I was in Romania JUNE 2018 they still use a Sythe on the deep areas Carpathian mountains. Farming on steep hillside requires handwork for haystacks and modern tractors fail to plow and horses turn soils in springtime where no modern man dares to tread. Cell phones are a novelty and the old ways still prevail harsh long winters.
I can't believe I just watched you mow...... oddly soothing and pleasant..... I have to do this more often.... powering down without going stir crazy...... nailed it! 5 stars buddy!
@@Dreyno Have you ever used a scythe? I have done it every summer from 13 years old to 20 when I came to US. Every summer for 2 weeks with my grand father we would wake up at 5 AM to 7 PM for 2 weeks. Now not sure with that scythe and his technique how many hours he would last but what I see here looks good. We used totally different handles. I do not like this type of scythe.
Heyalth Or we've made such leaps and bounds in technology that we don't need scythes anymore, and thus only use them for fun. I think that sounds about right.
Watching an American Scythe in action is intriguing. Especially after discovering my 9th Great Grandfather Joseph Jenckes Sr. was the one that created this elegant tool out of the crude and inefficient English scythes of the time. He was quite the remarkable fellow.
Joseph Jenckes made several notable inventions that were arguably the first steps of the American scythe's development and delineation from the English scythe. You will find sources that claim that he invented the modern curved snath, but my research suggests that this was only partly true, and that while the details of his original invention are lost, the innovation he made was the primary arch of the snath at the right hand, while Silas Lamson invented the further recurve bend of the neck of the snath. Loop bolt fasteners were invented by Pinckney Frost, while the twist-to-tighten nib was developed by Joseph and Erasmus S. Clapp. Notably, Jenckes also invented a method of welding an iron bar to the back of scythe blades to stiffen them, but it is unclear if this was the origin of the V-shaped stiffening rib along the back of American blades or not.
Ok i have to walk in this I work for illuminati and that is clearly a fucking alien you fucking Idiots and now that I told you this I have to put yall down.
Sythe isn't used for mowing because you can't cut as short grass with it It's hard to cut grass that has been trampled on If you cut old grass it will leave sharp cuts that are uncomfortable to walk on barefoot It is slightly slower than motorized options You have to pick up the cut hey, motorized options will pulverize the grass so don't really need to pick it up It takes skill to do, if you do it wrong you'll get tired fast More physical and mental effort even when done correctly Bet there is more, but you get the idea
I want to buy one this for some rice farmer in my hometown. Theyre still bending down on their back to cut down the rice plant with a sickle , this will speed things up.
In the harvesting of grains, the stalks need to be kept in alignment, which is a given with sickles. For a scythe to harvest grains it needs a cradle added to catch the cut stalks and hold them together. You can see the technique of using a grain cradle in this old stock film, although he's harvesting oats. www.criticalpast.com/video/65675066806_wheat-field_cutting-wheat_binding-shocks_stalks-of-wheat_cutting-with-hand-scythe
I see the same design in the "Scythe Project in India 2016" I just watched on youtube. I want to do the same thing for Vietnam. Scythe is only in Western culture, most people in Asia dont know about it.
They're wonderful tools, and it's interesting how their use remained mostly confined to Europe, North America, and Australia, other than a few other isolated regions.
Hi Enso...you can visit us anytime you want in India...the scythe project is in full swing in India and will soon expand to Bangladesh, Thailand, Pakistan and Nepal...We would love to help you do the same for Vietnam
Nice. I like to let my yard grow and bloom for the sake of the pollinators, then try to cut it before the grasses release their hay-fever inducing pollen. That leaves a narrow space on the calendar to get it done: let it go too long and it's almost impossible with the gas push mower and the sneezing. (It'll grow eight feet where I let it.) However, my yard is very lumpy and uneven, so that the surface is a hindrance even to a large-wheeled push mower when the grass is short. The string trimmer is noisy, messy, itchy, sweaty, and involves the least pleasant hours spent outdoors. How would a scythe manage uneven ground, without scraping into the high spots and missing the low spots? By the way, I read many of the comments here: you not only make mowing look easy, you communicate well and with equanimity even when rudely challenged.
Scythes work wonderfully uneven ground, though it naturally requires more experience to mow well than flat ground. In general one would want a little more "crown" (gradual upward curvature) to the blade to deal with bumpy ground, and the smaller the width of those depressions, the shorter and more heavily crowned of a blade you'll want. Think of it as making the blade more like a scoop. Such a blade does leave a less even stubble on flat ground, though, so it's about striking the right balance!
That is a nice sharp scythe. I have an Austrian scythe and I love it but I love the look of an American scythe, especially if it is wooden. He didn't miss a single blade of grass.
I own a bunch of European style scythes of various makes to stay in practice with them but much prefer the American style. It's just hard to beat the crisp edge that can be easily obtained and how long it lasts. Having a bit of mass on the end of the snath helps make for a smooth ride to the cut, too, with less strain on the muscles.
@@FortyTwoBlades that's interesting. So the heavier blade makes for easier work. I'm in the market for a garden blade next and a new anvil. I have the jig type for beginners. I love mowing with a scythe so I can listen to my headphones etc.
Absolutely! Though other global styles, when done well, are ergonomic as well, the American sort is one of the few snath styles that allow for altering the rotation of the grips around the shaft of the snath, which allows for very fine adjustment!
Just fixed one I found in a barn... weed eater = $125 scythe = free ! 😁 much to my landladys approval I cut the backyard with it,I could not believe how well it works on thick wet grass....WAY better than a cheap weed eater....kinda fun too. The front yard however is very thin dry grass...it kinda looks like pigpins hair now. What did they do right next to trees and walls back in this tools.. HAY-day ?? I don’t think the answer is “slipping the blade between the wall and grass and snatching back fast” I got frustrated and just yanked out all the hard to get to stuff.
