Scything tall grass in an orchard
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 6 ต.ค. 2024
- Finally time to put the new rake and fork to good use on the first hay cut for this year. Just a cool, cloudy day scything our orchard, and using the cut fresh grass to mulch the trees there. American pattern scythe used, older Seymour brush snath slimmed down for grass use, coupled with a 30" "western" type grass blade with no lift to the tang angle. This is my preferred rig for tall rough occasional mowing. For now, a bit over 1 acre in this orchard, cut in 2 1/2 hours at a slow relaxed pace, taking time to mulch trees.
For more info on American scythes as well as scythe supplies and other edge tools, I highly recommend www.baryonyxkn...
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If you had told teenage me that one day I would watch a man cut a lawn for 15 minutes and love every moment of it, I would have laughed in your face. And yet here we are. Very relaxing.
I have found scything to be the most productive and pleasant activity I do on a regular basis. At the end of last year, I took the top handle off and found that the adjustment required for my left hand orientation just holding the snath by the "tail" allowed for a more powerful stroke, pulling through with my palm facing down. Besides tall grass around the yard and on the edges of the fields, it really performs in a field of winter rye, which I'm harvesting for mulch, insulation, and seed. Nothing beats listening to the birds while mowing!
Seeing all of those wildflowers and knowing you have an orchard, really makes me wonder why you haven't built an apiary yet. With your wood working skills you should be able to make a really beautiful and functional hive that would work for you.
its on the list
I love work, I could sit and watch it all day. Anyone walking past might be forgiven in thinking they'd gone through a time tunnel. Scything is not only good exercise, it enables you to be selective, it's quiet and has only a good impact on your environment. Thank you once again for your films, I wish I had a small meadow to scythe.
What a joy. I've spent many hours doing the same thing. Such peace and tranquility in the dance of the blade. It is a moving meditation.
I've told folks that a well sized and tuned scythe is easy to use. They don't believe me.
Great work in the orchard.
Can you do one of your “tool time” videos on scythes? What your looking for and how to sharpen them and adjust them for your height and different cuts and whatnot, that would be a great help to me! I can’t get mine sharp enough to make the weeds melt at the blade like yours does!
Until I do, try this one!
th-cam.com/video/DjKjciIIDbs/w-d-xo.html
Mr. Chickadee thank you!
@@veteranironoutdoors8320 what type of blade do you have? European blades require occassional peening to "draw out" the edge. Many "American" blades such as "true temper" cannot be peened. They are hardened and not tempered to a soft enough finish. Americam blades must be shatpened like a good kitchen knife. Then honed to a razor edge. Keep in mind that you are slicing grass so scary sharp is what you need.
I prefer European blades to the harder temper found in American blades.
Depends on the type of blade. Mainland european/asian blades need to peened and honed every so often, depending on type of blade conditions etc... American/anglosaxon blades are not peened but grounded and honed in the field.
Be sure what type you have becuase you either can't keep an edge OR break your blade. Scythe supply, one scythe revolution, scytheconection, etc are great resource of information on european blades. 44blades for the american blades
Love hearing that hermit thrush. I can almost smell the fresh cut grass through the internet.
I once had helmet thrush. It was dreadful.
I enjoy my big engine machines to do outside work. But I also appreciate the change of pace and the quiet of hand tools. I need both in my life.
So much of your life is man as designer and builder and thinker.... but this video highlights man as graceful machine. It brings that possibility out in all of us.
Beautifully written, in my opinion, any change would detract from the eloquence.
I remember doing this work on my grandfather's farm in the 1960's. You are much better at it than I was, because I had to learn that slicing the weeds worked better than trying to chop them. I realized that a bit of proper technique goes a long way. A good lesson learned.
