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  • From: sjc <indexer AT fairpoint.net>
  • To: homestead AT lists.ibiblio.org
  • Subject: Re: [Homestead] Buying a Scythe
  • Date: Sun, 29 Mar 2009 22:41:02 -0400

Robert Walton wrote:
.......I know we've discussed this, but I forget. I'm thinking that a
straight snath is what is easier to work with. What length of scythe
is best for cutting grass/grains?
I use what's called a 'ditch' blade, mine is 28".

There are heavy blades called 'bush' or 'brush' blades, usually those are short and heavy, and the stronger of them can be used on anything up to small saplings. We had/used one when we first set this place up but I didn't see the need to replace it after the fire; we don't have that much rough stuff to get rid of anymore. Goats are easier anyway :)

Then comes the 'ditch' blades, which are lighter and longer. I was about 5'4" when I got my first 28" blade, which I use with a curved snath. I recently ordered a new snath for it (the surgery I had on one leg recently will be matched soon on the other side, and I will then be about 5', so old snath on the long side) but will stay with the same blade. It's a good midweight for the yard (grass, white clover), trimming, clearing up around the buildings, and does a fine job on hay. Ditch blades do come some longer than mine, I think up to about 30-32" or so; if I were taller that might be my choice.

Lightest of all are the 'grass' blades, and they are very lightweight (read: No rough stuff with these babies or you'll spend a lot of time working over your blade) and come really long, up to 36" or so. If you have the very nicest of hay, and no tough old weeds, might go that route.

For here, where new rocks work their way up through the surface every year and I want to use the same blade for everything, I've hit it about right with the ditch blade. It's heavy enough that if I catch the bottom of a fence or bump a rock (if you're holding it right and the rock is just at ground level you won't hit it with the leading edge of the blade but with the bottom surface) or get into a batch of goldenrod, it sails right through. The only time I ever really made a spot that had to be repaired was when I was working up by the road and hit a hidden piece of metal trash someone had thrown in the ditch there. Even that, though, was easy enough to file/peen out.
Best thing would be if you can go where they sell them or someone is using one and give it a try.

As to snath, for me curved is the only way to go, but to say the truth I've only tried twice to work with a straight snath and that after I was already used to my made-to-measure-curved snath, so not much of a 'trial'. Again, if you could try one out.....

I've been thinking hay, anyway, lately, as I have been repairing webs for a hay loader. MOFGA is having a workshop soon on how to repair loose-hay loaders, so my basement if full of webbing everywhere, getting ready for that.

SJ, in Maine, where there are actually some bare areas of ground showing! Won't be long now.




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