Our blade selection ranges from light grass blades to mid-weight ditch blades to heavy bush blades. All are manufactured in Austria and are available in various lengths. All of these blades (with the exception of bush blades) are versatile and can be called on to do more than just one task. This array of blades and their descriptions may bewilder you. If you'd like some friendly advice and guidance in making a choice, please email or phone and we'll be happy to help. You may also refer to our articles:
- Blade Selection Guidelines
- The Beauty of Scythes (from the June 2004 issue of Countryside Magazine)
- Sharpening & Honing
- Blade Repair
How we measure plus the sizes and weights of all our blades
The Blue and Gold standard blades are made for ScytheSupply by an Austrian company which has been forging scythe blades since 1540. These light weight blades are most often used for mowing hay fields, grain harvesting, and maintaining lawns. Individually hand hammered and tensioned they are beautifully balanced tools. They peen easily and hold a keen edge nicely so are often recommended to novice mowers. The edge of these blades has been well prepared by the factory but will require final sharpening before use. The tang angle of these blades makes them suitable for use on our bent or straight snaths.The 22"/55cm, 24"/60cm and 26"/65cm lengths are included in our standard Outfit package.
The grass pattern is available in 24"/60cm and 26"/65cm lengths. The 22"/55cm blade is a light weight ditch blade. It mows grass as well as the grass blades but is stronger for mowing where grass is intermixed with heavier weeds and light brush or year old saplings. Its short length makes it excellent for use for trimming along fences, stone walls, foundations, around garden beds and plants, or in confined areas. For a shorter length please refer to our 18"/45cm light ditch blade listed below.
We are also stocking grass blades in longer lengths of 28"/70cm, 32"/80cm and 36"/90cm. For a discussion on choosing a length click here.
Price for 22"/55cm, 24"/60cm or 26"/65cm
size: $60.
Long blade prices: 28"/70cm: $65, 32"/80cm: $70, 36"/90cm:
$75. order
The new ScytheSupply heavyweight ditch blades are in stock. These versatile blades can adapt to a variety of chores. All lengths make excellent grass blades suitable for mowing in open spaces, harvesting grain or cover crops. Ditch blades are especially built to handle mowing in fields where the grass is intermixed with heavy weeds, brush, berry canes, and young saplings up to ¼” in diameter at the base. As the name implies these blades were developed for clearing the light, mixed growth found along regularly maintained roadside ditches. These blades must be used on our bent snath. Because of the lower tang angle they do not function well on a straight snath.
Scythe Supply ditch blades are available in four lengths: 24"/60, 26"/65cm, 28"/70cm, 30"/75cm .
If you prefer a shorter, lighter weight ditch blade please consider our 18"/50cm Ditch Blade, 22"/55cm Scythe Supply Standard Blade, sizes 20"/50 cm & 22"/55cm. For a left hand blade consider our Diamant Stahl 22"/55 cm or 24"/60cm ditch blade.
Ditch Blade pricing: 24"/60cm & 26"/65cm – $60; 28"/70cm - $65; 30"/75cm - $70. order
For those of you who need a short, tough blade.
Several years ago we offered an 18"/45cm ditch blade manufactured by the Redtenbacher Company of Austria. Because of its popularity and limited supply the stock ran out quickly. We have found a new supply of blades recently manufactured to the original specifications and are pleased to offer these superior blades again.
This ditch blade easily reaches into those tight places around and between garden beds, plantings and is excellent for trimming light, woody plants, berry canes, heavy weeds, etc. The short length gives great maneuverability and ease when cutting close. It mows grass as well as handling woody plants up to pencil thickness (experienced mowers will find it cuts thicker stuff, too). The blade weighs 14 oz.
Suited for our bent snath but can be fitted to a straight snath. Similar in design to our grass blades but deeper in the web from beard to toe providing more strength to cut heavier materials than just grass. - $60. order
The 22"/55cm blade shown above is listed with our standard grass blades.
We call this our Heidi and Peter blade; the label tells it all. The blades were manufactured in the 1970's by the Austrian company Redtenbacher for sale in the U.S.
The blades are 26”/65cm long and weigh about 17 ounces. That’s 2 ounces heavier than our 26” standard grass blade and 3 ounces lighter than our regular 26” ditch blade. If you need a light weight, strong ditch blade this is a very good one. The tang is tapered to fit a snath with a narrow D-ring clamp. The small hole in the tang fits over a peg or bolt clamp on certain metal snaths but this blade will fit our clamping arrangement with no problem. The taper allows for more hafting angle adjustment.
We have found this blade very handy around our farm for mowing field grasses or mature weeds around the gardens. The edge holds up very well in mowing conditions that will normally damage the thinner grass blades.
All in all, this is a very good blade. Owning one may bring you love. - $60 order
To order as part of your outfit, specify the TOPS blade in the comment box on our order form.
Bush blades are heavy, short and rugged. They are specialized for the business of cutting woody stems and coarse brush. They have limited versatility and are not good all-around blades. We recommend bush blades only for extreme conditions. We use this style blade to thin small spruce & fir saplings in our woods. A ditch blade can handle a wider range of coarse weeds, light brush, grass and is more adaptable. The bush blades mount on a straight snath only. For more information on bush blades, we recommend reading the following articles:
Styria Bush Blades come in three sizes 16”/40 cm, 18”/45 cm & 20”/50 cm. The 16” blade is excellent for culling closely spaced saplings in a woodlot. Because of its length you can easily pick and choose which trees to keep and which to remove. The extra length of the 20” makes it great for cutting a wide swath through thick growths of heavy bushes such as hardhack (Spirea tomentosa) and meadowsweet (Spirea latifolia) or berry canes. The 18” is a fine compromise between the two. Any of these blades will handle light saplings up to ¾" diameter at the base. The 20"/50cm is also available in a Left Hand pattern. Price of each $70. order
We have in stock the following sizes for Left Hand Blades:
24"/60cm Scythe Supply Grass Blade - $60, 28"/70cm Vindabona Grass Blade - $65. We also have left handed 22"/55cm and 24"/60cm Diamant Stahl Ditch Blades (see photo below, color may vary) - temporarily out of stock - $60; a 20"/50cm Stryia Bush Blade - $70; Styria left hand 50 cm sickles are $35. order
Used for trimming in very small spaces: around bushes, buildings and
trees. The sickle measures 20"/50cm from
tip to handle along the back (Ruckenlange). This handy tool is ideal for your small mowing needs. Sharpens
with hammer and whetstone. Sharpening included in price. Right handed: #2211; Left handed: #2311. $35. order
;) Click above image for detail view. |
Made of sturdy canvas with grommets set at open end to hold your blade key. [Click for detail]. These covers will protect your blades and provide a measure of safety when storing or traveling. Available in four sizes: # 4018 16", 18" & 20" bush blades; # 4026 fits 22", 24" & 26" blades; # 4030 fits 28" & 30" blades; # 4036 fits 32"-36" blades. Will fit right or left handed blades. $12, all sizes. order |
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Blade Sharpening Service – We will sharpen any of our blades to a level that is ready for mowing. If you've never sharpened a blade before, this option gives you a standard to use for comparison. This service extends to old blades that you'd like peened but are unsure of your abilities to do a good job. $10 (blades up to 28"), $15 (blades longer than 28"). Sharpening with purchase of an outfit is $7.
Blade Repair Service – edges can become damaged from contact with hard objects. Repair usually means using a flat file to remove the split or gouged section, reshaping the edge, then peening and honing (described in "The Scythe Book", addendum, chapter 8, page 156). If you've hit "the big one" or otherwise think you've ruined your blade, we will try to restore it to useable condition. Fees range from $20 for moderate damage and vary depending on the severity of damage. Inquire about particulars. Do not give up on that blade, we may be able to fix it. For more information see our article on blade repair.
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