I also used a hand scythe on weeds in the oat fields. Now THAT was fun. 😎
Brings me back to when I was a young boy. My Grandfather would sharpen his scythe in his blacksmith vice down cellar and then ask me to grab a few Blue Seal grain bags. We would then hike into the woods to a nearby farm and cut hay for his horses. He would cut hay and pack the bags and I would listen, watch and just play in the field. He was strong as an ox. Typical old timer from Maine that stayed living the old way....
amazing, I have an old scythe blade that I want to make a new handle for, this certainly beats the horrible noise of a lawn mower.
is this american style handle steambend or laminated like plywood? Our german Sensenwurf or Sensenbaum is mostly a straight pice of wood with a handle in the middle somtimes a sec one at the end, ther'e serveral types with regional differences.
Finding snaths out of stock everywhere I made one from steel tube and just welded on some grips. I suppose it's a little heavier than timber but I was able to bend it myself to suit my tall stature. I crushed the tang and shaft together in the vice to ensure a good fit, then bent a U-bolt collar thing out of flat bar.
Nicely done! So happy to see other people doing good ambassador work for the trusty American pattern scythe!
Just doing my part to advance this great tool and also your expertly crafted stones and other wares! Many are asking where to get a scythe, I will be sure to send them your way!
This feels like deja vu all over again. 42blades is THE guy for sharp tools.
Really glad you wait until the wild flowers have gone to seed. The rakes are working well. Thank you for sharing 🙏🏻
So nice of you
I believe that did that job better in every way than what I could’ve done with a weed-eater. It’s not only quieter but it also appears to be just as fast without nearly as much effort.
Nothing runs like a Chickadee!
Funnist post here...
Yep best comment in the feed.
Bonsai Tree 😊
He cuts a wide swath 😊
It's not a fast or slow movement. It's a controlled movement! I see it, finally! Thanks, Mr. Chickadee!
Glad I looked this up before doing too much more! Tried using a scythe for the first time yesterday, and I was trying to cut a swathe as wide as the blade with every sweep. So, with a 30” blade, I was trying to take down 30” width of thick, heavy, wet grass and weed on each stroke! No wonder I’m aching today!
Ahhhhhh - the absence of nasty smells and fumes and sounds of petroleum fueled mowing. The sounds of the birds and blade meeting the grasses - awesome. Thanks for sharing. I'm told one can do half an acre in 15-30 minutes. The physical effort is light and easy. I was not aware of the distinctions between the American and Austrian style scythes. I wonder if anyone has compared the two types side by side.
Excellent form! I appreciated the CC comments on the American scythe's weight and why it doesn't need honed as often. Since I don't have a forge, I get my blacksmithing in peening and repairing dents in my Austrian blades!
I just got my scythe and I have to learn how to use it. This looks like a pleasant way to cut grass, to me.
Hubs just cut the grass with the power mower and I have to wait for it to grow a little before I try this. Thanks much for filming this video, especially when you are cutting near trees and such. 😊
I live in northern Michigan. There's nothing but snow for half the year. This is more pleasant to watch than anyone realizes.
Nice video.
Great job done!
Sharpen with the scythe, everyone has found their way for themselves. I know it so that the scythe on the field. Sharpened with a whetstone, hammered at home with a special hammer. Which gives the blade a better sharpness.
But unfortunately there are fewer and fewer people who still work with a scythe, these people prefer to use a brushcutter.
Wish you a nice Pentecost.
Watching your videos always feels such rewarding. I may never be able to do the things that you do, but somewhere deep within there is a part of me participating. Many thanks for sharing your world.
Wood thrush singing and doing what you love on your property. It s what I love also. Really enjoy all your videos sir ; right in my wheel house ! Cant wait to see more . Best of luck
This is much better than the swing blade I used as a kid. It did help my baseball and golf swing a little though.
Had to look up what an "Austrian" scythe is. Here in the Nordics, the scythes used are/were much more similar to the American style - although with much less pronounced curves on the shaft than your example. Kind of interesting how mainland Europe seems to have developed the same tool in such a different way..
No mystery my friend and brother. America for the most part was largely settled by northern and western Europeans., And it is not until the last couple of generations that the third world peoples have predominated in immigration
@@jaydubbyuh2292 Austria isn't third world
@@JohnSmith-lf4be he's saying immigration to America is no mostly from 3rd world, not the Europeans anymore
I watched the whole video. Looks so simple but also looks so skilled.
