scythe faster than a string trimmer - how to

[MaskedGuardian0]

If my folks had me mow the lawn like this, I'd probably enjoy it more.

[brushbros]

How many toes do you have left?

[paulwheaton12]

@brushbros all of them. A person would have to try really hard to lose toes with a scythe.

[johnozooloo]

If I whipped out a scythe in my urban community I'd probably be catching some eyeballs here and there. Maybe cause a few fender benders as someone stares at my trimming skills.

But then again I have a small yard and that blade is half my lawn size O.O

[HEZBULL666]

that was fantastic the good old scythe fast efficient and energetic 

[tackettsmillfarm]

Lehman's sells scythes and snaths and peeners and books, etc. If you go to Lehman's and search for scythe you will see everything they have. I don't know anywhere else on the internet you can find all of that.

[barbam51]

A great way to cut grass, brush, etc.. My only problem is that I don't like your footwear. You would be better wearing decent footwear, even sandals or bare feet. Thongs ( flip flops, jandals or whatever you call them outside Australia) are not suitable, as feet are not stable in them. It's very easy to trip & slip, especially if your feet are sweaty.

[KallyJones]

I'll gladly avoid buying gasoline. Besides it's good exercise.

[Raqwaza17]

i want one

[jnote37]

That's what I call REAL work. Give a man purpose and a sense a real accomplishment. There's no dependency or middle man. No gas. No broken plastic parts. Its just you and the tool. If it breaks, you fix it. If it needs sharpening, you sharpen it. Today's generation has become so lazy and dependent upon companies. When Uncle Sam shuts down the grid, we'll see who survives and who doesn't. I bet Brian's field will be cut. Lol.

[fedaikn]

over here in Romania we use the scythe all the time... fossil fuel is expensive and wages are small, so i guess we will continue to stick to it.

[EpikKentaro]

lol paul i like how you fight back at that ignorant guy, you rock

[Jefferdaughter]

What about solar-powered automatic mowing machines that can handle various terrain and rocks, are self-maintaining, self-replicating, and fertilize the grass, too?! Several models are available, depending on the size of the area to be mown, vegetation type, etc. Some even mow brush and small trees. Sheep, goats, cattle, llamas & alpacas do a great job, just to name a few 'brands'. Ours even do a great job keeping the edges along fences and buildings neatly trimmed.

[NWOareScum]

@Jefferdaughter - those still noise-pollute and treat nature like it isn't sacred, as well as requiring complicated factory processing and machinery to manufacture when it just isn't necessary cause hand-tools are better, so no.

[pubwvj]

I love using my scythe but it loses out big time compared with a string trimmer in our rocky fields here in the mountains of Vermont. On smooth level rock free fields a scythe is great. In rock filled fields the scythe will be destroyed and a string trimmer does far better. Best of all, graze animals and no need to harvest the grass - half the year that is.

[Twisted86]

@paulwheaton12

Where exactly did you get that blade? I can't find it ANYWHERE and I could use a tool for my rabbits hay. I just use a machete which works for the moment but it would be nicer to have such a tool.

I live in the US.

[paulwheaton12]

@Twisted86 if you post your question at the forums at permies.com I'll see if I can get brian to comment.

[gbell12]

@Twisted86 I got mine from "one scythe revolution". Google it. The blades are imported from Austria and they are awesome. I've used a scythe on my several acre property for a few years and they are very functional and effective.

[lordmagicpants]

holy shit, I am super impressed. It's almost like this brand new technology could replace fossil fuels and makes cutting grass extremely easy. Very little maintenance too, and the wet-stone makes sharpening that blade super easy.

I bet it's really maneuverable around edges. And that blade definitely wouldn't break when it hits something rigid. And it doesn't require any technique to use. oh and modern day technology falls clearly falls short when it comes to trimming an entire field.

[sharingano123]

good work

[mojototal]

Dude, we should get teenagers to cut people's grass with this. Many would get sidetracked playing with them, but it's worth it!

[SolarizeYourLife]

I would like to see more cutting around objects like trees and post, I can not seem to get close enough, without damage to tree.

[RMartin631]

We couldn't use that if we wanted to. Does it have an ANSI number? I don't think so.

[sherpa285]

Impressive.



[SolidSquid1]

Unfortunately not entirely true, the scythe was faster in one of the three contests, but the strimmer was faster in the other three (the videos are on youtube). That said, the scythe won because in two of the contests the strimmer was penalised for lack of control rather than speed and so lost the contest (this was the 2010 contest, and the strimmer actually felled one of the saplings it was supposed to avoid)

[Zuconja]

And then God had mercy and said to the man "Go and make a combine harvester."

