Scythe Revival Grows in the UK Too
by Sami Grover, Carrboro, NC, USA on 06.30.08
Green Grows the Grass?
Now that the summer growth season is in full swing, many folks will be struggling to keep up with their lawn maintenance. And while converting our yards to edibles is probably the greenest option out there, reel mowers come in a close second. However, if your grass cutting is of the more heavy-duty variety, it's worth knowing that scythes are making a comeback too. We’ve already written about a Canadian scything enthusiast, but is seems that the UK is undergoing a scything revival too, at least if Simon Fairlie of the Scythe Shop has anything to do with it. His website eloquently describes how scything “changed his life”:
“Haymaking is not the only purpose for which we use our scythes, and most people nowadays, like David Tresemer, buy a scythe for clearing weeds. We have three and a half acres of orchard-cum-grazing, which has been weed infested ever since we first bought it, and which requires topping three or four times a year. Topping three acres of weeds by hand is a fair task, and here too the lightness of the Austrian scythes has improved matters vastly.
In addition, there are all the areas around gardens, greenhouses, paths etc which require weed clearance, and again the nimbleness of the Austrian scythes makes it the tool of choice. When you see people in their gardens or paddocks waddling about, strimmer in hand, dressed as if they were off to fight for Uncle Sam, spewing out noise and fumes, and doing the job about half as fast as they could with a little scythe, you wonder whether the world hasn't gone totally mad.”
Besides selling imported Austrian scythes, Simon also offers workshops and helps organize an annual scything festival and competition.
More on Green, Green Grass
Return of the Scythe
Confessions of a Reel Mower Addict
No-Mow Lawn Seed Mixes
Thanks to Gas Prices, Sales of Electric and Hand Mowers Are Up
::The Scythe Shop::via site visit::
Thirsty for more? Check out these related articles:
It looks dangerous though. You probably need gloves or something.
Here is a nice youtube video of scything done right. It isn't the hack and chop motion that many people envision. http://youtube.com/watch?v=dVv597m848s
Derrick says:
"It looks dangerous though. You probably need gloves or something."
Well. No. Just good eye/hand coordination. If you want to try, just drop by my farm in Norway this summer. ;)
I`d like to know where that photo came from. I`ve a feeling it was the camp for climate action but i`m not sure...
------
Author's Comment:
Looks like it was at the West Country Scythe Festival and Competition:
http://www.thescytheshop.co.uk/festival.html
great video, JimS!
Screw the scythe! Buy a goat!