I moved with my wife to the country in Maine, 3 acres of lawn and have been letting half of it return to wildflowers. The contrast between mowed lawn/pasture and wildflower areas adds so much visual interest. Not to mention pollinators, butterflies, flowers, etc.
I mowed the orchard this morning and I'm excited to finish the edges tomorrow morning, but in the meantime I'm watching you scythe your orchard. That sound...!
Great to see someone using a American scythe properly, by slicing on the ground, right to left, and not taking off and landing...well done. Refreshing to see more people scything properly. I borrow a friend's Italian scythe. But use the same technique, sliding the scythe. And afterwards I peen the blade for him. Otherwise you are ussing double the energy and getting nowhere.
Well that is one way to get some exercise and also get something accomplished at the same time! Very meditative.
So true!
I love how you can butt up next to a tree and cut weeds around the trunk without damaging it....I can't decide if I like that feature more than the ability to cut large swaths
Great video as always! Thanks for the input on the American style scythe versus others. I've only used an American style before, and that was when I was a wee lad. It was when gas trimmers were considered ridiculously expensive, and someone had to cut along the electric fence. Nowadays I wish I'd had the patience to become more proficient. My dad made it a point to make us do things he had to do when he was a kid and, of course, I'd love to teach my boys. Thanks again for all the quality, and peacefully fulfilling instruction. Your videos have helped and encouraged me to learn and or re-hone all those great old skills, so I can make that dream a reality. By the way, was a great windrow you had going there.
Brings back memories of my Dad Scything the tall grass on our property. He would knock down the tall, stuff and my brother & I would use hand sickles to get the grass close to the ground . This was in the 70's & 80's when everybody had a weed eater . My Dad was old school LOL
So So peaceful....in these troubling times...thx Mr Chickadee...my neighbor...
I've did this before years ago when I was a young man. Pretty slick!!!!!
I use a scyth every morning to harvest fresh Pasture grass for my livestock during the warm months. The cows are out on rotation grazing but the baby calves, goats and baby sheep are in a safe padock where they get fed.
I enjoy deeming the rhythmic flow of the Scyth. The concetion to creation and its seasons.
Outstanding filming. It's wonderful to see peace like that and experience it while you're watching.
I scored one at a garage sale a few years ago with an extra snath and I filed a nice edge on the blade and put it away for safe keeping. Several months later I had to quickly clear a path in some tall grass for access. After messing around with a small string trimmer and having the string break constantly I grabbed the scythe and made quick work of the job. Not only did it cut faster and in broader swaths but the cut grass was pushed over in a nice row and the job was quiet, peaceful and not interrupted by having to mess around with a fussy spool or broken string. Needless to say, this is my go to tool for cutting long grass now.
Another great video. Many think sything is 'backbreaking' labor but once the tool is adjusted to the individual and the technique is learned it can be relaxing and almost mesmerizing. To me the hardest part is to resist the urge to chop at the grass and relax to let the tool do it's job. Do you grow a vegetable garden? If so, I think many would appreciate a tour. Thanks for putting in the work to present your videos to everyone. They are well-made, inspiring and informative.
Your orchard is beautiful. I watch almost all your videos, but I think this is the first time we have been treated to a view of it. 🇬🇧
Muy practico y no necesita combustible para cortar el grass.
what a nice cutting sound 😙 like it and it's one hella sharp crescent cut 👏👏
Glad you like it!
This is so chill.
thanks!
I too love scything. I have 3 american Syches, two heirlooms from my grandfather and one I purchased new. I use them like weed whackers. Once I learned how to sharpen them they became a joy to use.
Dear Mr. Chickadee.
👍👌👏 Simply fantastic again and as always. Congrats, that's exactly how to do it! You kind of danced with the scythe and had the blade nearly on the ground always. Additionally it's a wonderful shaped and extremely sharp tool.
It's great to mow with a scythe if able to. You can smell the grass, flowers, blossoms and nature instead of gasoline and exhaust gas. You can hear birds, bees, bumble bees respectively nature too instead of a loud engine/motor.
