Anyone experienced with scythes?
 

I'd like a way to chop down weeds near the perimeter fences, without having to use my gas-powered weedwacker.

Unfortunately....too familiar. I used one last year to try to keep all of the weeds down in our pasture. It's hard work to do a large area, but for edging around a fence, or small spaces...it's great. Try to get one with the shorter blade on it. The longer blade is used more for grass...the shorter one is for weeds and small shrubby plants.

YES! It is an experience that I would like to forget. (However, haven't been able to do it!)

When I was 13, my Father handed me a 2-handed scythe and put me on 10 acres of weeds and said "Cut the weeds down."

By the time I got 2 acres done, weeds on the first acre were about 1/2 way "back-up". Very disconcerting to me!

When I got home and discussed this with my Father, he said: "THAT is WHY you need to get a good education! So you don't have to do that for a living!"

Point well taken..........

IF you can learn rhythm with a scythe there not that bad. Problem most people use them to hack away at things. A steady walking rhythm using the weight of your body makes it much simpler. IF the weeds have to big a stalk then your better off with a weed eater

Yes....it will work but you must sharpen the blade regularly while using it. The scythe I bought works even on the blackberry vines. Practicing the motion on grass can be helpful to get the feel of it and to be better able to tell when it is time to sharpen it.

First off,
 

Do you have a scythe? If so have you set the handles to fit you. Start with the scythe behind you and off to your right side. The heel ( inside of the blade) should just rest on the ground and the tip end an inch or so off the ground. Get on mown grass, like your yard and perfect your technic. As you lean forward, your swing starts. as your swing starts your right foot also starts fprward. By the time your right foot is planted ahead your swing should be somwhat twisting your trunk. Then, as you bring it back to the starting point behind and to the right, your leftfoot steps forward, and by and large thats it. It just alot of repitatious practice. The blades come in 3 sizes. Weeds. grass, grain. the weed blade is what you need. Its less strain on the handles and the mechanism, that ho0oks the blade to the handle. Good luck

Scything is not so hard once you learn to do it right, and it's good exercise. Dh can clear an area with the scythe faster than I can mow it with the gas powered push mower.

I couldn't stand the noise the weed eater made after I fought with it to get it started. I moved out here for the sounds of nature. I bought my scythe from Scythe Supply. www.scythesupply.com Carol collects your measurements and Richard makes the snath to fit you personally. I started with a grass blade and added a ditch blade for saplings. It took a little practice but once I got the hang of it, it became simple.

There is a full page on how to use and sharpen a scythe in The Self Sufficient Life by John Seymour, may be worth photo copying from your library.

Be sure to be aware....there are European sythes, and there are American sythes.......

Which are you reporting on?

Our European sythe is a handy tool. As a rule I doubt I would prefer it over my wacker, but there are quiet times on the Homestead when the peaceful exercise would be welcome.

I'm sure I'd rather use my brush hog for the majority of my weeds,

I agree. I love our European Scythe......but it would not be my tool of choice up next to a wire fence, unless you are talking about electric fence. I use to trim under the electric fence with ours, but I don't think I would want to or even could get as close to a woven wire fence as I would want to to get all the weeds down. We actually did acres of hay and field crops with our scythe when we were younger. Once you get the hang of it and just step and swing, it isn't all that hard.

Also have the Maine built scythe from the Scythe Supply. Bought the kit with sharpening stone, peener and book. Very pleased and their turn around was very quick. I use the same blade ( yea, a no no) for both the pasture and heavier work but the blade has held up fine. It's wonderful to go out in the early morning and work quietly. It also gives you time to consider sparing a particular plant because you notice things more. And even tho the scythe was built for my shorter measurements, my husband 7" taller than me can use it too; just not as an all day thing.

I actually like using one. I cut a 1/2 acre of hay last year to get the feel of it and also cut about a 1/2 acre or briars. You have to keep the blade sharp or you will kill yourself.

Yes, a scythe has been one of my preferred tools since 1988.

They say it's all about learning the proper technique... how did you learn?
Is it true there is a tai chi move that helps you learn?

I used to have a link for site that had an amazing video clip of some teenage girls who appeared to be masters with the thing... anyone still have that
link?

How effective is a scythe for taking down large corn and sunflower plants at the ground? I was thinking about doing 1/2-1 acre of them for winter feed for goats.

Found the video clip:

http://www.scytheconnection.com/adp/video/index.html

Be sure to explore their site - it's loaded with interesting info

For corn stalks, you would want a weed and brush blade. I've taken stalks down with my grass blade, though.

I don't swing on corn and sunflowers. I put the blade against the plant and give the snath a quick tug. As long as your blade is sharp it's a breeze.

the weed eater we have akes my hands go nmb from the vibration and is tempermntal about starting and of course very loud find it much easier to use a short bladed scyth then i can reach under the electric fence and get what the bushhog missed . great for ros bushes too just reach and yank back to slice out all the tangle i would hate to have to use a long blade with a grain cradle alday like our ancestors did . you should be able to pick a usable one up at a fleamarket or auction for less than 10$ look to see that the nibs (handle grips ) are tightenable u can adjust them for your reach and that the blade socet is tight . people tend to tip the end into the dirt when they first use one or when tired and keep it sharp carry a round stone with u or even just a file and touch up as it dulls

Thanks for the link Minnikin1!

Rick