throw away your mower and get a scythe

[robin wood]

They are clearly the way forward, environmentally friendly, carbon neutral, longer grass benefits the bugs and beasties and you may even see a wildflower of two. What surprised me when I first tried it recently is how easy it is and how short and neat you can mow a lawn if you want to. And if your lawn like mine is less than the size of a tennis court you can mow it with the scythe in less time than it takes to get the mower out.

Gorgeous hand forged Austrian scythe.

My friends Steve and Christiane who are on their way to teach at the west country scythe festival next weekend.

my lawn, 5 minutes to mow.

bit more info and useful links here

 

[Qwerty]

Completely agree, I've used them in Norway and was very easy and actually a little therapeutic!

 

[dwardo]

What kind fo money would we be looking at for a scythe? (maybe not as posh as that but functional) I have no problems putting an edge on so second hand if there was such a thing?
Thanks.

 

[dwardo]

Duplicate please remove, thanks.

 

[sam_acw]

My 75 year old grandmother was recently doing it for her 30 something neighbours; they'd got a scythe and couldn't work it out so she took over.

 

[addo]

I use a push mower at the mo, but have neglected the lawn for a bit.
There is a very old scythe handle in the workshop though.. might pop a head on it to save the strimmer

 

[jackcbr]

does that come in a left handed variety?

 

[Wayne]

Nice Chopper. I love using a scythe it makes feel all disc worldy. I use one at Amberley Museum doing practical conservation. Much kinder than a strimmer.

 

[Loz*]

I use a pair of guinea pigs to cut my grass, closer cut than a scythe and you could eat them in a survival situation

 

[SteveW]

I use a pair of guinea pigs to cut my grass, closer cut than a scythe and you could eat them in a survival situation

I was going to suggest a Goat for similar reasons, and with the added advantages of milk and leather

 

[rmbriar]

My family used to have a goat, which cut the grass and head butted my hardly amused gran, brilliant!

 

[outdoorpaddy]

When was a goat the family pet, briar?

 

[rmbriar]

When was a goat the family pet, briar?

Oh donkeys ago, theres a home video somewhere I'll try and hoke it out lol

 

[rik_uk3]

Sod a scythe, a goat or better still a petrol flymo; even better astroturf but thats a bit pricey.

 

[Twodogs]

Well said Rik

 

[demographic]

I have a scythe that I got when we had an allotment, its no longer much use if anyone has anything they want to swap for it. Maybe some decent sized leather discs so I can repair my stacked leather grip on my old Estwing? Bit of horn or antler might do the trick instead.
I can take pictures if anyone's interested.
They will have to pick it up from sunny Carlisle or meet me somewhere cos I'm buggered if I'm going to post it though.

There's also this downloadable Scythe book for anyone who's interested.

 

[woodspirits]

blimey that brings back memories! i used one of those when i helped out on the farm after school.

 

[Samon]

I use a pair of guinea pigs to cut my grass, closer cut than a scythe and you could eat them in a survival situation

I use these for those extra long bits

I've used scythes when working before but not to cut a lawn.. is it hard? and what sort of lengths can you get the grass?

 

[chris_irwin]

Nice Chopper. I love using a scythe it makes feel all disc worldy. I use one at Amberley Museum doing practical conservation. Much kinder than a strimmer.

Haha, I can just imagine Death mowing the lawn with his scythe...

 

[John Fenna]

Posted on behalf of an old friend or two.......
"I ALREADY HAVE A SCYTHE ....."
"EEEEK"