Quick Introduction to Scythe Mowing - Beginner's Guide
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- Опубліковано 26 лип 2024
- Have you ever wanted to try scythe mowing? Maybe you have, but found it difficult to get it right? Janne a.k.a the Scything Man is here to help! In this Quick Introduction, you'll learn the very basics of body movements, how to use the scythe, and how to cut shorter as well as taller grass using your new skills. All beginner friendly!
There are of course more things to learn about scything to become a real pro, and lucky for you, we have a whole series of tutorials in the works for you to explore. In the following episodes, we dive deeper into the movements and tricks used by the professionals.
Learning how to scythe is very helpful for cutting hay, managing a wildflower meadow, or general garden management if things have gotten a bit out of control. Not to mention it's great exercise, quiet and environmentally friendly :)
▶ Videos mentioned
Scythe Setup Guide: • Slå med lie! Rätt inst...
💬 Undertexter finns på svenska och engelska. Välj språk i videons Inställningar. ⚙
💬 Subtitles are available in Swedish and in English. Choose your language in video Settings. ⚙
⭐ Find everything you need for scythe mowing in our webshop:
www.slattergubben.se
🕒 Timestamps:
00:00 Intro
00:30 Body Movements
01:24 Adding the Scythe
02:55 Mowing Short Grass with Scythe
03:30 Moving on to Taller Grass
06:50 Scything is for Everyone
#scything #sustainableagriculture #homestead #hay #grass #meadow
If the instructor dont mind I am going to give him what we call a shameless pop. I've been using a scythe on and off for the past 3 years with some success, but always felt like I could do things better. This man knows what he is doing. After just watching his getting started videos, my hourly yield has increased 30%. I highly recommend him to anyone I know here in the states down south to watch and follow everything he advises. I'll never be as fast as him because I am no longer young,(almost 60), but if you are serious about this, this is the man to follow. Thanks.
Thank you so much and I'm glad to hear that the videos are helping!
Im also not young anymore 62+, and I have no experience using the Scythe, so every advices is helpful, thanks.
I bought a scythe almost 50 years ago and at age 70 am finally learning how to mow.
I appreciate your description, and no annoying music. Very well done.
Yes, isn't that wonderful, and when you are scything in your backyard, if there is any suburban noise around, you can still hear the swish of the blade going moving side to side. Almost hypnotic when you get into the rhythm.
this is like aerobics and gardening combined.
I can't imagine a more complete explanation of how to move and use this wonderful tool. No more plastic bits from a weed wacker on my land
Thank you for your kind words! We do however have an Beginner's Guide-series on the channel, where I go into more detail and show some common mistakes that you might want to avoid. Here is a link to the playlist if you are interested: ua-cam.com/play/PLtAuFa2T9B5izk-NuknLW79uKGLmmFPah.html
Not sure why I'm watching Chad Kroeger from Nickelback explaining how to use a scythe. Nice video
😂
It's been major years since using one then I got 1 at an auction. This was THE perfect video to remember. However, this is a 10! Well done. Thanks for sharing.
That was so helpful. I am 64 and only started with a scythe today so your explanation was brilliant, but I think I will need to practice as my body is a mere shadow of what it once was.😊 I am trying to maintain a wildflower meadow.
First time ever, I’m age 64 years, using a scythe. Even with almost no instructions, i enjoyed it. Then watched this video and am really so excited to mow my own meadow for my animals to have hay! Thank you for a simple, encouraging instructional video!
Happy to hear it! There is an entire Beginner's Guide on the channel, if you want more detail :) Playlist: ua-cam.com/play/PLtAuFa2T9B5izk-NuknLW79uKGLmmFPah.html&si=1MQTamvCUgQ2_t2L
Ive been working with a scythe for maybe 4 years. Basically cutting hay fir rabbits and guinea pigs, and goat.
Your instructions were fantastic! I learned alot of the nuances that i have to improve and develop. Thank you.
Excellent information! I have used the scythe before taught to me by an old timer. But I learned some good points from you. Many thanks!
@@richardhoner7842 great! Please watch my channel for many more deeploading videos on each topic of scything
Spetacular!!!! We are in Brazil. We urgently need to replace the brushcutter with the scyte. It's much more fun to work with. Thank you very much for all your efforts in spreading the word about this tool. Our youtube channel has 47,000 followers (cepeas), it's a channel about syntropic agriculture. I'm going to make a video promoting your channel as soon as I get more practice with scyte. Gratitude!!!
