Hi Rob, "Lancashire weather" is something pretty much half of Europe has got this year if this is a consolation for you. We would have had a splendid cherries harvest but the rain almost ruined it all. Also, I cannot remember seeing so many hay fields still waiting to be cut by July, due to the lack of consistent sunny weather. At the beginning of your video, I notice a rumex plant : this is something you should tackle if you do not want it to become overwhelming in your field...
Thank you. Cherries sound lovely. My cherries trees are very young and not had many at all. Thanks for the advice with the sorrel, although I think it may be too late. The field was covered in it when I got it in 2019. Don't mind sorrel too much - it tastes quite good at least and is easy to mow. I am more bothered with with docks, bracken and bolson that I get :( Also have quite a lot of nettle and thistle, but it does also mean I get a range of butterfly.
Yes, but only once. I was honing (sharpening) the scythe with the stone and was not concentrating. It wasn't too bad, but bled quite a bit. I find the stone can slip a bit if there is still grass on the blade and so try to clean that off (a clean blade also allows you to hone it properly and keep your stone clean). I tend to wear a glove on my right hand when honing now.
I read an ariticle about this a bit ago. There are left handed blades (or at least blades pointing to the right rather than the left), however they are rare and most people will just use the usual blades. It doesn't seem to make any difference to your scything ability and by learning with the usual blades will make it easier later for switching blades later. Most of the strength is in the torso and so being right or left handed makes little difference. I think it is a bit like how some people will dig with their left hand at the top of the spade even when right handed, it is just what you get used to.
Hi Chris, If you are UK based then Scythe Cymru is good, www.scythecymru.co.uk/. I have also used the scythe shop as well, www.thescytheshop.co.uk/. These both sell the scythe style that I'd recommend for any decent amount of mowing. If this is unaffordable then there are cheaper alternatives, which may be reasonable for hacking nettles and bracken, but they won't be as comfortable or as good at cutting as these quality scythes. For a future video I have been testing out a cheap scythe of ebay which is very bad in comparison, but compared to a weed slasher it is quite good, and can cut grass reasonably after a lot of peening. I would recommend a decent scythe unless it is unaffordable or you want to just have a play around without a high price commitment.
Lovely video to watch and this is what I want to acheive if I ever manage to buy a field. This release is a great help thanks.
I hope you manage to get a field soon :)
I've been loving your videos lately, they're super relaxing with the chill music and your calm voice! Super glad I found this channel.
Awesome! Thank you for watching and your kind comments :)
Love these videos, such a nice happy vibe
Thank you. I really appreciate it, it keeps me motivated for making new videos :)
Always nice to see a new i bought a field upload. Still very glad i discovered your channel.
Thank you, it means a lot :)
There seems to be such a peaceful “zen” to scything. Great informative stuff as usual 🤓
Thank you :)
Hi Rob, "Lancashire weather" is something pretty much half of Europe has got this year if this is a consolation for you. We would have had a splendid cherries harvest but the rain almost ruined it all. Also, I cannot remember seeing so many hay fields still waiting to be cut by July, due to the lack of consistent sunny weather. At the beginning of your video, I notice a rumex plant : this is something you should tackle if you do not want it to become overwhelming in your field...
Thank you. Cherries sound lovely. My cherries trees are very young and not had many at all.
Thanks for the advice with the sorrel, although I think it may be too late. The field was covered in it when I got it in 2019. Don't mind sorrel too much - it tastes quite good at least and is easy to mow. I am more bothered with with docks, bracken and bolson that I get :(
Also have quite a lot of nettle and thistle, but it does also mean I get a range of butterfly.
Another interesting video yet again. Have you ever cut yourself while handling the scythe?
Yes, but only once. I was honing (sharpening) the scythe with the stone and was not concentrating. It wasn't too bad, but bled quite a bit.
I find the stone can slip a bit if there is still grass on the blade and so try to clean that off (a clean blade also allows you to hone it properly and keep your stone clean). I tend to wear a glove on my right hand when honing now.
Are scythes 'handed' or ambidextrous - I'd need a left-handed one if such a thing exists?
I read an ariticle about this a bit ago. There are left handed blades (or at least blades pointing to the right rather than the left), however they are rare and most people will just use the usual blades. It doesn't seem to make any difference to your scything ability and by learning with the usual blades will make it easier later for switching blades later. Most of the strength is in the torso and so being right or left handed makes little difference.
I think it is a bit like how some people will dig with their left hand at the top of the spade even when right handed, it is just what you get used to.
yeah!!!!
Thank you watching :)
Do you have a link to purchase?
Hi Chris,
If you are UK based then Scythe Cymru is good, www.scythecymru.co.uk/.
I have also used the scythe shop as well, www.thescytheshop.co.uk/. These both sell the scythe style that I'd recommend for any decent amount of mowing. If this is unaffordable then there are cheaper alternatives, which may be reasonable for hacking nettles and bracken, but they won't be as comfortable or as good at cutting as these quality scythes. For a future video I have been testing out a cheap scythe of ebay which is very bad in comparison, but compared to a weed slasher it is quite good, and can cut grass reasonably after a lot of peening. I would recommend a decent scythe unless it is unaffordable or you want to just have a play around without a high price commitment.