I’ve always had interest in old farm tools and I think the one that really intrigues me is the scythe. Not sure if anyone has one and either uses it or collects them, but I’ve been using one the last few years to knock down a small patch (1/4-1/3 acre) of oats for our chickens. The one I’ve got now is a curved aluminum snath American style with a heavy 28” blade. Yesterday, after much arguing with myself over should I shouldn’t I, I bought a new one! This one is the straight snath European style made from ash with hard maple grips! I’m excited and will post pics when I get my hands on it. What has the FHC family got lying around?
I use one, freed a few hundred meters of fence from high grass, recently on the farm. I'll get some Pics soon.
Me on the Farm, the wire is somewhere on the left, had to go all around it took me some hours. The electricwire has to be free of any attachments, otherwise it wont smack hard enuff. And the cattle will end up invadin the cornfield next to it The one below: Cutting grass on my wifeys doggyrun. In the end its a pleasure to work with. Cheap ones are way under 50 bucks - Good ones are around a 100 bucks. No noise attached to it and also a good work out - but gettin the swing right all the time is a bit difficult fore.. im getting better.
Very nice!!! How do you go about sharpening it? Have you tried peening or just go after it with a file or stones?
sharpening - depends on condition, really bad peen out, dress with files , then stone . if you stay on top of it should only need stone.
I was in the barn late yesterday and happened to notice the scythe I’ve got currently. I then got to looking at it and noticed the blade is bent the wrong way!! The tip is pointing into the dirt as well as a twist kind of pointing down. So I used the torch on the spine of it this morning and got it straightened so it rides along the ground fairly flat. I’ve been using it the other way for a few years and wondered why it was a P I A to use. Also took a file to it and cleaned up the edge while I was at it. Then proceeded to mow out our dog pen, which was tall since I forgot to mow it when I did the rest of the yard the other day. I will say that I can’t wait for my new one to show up!! Mainly for the fact of it being custom fit and I’m assuming much longer than this one. Should be nice mowing standing upright instead of bent over!
Used to use a scythe and sickle to trim grass along the country drive of my grandfathers years ago. Come to think of it, I wonder what became of it after he passed? I did get a couple of draw knives and a homemade axe handle from him before he passed.
Me clearing the Wire around the pastures, quality is bad but youll get the idea anyhow... and guess who forgot that there was still some juice on the wire.
Gramps called them misery hooks, as in after 6 hours of using it you were in misery! Got one in barn, razor sharp, I don't use it anymore cause he was 5'6" and I am over 6'. His name is accurate.
I talked to the folks mid week, not to rush them but to add some things to my order! They said it might be on it’s way the end of the week. It’s a small shop and they get tons of business and custom make everything by hand, the main reason I ordered from them!
Looks like some tough stuff!! I especially like the fence hit that hurts I’ve been there a few times! For what it’s worth think of a slice action more than a pull of the blade. More like you were slicing a piece of bread rather than chopping vegetables. Another thing is maybe having to adjust the hafting angle of the blade. Those little holes the blade tang sits in on the end of the snath try opening the angle a touch. Just kind of play with it to find your sweet spot.
Hahaha yeah happend to me a few times that day. I allready tried to adjust the angle but havent got it right so far - ill try again. Haha youre right thats me in the pumpkin chopping bizness - the more i wanna do it right the worse it gets. Im getting there! Thanks for the advice buddy!
I love using my hand sickle for clearing out small areas and always wanted a scythe. We have one that my wife bought at an “antique” sale, wood rotted at blade attachment, upper handle adjustment cross threaded, blade tip damaged. Plus I am also well ove 6’ myself. J. Dirt Where did you order your custom from?