Cool! Fucking brushcutters are everywhere. What did people do before them?
Still I do not think we have sold anything to South America but we do sell scythes, my own Nordic snath, honing stones and my special designed peeningjigg world wide. Have a look on www.slattergubben.se
Hearing that scythe sing as it cuts through the grass takes me back to when I was a boy growing up on the farm in Appalachia. I cut a many a yard and field with a scythe and cradled winter wheat when I was growing up. It's very nostalgic to see you do this. I may have to take the old scythe down from the barn, sharpen it up and give it a go. I still have the old whetstones around here somewhere. I'd never really thought of it as an exercise routine. It could really help with some stiffness I'm struggling with. Thanks so much for this video.
I'm happy to hear it! I find it great for the whole body as well as the mind. Let me know how it goes, have you tried the old scythe yet? :)
@@slattergubben6702Yes, I have indeed. It is definitely therapeutic, and it felt good to clean up an area by the barn, too.
Finally….. a great video without annoying music that is too loud as to overshadow the narrator’s voice.
For people who never done this job it might look very easy but it will take some pretty good time to cut like him
Sure it does! But I am amazed to see the great skills many of those who take the course achieve in one day. And then most of the course is focused on peening and honing. Today I see it as well, and yesterday. Now it's scythecourse-season.
@@slattergubben6702 Yep. Too many people I've noticed, buy a scythe, and mow like they see the scythers in the old western movies (with those horrible heavy American blades)like a plane taking off and landing..lol..and only cutting about 10 inches if grass. I was taught properly at a course in the 70's. Can't scythe now, my knees are stuffed so my son has the scythe now.
Is the technique the same if you use the American scythe?
@@munchkin5674 yes!
@@slattergubben6702 Except thankfully, the European blades are lighter and easier to manage from my point of view. I used a straight snath. That's also easier. Each to their own I suppose.
It is awesome how it piles the grass reducing the need for raking.
It really is! And the grass is so useful as well. You might enjoy a more recent video of mine on Tricky Areas in the Garden, where I show you what I do with the rakings :)
@@slattergubben6702 I do this for a living and always hated the amount of raking needed after using a string trimmer on an overgrown lot.
I just started looking into scythes. It seems a great way to cut the brush. I've been using a non motor push lawnmower and love it. It cuts so well and is soothing to do. My lawn looks beautiful. Great video for beginners
How much cost ..,?
@@prihatinfnu7636a push mower here in the UK is about £50. A bit narrower than a motor engine but after 4 years I still get full satisfaction knowing there is no electric or petrol costs at all and when done right leaves a great cut 🙂
An excellent and well-produced video. That’s the best demonstration of scything that I’ve seen. Looking forward to seeing more.
Purely by coincidence I’m taking delivery of my first scythe this morning!
Thank you! Talk about good timing! :D If you're interested in learning more, we have a series of videos going into more detail. You can find them in this playlist, Beginner's Guide to Scything: ua-cam.com/play/PLtAuFa2T9B5izk-NuknLW79uKGLmmFPah.html
I love the handle for your scythe. In my country the traditional scythe is strait handle but the rest seems to be the same.
One thing i remember...is not an easy job...my grandpa woke up at 4 in the morning to have cool weather when doing this.
It is a demanding "sport".
I do find your technique a bit different but it seems better.
The main difference is the legs position. Having longer scythe arm allows for a more upright position... at least that is what it looks like from video.
I like the fact that you made a science out of it:)
My forefinger is evidence of a 12 year old getting it wrong, almost cut the end off sharpening a scythe back in 1952. My grandfathyer would mow a six foot track around a field of corn to allow the passage of horses or tractor and binder to cut the corn with no damaged corn around the headland. Keep the heel down. He is very good. Just be careful when sharpening it or you will finish with a forefinger like mine which has a handy bend at the tip to fit around a trigger. I'm 80 plus by the way.
What a story! Thank you for sharing. Yes, you have to be careful with scythe blades, they are essentially huge knives and - if cared for correctly - very sharp! There are many way accidents can happen, while sharpening or if handled mindlessly. We have a video on Scythe Safety (in Swedish, but with English subtitles) which is always a good place to start! ua-cam.com/video/vcew3w9uoTI/v-deo.html
Thanks for the advice. Your scythe videos made me interested in learning how to do this. I went and bought an antique scythe today that was in decent shape and spent some time fixing it up. Another interesting skill to learn. Probably won’t use it much unless I decide to grow some grain but it should be fun to experiment with.