Thanks a lot for making teaching recording editing uploading and sharing.
Best regards, luck and health.
Very cathertic. Brought back a lot of good memories of watchign my father do this when I was a child.
I dad has one of these. A few times a month he goes out with it to the local walking trails through the woods and cleans up the trails. Scarred the neighbors the first few times until they finally asked where he was going and what he was doing with it. Turned out they didn't even know there was walking trails and now they bump into each other on them all the time on them.
ok thanks Mate im motivated im gunna get off my lazy Isolation fat backside and go out and wipper snip my front and back yard its just so cold here in Aus at the moment its getting below 20 degrees ( Celsius :-) )
Also so much better now i know to turn on the CC
great Videos something really relaxing about them in these stressful times Thank You
Stay Safe People
I seem to remember Mrs Chickadee working that tool last year. They are relaxing once you get the movement down. Cheers!
There's something so satisfying about working with your hands. A powered mower might be easier, but so noisy and the smell! Anyway, you made short work of that orchard, and mulched your trees to boot! And thank you for leaving the daisies--they are a delight to the eyes.
I grew up using push mowers, and I find this SOOO much easier and more enjoyable!
Very cool! I never knew a scythe could work so good and be so efficient.
Thank you for sharing.
Thanks for all the great content! It's so easy to unwind watching natural rhythms and hearing the sounds of nature
Great to see the cordless weedwhacker being used so skillfully :)
Thanks 👍
and it doesn't even need batteries!!! just a sandwich from time to time
Scything facinates me. Id love to learn but no grass around here. Dad used fo have a couple of American scythes and scicles hanging in the garage.
Now I see how the old timers kept their waist lines trim and fit. That looks like a great core workout. Nice job, Marine Chickadee. Only heard one knick if a tree/sapling, and it was very slight.
These videos are soothing yet mesmerizing, Thank you sir I needed this calm in my life.
The action of that scythe in skilled hands is just beautiful, and it's so quiet! I just ordered a new lawnmower, and now I'm thinking I should have looked for an American scythe instead. (And since weeks have gone by while I waited on delivery of parts to try to fix my old lawnmower, my "lawn" now looks about like yours. 😬)
Very nice! I love using my scythe, great exercise and meditative too. I have a European scythe but you can't beat the beauty of an American scythe.
I think the room paint is ready for another coat. Watching your video is so much more fun.
Howdy my chickadee ....👏👏👏 that’s one very sharp blade ! Not a two stroke engine to be heard..... you can still hear the birdsong, great job.....plus no gym membership required ! 👏👏🙏
The perfect way to start my Sunday morning, waiting with antisapasion for your next video, May you and your wife be safe in these trubeled times. greatings from Amsterdam
Good pt, boots n all. Upper body is gonna remind you of all that fun you had lol. Looks to be an acquired skill. I’ve used one before but it wasn’t curved, it looked more like a hockey stick except the blade was flat to the ground like it would stand up on its own and it had ripples. For an antique that thing cuts nice!
The old weed whip? Completely different tool.
So relaxing, and I bet it was so satisfying for you! Thanks for sharing.
It really is!
Several years ago I ordered a custom made snath (to my body dimensions ..short,fat and ugly older man) from Perry Maine. It is a wonderful ash handled tool with various blades available. Also ordered the hammer/anvil so I could hammer out the blades to keep in tip top shape. I have a lot of scrub gum trees and briers on the property so have a heavy duty "brush" blade just for that. Does a great job and is a great workout.
I'm glad to see you leave the flowers standing. I do that too. You're a good mower!
Thanks 👍
Was that chamomile or feverfew? Or something else?
@@dadawesome784 daisies?
So excited for mowing season this year. I've already got my scythe nice and sharp in anticipation
tis growing, little by little!
Now I know how to get my waist to shoulder ratio back to where it should be.... or I could just sit here and watch you do all the work :-)
I never thought I’d be so enthralled watching someone cut their grass... yet here I am 15 minutes later! Also, super impressed you’re growing PawPaw trees! I thought they were slowly being left (as I never see them in the northeast and rarely hear the name whispered anywhere else!)
