Working with the scythe is increasingly being forgotten, although it offers numerous advantages. Choosing the best scythe and maintaining it regularly makes work child's play. A unique experience of nature is guaranteed with this mowing technique.

Scything is an almost forgotten craft

Table of Contents

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  1. the essentials in brief
  2. buy scythes
  3. preparations
  4. Properly scythe
  5. frequently asked Questions

    6. the essentials in brief

    • Scythes consist of a metal or wooden tree and a scythe blade. An important purchase factor is the tree length, which must be adapted to the body size. High-quality models are made by wood workshops.
    • Correct peening requires practice and is important for maintaining sharpness. Between mowing, the blade should be sharpened by whetting. The blade must be set correctly before each use.
    • Weather and growth determine the mowing date. Correct posture determines mowing efficiency.

    What you should know before buying a scythe

    A scythe consists of a tree and an adjustable blade. The scythe tree takes over the task of transferring movement and power to the leaf blade. This happens automatically if the scythe meets the basic requirements:

    • length: Scythe tree must match the body size
    • unit: The scythe stem and blade must be matched and positioned at the correct angle
    • purpose: Scythe blade should be suitable for the planned mowing work

    metal or wood

    Basically, the choice of material is of less importance if the scythe tree meets the requirements for gentle work. The best scythe trees are made of natural crooked wood. They have a high breaking strength because the fibers follow the tree. Most commercially available scythes are made of metal and are not suitable for people who are at least 170 centimeters tall.

    Metal scythe tree Wooden scythe tree
    advantage more stable and therefore suitable for rougher work can be made individually in any wood workshop
    disadvantage Limited adjustment options regarding the lower handle expensive to buy

    Important dimensions

    The length of the scythe tree describes the distance between the upper handle and the scythe blade attachment. The correct tree length is based primarily on the body size. In addition, the purpose of use. an influence on the ideal measure. If the scythe is to be used on a level surface, you can determine the correct tree length using a simple formula: subtract approximately 20 centimeters from your height. Tall people can deduct a little more, children less.

    Shorter scythe trees are advantageous here:

    • under cramped conditions
    • when mowing on slopes and uneven terrain
    • to participate in championships and competitions

    If the scythe is perpendicular to the person, the overhand grip should ideally be in front of the chin.

    Suppliers of scythe trees

    Handcrafted scythes are a rare commodity

    Most hardware stores or garden centers offer modern metal scythe trees in standardized sizes between 140 and 150 centimeters. With a height of 170 to 175 centimeters, such models are not sufficient. If you side swing with a scythe that's too short, you'll have to lean forward unnecessarily. There is tension and back pain. Scythe trees made of naturally grown wood are elaborately handcrafted by a few small businesses:

    • Lehnert scythe workshop in Gersheim-Walsheim
    • Mammern scythe workshop, Switzerland
    • Silvanus Forestry, Austria

    background

    Endangered craft

    Scything is slowly dying out as people lose interest in this traditional practice. The scythe was replaced by motor-driven devices as early as the 1980s. Another reason for the downfall is the lack of suitable models with good quality. Many online retailers offer scythe accessories at overpriced prices. Numerous scythes turn out to be unusable in practice because they cannot be adapted to individual needs. The personal test before buying a scythe has the highest priority.

    tips

    If there is little space or on uneven terrain, a 50 or 65 scythe blade is recommended.

    Before the mowing

    Before you can start mowing, some preparations must be made. These enable optimal, efficient and body-friendly work.

    sharpen scythes

    When peening, the front edge of the scythe blade is beaten thin so that a sharp edge is created. Traditionally, a peening hammer and anvil are used. Alternatively, ordinary forging anvils or modern peening machines can be used. To sharpen scythes, the blade is unscrewed from the scythe tree. The result is optimal if the cutting edge can be easily bent with a fingernail.