Thanks very much for sharing these tips - your enthusiasm is almos contageous. Cheers from Adelaide / Australia
I'm glad to hear it! More tips and enthusiasm are coming, stay tuned ^^
Hello from Colorado USA. I am happy to have found your video here. Very complete, informative, and enthusiastic! Thanks!
Incredible! Sharp tools make the Angels happy.
thank you!
excellent demonstration - I have used a scythe many years ago and also remember when it was used in Irish paddocks! It has its place
Thank you! Yes, I agree, and hope more people realize that it does :)
This is such a fantastic way of cutting a variety of grasses. I have used Strimmers, large ones to clear river banks...I should have learnt this. I'll have a look into this.
Please do! :) We have tutorials for beginners coming out soon, so keep an eye out for them!
Tack så jättemycket för alla bra tips. Försöka använda en Sythe på våra tuffare gräset har i Australien.
Im somewhat disabled and the scythe is great exercise and, as he mentioned about his grandpa using a walking stick, i use the scythe snath to asist me.
Great video! My grandfather used a scythe too, but he didn't show me how to use that type of tool unfortunately. Thank you! 👍👍👍👍👍
Fantastic instructional video. Thanks so much for sharing.
I’m subscribed! I have an American version and it is in very good condition. I’m older and have some issues that will be helped by some good exercise like this unfortunately it is very hot right now. So I am going to watch the videos that you have made available and this fall I will give it a try!
Top job!! Very clear and helpful.
When I was stationed in Germany in the early 1970's they would hire the Germans to cut the sides of the berms with a scythe. It was amazing how much they could cut in a short amount of time. You would see them stop every once and a while and pound on the blades to sharpen them.
How interesting! It is a very effective tool once you learn how to use it, hopefully my videos help with that :) I have a recent video on Tricky Areas in the Garden that you might enjoy - not quite berms, but a way to show how the scythe can be used for more than just meadows.
Can you remember sounds? Hammering early in the morning and later time to the time quick short stone sharpening left right left right
super informative - thanks
Excellent teaching. Thank you.
Thank you!
Excellent video.
Thank You! More Please!
Not sure how or why i watched this. Very interesting seeing someone donthings the old way, with pride. Thank you.
Thank you! You are more than welcome to keep watching :)
Awesome video, thank you very much.
Can be such a nice meditative thing to do
Thank you! Yes, I find it meditative as well
Takk for forklaringen og hilsen fra nabolandet :)
Hello Slattergubben, thanks so much for sharing. I have a scythe in the shed, 3 acres of land and a bad back. I will give it a try and hopefully this motion will strengthen my core and improve my back and I won't have to buy a strimmer.
It's a great workout for the back! I'm not a doctor though, so please make sure to consult a professional. And please let me know how you get on! Check out our playlist Scything for beginners to learn the proper technique. Good luck!
I particularly liked the Half Pipe explanation. I’ve definitely been lifting my plate at the end of my stroke! “Hiding the blade
“ in the windrow will no doubt really help!
Thanks! Glad to hear! Windrow.... Is that the correct English term for the created row of gras piling up after the scythe?
@@slattergubben6702 you are welcome! I’m definitely enjoying your videos! Yes, in English, “windrow” as the row of cut grass set up to then dry in the wind.
Many thanks very helpful
This is amazing, thank you!
Thanks , dive deeper into the channel for more details on every aspect of scything
Fin video Janne!
Tack så mycket!
Best tutorial I've seen. thanks buddy!
Thanks! Please notice that there are many more on the channel!
Thank you master!
thank you! that was brilliant and very helpful!
Glad you liked! There is more deepdiving videos on my channel of every aspect. And if you want pro gears look in out webshop www.slattergubben.se
very informative thanks
Glad to hear it! Thank you
this tool just looks wayyyyyyy more efficient than any other method/tools.
unfortunately so far I do not see anyone selling such scythe design over here, everyone seems to be just selling the standard 'flat' sickle.
will try to find one of this 👍👍👍👍👍👍
We do ship overseas, www.slattergubben.se
Send a mail with your adress and what you want to buy on info@slattergubben.se
Interesting..thx...I have an old scythe....I have thought of trying it out 👍
Nice but usually old scythes are hopeless cases, at least I Sweden. If you want to go for it look start checking out the webshop
www.slattergubben.se
3:22 nooo the mushrooms hahaha
^^
Thank you
Just got hired as death. Wanted to get some tips and tricks before i start thank you.
