Retro mowing

May 29, 2024 Last reply: 2 years ago 4 Replies

Today, as part of my work volunteering to maintain our local coastal path route, I was on mowing/strimming duties. We have to do this several times over the summer and it’s always a chore getting the petrol strimmers, brush cutter and lawn mower (and fuel containers) to remote locations.



For a change, I borrowed an Austrian style scythe today as my weapon of choice.



Oh what a joy it was to use compared to the petrol strimmers! Yes, it was work, but it wasn’t a chore, it was a pleasure. Easily cuts a wider swathe than a strimmer and at a fraction of the weight it’s so easy to carry around.



I have no use for a scythe in my own garden but I’ve now ordered an Austrian scythe for all my future mowing work on the coastal path.



Don’t diss the old ways! ;-)



Tim


Austrian scythes are also the best for cutting bracken.

I was taught how to use a scythe by one of my mother's cousins. (Not the Austrian style, though.) Kept properly sharp, it is amazingly effective

- also quiet, and non-polluting.

Takes me back! Prior to the advent of front cut combine harvesters, the first cut round the field edge was done using scythes. We kids had the job of gathering and tying the cut stems into sheaves. The tractor drawn ( converted from horse drawn but I'm not that old!) reaper binder could then finish the job. Lots more sheaves to *stook up*.

>

I was once told that these were a well-known cause of horrific injuries to dogs - make sure your best friend is out of the way.

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