I have free Osage Orange seedlings.
They grow wild here, mine are pretty small, hope they take off this year!
Agreed! Mowing my lawn has always been something I practically rush to get done with, hate how loud the mowers are, this actually looks sorta peaceful. Wife may think I’m nuts if I end up getting one. Lol
I read in Kentucky they are growing different varieties.
Your videos are great! I find them very calming. I watch them prior to retiring. I had a long handled corn sickle, that I used to cut our bank with. It was a good workout.
Scything away in the spring with the song of the wood thrushes, the smell of new mown grass and the rhythm of the bade. What could be better? Thanks Kindly Mr. Chickadee!
So relaxing.
I asked my grandpa (91) about this and he was trying to recall cutting with a sythe. He told me he still thought he had his from back when he was younger and I was trying to jog his memory about using it. I’ll have to go looking though the barn and if you could help with questions I might ask him it would be good to reminisce.
I absolutely love old tools .... except that one. Served my time swinging one of those until my grandpa finally bought a lawnmower.
If they are not set up and sharpened right, they are terrible, like any tool, if set up well, they are a pure joy!
Mr. Chickadee , I believe the problem was that I was in my early teens and felt that I had far more important things to do. Of course, that was 60 years ago.
I love your tool holder
There is something very satisfying about watching this. Time to get a scythe.
I really dig that horn "pocket" you're using.
Thank you so much for the needed beautiful sights an sounds of nature.....
OMG! I thought the daisies were done for!!! :-)
Brother, I could watch you work all day!
Deal!
That is really cool.
Grandfather used to tell me how he harvested wheat in Sicily (before WW1) with a sickle.
Interestingly, even today in their orchards they permit no grass or weeds and have the entire area cultivated/ hoed bare in a meticulous fashion- which seems like it would increase erosion . It is a very arid place.
Rumor is Chickadee moonlights as Death.
Careful with piling up mulch right around the trunk. Traps moisture and heat and could damage trees especially young ones. I try to leave a few inches of air gap
Dam I just realized that Scyther has Scythes for hands
Literally just rewatched the first scything video to see this one now too!
Used to use a scythe to mow the steep sides of the farm along the rural route as a kid, mid-to-late 70's. Fond memories looking back, but as a kid I don't think the thrill was there.
I can relate. I also used a scythe as a kid in the 70s. Alas, it was not sharp and I had no instructions other than: "take this and do that". Watching this makes me wish that I had known then half of what I learned today.
Something refreshing about silence, Mr. Stevens.
I’ve never seen a demonstration of the scythe. Beautiful! Great video!
More to come!
I like your relaxed work pace. Property looks nice.
Thanks 👍
I just watched you cut grass for 15 minutes and loved it...hah
Like your American scythe, but as well my Dutch wooden shoes for this work
Great video. I'd lover to hear more about your Pawpaw trees.
👍 = there is nothing left to say! Everything perfect!
Thanks nice to see your action and sharpening, there are so many poor YTs out there.
My benefits for my UK town garden
I can cut early morning since there is no noise
Best to cut when wet and rake later
My scythe is just a cheap oval cranked tube with a European blade that needs peening (I still have to master that)
I like the heavy USA / English scythe and the heavier blade (they have hardened steel blade and should not be peened)
That's so calm and beautiful... I should get myself one, because the major thing that was keeping me from mowing the grass today was thought about the noise of the gas trimmer. I'd love to try an American, but I don't think it is possible to find one around here in EU, one day mabye...
You should! Any scythe will be better than a trimmer!
You make it look so graceful!
Its a very graceful tool to use!
Really enjoyed this video. Beautiful work !
Can't wait to ditch the mower and grab a scythe... we own property in the Adirondacks but we can't move until the kids are out of school. City life until then! The mountains are calling...
awesome, great job.
That is a very nice scythe! Maybe different styles here, but try standing more straight, arms hanging straight down, scythe bar swings closer around the hips (and those swing the other way with the left step), narrower lanes (radius), deeper faster cuts and strides, less back pain. :)