permaculture

[Lawrence London <lfljvenaura@gmail.com>]

[attn: Donka, Steve, Bob, Scott]

The Styrian or Austrian scythe blade is power hammered to shape with a
feathered edge that has a thin area ground to "factory" sharpness along the
edge. The blade owner then peens the edge to further feather it as needed
then makes some passes with a field stone to put the final edge on the
blade. If you nick or bend this edge during use you take it to the log with
a tiny anvil embedded in it, run the blade along the anvil as you use a
peening hammer to draw it out to the original feathered edge, then make a
few passes with the field stone for extra sharpness. Moral: don't grind out
the nicks or bends, return the blade to its original shape with
field-useful edge by peening.
This tool is called the lightweight Austrian scythe with straight wooden
snath. There are many types of blades used in this scythe system, each one
used for a different purpose, for terrain like ditches or swales, grass hay
mowing, even household lawns (that's how I mow mine). As for wooden snaths
(there are many made out of aluminum or steel and they are OK), the fellow
who supplied all my blades cuts a tree limb and makes his snaths from them.
He is from Slovakia and goes to Europe each year to participate in events
and gatherings celebrating the preservation of traditional scythe use in
Europe and elsewhere. This tool is popular in Turkey. Some types of blades
manufactured for their use are named Turkensense. The Chinese could
certainly manufacture good blades and may even be doing that for export
nowadays. Rice growing is a religion in Vietnam. They harvest it with a
rice knife or sickle. In Thailand they use a rice knife or very small
slightly curved machete or Thai sickle.

I think these are images of that type of sickle or small curved machete:
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-GqBG-H8Dptg/Tx-MTs1EYVI/AAAAAAAAAXM/Y1W7-d1OGq0/w528-h771-no/32046897.HappinessNorthSikkimcopy.jpg
This is the short slightly curved Thai-type sickle used in Thailand; this
location may be China
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-EIzs8Tsyr30/Tx9H6dZrwkI/AAAAAAAAAOU/0tAmllmD9wA/w450-h600-no/63500429.6vnlAwoA.IMG_7408%2B%281%29.JPG

These are parangs and other agricultural edge tools used in Malaysia,
Phillipines and Indonesia, maybe elsewhere
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-kgFKivzgoio/Tx-OC8n4FOI/AAAAAAAAAnU/9sP1rSDny7I/w640-h480-no/Machetes.jpg

Go here to view most of my collection of images of garden tools used around
the world:

Avant Geared
Interesting Posts:
https://plus.google.com/u/0/b/116100117925365792988/+Avantgeared/posts
Picture galleries:
https://plus.google.com/u/0/b/116100117925365792988/+Avantgeared/photos

Other interesting sites:

Beekeeping: a Bashkirian pasttime
<http://www.storiesfrombashkortostan.com/2012/05/beekeeping-bashkirian-pasttime.html>
storiesfrombashkortostan.com
<http://www.storiesfrombashkortostan.com/2012/05/beekeeping-bashkirian-pasttime.html>
http://www.storiesfrombashkortostan.com/2012/05/beekeeping-bashkirian-pasttime.html


Stories from the South Urals
Chelyabinsk! (It's not what you think..)
http://chelyabinskteaching.blogspot.com/2011/09/from-bashkortostan-with.html


https://lists.ibiblio.org/sympa/arc/permaculture/2012-February/040864.html
[permaculture] Lemonary in Bashkortostan & ancient wild-hive beekeeping.
<https://lists.ibiblio.org/sympa/arc/permaculture/2012-February/040864.html>

Lemonary In Bashkortostan - Seed and Plant Resources
<https://sites.google.com/site/seedkeeping/international-resources/lemonary-in-bashkortostan>
https://sites.google.com/site/seedkeeping/international-resources/lemonary-in-bashkortostan