    Rough instructions:

    1. Place the sheet in the middle and parallel to the anvil
    2. Guide your back with your left hand
    3. Use right thigh for support
    4. Work stroke by stroke from the beard to the tip

    To adjust

    The blade of the scythe must be adjusted before each use so that it does not bend when pressure is applied and always remains in its position. If you lay the scythe flat on the ground, the entire cutting edge must touch the ground. The distance between the tip of the scythe blade and the top of the scythe boom should be about an inch to six inches less than the distance between the base of the scythe blade and the top of the scythe boom.

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    Whet

    Regularly sharpening the cutting edge is not only important before mowing but also during mowing so that you always get a clean cut. Place the scythe's handle on the ground with the sheet metal tip pointing to the right.

    Place your right foot on the grip for more stability. After the blade has been cleaned, place the wet whetstone with the curved side on the cutting edge. Pull the whetstone outwards from the beard to the tip, then switch sides.

    How to use the scythe correctly

    Grass cutting is a traditional craft that, when done correctly, allows for high efficiency and straight cuts. Nature conservation organizations such as NABU or clubs offer special courses in which you can learn how to scythe properly.

    When to scythe

    The ideal time depends on the weather and the growth of a meadow. Typical meadow herbs need light and are quickly shaded by tall grasses. Later cuts favor grass growth. Ideally, a conventional flower meadow is cut between late May and mid-June, when the flowering plants are in full bloom. Mowing with a scythe is an activity for early risers, because dewy grass can be cut more effectively.

    posture

    An upright posture is important so that your back does not hurt in the evening

    An upright and relaxed posture is important. Execute each swing slowly and calmly. No particular effort is required, as the sharpened cutting edge cuts through the grass and leaves an even cut. Ideally, the scythe movement forms a circle.

    Basic course for scythe mowing:

    • Slightly straddle your legs so that your right leg is slightly further forward
    • Upper body is upright while looking forward in mowing direction
    • Twisting motion comes from the hips
    • Hamme should stay on the ground on both the forward and back swings
    • move a step forward after one or two swings

    tips

    Work your way up slopes in rows. The double mowing method is only suitable for flat meadows.

    frequently asked Questions

    What are the positive effects of scything?

    Scythes are operated by hand and prove to be a climate-friendly form of mowing. Since they are not motorized, they are not a strain on the hearing, which makes mowing with the scythe possible at any time. The movements performed in a controlled manner do not have a negative effect on the body and open up new experiences in nature. Small animals and insects are spared because they cannot get between the sharp blades of a mower. Species-rich hay meadows are promoted by the scythe cutting, which increases the diversity of flora and fauna and pleases the eye of the beholder.

    What do I need to scythe?

    A scythe consists of a tree fitted with handles for wielding the scythe. The scythe blade is attached to the lower end and is between 60 and 80 centimeters long, depending on the length of the tree. The curved blade is made of forged steel. The cutting edge is about five millimeters wide. To keep the blade sharp, the scythe blade should be sharpened regularly with a whetstone. This also happens during mowing. To keep the whetstone moist, it is kept in a whetstone holder.

    What is meant by peening crockery?

    Peening is an art in itself

    Peening is a process for sharpening scythes and sickles. There is an indispensable work step so that mowing with the scythe does not become a sweaty affair. This technique is based on blacksmithing and uses similar tools. The peening tool consists of a peening hammer with a short handle and a peening anvil. It is important that the striking surfaces of the anvil and hammer are slightly rounded on all sides. As a result, only a small point on the cutting edge is hit when tapping and misses are not a problem.

    What models of scythes are there?

    There are different scythe blades for cutting meadows, perennials or bushes. Basically, the scythe blade should be shorter, the denser and woodier the area to be mowed is. On a normal hay meadow with a lot of space, which is mowed several times a year, you can make good progress with a blade that is 80 to 90 centimeters long. If the growth opposes resistance, you can achieve good results with a scythe blade of 70 to 80 centimeters. Woody scrub is cut with short blades between 60 and 70 centimeters.

    • grass: long cutting blade with thin and sharp cutting edge
    • perennials: medium and robust scythe blade with a wider cutting edge
    • scrub: short cutting blade with a wide cutting edge

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