[paulineprojectlove]

all that great hay for our bunnies! Just have to make sure there are no toxic plants growing that could sicken them. pull them out regularly

[dgabbless]

swinging around a big bladeonastick in SANDALS.

nice

[missiedancer]

@dgabbless Brian usually scythes early in the morning barefoot, the blade comes nowhere near your feet.

[dgabbless]

@missiedancer and i dont usually hack on my toes when i use a shovel, that doesnt mean i dont put on shoes to dig a hole.

[dgabbless]

@missiedancer also whats is the land used for? or is this like a hobby farm and its for aesthetics?

[Jonnoxxcv]

We at the Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Barrels approve of this message.

[wathtihis]

paedophile beards!

[Nallenbot]

Pro tip: buy two goats.

[missiedancer]

@Nallenbot Do you mean to eat the grass? We have eleven goats and they would rather eat tree branches than grass, sheep do better at eating the grass.

[YesYouAreIgnorant]

Riding lawnmowers faster than scythes AND string trimmers... thanks.

[paulwheaton12]

@YesYouAreIgnorant and jet planes are faster than riding lawn mowers.

[YesYouAreIgnorant]

@paulwheaton12 but they are terrible at mowing.

[paulwheaton12]

@YesYouAreIgnorant and riding mowers are terrible at many things where scythes are excellent.

[YesYouAreIgnorant]

@paulwheaton12 I dunno, I'm sure the grim reaper has a great reason to use one, but if I ever get the job i'm definately going to use a riding lawn mower... not only can I take their lives, but we can cruise to the underworld in style. I can get one of those little carts so I can make multiple "body" runs in one trip... I just think its more economical and easier on the back. I bet Death has the worst arthritis in his back...

[EvangelionFan]

@paulwheaton12 that and riding a mower isnt as good for you as scything.

[doomslayer133]

@YesYouAreIgnorant scythes make mowing fun and its a good workout

[SolidSquid1]

@YesYouAreIgnorant riding lawnmowers will clog if the grass is wet and too long, scythe won't and just needs to make a couple more hacks

[HelBound]

Wow, thats actually very impressive. Nice video.

[olyansincs]

Ants and other critters will eat your feet when wearing flip-flops and you scalp down their hive. Whereas if wearing a muck boot... they won't.

[HistoryChef57]

Thanks for posting; I may go totally "green" with the old ways.....

[JBwrath]

Who elles type this in for a Fable Character?

[keepruvthknight]

I need one of those!

[TheScottybp]

do you have a vid or detailed pics on all the little peices if i was to make or disign my own. just need something to springboard off from.

[MrFinger8r]

Best scythes in America are from scythe supply dot com up in Perry Maine. About a hundred ninety bucks will get you a blade, a custom snath, whetstone and a peening jig, the whole kit. Those folks are passionate about em and it shows in the quality of their products. Wikked cool stuff. :)

[codsteb]

Usually the scything motion is to rotate at the waist. This fellow's back is going to get tired pretty fast. I just wish I could find a good scythe for less than 100 bucks.

[PoipleBerry1]

how did i get here from starcraft 2 videos? =\

[jackscrine]

@PoipleBerry1 - Maybe it's the DTs?

[zezimahunter1]

it would be cooler if theres flames spewing from it and the blade was bigger

[XianL]

Huh, never seen a scythe work. Very neat.

[Chipinjack]

I bet this guy could hit a golf ball a mile

[Revolutionisnow1]

Nice! I have the weed whacker and know what you mean about having to fix it although i fix my own. I bought my first sythe at a yard sale with a new blade and antique handle (snaff??) and had my 72 year old neighbor show me how to use it! I love it and cant wait to get better at it!

[Rummelhart]

OOH. It's one of the European-style straight ones.  I want one.

[TheEcoReaper]

@Rummelhart they're great. We just held the 7th West of England Scything Festival. Check out ecoreaper(dot)com and youtube(/)theecoreaper

[zjhost]

Did anyone noticed the rabbit in the background!!

[paulwheaton12]

@zjhost where?

[zjhost]

@paulwheaton12 1:50 obviously, but now ive watched it again i think it was a chicken ;)

[JuliaP777]

@paulwheaton12 I don't know if it is a rabbit but they are right, there is some thing hoping or walking around in the background. At 4:40 to the left on the dirt area behind you.

[ChileHT]

;) i want a death sycthe ... i'd be the coolest kid, just walking round town with a sycthe " Yeah, what you looking at granny?!"

[NevermoarTV]

FUCKIN' HIPPIES!!!

lol jk:) My grandfather used to use one of those. I actually still have it kickin' around in the shed.

[LowQualityGaming]

Ever hear of a lawn mower?