For up against objects either the blade must be kept well-pointed at the toe and the spine ridden up against the obstacle like a guide, or else a grass hook would be used for trimming work of that nature. Depending on the shape of the toe on your blade, the former technique may or may not be especially viable, as many blades made for rough field mowing conditions have fairly broad-angled toes designed to deflect off hillocks and rocks, and the angle of presentation you'd need to get such a tip to cut effectively in that manner would be uncomfortable. But if the toe of your blade is fine enough, it works quite nicely.
FortyTwoBlades well thank you 👍🏽😁 Never heard of a “grass hook”...but I just google imaged it and know where I can get one for super cheap. I must have me the rough,field type... I’m gonna research and know a lot more tonight,seeing you in the video I know my swings all wrong,I look like I’m auditioning for a new kill bill sequel, You’ve got grace happening. Thanks again, I’ll know exactly what I’m doing in a very short while.
I got a bush scythe from an elderly friend here in Ontario Canada. I'm surprised how well it works for trail clearing. Cuts sapling up to 3/4" and berry bushes are a breeze. I cleaned the rust with a flap sanding disc on the grinder and final sharpen with a file. It has a fat aluminum handle ( 1 1/2" D ) and the grip nuts need to be worked loose so I can position and properly tighten them. The blade doesn't seem to lay flat enough relative to the ground. Encouraged to buy a proper set-up but I'll see if I can tweak this one for now. I used a scythe for hay as a youngster and it sure is fun digging into this topic.
Most often they're found with the blade in extremely rough condition, and the tang angle not set. The blade needs to be considerably more thin and keen than most folks are accustomed to even with tools like knives, and they usually need a liberal application of elbow grease to get them functioning properly. When the snaths are properly slimmed down and the blades tuned up, they'll mow with the best of them.
+macmurfy2jka And it allows me to cut selectively, avoiding bird nests, snakes, flowers, etc. while turning the cut vegetation into a useful harvest for our animals. :)
You said it right there! Avoiding cutting snakes and other slow moving critters. I have over 8 acres to cut, so can't do it all this way, BUT, I can use it in the areas where I most frequently see snakes. My goats appreciate the cuttings... hate using the tractor for many reasons...
I was going to ask what you did with the cut grass. My experience is with horses and I think they'd colic if allowed to eat that much at one time. I don't think a goat's stomach is that sensitive. :)
These horses have been pastured, not paddocked, and are accustomed to eating green lush grass. They've never colicked as a result, but those just introducing their horses to fresh cut green feed would want to introduce it slowly so that their digestion could adjust. The larger concern regarding colic from feeding grass trimmings is those cut with a power mower, which shreds and minces the grass. The scythe leaves the stalks whole, and so it's no different than turning the horse out on fresh pasture.
With either style one shouldn't have to bend over more than the simple tilt at the waist to set one's rate of advance. But I definitely prefer the curved American snath.
The Grim Reaper and Father Time are depicted as carrying scythes because of the way that harvest with a scythe (reaping) must be done at the right time. Much as crops (whether grain or hay) must be harvested at the correct time, so too is it their duty to harvest souls when it is THEIR time.
your technique is something to strive for. Just got my aluminum snath today to go with my american scythe and you definitely make it look easy. I have to keep practicing.
Just have to have everything tuned up right and then use the right movements. When done right, it *is* easy, but getting all of those factors lined up right is the part most folks have to troubleshoot! One of the biggest common issues is simply not having the edge thin and crisp enough, or with enough of a tooth to the scratch pattern. An edge that will easily slice flesh may not be keen enough for cutting grass.
My favorite blade is unmarked but it's rare to come across a bad one unless it has condition issues. A 30" grass blade will handle 95% of most folks' mowing needs.
Wood is able to be made more robust than aluminum, and so is better for tackling heavy resistant growth like in heavy weed and bush work. Aluminum snaths are able to be lighter for a given requisite rigidity due to being hollow, and so excel for use in all less strenuous mowing (which 95% of my mowing is comprised of.)
Check our website for maintenance equipment and our links and reading section for the instructional material we have on our blog! We have detailed instructions for beginners. byxco.com/ site.baryonyxknife.com/blog/?p=6
A couple of our scythe stones and a wooden "whipping stick" which is used much like a butcher's steel or strop to draw out any micro misalignments of the edge.
Everything about it. Both the blade and snath are American pattern, which are distinct from other global styles. Many people confuse American and English scythes, but the blades are pretty significantly different in design (though they are the closest relatives to one another) and most English scythes made after the late 1800's were outfitted with American pattern snaths since the American innovations of twist-to-tighten nibs, the loop bolt method of fastening, and the heavily recurved steam bent form of the shaft were all considered as notable improvements over the various kinds of snaths that had been produced in the UK prior to that point in time (though local patterns did continue to see some degree of manufacture and use.)
It would depend on where it was going. Some countries are unable to receive scythe snaths via USPS (usually the cheapest international service) so the shipping cost can potentially be very high for a single unit. If interested in seeing if we can send to you and the total cost, please feel free to visit our website and send us an email. :)
I love scythes of all types, and have many styles from all over the world, but the American is my favorite hands down. Coming back to it after using other kinds is always like a breath of fresh air. :)
Exactly how was it a waste of time? The clippings were a useful crop that was given to the horses as green feed. Can't do that with clippings from a lawnmower.
To ship packages the size of a scythe snath from the USA to India requires commercial quantities to become economically feasible, so you would need a business to invest in a quantity of them. Seymour Manufacturing produces them and you might contact them about a wholesale bulk purchase.