My own garden tool sourcelist and gardening guide
Biointensive Gardening Guide and Farm & Garden Hand Tool Sourcelist
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1MP85QDZW4x8PXCeXEa0hyVbI98JEeHOLJcj71I1h3Ek/edit

http://www.ibiblio.org/ecolandtech/documents/gardening-hand-tools.faq

My garden tool collection including sickles and machetes:
https://picasaweb.google.com/103223907782626104592/GardenToolshttps://picasaweb.google.com/103223907782626104592/GardenTools
https://picasaweb.google.com/103223907782626104592/GardenTools
"Specialized hand tools I use in my gardens for everything that needs to be
done. In these pictures you will see many of the tools reviewed in my
Gardening Hand Tool Sourcelist"
http://www.ibiblio.org/ecolandtech/documents/gardening-hand-tools.faq

Life in rural Romania in the 1960's
http://youtu.be/FU40CfVJSEI
http://youtu.be/mLcDQgSGOKA

More information on and sources for hand tools used for crop harvest and
soil cultivation:

Garden Tools
https://picasaweb.google.com/dirt.4arm/GardenTools#
The weed/manure rake/hoe/fork made out of a pitchfork can be seen, first
tool on the left,
in this series of photographs, starting here:
https://picasaweb.google.com/dirt.4arm/GardenTools#5472487141395137746
and ending here:
https://picasaweb.google.com/dirt.4arm/GardenTools#5472487290264965282

Here are new resources for serious tool enthusiasts and tool makers:

Machetes, Knives and Sickles
============================
Thailand-jungle-knife.wmv
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=WyLnMqOwi-k
Thai Kukri Knife Review
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n0Jhj-gWZXI&feature=related
couteaux thai traditionnels
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MiHEbfU6yIk&feature=related
Amazing Knife Making
Old style of making knives in Thailand.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qlZMTzjHQfE&feature=related
Making Japanese knives - knife forging by Master Blacksmith
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qABAEcmPvyg&feature=related
2 min tour - Japanese Knives - Handle Making Workshop
this one is very enlightening
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Faq8fG7emYQ&feature=related
Making A Knife Handle (Quick Tips)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k31_CmdiovI&feature=related


AUSTRIAN SCYTHES AND ACCESSORIES
================================

The Vidos (Kai, Peter, Alex and family); these folks wrote the book on
traditional European scything:
They offer for sale an enormous array of Austrian scythes, snaths, sickles
and accessories
and provide an encyclopedia of valuable information, links and reference
material.
Scytheworks
http://www.scytheworks.ca/
Alexander Vido
71 Linden Avenue
Victoria, BC, V8V 4C9
Canada
phone: (250) 598-0588
scytheworks@shaw.ca
Scythe Connection
http://www.scytheconnection.com/
The Vido Family
1636 Kintore Road
Lower Kintore
New Brunswick, Canada
E7H 2L4
scythe@scytheconnection.com
phone: 506 273 3010 (a shack in the woods)
or 506 273 2977 ("office" on an adjacent property)
Both take messages and we check them daily.

Scytheworks
http://scytheworks.ca/

Video:
http://scytheworks.ca/riseofthescythe.html

Youtube comment with info:
"Efficiency is relative. Did you ever try to cut tall grass like that with
a bicycle lawn-mower,
or any lawn-mower? The girl IS using her leg muscles to power her
side-to-side movement.
The strain on her arms is minimal with this technique. Of course, the
scythe must be the right
size for the user, and keeping the blade SHARP is crucial. Not&#65279; all
scythes are the same:
the Continental European ("Austrian") design is far more ergonomic than the
American pattern,
but there's more to it than that..."

Scythe Connection
http://www.scytheconnection.com/adp/retail/catalogue.html
http://www.scytheconnection.com/adp/retail/catalogueBlades.html


Scythe Supply
Carol Fishbein
An excellent company with very nice scythes  and lots of interesting,
valuable information
and a lovely website. They have a very wide selection of scythe blades,
some made in the 1970's,
and accessories
http://www.scythesupply.com/
Scythe Supply
496 Shore Road
Perry, ME 04667
Phone is (207) 853-4750
Email contact: http://scythesupply.com/emailUs.php