[AlcatrazInmate13]

@LowQualityGaming Get lost hater

[TheImperfectTheory]

@LowQualityGaming You can't feel like the Grim Reaper when you use a lawnmower, can you?

I didn't think so....

[eohinyorks]

So why not show the original contest with the Maiden etc? That chap doesnot handle that sycthe anywhere near ascomfortably as my dad did.

[J0hnnyH3mps33d]

4:54 made me want to build one with a second blade facing the opposite direction as the original one (like a mirror image), so that the back-stroke is not wasted... then I realized we're talking about an ages old tool, and that has probably been tried already to no avail

[thunderheart226]

what if you fall forward by accident that thing will slice ur stomach.dam.  or your knee fuck

[easy236]

His blade is probably sharp as it is, hes using alot of pulling.... try to go in more of a circle.... he looks kinda clueless.

[yeoungbraxx]

How did I get here from StarCraft?

[VOZZIFY]

@yeoungbraxx good question. artosis does not equal scytheman

[ispriggani]

@yeoungbraxx ahahahah same thing

[pangavamanos]

Funny you mentioned making your own and your quick story about buying one first. I ordered mine last night with a 26 in ditch blade (? have to start somewhere). Seemed utility. The idea is just like you. Use it, learn it, and make my own snath. Can't wait to try it out. Good vid. Thanks for taking the time.

[uBeR1337gUy]

I feel strange that I just sat through and watched this entire thing and thoroughly enjoyed it. In fact, if you were selling one, I'd be compelled to buy it, even though I have no practical way to use it, or any place to put it.

This is going on my favs.

[celebrim1]

This isn't surprising considering that a string trimmer was never a tool intended for mowing, whereas, at least in a certain sense the scythe was. The comparison in a certain sense discredits the whole video and makes you look like a loon.

If you really want to mow the grass naturally, get some sheep. Don't pretend you can do it with a scythe.

[cellphonegaming]

I'm going to strap one on each arm and then go to battle.

[wenrolland]

This is so great, thanks for this great example video! I was thinking about buying one but didn't know if it was worth it...

[GetMeThere1]

A long time ago I used to cut a LOT of grass with a scythe. You could easily cut more efficiently than a weed wacker--at least hay-length grass, which was mostly what I cut.

[lakewood85]

Cesars don't fear the reaper!

[alienbaroque]

Or: you could just get some goats and let them eat and eat and eat... The tool looks beautiful, and it's tailor-made for the user.

[texasranger1964]

My great grandfather was head groundsman of Melbourne Cricket Ground, in Australia. He would trim the cricket pitch with a razor sharp scythe so evenly that they wouldn't let him retire.

[pauluminous]

Comparing apples and oranges. You use a wire trimmer to TRIM edges and tight spots, NOT 1 acre of 3ft high grass.

Btw; love the comments about the sandals. Look at his posture, how on earth is he gonna cut his feet?? Just shows common sense is pretty much dead.

[MaximvsDread]

You look a little old to be just discovering a scythe :/

[TimTehPilot]

i dont think sandals are the best idea

[yardbarbarian]

WHAT A HIPPY!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[rdsinvco1]

Great video, thanks!

[ericdp512]

I could slash my enemies in half with that...Mwahahahha

[HerrXRDS]

Couple of years ago I used a scythe to cut the grass on a one acre field . Took me couple of days and I think it was the hardest work I did in my life .

[9thincarnation]

When the oil runs out these old technologies will gain a new respect. Hand tools are ofen superior to machine. Sandals YIKES. But I won't pretend- I still prefer my gravely. Good vid

[01000001011100100111]

lol @ the way Americans pronounce dew xD

[ahnamay]

I just noticed that Brian is hosting a class on scythes at Inspiration Farm in Bellingham, WA in May. Google Inspiration Farm, Bellingham to see his website for details.

[joeangus]

thats bad ass as fuck

[mYOzZyKaT]

they used that for hundredths of years.. imagine that

[yonny1954]

let me tell you I so wish I could use one here in Maine, but we have more rocks than you can imagine, but so cool

[Conan568]

I have 2 of them.

[MrJohn1966elliott]

I can't rembered, First Scythe is 1,000 or 6,000 years ago. I think?

[nameofthepen]

VERY impressive! And, I believe I have heard that weed-whackers are rather brutal to grass and plants, mashing and shredding the stalks, rather than inflicting an easily-healed clean cut?

[paulwheaton12]

Hot dog! I'm quotable!

[paulaontologist]

"Hell, bale that!" :)

[dpcnull]

"The most ultimatest scythe."

"Do ya gotta be, like, some kinda genius-type?"

You sure do have a way with words, brah.

[markevens]

As a straight razor user, this has an immediate draw.