Depends on the particular task. Machines are great at doing high volume removal in the absence of obstacles, but each machine can essentially do only one thing well, and there are places they can all necessarily go. A scythe can handle tasks normally performed by a lawn mower, weed whacker, bush hog, and sickle bar mower, and can go just about anywhere, while being dead silent and weighing only a few pounds that ride on the ground in use. And it starts every time and runs on breakfast. So it's great to use in conjunction with other tools for doing the cleanup work or spot-mowing in places you can't reach with other equipment or for spaces that are small enough that you can't justify the setup time and bulk of other methods. A scythe can also mow with pinpoint precision, and so when cleaning up around obstacles you'll sometimes find places that are too large for a string trimmer and too full of things to mow around for a walk-behind mower. So they're a wonderful tool to have even if you're able to afford all of the machines and their maintenance.
I read some of the articles on Baryonxknife blog. I am just starting out, and wondering, do I need to peen the blade. I have purchased this to start, having some overgrown thistle to manage. www.seymourmidwest.com/en/21426 What is your opinion?
In a word, no. No peening necessary. If you're using the factory edge it does need to be thinned out a good deal. It should be beveled on both faces at 7-9° per side. :) site.baryonyxknife.com/blog/2016/06/01/dont-peen-american-blades/
??? Do you perhaps mean the fact that in the first part of the video I'm mowing into the standing grass? If so, that was deliberate for camera angle reasons.
The "normal" scythe you're referring to is, I take it, the European variety? If so, those were hardly invented 2000+ years ago. Their current form is an evolution from ever-earlier designs that far back, but the modern styles of scythes the world over represented iterative improvements and divergent paths in terms of what performance qualities received the greatest priority. American, English, and Nordic scythes belong to a lineage that could be described as having shared design priorities. Compared to the modern continental European scythe, American scythes are more rigid, hold an edge MUCH longer, are beveled by grinding rather than peening, and--while the blades are still quite light for their size, with a 30" grass blade weighing between 1lb 8oz to 1lb 12oz on average--they have heavier blades that employ a flywheel effect in the stroke to even out the energy requirements during mowing. Typical American snaths are steam bent rather than using a stemmed grip to put the hands in an ergonomic position, and the nibs (side handles) may be moved up or down the length or rotated around the shaft at will to afford sound control of the instrument. The blades are most commonly affixed to the snath using a loop bolt that will not slip or loosen like the European style set screw rings. Once clamped down, a ring bolt is locked solidly and the blade shan't budge from its mounted position.
Nope! While they have a lot in common with one another (the American pattern being a further evolutionary divergence from the English, after all) they are separate and distinct styles. The chief difference is in the blades, which have very different forms of construction in the heel, rib, bead, and set of the web, as well as English blades typically having a curvature that's nearly the mirror image of the typical American curvature. UK snaths existed in a wide array of styles, but once the modern American pattern was developed in the mid-1800s it was exported to the UK in so great a quantity that many UK snath makers started making American pattern snaths domestically. It's common to see English blades on American snaths, as a result. But there are UK patterns of snaths that are unique to the region--you've probably just seen English blades on American snaths most of the time, and not had a close enough look at English vs. American blades to tell them apart at a distance. Once you know what you're looking at you can tell them apart easily with half a glance. :)
Its not the original technique but it is very effective. he should use his arms less and his hips more. Now he gets tired quicker than with the original technique, but it effective, every cut is at least 1 foot x 6 foot (30cm x 2 mtr). I have a small garden and i use the wrong technique too. But farmers did it different in the past.
Actually, this is fully correct form for the American pattern. The arms are used in tandem with the torso and legs to distribute the load evenly across the whole body. The stroke uses the right hand as the pivot, which has more mechanical advantage than when using a left-hand pivot. Between this and the exceptionally keen blade, very little effort is coming from any particular part of the body.
In the last seconds he makes mistakes, cuts in the ground, he is tired. he should do his legs not so far away from eachother and use his hips instead of his shoulders.
save the back pain when you get older, say 50 or 60 yo, we may young now and full of energy, but pains come later down the road, my old neighbour told me...
Yeah it's not producing ANY back strain if used correctly. These old duffers are still mowing just fine, and historically it's generally been considered that the older you get the better you scythe since it's a tool that relies on technique and finesse, not strength. th-cam.com/video/no_M7Wubo1A/w-d-xo.html
in the second Part Your mow path and Your mowmotion ;) is very wide. the sticking at the End of some of Your mowmotions ;) is the result. reduce it to 2/3 or 1/2 will be more effective and less tirering. im getting so mowmotional ;)
Wasn't at all tiring. The input force and width/depth of the swath were properly matched but there was some old thatch in the grass in a few spots that occasionally resulted in an insignificant snag at the very end of the stroke. :)
Says right in the video description. I own many styles of scythes, including European ones, and my overwhelming personal preference is for the American pattern.
It's difficult for us to make a specific recommendation without knowing your height and intended context of use! Feel free to send us an email at sales@baryonyxknife.com if you'd like to discuss!
Because I was on ten and a half acres FULL of them at the time this video was filmed. There was no shortage of them if I had need of them. And the ones here were fed out as green feed along with the grass and clover.
Wood snaths (handles) can work very well, but almost always can benefit from having a lot of material removed to slim them down and lighten them up. Chances are both the blade and snath are in need of restoration work before it would be ready to mow. A scythe is literally like a razor blade made for grass, so proper sharpness for a scythe is well beyond that required of something like, for instance, a knife.
FortyTwoBlades The handle is wobbly and taped up so I'll just have to get that fixed up and the blade properly sharpened and It'll be good for work where a mower simply won't work.
