I've mentioned over the past week that my husband has gotten way into the scythe thing. And I must admit that I had no idea that scything had reached the level of interest and addiction that it has apparently reached at the present time! There seems to be somewhat of a gulf lying between two camps of scythers...1.) those who wield the pricier European scythes and 2.) those who wield the much cheaper, easier to come by American-made scythes--which would include my husband.
My husband reluctantly stumbled headlong into this gulf totally unawares recently when we attended MOFGA's Small Farm Field Day. He showed up with an armful of American-made vintage scythes (that he picked up for about $8-$9 a piece) under the scything tent with the European wielding scythers whose scythes happen to run in the $150 and up range.
As they sized up my husband and his bulky old scythes you could begin to see the smirks and somewhat hidden guffaws coming from the crowd. I don't know anything about golf and golf clubs, but I'm supposing that it's probably very similar to someone showing up on the golf course with clubs from the 1940's--or on the ski slopes with skis from the 1930's. People can appreciate the vintage appeal of the old-style--to hang up as a decoration on the wall perhaps--but you wouldn't seriously consider using the things....on a regular basis....for serious sport. That's basically the attitude toward American-made scythes....from the European camp.....as my husband discovered.
Now, if you know my husband, which most of you don't, I'll let you know that he is totally unphased by smirks and semi-hidden guffaws from crowds. In fact, he rather enjoys the challenge. So, he proceeds to ask the European scythe-wielders what makes their scythes so much better than the American-made ones that he's holding. They begin making comments like, "Oh, the back-breakers!" and "Well, the old pioneers managed to make them work...somehow!" but didn't give any real straight forward answers.
So here is an unbiased look at what we've found about the two models of scythes and you can decide which you like best. You can purchase both styles of scythes brand new so you don't have to haunt antique stores or farm auctions for the vintage kind with rusty blades. Scything is not as hard as it looks and provides great exercise. It also beats a weed-eater any day. We're looking at putting up the hay on our land this year with scythes, so this should prove to be interesting.
European Style Scythes:
1. Very Light-weight (easier to wield)
2. Must sharpen every 10-15 min. or so with stone
3. Must peen the blade out with a very small hammer and anvil every 3-4 hrs. of use.
American Style Scythes (also manufactured in Austria and Finland)
1. Heavier construction (the weight, if used correctly, helps do the cutting)
2. Hardened (sometimes carbide) steel blade (easier to sharpen and holds an edge for longer)
3. Must sharpen every 15 - 20 min. or so with stone. Do not have to have to pound out the blade with hammer and anvil tools.
Coincidentally enough, The World Champion Hay-Mowing (with scythes) Competition was happening this week in Finland. You've got to check out these photos! There's one guy, in particular, in his Finnish shorts and overalls who looks to be about 6'4" and is the most monstrous, maniac scyther I've ever seen! Boy! I wish we could get him to come scythe our fields--he'd be done in 20 minutes--or less! And also please note that their scythes are more like the American model!