The One Scythe Revolution
Botan Anderson
http://www.onescytherevolution.com/
This is an excellent company offering traditional Austrian blades
and very fine Swiss snaths, whetstones, rakes, and other scythe accessories

Lehman's
http://www.lehmans.com/store/catalog?Args=
Farm Hand Tools
http://www.lehmans.com/store/Tools_Farm___Hand_Tools?Args=&view_all=&sort_by=
Lehman's, One Lehman Circle, P.O. Box 270, Kidron, OH 44636 USA • Ph:
888-438-5346
Hours: Mon - Sat 8:00a.m. - 5:30p.m. | Thur 8:00a.m.- 8:00p.m. | Closed Sun

EYE HOES, BROADFORKS RIDGE-MAKING HOE AND SEEDING RAKES
=======================================================

Gulland Forge Broadfork
http://gullandforge.com/
"About the Broadfork
The Broadfork, sometimes called a U-bar digger is used to loosen soil
to prepare for planting or for adding soil amendments such as compost
or mulches. It will open and loosen soil while minimizing damage to its
living strata of flora and fauna that provide the nutrients for the garden
bed.
The Broadfork is also a great tool to choose for harvesting potatoes,
beets, carrots, etc.
The Details:
Penetration depth - 9"
Width - 17.5 " across tines
Ash wood handles - 48" long
Weighs just over 11 lbs.
Protective coating of 50/50 Boiled Linseed Oil and Turpentine on all parts,
safe for your soil."
(this is the very best broadfork on the market, bar none)

Hida Tool & Hardware Inc
1333 San Pablo Ave
Berkeley, California 94702
(510) 524-3700
http://www.hidatool.com/
http://www.hidatool.com/shop/shop.html

Ridge-making hoe
Kusakichi Brand #553 Ridge Hoe
Gardening Hoe
An angled hoe designed to form the sides of a ditch. The total weight is
3.75 lbs.
    blade length     overall size     price
N-7553     15inch x 6inch     48inch     $70.60

Eye hoe (farmer hoe)
Kusakichi Brand #524 Farmer Hoe
Traditional hand-forged farmer hoe. A bigger version of the middle farmer
hoe. It is useful for moving soils and weeding. The total weight is 3.9 lbs.
       blade length     overall size     price
N-7524     7inch x 5inch     41inch     $50.20

Three-tined (wide blades) cultivating eye hoe
Kusakichi Brand #531 Farmer Rake
Gardening Hoe
A traditional hand-forged farmer rake. This tool is useful for turning soil
and harvesting. The total weight is 4lbs.
Kusakichi Brand #531 Farmer Rake
       blade length     overall size     price
N-7531     8 5/8inch x 5 3/4inch     41 1/4inch     $60.00


EARTH TOOLS, Inc.
Walk-Behind Tractors and Compatible Implements
hand tools for gardeners, homesteaders and farmers.
1525 Kays Branch Road
Owenton, KY 40359
http://earthtoolsbcs.com
(502) 484-3988 tel.
(502) 484-3357 fa

G30 - DeWit Seed Bed Rake
Made of forged steel, the 9 super-heavy duty tines are spaced nearly 2”
apart - perfect for ripping up and raking organic material out of old
seed beds without pulling all the soil out too. Straight neck allows you to
flip over and use the back to flatten bed.
Head: 16.5" x 4"
Length: 74"
Weight: 4.4 lbs
Price: $59.00

53565 - SHW ‘Root’ Hoe
Heavier head for tougher chopping applications.
Head: 4.5" x 8.5"
Weight: 4.4 lbs
Length: 54"
Price: $43.00
Length: 75"
Price: $49.00

54306 - SHW Grape Hoe
The 'Big Mama' of hoes, available with your choice of two handle lengths
(head shipped dis-mounted from handle)
Head: 9.5" x 7"
Weight: 5 lbs
Length: 54"
Price: $46.00
Length: 75"
Price: $50.00