Excellent video, well explained and demonstrated. Thanks so much 💜
I'd love a demo and explanation for steep ground that a lawnmower cannot go on.
More have asked, generally it is just nothing special. Usually just work in rows from up to down
thanks for the help. I tried one time after covid with an old scythe than my late grandfather used (the grass was too high) but I did'nt succeed. The surface is too uneven and I didn't have the good gesture. i will retry now.
Hello, great guide, your tips open my eyes, I'm starting my adventure with manual mowing :) I really want to learn how to mow properly, but I have problems with the equipment, I can't buy a good scythe handle in my country (I mean all the wooden parts), Could you make a video about how the scythe should be folded, about the angles, what the handle should look like? I know that technique is the key to good results, but I think that equipment is also important.
Great! There is already a video on the channel thoroughly describing all the angels, and good equipment you find in our shop, we deliver worldwide. www.slattergubben.se
My grandpa at the age of 74 could scythe 2 acres in 2 hours. He still had a 6 pack at that age.
He’s the lawnmower man
Haha kind of :D
Very nice scythe! It's maybe just my country, but it's very hard to get a good scythe, especially for someone who is more than 180cm tall. If someone use a scythe for long time its essential for having a scythe which fit to the person and the blade angle is set accordingly. I have two scythes one is a cheap bulk something with a terrible blade, something with this big tool retail stores think of a scythe should be. The other is a very old blade, it cuts well, yet it needs some straightening as it was used to cut hardwood seedlings instead of just grass. Another thing which there are no craftsman to do
Thank you very much! It's my own design, the Nordic snath. I hear you on the difficulty of finding good scythes in stores these days, and here in Sweden, most old ones have blades that you need to sharpen with a grinding stone. Which is not a very handy method. We offer a variety of blades and snaths in different lengths (for short and tall!), as well as international shipping. All of our blades are peening blades, that even beginners can learn how to peen and hone.
If you're interested, you'll find everything needed for scything here: www.slattergubben.se/produkter/kopa-lie/lieblad-orv-knackutrustning and please contact us at info@slattergubben.se for help or international shipping.
Great lesson, I didn't know high, three point snaths are also done in natural wood.
My only problem is that my grass is so much alive with all kind of digging species it is not flat at all unlike the whole internet.
Great! Technical is much more fun! Search deep on the channel an you will find films, and it will come more!
I made my own mowing snath for a blade I took from a bush scythe. I've tried everything. It cuts about 50% and rolls the rest under, even with the techniques in this video. It's also straight-up backbreaking. I've made sure of the blade angle in relation to the ground, and also in relation to the ground. No matter what angles I use either way, I run into the same problem. I'm about ready to give up and go back to a gas mower.
Well done for trying. I would of course encourage you not to give up. If you're open to trying another scythe, we have great snaths and blades in our webshop and offer international shipping. The Nordic snath, which is my own design, is made to be as ergonomic as possible and reduce strain on the body. You can read about it here: www.slattergubben.se/produkter/kopa-lie/the-nordic-snath
Great video demonstration with explanation. Dad just showed it to me. I had bought an older scythe years ago and wanted to use it. Now I have more practical ideas how to use it. Thankyou!
Question do you think it might be important to practice ambidextrous scythery for a balanced body?
@@beegardn no, not important
Amazing video! Any tips for scything on a hill. I've decided to go back to basics and scythe half an acre for my hay this season. But the meadows on a big hill 😅
Thanks! Generally working downhill. Or slightly down and to the right. Depending if the grass is leaning, leaning grass you want to take from behind.
Very helpful and inspiring video, we currently brush cut round young apple trees but wondered if we could use the sythe hanging in the shed, can you get close to a small tree stump safely?
Yes very safly!
Many years ago i saw people use single hand scythe with 180 degrees rotation movement. I hope you can do a video on that.
Do you mean with only one lower handle and then the left hand just on the snath itself? That's the eastern European model of snath. Belarus, Ukraine, Romania etc.