For tightening the nibs (side grips) disassemble and remove the nib and use a hammer to tap the diameter of the band down smaller. I have a video on how to go about it properly. They have a left handed thread so be sure to twist the grips to the RIGHT to loosen them. We offer scythe grinding, rust removal, and tang angle adjustment services if you end up needing them, and have a specially formulated abrasive grinding point available that you can use in an electric drill to grind the blade without risking overheating the thin steel. You want it to be only 7-9° per side.
A personal favorite of mine. It's an unmarked vintage 30" grass blade, and has a double bead (which I usually don't care for) but the steel and heat treatment are excellent and the geometry of the blade's curves and the set of the tang relative to the blade itself are exactly to my preferences. It may have been made as a private label production piece by David Wadsworth & Son, as its overall style of forging is closest in appearance to their work, but it could be by any one of a number of other makers.
Oh wow i cant find a complete scythe, but for a blade and handle its only a little over 100 usd. Thats not to bad at all i think i want to try this out.
Be sure to buy from a specialist instead of from a general retailer like Amazon. They don't come ready-to-mow from the factory and so need additional work if order to be brought up to that condition. To the best of our knowledge we're the only shop that offers American scythes ready to mow right now.
Was it professionally ground and honed with the tang angle correctly adjusted for your height? If you purchased it off the shelf from another retailer then it would have needed some extra tuning before being ready to mow. See this guide for additional information: site.baryonyxknife.com/blog/2014/08/10/a-primer-on-the-selection-use-maintenance-of-the-american-scythe/
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I was in Romania JUNE 2018 they still use a Sythe on the deep areas Carpathian mountains. Farming on steep hillside requires handwork for haystacks and modern tractors fail to plow and horses turn soils in springtime where no modern man dares to tread. Cell phones are a novelty and the old ways still prevail harsh long winters.
Who needs a gym!!!
I can't believe I just watched you mow...... oddly soothing and pleasant..... I have to do this more often.... powering down without going stir crazy...... nailed it! 5 stars buddy!
This is oddly relaxing.
A common sentiment!
I was thinking the same. I could watch for hours. hell I think I would PAY people to let me cut their lawns lol
A fair bit of ASMR going on with your average scythe work.
Watch at 2x speed its better
Man, you are one of the few people in US that I saw on you tube that knows how to use a scythe.
form is excellent.
He’s throwing the swarth onto the uncut grass. That makes it harder to cut the next time around. Right handed mowers should go clockwise.
@@Dreyno That was only in the first clip first few seconds. 2nd clip is done the other way.
@@mlg779 You can’t praise someone as one of the few people using a scythe properly when the first thing he does is make a rookie error.
@@Dreyno Have you ever used a scythe? I have done it every summer from 13 years old to 20 when I came to US. Every summer for 2 weeks with my grand father we would wake up at 5 AM to 7 PM for 2 weeks. Now not sure with that scythe and his technique how many hours he would last but what I see here looks good. We used totally different handles. I do not like this type of scythe.
OMG I couldn't help but go back and forth with my mouse on the loading bar to watch you magically repair the grass with your scythe
WOW that looks SO COOL! XD You, sir, are a magician! XD
HAHAHA, I just tried it after you wrote that, pretty funny xD
Alexander Nelson 2:44-3:27 dam I didnt know U could rollerscate and cut flown grass
I was not prepared for how funny that was! Thanks, Alexander!
...fuck you. I had to do that because of this comment and it is glorious.
My last name is Scyther (translated). Somebody as skillful as you must have earned my elders their name with this beautiful trade!
Senser?
this used to be regular routine, now people are using it as therapy or exercise... seems to me like humans are sliding backwards
Or they took a wrong turn and making a correction for it.
Heyalth Or we've made such leaps and bounds in technology that we don't need scythes anymore, and thus only use them for fun. I think that sounds about right.
@@bryanbridges2987 or we've become so lazy that we'd pollute and kill our planet just to save some effort.
Years ago everyone had horses and only the wealthy had cars,
Now everyone has cars and only the wealthy have horses !!!
Oh! I always thought it was used to collect the souls of the damned!
Dny Choong it can do 2 things
Dny Choong yeah, you can collect the souls if the grass too
Dny Choong it's for harvesting
You can only collect souls once your finished mowing your lawn with one. Gotta get the chores done 1st you know.
Gun.
I wish Crocs hadn't discontinued their scything clogs.
They're Specialist II Work Clogs, or their predecessor, at least.
Man I need to get one of those
Watching an American Scythe in action is intriguing. Especially after discovering my 9th Great Grandfather Joseph Jenckes Sr. was the one that created this elegant tool out of the crude and inefficient English scythes of the time. He was quite the remarkable fellow.
Joseph Jenckes made several notable inventions that were arguably the first steps of the American scythe's development and delineation from the English scythe. You will find sources that claim that he invented the modern curved snath, but my research suggests that this was only partly true, and that while the details of his original invention are lost, the innovation he made was the primary arch of the snath at the right hand, while Silas Lamson invented the further recurve bend of the neck of the snath. Loop bolt fasteners were invented by Pinckney Frost, while the twist-to-tighten nib was developed by Joseph and Erasmus S. Clapp. Notably, Jenckes also invented a method of welding an iron bar to the back of scythe blades to stiffen them, but it is unclear if this was the origin of the V-shaped stiffening rib along the back of American blades or not.
1:25 Cool cat be like "EZ hooman
1.5 2.0 speed so much more amusing
1:38 sir your dog is escaping
Barn cat. ;)
Looks like a cat
No, it can't be a cat. After reexamining the video in depth I now believe it's a pet lizard of some kind.