Gulland Forge Broadfork
We are extremely pleased to have forged a partnership with Larry Cooper,
owner of Gulland Forge,
producer of this completely hand-made broadfork, which we feel is the
finest on the market.
The five forged tines have a 9" penetration depth and have a working width
of 17.5".
Supplied with custom-fitted ash handles and stainless steel bolts to hold
them into the frame,
the care that goes into making each fork is apparent.
Both head and handles are coated with Linseed oil.
Overall Length: 57"
Overall Width: 21"
Tine Length: 9"
Tine Width: 17.5"
Weight: 15lbs


A brief Google search on the Styrian scythe, history, use, modern
adaptations, manufacture and sales:


   1. guide.html - The Scythe Shop
   <http://www.thescytheshop.co.uk/guide.html>
   www.the*scythes*hop.co.uk/guide.html
   Aside from the Bush *Blade*, Austrian *scythes* are not advised for
   woody growth ... terrain consider using a Hahnsense or *Styria* ditch
   *blade* with a reinforced point.
   2. All Scythe Equipment | Scythe Cymru
   <http://scythecymru.co.uk/scythes-for-sale/all-scythe-equipment/>
   *scythe*cymru.co.uk/*scythes*-for-sale/all-*scythe*-equipment/
   May 24, 2014 - *Styria* 55cm *Scythe Blade* A tougher blade that is
   suitable for mowing rougher grass, weeds, bracken and bramble and over
   rough ground ...
   3. Blades - Scythe Supply <http://www.scythesupply.com/blades.html>
   www.*scythes*upply.com/*blades*.html
   European *Scythe Blades*: grass blades, bush blades, ditch blades,
   left-handed blades, ... We carry *Styria* Bush Blades for both left and
   right hand mowers.
   4. Order Form - Scythe Supply <https://scythesupply.com/order/order.php>
   https://*scythes*upply.com/order/order.php
   2357D, 22"/57cm Grass / Ditch *Blade*, 65.00. 2360D, 24"/60cm Grass /
   Ditch *Blade*, 65.00. 2365D, 26"/65cm Ditch *Blade*, 65.00. 2311,
   *Styria* Left Hand *Sickle* No ...
   5. Peening - The One Scythe Revolution
   <http://onescytherevolution.com/peening.html>
   one*scythe*revolution.com/peening.html
   To resharpen your *blade*, you will then need to peen the cutting edge,
   to draw out ... When the bush needs sharpening, hone it as in this video,
   but with the *Styria* ...
   6. Complete two blade scythe set - Emorsgate Seeds
   <http://wildseed.co.uk/products/view/2>
   wildseed.co.uk › Tools & Equipment › Scythes
   Two *scythe blades*: Profisense 75cm grass blade: best for meadows,
   lawns and soft weeds. *Styria* short 55cm ditch blade: best for tough
   grass and weeds and ...
   7. Scythes - Scotia Seeds <http://www.scotiaseeds.co.uk/Scythe.php>
   www.scotiaseeds.co.uk/*Scythe*.php
   Scythes. Buy a scythe. and have the most useful meadow management
... *Scythe
   Blade*; Ditch (55cm), '*Styria*' for rough grass and tough weeds. We use
   this ...
   8. History | Scythe Association <http://scytheassociation.org/history/>
   *scythe*association.org/history/
   Traditional English *blades* were either stamped or rough forged and
   then ... the area of *Styria*, in Austria, supplied everything that was
   needed for state-of-the art ...
   9. Consultant's report on blade hardness | ScytheConnection
   <http://scytheconnection.com/consultants-report-on-blade-hardness/>
   *scythe*connection.com/consultants-report-on-*blade*-hardness/
   For instance, “Peening is to the *scythe blade* is what bread is to the
   mower” or “He ... I do this mainly in Rossleithen (the *Styria*/Fux
   blades do meet that standard, ...
   10. The Man With The Scythe! - British Pathé
   <http://www.britishpathe.com/video/the-man-with-the-scythe>
   www.britishpathe.com/video/the-man-with-the-*scythe*
   *Scythes* are made in a factory in the *Styrian* Alps in Austria. ...
   The *blades* are lacquered and wrapped in paper then… more. Titles read:
   'The Man with the .