[tmgibs34]

You don't "swing" a scythe. It is more like sweeping and because of the length of the snath it really isn't possible to cut yourself with the scythe.

[PicklesReallySuck]

If a cop saw you walking around with that he'd probably shoot you.

[docsimonson]

I do like the the idea of using a scythe to cut a field of grass rather than using a mower. I would also like to see that same maiden edge my lawn with her scythe versus the strapping young man and his weed whacker. I am pretty sure he'd win that competition. The right tool for the job is the important thing. Whether the lawn needs edging is another question entirely and an individual choice.

[tribalwind]

Love scythes and all the scythe related videos on youtube,

that'll definitely keep kids off the front lawn !

[9ipsykin9]

I prefer my Mexican over the scythe.

[crittinger]

how did he know people were commenting on this?

[drconnole]

Chicken at 3:55

[O1toolsteel]

Damn I want one. Maybe with a harder steel like A2, or O1.... not meant for whacking too many rocks, but still pretty tough.

[Axbent]

I use a Scyte often in summer. My neigbours use lawnmowers permanently in shifts! ;)

The ergonomics of this tool is very important, like stated, home made snath is mandatory for lenghty use.

In combination with a reglular "squirrel cage" manual lawnmower its all you need, even with a big yard like mine 2600sq,m. I do wish tho they still sold mowers like they used too with large easy rolling wheels and iron construction for mass! Ill make one one day!

[pwbpeter]

Great video I use an old British scythe it needs to be sharp like you say and the technique is essential having the grass slide along the blade like you did.But it is horses for courses if you want to cut 3" grass with a scythe get the weed wacker out or leave it till its a foot long and then scythe it.

[Cannibalriot]

That's a European scythe, nice ergonomics because of the the stem grip and narrow blade. I have a British scythe, different tool all together. Much heavier, closer grip to the shaft and a lot more effort to use than the European. Mine is made out of bent oak and has a broad blade, brutal. I think that's why people think scything is such hard work. Both are excellent devices for a small holding but in my opinion the one the gentleman is using in this video is superior.

[docsimonson]

@Cannibalriot But did you see the way he was bent over while twisting his upper body? I am thinking a real possibility for lower back injury.

[Cannibalriot]

@docsimonson Well now Doc, if that were an old fellow - like myself, then I most assuredly wouldn't take that stance. I have to consider every potential skeletal movement since I'm as fat & arthritic as a venerated farm dog. This chap appears quite fit. After watching the video again the majority of the power mechanics came from his shoulders & the muscle groups in his arms. Your concern has merit & it's admirable that you'd express it for a stranger but in this case I think he's got it nailed.

[docsimonson]

@Cannibalriot hehe... I guess I am thinking over things through the mind of an old feller. I'm also a bit portly, which wouldn't help me safely swing that thing. I'm very grateful that I have no lawn on this one acre plot. I only have some stubby weeds growing in the sugar sand!

[SuppressiveFire77]

nice but i wouldnt wear sandals while swinging that thing!

[pawnjp]

@SuppressiveFire77

Can't cut yourself while you're wielding it.

Tie the dog up though.

and it wasn't England, it was Canada.

google Scythe Connection Fairlight, and check out /watch?v=ugSO54WKm8I while you're at it.

Rockin' technique, Rockin' pigtails..

[HotSauceJohnny]

@SuppressiveFire77 Ha ha! I was thinking that too. Maybe he can trim his toenails while he's knocking down that grass!

[pyrrhite]

@SuppressiveFire77

No need, I scythe barefoot. The blade doesn't come anywhere near my feet.

[derekstech]

very proud of that scythe

[Blackoutx86]

What about scythe vs lawnmower. Seems more fitting.

[boogerchamp]

Yeah like I'm going to go and cut up a tree and make a handle for the damn thing.

[147Blackwolf]

@boogerchamp why not just go to home depot? '^'....

[amberb57]

I've used the scythe in the past enough to know how well it can work, and also how much work it is. It does help when the blade is sharp! :-)

[Mikdeelo]

Try using a string trimmer while wearing shorts and you'll rename it 'sting trimmer', so corny, sorry.

[NewHeritageFarms]

I've worked at a farm store - and we sell the blades and handle - but the handles are really heavy - I'm sure made to last - but the handmade one looks quite a bit lighter - nice.

[HotSauceJohnny]

That is very cool. (1) I've never seen a scythe in use, (2) I have never been able to hold a string trimmer with any comfort whatsoever, (3) Both of my string trimmers have lasted one season and then needed replacement carburetors. My last trimmer cost $110. The replacement carb price is $100. Not happening.

[marthale7]

Smiling reaper? That takes skill to make one of those that fits like a glove. Very impressed.