Scythe Supply FAQs

Some commonly asked questions and my answers.

>Aren't all scythes the same?
There are two general types, the American and the European The common perception of a scythe is the familiar American pattern that is found in practically every antique store and barn. This is the instrument of torture that sent our ancestors to an early grave and has given the scythe its terrible reputation in this country. But, there is another style of scythe, developed and refined in Europe more than 500 years ago and still used and respected there. This scythe has a thin hammered blade that is curved and tensioned, making it light weight, strong and stiff. It takes time and skill to make a blade like this, which is why American industry changed the pattern to favor efficient manufacture rather than efficient use. So, when we talk about the scythe we are referring to the European style.

>What about having to keep the scythe sharp?
This is explained in detail Workshop #1 & 2
The following will sound complex and time consuming but in the end it is no more bother than sharpening a lawn mower blade.
The cutting edge of the European scythe is hammered (Dengled) in preparation for honing. It is not ground on a grindstone or wheel. The cutting edge (a zone of about 1/8 to 1/16 inch) is dressed with a cross peen hammer on a small domed anvil. This draws the metal out thin and work hardens it. Nowadays there is a peening jig contraption available that allows practically anyone to accomplish this. After hammering, the blade is sharpened and maintained with a whetstone. The whetstone can quickly renew the edge in the field (We can do a 28" blade in about 15 seconds). Honing can be done as often as every 5 minutes, it becomes second nature and provides a moment to pause and relax. When the edge has been worn back by the stone through repeated honing, the blade must be re-hammered. For the casual user (depending on use) this may be an interval of weeks.

>For quite small areas of mostly grass, the constant sharpening needed for scythe work is not too much hassle. Suburban trimming probably fits this scale. For any significant area, we have done 2-3 times as fast with a string trimmer than with the scythe.
The old standard is for a good mower to cut at least an acre per day. The European scythe can cover large areas easily. An experienced mower can cover an 8 foot diameter arc in one stroke. Each stroke advances about 8 inches into uncut grass. The whole cycle of cutting stroke and return stroke takes about 3 seconds. This pace can be maintained, like rowing a boat, without undo stress. A string trimmer cannot come close to this efficiency. Remember that the scythe was (is) used to harvest grain.

>but what about trimming grass around tight areas such as an air conditioner unit??
The blade has an unsharpened point, appropriately called a stone point. This leading tip can be placed between the grass and obstructions. It is possible to neatly cut right up against trees, steps, poles, etc, without damaging the blade or scarring the object. The blade is not swung, but accurately placed and slipped along, shearing the grass while the stone tip guides it against the obstruction. The stroke of the scythe is not an athletic event (although there are Scythe Competitions in Europe). The blade never really leaves the ground in both the cutting and return stroke. There is no muscular wind-up, it is a gentle controlled action. The terms hacking, wacking, ripping, slashing and chopping are not scythe related.

>And... what brand and model scythe would you recommend buying?
It is important to find someone who knows the tool and can give knowledgable advice. A snath and blade combination should be fitted to your body measurements. The blade should be appropriate in style and size for the intended use.

>a string trimmer vs a scythe
We own both Homelite and Stihl trimmers. They both start easily and function as intended, but both are made absolutely foolish when compared to the capacities of a European scythe.

String trimmers were developed by industries that sell gasoline powered equipment. Their main purpose is to extend the companies product line and gather more sales revenue. Their engineering and complexity does not make them better than the original tool they try to emulate, that being a scythe.

With a little practise and application, the European scythe can outcut and outperform a string trimmer by a very very wide margin, all this while being silent and not consuming gasoline. Believe it or not the scythe takes less physical energy to use.

We see people using string trimmers and we just shake our heads in disbelief. Here is the application of technology to do something less well than can be done by hand. We have been brainwashed into thinking that tools that burn gasoline are somehow better than tools that don't and are now debating whether a 2 cycle or 4 cycle engine is better. Folks, the truth is that a NO cycle engine is better. There are other choices out there beyond what the trimmer manufacturers want you to believe.

Obviously we have a vested interest in the scythe as we maintain a commercial/educational website about it. But we passionately believe that this tool needs to be rediscovered. It demonstrates the wisdom of applied human powered engineering and shows us a direction we should all be taking.

>Is your scythe a reasonable alternative to a cheap 22" gas push mower?
To be honest, No.
The scythe is wonderfully efficient and can do a great job while being enjoyable to use, but it is a refined tool that requires some skill to use and maintain. There is an elegance to this skill that needs study. It's not like a lawn mower where you just pull the cord and push it around with abandon.

The scythe blade must be kept very sharp. This skill takes time to learn and can be discouraging to someone just starting out. The motion of the stroke is a rhythmical and steady dance that's not hard to learn. You need to read the grass as you cut and adjust your stroke and stance for changing conditions. The more experience you have with the tool, the more you learn about its subtleties. The scythe is more like a musical instrument that you play, whereas the lawn mower is an instrument of torture.