Tell me about it!
I’ve been a huge fan of Jim Kovaleski and his grass fed garden for years, but now that I’m finally in a position to have my own homestead – I actually ordered a scythe. Haven’t assembled it or tried to use it yet, but I’m stoked. Would love to hear your experiences.
Pic from when I used to use grass clippings as my mulch – although I cut that grass with a John Deere haha
by farm96blog
12 Comments
Own two but don’t use them much.
I own one from 1800s, and use it constantly. But a quality whetstone to sharpen and wear leg protection when scything
We have a family heirloom one but it’s just for decor. Those tomatoes look awesome, what kind are they?
I have one, but don’t use it currently; 30 acres is just a bit too much to do by hand lol. And I’m not sure you’ll need one for tomatoes.
I have a couple of them ,use them occasionally. Used them mostly on clearing the ditch .
We own one, but it hasn’t been used in years.
It’s a bit of a learning curve. Watch some videos or practice with someone experienced if you’re lucky enough to have such near by. Or just do it, and get ready for a workout. Remember that the scythe blade is more like a knife blade than a mower blade. The idea is to slice through stuff rather than push through it. You want the blade moving lengthwise as well as forward. With a sharp edge and tall grass you should be able to do it slowly enough to feel what that means. Also, counterintuitively to those of us used to powered mowers, scythes cut tall grass easier than short, and they cut wet grass easier than dry. When you get good at it, the activity is comparable to moderately vigorous dancing….you should be able to go quite a while without taking a break, and be able to have a conversation and not get out of breath. And sharpen sharpen sharpen. Every time you take a break….certainly every five or ten minutes. You keep the stone in a thing of water.
Yes. I use it occasionally, but there is definitely technique involved. It is a lot harder than most people think. I use my sickle much more, as there is less technique involved. Though it remains amazingly easy to slice fingers and hands.
I don’t yet have one but seriously considered buying two of them (grass, brush) when we had larger grazing livestock. Now I’m still considering a brush scythe or similar to cut through the tangle of raspberries and roses that grow in the back pasture.
Own one, yes.
Used to use it for long grass but now it is just used to fall on me in the woodshed and threaten to take my arm off.
When we were using it it was amazing at getting through long grass.
Nope, my partner wanted one but I vetoed it
Yes; for some reason my hsua and prefers it to lawnmower. Definitely a learning curve and ita slower, but it’s easy to sharpen and always works.