Lizard people in disguise ;)
Ok i have to walk in this I work for illuminati and that is clearly a fucking alien you fucking Idiots and now that I told you this I have to put yall down.
Wtf, this is way faster than a gas guzzling lawnmower. Why don't we all use these?
You must have never mowed a lawn with a "gas guzzling lawnmower" then. Because this is way slower.
Mustard Tiger I only know a few people who mow their lawn from inside the house
Sythe isn't used for mowing because you can't cut as short grass with it
It's hard to cut grass that has been trampled on
If you cut old grass it will leave sharp cuts that are uncomfortable to walk on barefoot
It is slightly slower than motorized options
You have to pick up the cut hey, motorized options will pulverize the grass so don't really need to pick it up
It takes skill to do, if you do it wrong you'll get tired fast
More physical and mental effort even when done correctly
Bet there is more, but you get the idea
Better yet it lets you get exercise! But yeah, it won't work well on short grass.
this is waaay slower and also crazy physically demanding. Looks easy but it is one of the hardest jobs you can do on a farm.
I want to buy one this for some rice farmer in my hometown. Theyre still bending down on their back to cut down the rice plant with a sickle , this will speed things up.
In the harvesting of grains, the stalks need to be kept in alignment, which is a given with sickles. For a scythe to harvest grains it needs a cradle added to catch the cut stalks and hold them together. You can see the technique of using a grain cradle in this old stock film, although he's harvesting oats.
www.criticalpast.com/video/65675066806_wheat-field_cutting-wheat_binding-shocks_stalks-of-wheat_cutting-with-hand-scythe
I see the same design in the "Scythe Project in India 2016" I just watched on youtube. I want to do the same thing for Vietnam. Scythe is only in Western culture, most people in Asia dont know about it.
They're wonderful tools, and it's interesting how their use remained mostly confined to Europe, North America, and Australia, other than a few other isolated regions.
Hi Enso...you can visit us anytime you want in India...the scythe project is in full swing in India and will soon expand to Bangladesh, Thailand, Pakistan and Nepal...We would love to help you do the same for Vietnam
Enso ,LLC Wow, really? I can't imagine bending down and cutting enough rice to feed my country with a sickle. Dear lord!
Nothing like old world tech. This is also healthier for the lawn as well. Never used one of these tools but I have used a Reel Mower.
Esses simmm sao dignos de likees
Nice. I like to let my yard grow and bloom for the sake of the pollinators, then try to cut it before the grasses release their hay-fever inducing pollen. That leaves a narrow space on the calendar to get it done: let it go too long and it's almost impossible with the gas push mower and the sneezing. (It'll grow eight feet where I let it.) However, my yard is very lumpy and uneven, so that the surface is a hindrance even to a large-wheeled push mower when the grass is short. The string trimmer is noisy, messy, itchy, sweaty, and involves the least pleasant hours spent outdoors. How would a scythe manage uneven ground, without scraping into the high spots and missing the low spots? By the way, I read many of the comments here: you not only make mowing look easy, you communicate well and with equanimity even when rudely challenged.
Scythes work wonderfully uneven ground, though it naturally requires more experience to mow well than flat ground. In general one would want a little more "crown" (gradual upward curvature) to the blade to deal with bumpy ground, and the smaller the width of those depressions, the shorter and more heavily crowned of a blade you'll want. Think of it as making the blade more like a scoop. Such a blade does leave a less even stubble on flat ground, though, so it's about striking the right balance!
just make ur yard a garden by that point
That is a nice sharp scythe. I have an Austrian scythe and I love it but I love the look of an American scythe, especially if it is wooden. He didn't miss a single blade of grass.
I own a bunch of European style scythes of various makes to stay in practice with them but much prefer the American style. It's just hard to beat the crisp edge that can be easily obtained and how long it lasts. Having a bit of mass on the end of the snath helps make for a smooth ride to the cut, too, with less strain on the muscles.
@@FortyTwoBlades that's interesting. So the heavier blade makes for easier work. I'm in the market for a garden blade next and a new anvil. I have the jig type for beginners. I love mowing with a scythe so I can listen to my headphones etc.
Scythe ASMR!!!! I got to get me some land.
Love this guy what a awesome tool long forgotten rather do this than push a stupid lawn mower.
American scythe is ergonomic.
Absolutely! Though other global styles, when done well, are ergonomic as well, the American sort is one of the few snath styles that allow for altering the rotation of the grips around the shaft of the snath, which allows for very fine adjustment!
I had no idea scythes did such a clean job.
You make cutting grass look cool
So silent I love it. Use to get the hard to reach spots with something of that order. Miss it too.
Thank you for sharing this wonderful ❤️ video 👌 tutorial on using an American scythe.
Just fixed one I found in a barn...
weed eater = $125
scythe = free !
😁 much to my landladys approval I cut the backyard with it,I could not believe how well it works on thick wet grass....WAY better than a cheap weed eater....kinda fun too.
The front yard however is very thin dry grass...it kinda looks like pigpins hair now.
What did they do right next to trees and walls back in this tools.. HAY-day ??
I don’t think the answer is “slipping the blade between the wall and grass and snatching back fast”
I got frustrated and just yanked out all the hard to get to stuff.
For up against objects either the blade must be kept well-pointed at the toe and the spine ridden up against the obstacle like a guide, or else a grass hook would be used for trimming work of that nature. Depending on the shape of the toe on your blade, the former technique may or may not be especially viable, as many blades made for rough field mowing conditions have fairly broad-angled toes designed to deflect off hillocks and rocks, and the angle of presentation you'd need to get such a tip to cut effectively in that manner would be uncomfortable. But if the toe of your blade is fine enough, it works quite nicely.
