scythe faster than a string trimmer - how to

http://www.permies.com

Brian Kerkvliet of Inspiration Farm in Bellingham, Washington shows off his scythe with a homemade snath.

His side job is not really being the grim reaper.

He sharpens the scythe with a whetstone every ten minutes or so. And every few days he peens the blade.

Brian tells a story of the story of a strapping young lad with a string trimmer competing against a barefoot maiden with a flowing dress and a scythe. And maiden won the 100 yard dash and all of her grass was laid nice and neat while the string trimmer has stuff scattered everywhere.

It takes a little practice to get the hang of using the scythe.

Brian talks about making his own snath or buying a snath.

He talks about how with the string trimmer you have to take it to the shop every spring to get it tuned up; regularly buy string (where does the string go?); the gas mixed with oil; make sure to wear pants because you will get slug parts and other stuff flung at you; annoying the neighbors when they are trying to sleep in.

Brian demonstrates using the scythe on short grass and on tall grass and shows how the cut grass can be left nice and orderly.

music by jimmy pardo

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Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• scythe
• sharpening
• snath
• blade
• peen
• string
• trimmer
• organic
• permaculture
• eco
• green
• environment
• gardening
• plants
• scything
• mowing
• grass
• peening
• how to

[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.

[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.

[yeoungbraxx]

How did I get here from StarCraft?

[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.

[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

[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.

[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.