I recently bought a house with 5 acres. An acre and a half has been maintained around the property, but the other 3.5 acres has pretty much gone back to the wild. A good part of it is waist deep with some patches of dog fennel that are more than 8ft tall. I have 2 goats, 2 pigs, 2 rabbits, and 3 baby turkeys, but only 3 sides are fenced in so I've only let the goats out there briefly to chew a little bit. The pigs still run from me so without a fence, I can't put them out there.
I tried taking a weed eater to the grass earlier and it was not working very well. I bought a weed cutter and hacked at it with that for maybe 20-30 minutes today but didn't get much done. It was a good workout though. I probably would have kept going but I should have been wearing gloves because the handle rubbed a soft spot onto my hand and it was also starting to get dark. I have a machete, but I want to use that on the dog fennel and I want to cut my way into that area before tackling it.
I don't want to use a bush hog because there are random water lines and electrical outlets all over the property. I want to use something that I can see what I'm doing to cut it down.
I really want to give a scythe a try.
Do it! It's good for many situations!
@slattergubben6702 I ordered one yesterday after watching this video and a few others. I am surprised that there are quite a few people who use these to maintain several acres. One of the videos showed how easy it is to pick up the grass afterwards. That would be great for feeding some of my animals. Maybe once I've got things under better control, I can plant a portion of the land with timothy hay.
Thank you for your exccellent, excellent explanation! I try to take a right posture with slightly bent knees and strait back but then my hands are too streched.. Please advise what is the correct lenght of scythe/ heoght of person ratio???
@@markomarkovic2783 please take a look on my " mount the scythe" video. And visit our webshop where you can find ergonomic snath www.slattergubben.se
I could have done with a tutorial like this 60 years ago.
Sorry :)
@@slattergubben6702 No petrol strimmers back in those days! I’d better not watch too many of your videos or I’ll want to dig out my rusty old scythe.
❤
Thanks for your videos. Can you recommend a place to buy a scythe in the US?
Hey Janne.
5:30 This might less be the case with a nordic snath, but otherwise you see many people struggling to have a full circle (also I used to). Then I stumbled on that video by the late Hansjörg von Känel ua-cam.com/video/4jDWJwA0mfo/v-deo.html where he gives one tip I have never heard of anyone else : to follow the tip of the blade with the eyes, which automatically generates a rotation of the body and a weight shift.
I wish you a beautiful 2023 hay season !
Thanks! I will definitely get deeper on where you keep the eyes in a future video. At the way back I normally fokus my eyes on three spots distinctly. That's when I program the body for the coming stroke depending on what I notice. I move a lot in technical areas with stones etc. In the actual stroke I think I follow the blade through the gras as well, but not necessarily the tip. And not so focused in the stroke, think I try to keep head pretty forward in the stroke ...
A couple of questions: how effective is a scythe if you're working with relatively uneven or sloped ground? how often do you sharpen the blade? and what's the smallest area of grass/land you would use a scythe on?
Extremely effective! It is where you can not mow with tractors it is really worth. See my honing video on this channel about honing.
Smallest? As long as there is grass to mow!
@@slattergubben6702 Thanks - I'll have to look into this more, as between the British weather and my work schedule my rather bumpy lawns often get to 12" or more in height 😅
S P O T ON - Mr. Slattergubben ! From Norway.....? Sweden ?. (east central Alberta Canada) Exercise, for life.....just like grandpa did. !
Thanks! Yes, Sweden.
Hi, nice work but does the scythe work on different terrain ground, highs and lows?
Yes, the scythe can do virtually anything! I have some videos on that if you deep dive my channel, and more is to come!
Good one bro. How do I get the scythe blade. I need one for my environment
Look on www.slattergubben.se
Is there a tool for trimming around trees and shrubs as a string trimmer does?
Yes, the scythe does it much more effective and safe for the trees!