FortyTwoBlades well thank you 👍🏽😁
Never heard of a “grass hook”...but I just google imaged it and know where I can get one for super cheap.
I must have me the rough,field type...
I’m gonna research and know a lot more tonight,seeing you in the video I know my swings all wrong,I look like I’m auditioning for a new kill bill sequel,
You’ve got grace happening.
Thanks again, I’ll know exactly what I’m doing in a very short while.
Who needs a bowflex?
I think I found a way to lose that 20 lbs I've been needing to lose!!!
Mesmerizing been watching diff video for days I need to get one. Blessings
Bruce Lee: I fear the man who has practiced one scythe stroke 10,000 times
Wow, it's an art by itself.
I got a bush scythe from an elderly friend here in Ontario Canada. I'm surprised how well it works for trail clearing. Cuts sapling up to 3/4" and berry bushes are a breeze.
I cleaned the rust with a flap sanding disc on the grinder and final sharpen with a file.
It has a fat aluminum handle ( 1 1/2" D ) and the grip nuts need to be worked loose so I can position and properly tighten them.
The blade doesn't seem to lay flat enough relative to the ground.
Encouraged to buy a proper set-up but I'll see if I can tweak this one for now.
I used a scythe for hay as a youngster and it sure is fun digging into this topic.
Holy hell thank you bro I knew sumn wuz off , not with technique but the application and direction of the curve of the American style
Most often they're found with the blade in extremely rough condition, and the tang angle not set. The blade needs to be considerably more thin and keen than most folks are accustomed to even with tools like knives, and they usually need a liberal application of elbow grease to get them functioning properly. When the snaths are properly slimmed down and the blades tuned up, they'll mow with the best of them.
Nice. Appears to be about as fast as a powered push mower.
+macmurfy2jka And it allows me to cut selectively, avoiding bird nests, snakes, flowers, etc. while turning the cut vegetation into a useful harvest for our animals. :)
You said it right there! Avoiding cutting snakes and other slow moving critters. I have over 8 acres to cut, so can't do it all this way, BUT, I can use it in the areas where I most frequently see snakes. My goats appreciate the cuttings... hate using the tractor for many reasons...
I was going to ask what you did with the cut grass. My experience is with horses and I think they'd colic if allowed to eat that much at one time. I don't think a goat's stomach is that sensitive. :)
These horses have been pastured, not paddocked, and are accustomed to eating green lush grass. They've never colicked as a result, but those just introducing their horses to fresh cut green feed would want to introduce it slowly so that their digestion could adjust. The larger concern regarding colic from feeding grass trimmings is those cut with a power mower, which shreds and minces the grass. The scythe leaves the stalks whole, and so it's no different than turning the horse out on fresh pasture.
@@TheJPDunn it is also possible to turn the grass into hay if you have the time, and a rake.
When you can't find gas anymore for your lawn mower
The curve on this scythe looks like it's a lot more comfortable to use than the straight handle one. You don't have to bend down as much.
With either style one shouldn't have to bend over more than the simple tilt at the waist to set one's rate of advance. But I definitely prefer the curved American snath.
Your cat photo bombed you
She likes to do that. :D
But I live in a 13th floor apartment. :(
Fantastic job there young man!👏👏👏👏💪 Well done. As always.😁
Why, thank you! :D
That is what a scythe was made for..... I never knew that
Then why does the Grim reaper have one??
The Grim Reaper and Father Time are depicted as carrying scythes because of the way that harvest with a scythe (reaping) must be done at the right time. Much as crops (whether grain or hay) must be harvested at the correct time, so too is it their duty to harvest souls when it is THEIR time.
Nice arch strokes!
Молодец, работяга, уважаю.
Где купить такую удобную косу? Подскажите,плиззз
I like to take my grass after a cutting and put it in my juicer and then fill up my bathtub with it for a nice soak after a hard days work :)
Good 👍
your technique is something to strive for. Just got my aluminum snath today to go with my american scythe and you definitely make it look easy. I have to keep practicing.
Just have to have everything tuned up right and then use the right movements. When done right, it *is* easy, but getting all of those factors lined up right is the part most folks have to troubleshoot! One of the biggest common issues is simply not having the edge thin and crisp enough, or with enough of a tooth to the scratch pattern. An edge that will easily slice flesh may not be keen enough for cutting grass.
Shouldn't the back/end handle be on the other side of the bar?
No. American snaths are conventionally used with both nibs facing forward. 😊
what blade do you use? what do you recommend for grass?
My favorite blade is unmarked but it's rare to come across a bad one unless it has condition issues. A 30" grass blade will handle 95% of most folks' mowing needs.
I really appreciate your response. any snath recommendations? I'm 5'8 but want to have others be able to use it. @@FortyTwoBlades
Sir for fitment purposes might I ask, how tall are you?
5' 9"
What are the pros and cons of aluminum vs wood snaths for American scyths?
Wood is able to be made more robust than aluminum, and so is better for tackling heavy resistant growth like in heavy weed and bush work. Aluminum snaths are able to be lighter for a given requisite rigidity due to being hollow, and so excel for use in all less strenuous mowing (which 95% of my mowing is comprised of.)
I just bought one of those exact ones from someone and was wondering how to set it up.
Check our website for maintenance equipment and our links and reading section for the instructional material we have on our blog! We have detailed instructions for beginners.
byxco.com/
site.baryonyxknife.com/blog/?p=6
I need it please
Hey, man. Your website won't let me add items to the cart. I want one.
That's because we're out of stock! More arriving in a few days, so keep your eyes peeled for availability. :)
nice
On Halloween you can be the American Grim Reaper.
Anyone catch what he used to sharpen the blade?
