Anyone used a scythe? Got one and still use it?

[GH85Carrera]

My grandfather had one. He was a lefty, and it was "backwards" to what I would use. I did not have anyplace to put it at the time. Now I wish I had kept it as a wall hangar.

I don't have any property that would need a scythe, just a urban yard that a mower and edger can take care of.

I do have grandpa's old axe, cutter-mattock and double headed axe and sledge hammer.

[LWJ]

^^^bingo! As a lefty, it didn’t occur to me why I was so totally clumsy with it until this. Thanks!

[stevej37]

^^^ GH85
The old time axes are so much better than today's axe.
Try to chop down a tree with a new axe...most are worthless.

I still have my grandpa's double headed axe. It's weighted perfectly, the handle fits your hand while swinging, and the head is thin and sharpens easily.

[Superman]

For its purpose (cutting large amounts of tall grass quickly), a good scythe is incredibly effective.

[GH85Carrera]

Originally Posted by Superman

For its purpose (cutting large amounts of tall grass quickly), a good scythe is incredibly effective.

A brush hog or hay harvester bets it all to hell. And makes round bales of hay for sale.

[Jeff Hail]

I had a really big one. Could swing it like a bat.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by GH85Carrera

A brush hog or hay harvester bets it all to hell. And makes round bales of hay for sale.

There's a field next to our property that is ~15 acres. They bring in various pieces of equipment over time. I think the first cuts the hay, then there's a thing that rakes it into windrows, then another comes out and makes the big round ~6' bails.

[fintstone]

Yep. Grew up swinging one of those. The same one my dad used and his dad used. Could clear tall weeds/grass really fast. Much faster than a string trimmer, but lots of arm strong needed.
Sometimes pulled up a snake or two. Being able to swing the long blade was a "coming if age" event...as you had to be a certain size and strength to handle it/make it work. Before that, you got "kids work" like pulling carrying wood, pulling weeds and slopping hogs.

The guy in the video is working fast, but would not last. That is not the proper swing (to work all day). He has adapted to the size of the patch he is clearing...far too long a swing. It needs to be smoother.

We also used an axe and crosscut saw to fell trees and saw them up. Plowed by hand as well...or used a mule. We got a large tiller and I ran that all day in the spring to break up the clods on new land we were planting (that turned over with a spade in the fall/winter. We had no large power tools. Even used hand augers to drill.

[fintstone]

My pop clearing an overgrown 3 acre property (of a relative in Viriginia) on vacation in August. Hardly breaking a sweat and in his travel clothes. The man was like a machine. He is 42 in the photo, but could go daylight til dark until he died. Old dudes were tough back in the day.

[KFC911]

^^^^ There is "strong" ... and then there is "country strong" ... and goes all day long ... cool pic! I don't remember seeing that type of scythe around here ... looks wicked!

Given room to swing.... I'd learn to swing righty .... clearing around a pond.... Stihl still

[cabmandone]

Some folks calls is a scythe... I calls it a kaiser blade. mmmhmmm

[masraum]

Originally Posted by fintstone

My pop clearing an overgrown 3 acre property (of a relative in Viriginia) on vacation in August. Hardly breaking a sweat and in his travel clothes. The man was like a machine. He is 42 in the photo, but could go daylight til dark until he died. Old dudes were tough back in the day.

cool. thanks for posting.

[Jeff Hail]

Originally Posted by cabmando

Some folks calls is a scythe... I calls it a kaiser blade. mmmhmmm

Two different tools. Kaiser Blade is more like a hockey stick with a large carpet knife blade on the end of it confabled by a mad hockey player. Then we have the Darrow which is a crescent single hand held cutting tool and pretty wicked.

Then we have Karl Anderson who liked his taters.

[vash]

i wont even use the word "Scythe"./

[masraum]

Originally Posted by vash

i wont even use the word "Scythe"./

Come on! You're a knife guy!

[KFC911]

Originally Posted by vash

i wont even use the word "Scythe"./

I never have before this thread earlier ...

These are what hung around all the barns in my youth ... called 'em "slings" I think...

[masraum]

Originally Posted by KC911

I never have before this thread earlier ...

These are what hung around all the barns in my youth ... called 'em "slings" I think...

When doing some research, I saw those listed as "sling blades" (which made me chuckle) as well as "grass whips."

I had originally planned to get one but all of the versions that I saw had short handles, like a golf club, and I didn't want to futz with that.

[cabmandone]

Don't make me whip your grass young man!

[stevej37]

Originally Posted by stevej37

I remember my father having one....but the handles were a little different. The lower handle was attached to the main beam.

I have a smaller version that I use sometimes. Serrated blade...works well on low weeds.

We called them 'weed whips'
perfect for working on your golf swing
'

[fintstone]

Originally Posted by KC911

I never have before this thread earlier ...

These are what hung around all the barns in my youth ... called 'em "slings" I think...

These are what I you used until I could handle the other one. We kept the scythe razor sharp. You could cut hay with the scythe. It fell cleanly and uniformly. Those (slings) were used by those without the size/skill for the scythe and were only good for weeds (they were relatively slow in comparison).

This guy has the right idea: