American Scythe Mowing
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 8 มิ.ย. 2018
- Often the underdog in current times, left to the wayside and truly neglected, we find the American scythe to be a powerful, lovely and practical tool for every homesteader, or really anyone with a bit of grass or weeds to cut.
This tool is not so intuitive to set up and sharpen correctly, and though we hope to show more of this in the future, for now we would direct anyone willing to learn more or try an american scythe to FortyTwoBlades videos below on the topic.
• How To Use An American...
We will be giving our second class on Timber framing this October. Details can be viewed at our website below:
mrchickadee.com/classes/
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Thank you for not putting on background music and for not talking. Everything is perfectly self-explanatory.
I agree so much
Indeed.
Agreed, though "Don't Fear the Reaper" would be humourous.
@@billmcyrus The girl did come in for a bit of a solo...someone needs to sync this with something.
@@billmcyrus Immediately put it on in the background and replayed the video :)
1995: wow! the internet is great! Imagine the educational benefits!
2019: **drinking beer, watching guy cutting grass**
IIJamesII I agree with u but still I am learning the techniques of things like cutting grass with a scythe
Technically this is education. It helped me at least.
i’m here with a beer
I doubt you would have had an easy time learning how to use and maintain a scythe in 1995.
@@muddminer During this pandemic (Covid19) we were afraid to go to a gas station due to my husband with underlying health problems and he is elderly. I had no gas for our lawn-mower. I am seriously thinking of buying a Scythe as I have an acre of land.
In the age of fourteen i've learned this technique of mowing from my grandpa. He has 3 cows. And we ve mowed the grass with the scythe to feed the cows. In the evening grandpa sharpen the scythe with a hammer, He tapped the cutting edge of the scythe. In the morning we both going and sharpened the Scythe and then we re mowing until 10 a.m. This memories are coming back when i see the young man with a Scythe... Long time ago, with a lot of good memories to my grandpa. In this time the life was beautyful and simple.
Hardest part of mowing with scythe,is to get up early,while the dew is still on the grass. ;-)
wish there were more videos about how to peen a scythe...i wasn't fortunate enough to have a grandpa to learn that
We bought a scythe to work our land in the CA Central Coast region and it's been a revelation. No noise, very little effort to cut, and we feel much more connected to nature.
So much better to use. Much less hassle.
My favorite part is the silence.
kmonnier no doubt
Amish ASMR.
I never knew that a scythe could be used for all that close detail work. Nicely demonstrated.
Imagine using it along a fence grill , it' s even better.
Finally a video with nothing but the sounds of progress being made.
Just got to using my wife's grandfather's old soviet era scythe recently, such a pleasurable way to mow.
I have honestly never wanted to use one of those, until now.
Get a scythe with an S shape form, its easier to scythe, a line shape scythe is hard to scythe, I thought I knew how to scythe until my gfs grandpa gave me one oldschool normal one to scythe and I never felt dumber.Good luck on that its satisfying to scythe but hard ! still fun thou
My Opa had one of those and used to use it all the time when I was a kid. He was always pushing a wheelbarrow around digging up things, never stopped working unless it was Sunday and that was chess day for him and I. Now I'm a grown man and I realize how much i miss him, this channel reminds me of him.
Every time I use or see a scythe I think of my grandfather, he was amazing . He tried to teach but I'll never equal his skill. I miss him.
My Dad showed me how to do this about 50 years ago, he made it look easy. I had fun watching him. Your video shows good technique,
My wife just purchased a scythe. It took her a few days to figure out the technique, but now she's enjoying mowing.
Awesome not hearing the lawn mower / hedge trimmer / leaf blower noises on a Sunday morning.
I love the sound of mowers going on a sunny day. Just has that summer vibe to it
As a young Boy I remember my mother using one of those. I also remember trying to use it many times. But, I was
Was too short to get the right angle for it to work. Thanks, It brought back old memories. What I would give to see my mom doing this again.
The scythe is like a mower and trimmer all-in-one. It's amazing how such a large blade could be so delicate and detailed around obstacles and tight areas. This old school tool's got my attention!
Nicely done. I remember using a scythe at my grandparents ranch back in the day. I actually think them to be very efficient, you get into a groove and can meditate while you work. You both handle this tool very well. Great video as always.
Thank you! This was my wifes first time, she's learning fast! I really just love scything, its hard to stop, just one more row…haha
Where do you put the clippings?
I’ve always wanted one of those longer blades
I’ve always used a 2’ wide blade it works well seems like more sharpening though (maybe thinking to much into it)
My parents inherited an old antique scythe from my great grandfather when he passed that my grandfather told me had been handled by his grandfather. I've been wanting for years to restore it (as it's quite rusty and in need of a good sharpening. I've seen so many videos of people picking these old tools back up and using them, and it inspires me to do the same. :)
There's a tall, bony guy dressed in a hooded black robe who's been following me around lately with one of those scythes. So you're sayin' he just wants to cut my grass?
Perhaps he does side jobs along the way to make fare between here and the underworld.
Don't joke about that! We had a dear family friend that was very ill in a hospital bed in southern California once. Mary was very ill and near death. While in the hospital bed (in her room) she felt someone pulling on her toes! She thought it was her nurse. When she looked up she saw a Saint-like woman figure pulling her toes and at the same time another hooded dark figure moving across the room (scaring the hell out of her)! She said "Holy Mother of God" she was so scared! She later told a nun that was visiting the hospital about what she experienced and the Nun told her "That was death passing you by!" Mary lived a few more years before she passed away but I will never forget her story. Our family friend Mary never went to church either nor was she religious.
@@diane4537 The person didnt know the situation. Whether you see stuff or not, it was supposed to be a joke.
Grim Reapers Lawn Service. You got weeds will make em dead.
@@diane4537 when u get offended by a joke lol
Your videos have a simple beauty about them that I love. The sounds of nature and hard work are the only music you need. No lengthy verbal barrage to explain the process. Just sublime......
Reading the comments I can't believe the people that want to make fun of someone that wants to work. I think the life style you have chosen is great. I grew up on a farm, and have used one but didn't have to. I enjoyed watching, just stay the course you have chosen.
Thank you for the video!
I love my scythe, and I'm glad to see another putting it to good use as well. Efficient tools that will give you work equal to the care you give them is so rare in this day.
Folks ...As with Ashley demonstrating the use and her skill...and this gentleman here as well....
It is truly an art of power and human mechanics together as it once was ...we need to get back to these ways ....Our Earth depends on it.
Great video ...Thanks.
Mr. C, u are a genius at shooting and editing self explanatory videos. I’ve watched hrs of ur woodworking videos. All extremely well done. I appreciate your choice of no back round music, instead we hear sickle or chopping.
My brothers and I , when we were knee high, would follow Grandpa through the pastures as he scythe the grass growing under the electric fences. We pulled the grass around the posts. Thank you for taking me back....
Here in the Netherlands they used to take a hammer with a curved top and a small anvil into the fields to sharpen their scythe. They flattened the edge with these tools until it became so thin that it started to be a bit wave like. Brilliant tool.
I believe Mr Chickadee has another video explaining the difference with American scythes, in that they are to be ground rather than peened with a hammer. Personally I own the European kind you describe with the little hammer and anvil 👍
Any golfer watching, get a scythe and mow the land.... the best swing trainer ever!!!
Mr. C. this is one of the most satisfiying videos you've posted. And, thanks for the sharpening tips of the scythe.
😂
Currently live with a couple that've been Austrian scythes for more then 14 years... (In my conceited and never humble opinion) The Austrian style scythe is certainly the most graceful and smooth - yet slightly more robust then Falci's wonderful selection. The skill is learning to peen the blade more so then the scything itself.
Religiously use my scythe for the last 5 years as a part of my life style. Weekly we take the trailer and scythe the roadside for feeding the goats, making compost and mulching trees. :) We need a homesteaders, regenerative agricultural, scyther's resurgence. Godspeed.
Thank you for the video.
Having used both, I prefer the American scythe. Use what you like, what matters more is the use of hand tools over power to me. Every culture in the world had their own hand tools they developed, and they had to work to survive. Its best to not get hung up on "which hand tool is better" rather to USE a hand tool, whichever you want/have.
@@MrChickadee Agreed. I was being somewhat facetious - I've never used the American scythe, so comparing it to the Austrian design would be asinine. The body is a very dynamic and fine instrument - making slight differences in iteration not so crucial as long as you use the tool rhythmically and conscientiously... Thanks for the clip.
Took one of these a few times in my canoe floating down our local river to mow down a campsite for our tents etc. Works like a damn. 👍😊
I like to keep my hand on the other side of the cutting edge when sharpening, but you got a pretty good solution to the problem. I got several rusted blades, and took them off the snath, and did rough edge angle shaping like Japanese sword sharpeners do, with the stone on a stand and moving the blade over the stone. One hand on each end of the blade, can bear down some, stone stays wet.
There's a scene in "Big Rock Candy Mountain" by Wallace Stegner, where two brothers are mowing a 40 acre field, and they get in a competition, and one cuts the other accidentally. Father comes over and spits tobacco juice in the wound, ties it up, and gives the other a beating, but gets beaten back. The wound healed.
Point being, it's not a tool for which to fool.
I keep Yarrow around instead of tobacco.
Enjoyable to watch on a Sunday morning.
When my parents moved into their (current) house in the early 1970's their large (by UK standards) garden was very overgrown with waist high rough grass and weeds. As my Father only had a small push mower my mother asked her Great Uncle to cut the grass with his scythe and if memory serves right he did this for several years.
This reminded me that I still have a scythe in the barn at my parent's house which I must rescue someday.
Very relaxing and informative, took me back over 60 years when I started using the scythe. Wish I had been shown the proper way like you and the Mrs was using and the sharpening technique back then . It would have made my work easier. Thanks for sharing.
I have thoroughly enjoyed all of the videos that Mr. Chickadee and his wife have made, and the one thing that sticks out to me the most is that this man knows how to sharpen a blade! It's as if the grass (or wood) jumps out of the way to avoid being touched by the steel!
Nice vídeo, very relaxing
Thank you for creating videos that explain everything without saying a word. The subtle sounds of the birds and insects, or tools shaping their medium would be drowned out by a person's voice.
Great video! Love his style. The young lady did a great job.
That's a
sharp scythe, Mr. C.....hope your knees are still OK when you're 50 !
Hello Mr. Chickadee, I am a great admirer of your work here in Brazil. I like to use the same types of techniques and use of primordial tools that shows us in your videos. CONGRATULATIONS!
Thank you for showing the American version of the scythe lawm cutting 🙏
Thank you for documenting this. So many great clips of how useful this amazing tool is.
As a kid years (decades) ago, I used a hand held sickle and cut grass and whatever. It was pretty easy to do as well. This brings back those memories. Thanks.
The sound of the blades of grass being cut is so soothing. I used one growing up .get into a hypnotic rythmatic motion going.and it covers some ground.
Relaxing! Looking forward to watch the next building series!
Amazing. Can really see how the weed Wacker was inspired from the scythe
Always love your videos. A great way to relax. :)
I see this in my recommended list, not paying too much attention, and think to myself," this looks pretty interesting." Lo and Behold, it's Mr. Chickadee! What a pleasant surprise.
Relaxing, meditative, and instructional as always. Thank you.
Never knew one of those could work so good! Plus you have to know how to use it! Thank you Mr. C.
That looks more fun than painting Aunt Polly's fence! I wanna try. ;)
Your my opposite Mr C as I like the efficency of machine tools etc but at the same time your my idol as you use the old tools in a totally perfect way.
That’s so relaxing to watch. I love the sound of the scythe cutting.
Old man down the road when I was a kid used to scythe his front lawn. Always looked great!
Nicely done! That snath looks to be a nice small-diameter Derby & Ball No.50, which I consider to be something of the gold standard in American snaths. They made a large number of variations of it over the years, and I think yours dates from the Derby, Ball, & Edwards era, so it's on the older side. Good job keeping the blade down and the edge sharp enough to cut with slow strokes. Your hand positioning is solid, as well--most folks want to hammer-fist the nibs rather than using the diagonal palm-braced hold that's proper.
Benjamin! I was hoping you would chime in here! Im glad you approve of my form, where do you think I learned it from, but your wonderful videos of course! haha The scythe was actually one of the most difficult tools I have mastered, in part for the lack of much instruction, without your indirect help Id have been in trouble!!!
You've got a wonderful eye, I had no idea the manufacture, as there are no markings, Im glad to hear its a Derby & Ball!! Sadly, its on its last legs, a few cracks have worsened with use and it never was really long enough for my height, even with the nibs nearing the end of the snath. I may be bothering you a bit soon with your insight into making a few new snaths…particulars of angle, steaming and what not, if you would honor me with that!!!
Have you adjusted the tang angle of your blade? How tall are you?
I'm working on getting some single-nib snaths of my own design produced for tall folk and for people of greatly different heights who wish to share a single snath. The hardware is all done up, and I'm just waiting on the shafts, which should be on their way to me Monday. After that I'll be working on getting some classical 2-nib snaths done in both standard and tall sizes using that same hardware. :)
Im sending you an email just now, lots to talk about for this comment section! haha
I love the repeated comment that this is "relaxing" to watch. Yeah, I love hard work too, I can watch it for hours...
Can't stand someone else is working. I better go lie down.
+@@maximilienrobespierre7927
on sofa
I ain't scared of hard work,,,,,,, I'll sit down right beside it...
Dang it now I want one 😂 I’ve been watching these type videos all morning!
I really like this video, quiet, soothing and shows quality work being done.
that looks so much more peaceful than a loud lawnmower and exhaust fumes
I have seen those. Have always Wonted one. And show people that it could be done without gasoline or electric devices. Thank goodness for you. I’m going to share.
I liked the demonstration of precision, like around the sapling. Although I did laugh out loud with the wheelbarrow: I watched as you carefully mowed around it and then thought, "Why not move the wheelbarrow?" But there's No challenge in that!! 😁
Sure I normally just move things haha, I just wanted to show what could be done with a scythe
You are far more skilled than many. If it had been me, I'd have hit the wheelbarrow 8 times, started swearing, then used my hand and move the grass so I could try 5 more times. I learned this technique trying to vacuum up a stubborn piece of fuzz.
(Also the reason I can't create great TH-cam videos like yourself. Keep them coming!)
Because he knows a skunk lives under it.
That is so amazing! I learned so much from watching this. This will be a much better to clean up my back yard's weeds.
Thank you for this video. The tranquility it imbues to the viewer.
The scythe gives the chickadees love handles a workout !
i found an english scythe in my fathers spare room before he died. he told he he was going to throw it away. i immediately stole it from him. ive used an austrian in training, and its such an amazing experience. ill never go back to a push mower again
Nice to see someone that knows how to use it. Hate seeing people swing em like golf clubs. You're sharpening skills look as though they're on point. Great work.
Been a long time since i had one of them in my hands they work very good if you keep it sharp. Thank you for the memory.
I mow regularly with a scythe, if done right it is just as fast as mowing with a modern 5 hp briggs & stratton petrol mower. But waaaaaay quieter and meditative work. Great Video.
Wow, that thing works really good!
Really sharp too
The best exercise , it’s like swimming . Used to scythe a lot back in the 90x in Caucasus mountains,15% -30% grade slopes . You scythe all day drink airan ( you call yoghurt here in America ) mixed with mineral water that was coming out from the ground on my farm land . Best old days, nothing was more satisfying then scything season
So relaxing and surprisingly challenging work the scythe.
Would not have thought it worked that well, thanks
Yes, most effective but lots of labor. Stay awesome Mr. and Mrs. Chickadee.
I've watched every video Y'all have made & every one is amazing. I once seen a man cut a section of grass with a scythe & beat a weed eater badly...even saw a farmer n Sweden that cuts his hay every year with a scythe. Love this video...scythes r more practical than weed eaters & not any more work either. Keep up the great videos!
Id take a light and sharp scythe any day over a loud, heavy and smelly machine!
Also a lot quieter and the feul tasted good, assuming you can cook well.
Awesome core workout. I astounded the neighbors years ago by using a sling-blade at a house I was renting, but I've never tried a true scythe. Looks like it needs to be razor-sharp, judging from your video. Thanks for sharing.
I've been watching grass cutting vidoes some of them over and over case its satisfying
Use a round stone for sharpening, easand lighter than a strimmer, quieter, no pollution, and keeps you fit. Nothing like a good scythe! Well done.
One of these is now definitely on my wish list. The noise of mowers makes me INSANE! They are loud and smelly! To say nothing of the pollution! This was actually pleasant to listen to! And the amount of yard I have is enough for this but not too much.
Lived on a small farm growing up. I used to help my dad mow fresh grass for the cow with the scythe.
Must have been one happy cow!
In light of our diminishing insect life is this also the best way to avoid killing (more than by lawn mower) the same❣Plus, no separate trimmer required as it all can be done with this great tool!
Thank you very much for your thoughtful consideration. All the best to you and your loved ones and happy holidays.
so desperate to be outside I'm watching a guy mow by hand with a scythe... only in quarantine.
Steady has it goes " Mr.Chick"! Very relaxing!
It’s amazing how fast that tool clears land.
You've just convinced me. I need a scythe :)
Beautiful. It dumps the cut at the end of each swing. When you come back in the other direction, you have two swathes piled in the middle. Then you roll the pile into a bale.
You gave me my new word for the day: Snath, the shaft or handle of a scythe. Used in a sentence: I saw a fair maid a-mowing. When I asked her to show me her snath, her father ran me off with a shotgun. [Even my word checker misunderstood that.] ;^)
Wow. That was peaceful.
I feel like I traveled back in time 100-120 years...I love it :)
edit: I also love the ASMR aspect of this video.
The scythe or also known as pruner, dalle or dalla is an agricultural tool composed of a curved blade skewered on a stick, used to mow grass, fodder for cattle or cereals. The arrival of mechanical means has led to disuse in developed countries, although it survives in many rural areas and mowing championships are held in areas such as Cantabria, Asturias and the Basque Country.
At first glance it could be said that this element is useless today. But for years it was one of the most useful tools in the world by allowing us to cut weeds and sow cereals. In one day, a single worker could weed large areas. This instrument seems simple to manufacture but it had to be built according to quite precise rules so that its use produced good results. The scythe consists of a blade and a handle. The blade has the shape of a large radius arc, which extends in a pointed way through the free end. It was also used as a weapon in numerous rebellions. The first version of the scythe is about 5,000 years old. Only in the 12th century, European farmers created a version more similar to the current one.
Thank you
I've watched several of these videos and I want to give it a go
Oh very fine Mr. Chickadee,good
damn Mr. Chickadee really cranking out the videos lately i love it
When your’re the grim reaper but your mum tells you to do chores.
Seems more like shaving the lawn than cutting it. I'll shave my lawn!
That is pretty dang cool. I’m sick of lawn mowers that won’t run from one cut to the next without breaking down taking up room in the garage and the time wasted hauling them to the shop when I could just get one of these and burn calories instead of gasoline.
I now have 2 snaths and 3 blades for various types of jobs. It's such a relaxing occupation compared to mowing with gas or electric engines - almost like a walking meditation. My flock of ducks and geese like to follow me as I mow.
Yours is an unusual blade to my eyes, but it looks like a good one for grass.
Its a 36" grass blade, less than 1lb
Only you guys can make cutting grass look peaceful and fun.
I have actually used a scythe in just that way. Its actually pretty efficient. Also quiet, non-stinky, and it doesn't scare bird and other varmints away!😊
You are amazing!👍👌
I like your little chestnut starts.
My grandfather dies of old age in 1965, but I was told that in his day he could swing a scythe efficiently. Everything he cut fell the same way, making it easy to pick up. I had a brush scythe in 1985 and cleared land with it.
It's interesting that such a large and seemingly unwieldy blade can be operated with such precision. Cool!
Great demonstration. Having the wet stone in a holster is a nice tip. In an earlier comment you mentioned making a longer snath to accommodate your taller stance. Looking forward to seeing your video on that project.
Watching this as the neighbors noisily mow their lawn...