factors you need to consider if you are thinking of scything a lawn. Part 1 is about your lawn; Part 2 will be about your scythe and blade; and Part 3 about scything techniques for short grass. Lawns as we know them arose in 17th century England at the homes of large, wealthy landowners. Beyond the ha-ha , vegetation was controlled with livestock.

Using a scythe to cut grass

Champion mower Simon Damant shows how to wield one safely. The air is filled with birdsong and the buzz of insects as Simon Damant mows the meadows on the Wimpole Estate where he works as a forester. The scythe in his hands makes barely a whisper as it slices effortlessly through a stand of grass and wildflowers in a wide arc. The tool he is using might look primitive but, Simon passionately believes, it has yet to be bettered, whether you are cutting small garden meadows or the paths in your allotment. Simon is a regular champion at national scything competitions and has made good on this claim in strictly adjudicated conditions on many occasions. Even so, by the Second World War many in the UK had largely abandoned this traditional low-cost, low-impact tool in favour of motorised lawn mowers and combine harvesters. Only the Grim Reaper and a niche group of environmental enthusiasts kept hold of their scythes. And then Poldark hit our screens. The scene in which actor Aidan Turner stripped off his shirt for a spot of sweaty mowing was voted the best TV moment of by Radio Times readers and suddenly everyone was interested again. Good technique is key, both for safety and efficiency, which is why Simon encourages beginners to get a bit of hands-on training. The Scythe Association website is a good first port of call. Instead of battling with temperamental starter cords and smelly engines you discover that, as with all the best gardening jobs, there is real joy to be had from working in tune with nature. If you're not convinced scything is for you, here's the best cordless mowers. As a skilled mower, Simon uses very little energy to wield his scythe. Rotating from the hips, he slides the blade along the ground from right to left, simultaneously moving his weight from right to left foot.

You may need to fine tune the set up if you have problems mowing. Mowers working on a larger scale favour a longer blade, up to 90cm although the average is 75cmfor obvious reasons, however, this will also be more prone to damage and harder to wield effectively.

One Scythe Revolution. Whetstone Holders. Secale multicaule. Contact Info Reviews In the media Links. How to Mow with a Scythe. I have created some virtual workshops to help you start out successfully with the European scythe. Start slow and first get a feel for the cutting action of the blade.

JavaScript seems to be disabled in your browser. For the best experience on our site, be sure to turn on Javascript in your browser. The scythe is an instrument used to cut grass or shrub. It was used extensively in Europe and North America until the early twentieth century, after which it went out of favor as farm mechanization progressed. However, the scythe is gaining new interest among small farmers in the West, and could be a useful tool for farmers in the tropics who do not have the resources to buy expensive mowing equipment. This becomes more important with the increasing demand for dairy and meat products in developing countries.

Using a scythe to cut grass

Champion mower Simon Damant shows how to wield one safely. The air is filled with birdsong and the buzz of insects as Simon Damant mows the meadows on the Wimpole Estate where he works as a forester. The scythe in his hands makes barely a whisper as it slices effortlessly through a stand of grass and wildflowers in a wide arc.

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However if I do go that way I will certainly let you and lowimpact know how I do! A European scythe has a straight handle and a thin, curved blade. It's a precision mowing tool. The resulting cut grass makes excellent hay for fodder. A sharp blade is easier to work with and produces a neater cut. Trimming around young trees and other desirable plants. Please sign up to receive our monthly mailout. You will have to shorten your stroke some, but you can definitely mow a slope. After that, mechanization methods took over. If you plan on cutting a lot of grass at a 6-inch height, I would suggest lowering the grips on your adjustable snath and using a light grass blade, to make it more comfortable on your arms. Look carefully at how the grass is lying and mow so that it is leaning away from you and towards the right.

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As short grass is more challenging to mow, letting your lawn grow longer between mowings will help your learning process a lot. A scythe can cut a swath of grass 6 feet 1. Gardening tips, videos, info and more delivered right to your inbox! The European version is made of alloyed steel that is easier to peen than the American tool. The stems were too big to use as mulch, so I created a compost stack with them. With good technique and a sharp blade you can push the limits of how high above the base of the grass plant that you can mow. Only the rich could afford to pay for the labour needed, so a lawn was a mark of wealth and status. Then the rest of the curve of the blade escalates the initial sliding cut into a slicing cut. The versatile scythe requires frequent peening and stoning. Length of blade is another choice. It is important to protect the back, so developing an easy sweeping style can minimize pain and discomfort. A European scythe has a straight handle and a thin, curved blade.