A couple of our scythe stones and a wooden "whipping stick" which is used much like a butcher's steel or strop to draw out any micro misalignments of the edge.
What part of that scythe makes it American?
Everything about it. Both the blade and snath are American pattern, which are distinct from other global styles. Many people confuse American and English scythes, but the blades are pretty significantly different in design (though they are the closest relatives to one another) and most English scythes made after the late 1800's were outfitted with American pattern snaths since the American innovations of twist-to-tighten nibs, the loop bolt method of fastening, and the heavily recurved steam bent form of the shaft were all considered as notable improvements over the various kinds of snaths that had been produced in the UK prior to that point in time (though local patterns did continue to see some degree of manufacture and use.)
Dónde puedo adquirir una donde se puede comprar
www.baryonyxknife.com/scac.html
I want to purchase said scythe how
It would depend on where it was going. Some countries are unable to receive scythe snaths via USPS (usually the cheapest international service) so the shipping cost can potentially be very high for a single unit. If interested in seeing if we can send to you and the total cost, please feel free to visit our website and send us an email. :)
I am going to buy one of these, hand it to my kid and tell him to mow the yard. The look on his face will be priceless.
He gone mistake it for the fortnite pickaxe and attempt to harvest wood lmaooo
Hopefully he doesn’t cut your toes of
Record it plz lol
Any updates on this?
Hmm to go with American or Austrian
I love scythes of all types, and have many styles from all over the world, but the American is my favorite hands down. Coming back to it after using other kinds is always like a breath of fresh air. :)
is it in indian market and whom are suppliers
To the best of my knowledge, American scythes are not currently sold in India.
Cool but waste of time. Definitely couldnt do this for a lawn service
Exactly how was it a waste of time? The clippings were a useful crop that was given to the horses as green feed. Can't do that with clippings from a lawnmower.
Where is available in India
To ship packages the size of a scythe snath from the USA to India requires commercial quantities to become economically feasible, so you would need a business to invest in a quantity of them. Seymour Manufacturing produces them and you might contact them about a wholesale bulk purchase.
question.... using a scythe is more of a hobby than anything right? machines do it faster and better or no?
Depends on the particular task. Machines are great at doing high volume removal in the absence of obstacles, but each machine can essentially do only one thing well, and there are places they can all necessarily go. A scythe can handle tasks normally performed by a lawn mower, weed whacker, bush hog, and sickle bar mower, and can go just about anywhere, while being dead silent and weighing only a few pounds that ride on the ground in use. And it starts every time and runs on breakfast. So it's great to use in conjunction with other tools for doing the cleanup work or spot-mowing in places you can't reach with other equipment or for spaces that are small enough that you can't justify the setup time and bulk of other methods. A scythe can also mow with pinpoint precision, and so when cleaning up around obstacles you'll sometimes find places that are too large for a string trimmer and too full of things to mow around for a walk-behind mower. So they're a wonderful tool to have even if you're able to afford all of the machines and their maintenance.
Faster than a mower and no belly fat on you!!!!
I read some of the articles on Baryonxknife blog. I am just starting out, and wondering, do I need to peen the blade. I have purchased this to start, having some overgrown thistle to manage. www.seymourmidwest.com/en/21426
What is your opinion?
In a word, no. No peening necessary. If you're using the factory edge it does need to be thinned out a good deal. It should be beveled on both faces at 7-9° per side. :)
site.baryonyxknife.com/blog/2016/06/01/dont-peen-american-blades/
Theres something really wrong about this video. Can't believe no one has noticed.
???
Do you perhaps mean the fact that in the first part of the video I'm mowing into the standing grass? If so, that was deliberate for camera angle reasons.
Naa homie. Its because you shoe game is weak. You gotta upgrade those crocks son! lol great video
Almost said that. Living on a homestead, the crocs without holes are sort of like the summer sneaker version of my usual rubber boots. :D
Thank God .. American grasses are soft.
Slash Kuki pardon? We have lots of kinds of grasses and many of them are not at all soft. The grass being cut here was chiefly timothy.
By the way i like your schythe
What's the difference between an American Scythe and a normal Scythe? They were invented like 2000+ years ago
The "normal" scythe you're referring to is, I take it, the European variety? If so, those were hardly invented 2000+ years ago. Their current form is an evolution from ever-earlier designs that far back, but the modern styles of scythes the world over represented iterative improvements and divergent paths in terms of what performance qualities received the greatest priority.
American, English, and Nordic scythes belong to a lineage that could be described as having shared design priorities. Compared to the modern continental European scythe, American scythes are more rigid, hold an edge MUCH longer, are beveled by grinding rather than peening, and--while the blades are still quite light for their size, with a 30" grass blade weighing between 1lb 8oz to 1lb 12oz on average--they have heavier blades that employ a flywheel effect in the stroke to even out the energy requirements during mowing. Typical American snaths are steam bent rather than using a stemmed grip to put the hands in an ergonomic position, and the nibs (side handles) may be moved up or down the length or rotated around the shaft at will to afford sound control of the instrument. The blades are most commonly affixed to the snath using a loop bolt that will not slip or loosen like the European style set screw rings. Once clamped down, a ring bolt is locked solidly and the blade shan't budge from its mounted position.
american all time behinde the time
American and English look like the same style
Nope! While they have a lot in common with one another (the American pattern being a further evolutionary divergence from the English, after all) they are separate and distinct styles. The chief difference is in the blades, which have very different forms of construction in the heel, rib, bead, and set of the web, as well as English blades typically having a curvature that's nearly the mirror image of the typical American curvature. UK snaths existed in a wide array of styles, but once the modern American pattern was developed in the mid-1800s it was exported to the UK in so great a quantity that many UK snath makers started making American pattern snaths domestically. It's common to see English blades on American snaths, as a result. But there are UK patterns of snaths that are unique to the region--you've probably just seen English blades on American snaths most of the time, and not had a close enough look at English vs. American blades to tell them apart at a distance. Once you know what you're looking at you can tell them apart easily with half a glance. :)
FortyTwoBlades do you have a reference I can look at with side by side pictures?
