The Garden Tool Store
Scythe Kit with Plastic Holder
Scythe Kit with Plastic Holder
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This scythe kit consists of:
1. An adjustable snath ( please measure the distance from the ground to the bone on your right wrist so you can select the correct snath for you, more info for choosing the right snath below)
2. A blade. By default we include an orchard blade, but you can choose any blade to go with the kit by leaving us a note when you order. (more details on blades below)
3. A copper whetstone holder
4. A whetstone (course, medium or fine)
5. Instructions for putting the kit together is included.
An optional extra is a Counterweight - this balances the weight of the blade and makes scything even easier.
The Austrian scythe is quite a different creature to the English or American ones most commonly known in New Zealand. They are lighter, more nimble - a real pleasure to use and not hard on the body.
Choosing the scythe that is right for you.
1. Snath fitting
You need to buy the right size snath, so measure the distance from your wrist bone to the ground and select the right one for you. They are adjustable so you can get it just right for your body!
Short: suitable for those with ground to wrist measurement 690-850cms.
Medium :suitable for those with ground to wrist measurement 800-930mm
Long: suitable for those with ground to wrist measurement 880-1040mm
Junior: For children
2. Choosing the blade.
There are 2 main considerations when choosing the correct blade.
a. the work the blade is to do and
b. the terrain it will be working on
The blade options:
The Grass Blades- Red, Black and Green are all for vegetation which is usually up to one year old. It is still green, not woody. These blades are wonderful for flat land and gently sloping land.
- Green (Orchard/Garden) Blade has a turned up tip and is suitable for land that isn't entirely flat. Doesn't cut the grass as short as the black blade.
- Black Blade is the blade of choice in Austria, where they have been scything for centuries. It is fabulous to use on flat ground- like a lawn, where you want the grass short. With a Black blade you can cut grass very short- even when someone has been through with a mower! We have them in 40cm and 75cm.
- Red Blade is another lovely blade to use, (but not by beginners). It is the lightest blade in our range. It is more curved than the black or orchard blade and is also most suitable for flat land. We have these in 65, 75 & 85 cms
Red Bush Blade (50cms) - can handle woody vegetation like blackberry or bracken. They are great at restoring those areas which have been neglected (often because you have not had the right equipment). They are wonderful for blackberries, bracken, gorse, thistles etc. The woodier the plant the shorter you want the blade- or you run the risk of putting too much force on the ring clamp and bending it.
We have found that once the grass has been cut with one of the bush blades (as we do not know in long grass where the hazards are - bricks, rocks, logs fences and wire) then keeping the grass down is easy and delightful with a grass blade
Red Discovery (not for beginners) is a wonderful blade but it is not a suitable blade to learn scything on. Its good to use, once you know how to scythe, for area that has been neglected, where you are not sure if there are rocks, wire, stumps etc. under the long grass. It is a blade maintained by a whetstone or a file, not peened. It can be easily fixed if damaged. It is 66cms long. It is also cheaper than the other blades
What is a Whetstone?
While you are working, you will keep the edge keen with a whetting stone (mainly the medium one). After a while- depending on how much you use it the blade will need peening. This is cold forging and does not remove material, but compresses it and makes it harder.
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