Great video. I'm old enough to remember people in Italy harvesting wheat with scythes. I do kayaking and have learnt the importance of appropriate (traditional) paddles. My question: How important is the wood handle curved complexity ? What would you advice to buy as an intermediate quality blade and handle ? Thanks in advance
Cool! As this is an investment that last very long I would advice to buy good blade, honing stones and peeningjigg. We only sell quality snathes, Nordic is a little bit like driving a Porsche and the Austrian like a fiat. But both is ergonomic. www.slattergubben.se
@@slattergubben6702 OK Thanks ... Although I'm not sure I would give a Porsche to a freshly licensed driver ;-)
Goodday sir. Do you perhaps know where in South Africa I can get hold of a scythe? Cobus🐳
Hello i love your videos! Where can i find a good working scythe? Im having alot of trouble finding one online 🙏
Take a look in our webshop, www.slattergubben.se
We deliver worldwide and the most of scytheproducts is in English version on the website
Hey man, may you please share the technique for mowing on pronounced slopes, I live in a mountain and it would be really useful to understand the proper way to work in such environment
Short answer is downhill!
Please I love it how can I get one
Send a mail with your adress to info@slattergubben.se and tell what you want to buy.
Have you got maybe dimensions or some kind of template for the handle? It looks ergonomic and comfortable, but it's impossible to get one like that in Poland. Thanks!
We export to Poland and the shipping is only 25 euro for a snath. Please send a mail with what you want to buy, your length and adress. Info@slattergubben.se
www.slattergubben.se/produkter/kopa-lie/the-nordic-snath
The beginning sounds like my dad teaching me to play tennis. I think I may have left it a bit late to take up scything sadly.
It's never too late. We have people of all ages in our scythe courses.
Man, I've let my small garden get very overgrown, weeds and all. Been dreading sorting it out. Just saw this video and bought a scythe - all in 😅.
I used a scythe to cut the tall weeds while attending church but if you are a homeowner with a nice lawn get a cordless string trimmer. It's not going to cut short grass.
Hey do you guys have any scythe recommendations for short thin grass? I have one of these laying around the farm and I need to lose this belly of mine. Ive used in on THICK 3" Kosha weed and it slices right through like butter! But it doesnt even harm the grass
It is the sharpness! Get better! And also the cutting angle
@slattergubben6702 OK thank you very much, I'll sharpen that blade up real nice when I get home today and I'll try it out
I think your snathe design would find a market here in the States. With the Renaissance that scything is experiencing at the moment, folks are looking for something different. The Austrian design is rather commonplace, maybe because it's easier to make and transport, but you don't see any of the overarm style you've popularized.
We do export, but transportcost for that long thing is pretty expensive. Maybe would be better to find a retailer?
I'm in Southern Indiana in the states. Recently made a over arm style out of hickory, but with no bends. I like it over the austrian style. More leverage and control with left hand handle. Going to make one with bends like slattergluben next
@@subsidized2778 nice! Yes the bends is for bringing up the right hand.
@@subsidized2778 Did you have to tweak the blade's tang angle any?
@@threeriversforge1997 Yes, you always need to adjust that. Make a basic setup lay with vise and big plyer. And then you can adjust as you go with wedges depending on terrain. See this film ua-cam.com/video/mOqYAwQOwto/v-deo.html and here is wedges slattergubben.se/produkter/kopa-lie/lieblad-orv-knackutrustning
Hello Friend. Just starting at age 72 just to keep my wildlife garden in check. The question, is the stone you use wet, or dry to sharpen the scythe, please?
Always wet. You can find more about peening scythe and how to hone the scythe on my channel. And the best gear available in our webshop www.slattergubben.se
I hear it is a good idea to touch up the blade more than once during a session ? What do you think about maintaining the wooden handle with tung oil ?
Hi, you can oil the snath more but not needed I would say. Our Nordic is oiled once with flaxseed oil, the Austrian are untreated .
Do not know what you mean by touch up the blade.
Should there be synchronization of Breath with each movement of scythe?
Yes - when mowing even grass on even ground at least. Breath in on your way back and out in the stroke
I went to home depot, tractor supply as well as Lowes and I couldn't find one. Where did you buy your scythe?
We sell gear, and a couple of products such as the Nordic snath and the peening jigg is unique for our webshop. www.slattergubben.se/produkter/kopa-lie/lieblad-orv-knackutrustning
Where can I order a snath like that? It looks so nice and seems really comfortable? I moved to Central Asia so it’s hard to find resources for quality scythe supplies.
They are sure the best snath! We sell them in our webshop www.slattergubben.se, please take a look what you want to buy and send us a mail on info@slattergubben.se . The checkout is not yet ready for international shipping but we solve it by mail!