Typical cat has to be on screen.
Its not the original technique but it is very effective. he should use his arms less and his hips more. Now he gets tired quicker than with the original technique, but it effective, every cut is at least 1 foot x 6 foot (30cm x 2 mtr). I have a small garden and i use the wrong technique too. But farmers did it different in the past.
Actually, this is fully correct form for the American pattern. The arms are used in tandem with the torso and legs to distribute the load evenly across the whole body. The stroke uses the right hand as the pivot, which has more mechanical advantage than when using a left-hand pivot. Between this and the exceptionally keen blade, very little effort is coming from any particular part of the body.
In the last seconds he makes mistakes, cuts in the ground, he is tired. he should do his legs not so far away from eachother and use his hips instead of his shoulders.
Very clean mowing!
Thanks for sharing Ben.
What make is that?
A Seymour No.8 aluminum snath with a vintage 30" grass blade of unknown make, but probably a David Wadsworth & Son based on the forging style.
i use the electric mower, it's not that noise as the petrol ones, no need to wear earplugs, you may have a try.. and save your back...
Save my back from what exactly? It's very relaxing and easy work.
save the back pain when you get older, say 50 or 60 yo, we may young now and full of energy, but pains come later down the road, my old neighbour told me...
Yeah it's not producing ANY back strain if used correctly. These old duffers are still mowing just fine, and historically it's generally been considered that the older you get the better you scythe since it's a tool that relies on technique and finesse, not strength.
th-cam.com/video/no_M7Wubo1A/w-d-xo.html
in the second Part Your mow path and Your mowmotion ;) is very wide. the sticking at the End of some of Your mowmotions ;) is the result. reduce it to 2/3 or 1/2 will be more effective and less tirering. im getting so mowmotional ;)
Wasn't at all tiring. The input force and width/depth of the swath were properly matched but there was some old thatch in the grass in a few spots that occasionally resulted in an insignificant snag at the very end of the stroke. :)
Where did you find this? Is it better than the European type?
Says right in the video description. I own many styles of scythes, including European ones, and my overwhelming personal preference is for the American pattern.
@@FortyTwoBlades thanks, I see it now, I was looking for a highlighted link.
Most satisfying video!!
I am looking for recommendations on a scythe to purchase. Thanks.
It's difficult for us to make a specific recommendation without knowing your height and intended context of use! Feel free to send us an email at sales@baryonyxknife.com if you'd like to discuss!
why didnt you harvest your dandelion flowers first...???
Because I was on ten and a half acres FULL of them at the time this video was filmed. There was no shortage of them if I had need of them. And the ones here were fed out as green feed along with the grass and clover.
This should be put on one of those satisfying vids
Mine is old and rusty with a wooden handle.
Wood snaths (handles) can work very well, but almost always can benefit from having a lot of material removed to slim them down and lighten them up. Chances are both the blade and snath are in need of restoration work before it would be ready to mow. A scythe is literally like a razor blade made for grass, so proper sharpness for a scythe is well beyond that required of something like, for instance, a knife.
FortyTwoBlades The handle is wobbly and taped up so I'll just have to get that fixed up and the blade properly sharpened and It'll be good for work where a mower simply won't work.
For tightening the nibs (side grips) disassemble and remove the nib and use a hammer to tap the diameter of the band down smaller. I have a video on how to go about it properly. They have a left handed thread so be sure to twist the grips to the RIGHT to loosen them. We offer scythe grinding, rust removal, and tang angle adjustment services if you end up needing them, and have a specially formulated abrasive grinding point available that you can use in an electric drill to grind the blade without risking overheating the thin steel. You want it to be only 7-9° per side.
i use to scarred of this tool. till knaw.
Croc
Ye
I could watch that action all day! Man I'm getting old...
If its American scythe can you please put a link where to shop for one, thank you.
www.baryonyxknife.com/scac.html
ENT conduit?
Nope. 1-1/4" aluminum tubing.
What blade were you using for this mowing?
A personal favorite of mine. It's an unmarked vintage 30" grass blade, and has a double bead (which I usually don't care for) but the steel and heat treatment are excellent and the geometry of the blade's curves and the set of the tang relative to the blade itself are exactly to my preferences. It may have been made as a private label production piece by David Wadsworth & Son, as its overall style of forging is closest in appearance to their work, but it could be by any one of a number of other makers.
Oh wow i cant find a complete scythe, but for a blade and handle its only a little over 100 usd. Thats not to bad at all i think i want to try this out.
Be sure to buy from a specialist instead of from a general retailer like Amazon. They don't come ready-to-mow from the factory and so need additional work if order to be brought up to that condition. To the best of our knowledge we're the only shop that offers American scythes ready to mow right now.
I tried using this scyte and I couldn't cut the grass to such a short length, it felt like the blade was pitched in the wrong direction.
Was it professionally ground and honed with the tang angle correctly adjusted for your height? If you purchased it off the shelf from another retailer then it would have needed some extra tuning before being ready to mow. See this guide for additional information:
site.baryonyxknife.com/blog/2014/08/10/a-primer-on-the-selection-use-maintenance-of-the-american-scythe/
Loved it
Watch on 2x speed for satisfaction.
super
Werry well!!!!!!!
Powerful strokes. Impressive