Hello again! Although I’d love to live more “in nature” than we do, my interest in mowing with a scythe is that I want to mow the grasses that grow on our 3 acres (1.2 ha), after they have matured enough that the grass seeds will reseed the ground a bit (before scything I will walk the field with a stick whacking the seeds off the top of the grasses), and also as an alternative to using a gas-driven mower as much a possible. Our neighborhood expects everyone to keep their fields mown short all the time so of course over the years, no reseeding ever occurs and the soil is just mostly barren clay: a shame.
I think I may have interpreted that you somehow harvest grains and seeds for wild birds. In addition to the above, that is something I’d like to also do (assuming birds like the kinds of grass seeds that grow here: mostly brome, and some rye (sorry, don’t know what those would be in Swedish). Could you perhaps consider make a video about how you do that seed harvesting? Thanks!
Hi, no we just trade the birdseeds. Walking with a stick is not necessary, the seeds drop of when they are ready and drops also easier if the mowed grass dry on the ground a couple of days. Most plants is not dependent on their seeds every year , the are long living plants.
I want to make one myself as I am not able to find anyone who builds/sells these in my area.
Do you have any references, designs or drawings or just detailed images where I can read the details from?
No, keep it for myself. Pictures and films on the website is what I provide
So, what I see is that at the beginning of the scything, you don't push it to the ground but you do so once you reach the curve of the semi circle. Is this true? You have a little gap with the ground when you start on the right and then push to the ground once you reach the semi circle start rather than touching the ground all the way from the extreme right end.
Well noticed! Yes, you often end up there. It's in some conditions more convenient. And if you look at people from Eastern Europe who often mowes with longer blades and a tighter row their style is to lift pretty accentuated in the beginning and also at the end of the stroke. BUT as they catch the grass and throughout the stroke the blade is perfectly on the ground. Then there is of course a range of intermediate styles. But trying to explain this for a new beginner on a crash course will just confuse. Because this type of style where you lift the blade over the ground has nothing in common with the uncontrolled "hockeymowing" where you create a slope of cutted grass at the begining and end of the stroke. (The "half pipe"). But for an untrained eye it looks quite the same.
@@slattergubben6702 Gotcha. That makes sense. I've tried following your method in my yard which is highly uneven and sloped and I can relate to what you're doing. If I start pressing on the ground right from the beginning, I lose momentum in maintaining the angle and the velocity of movement throughout the cut but I find it easier to stretch it out above the ground a little initially and use all that momentum build up to actually do the rest of the movement well consistently.
Thank you for your well explained videos! I really loved the previous one where you mentioned how to start the exercise along with how to pull with the left and just use the right hand as support to slide. That helped a lot with my scything. :)
How do I know which scythe to buy as a beginner. Im in Australia and really keen to give it a go. Im told its best if you get one custom made to your size.
Please have a look on the scythe section and English version of our webshop. Our Nordic snath is made in 16 different lengthes and we also supply Austrian snath in 4 lengths. And have a unique and absolutely best version of the peening jig!
As well as decent charge of freight all over the world.
www.slattergubben.se
@@slattergubben6702 Thank you I will check out the webshop, and more of your videos.
Sooooooooo, what is stopping me from putting a long handle on the end of a scythe like a T so I can stand up straight and just 360° spin around the entire garden?
Do you have a shopping site for English? Thanks
It's in the pipe! Now you just need to relay on Google translate and send us a mail with your address and what you want to buy. Www.slattergubben.se
Nordic snath has a translated page though
www.slattergubben.se/produkter/kopa-lie/the-nordic-snath?tm=hem
I’m wanting to get a shorter bladed scythe for my orchard and veg rows but I’m wondering if it will work on all my contours and narrow (50 cm) paths? I really loathe using a strimmer so I’m very hopeful!
Get a 50cm blade! 50 cm is to narrow if it's between high walls but not if there is no higher than 20 cm walls
@@slattergubben6702Why will it work with the lower walls? Just curious! There aren't any walls actually, just the beds are higher than the surrounds, but I def don't want to scythe the seedlings/plants in the beds! I've just received my scythe - will see how I go on some easy sections first eep.
@@tarabenedict8416 because you have free space for the snath that is above the ground
@@slattergubben6702 Thank you so much! ...I've also seen a 30cm bush blade - would you recommend that length?
@@tarabenedict8416 not really, and bushblades are heavy and short. Saplings and stumps shall be removed with a hoe or ax
Hi, what if your lawn is quite hilly and a little bumpy too?
The scythe is perfect for that