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I guess, as soon you get the grip, you can do it fairly easy. However, the girl on the video is cutting the grass very close to the dirt. You can hear her sliding the scythe on the ground. Not sure if someone could maintain same lawn high every stroke. Then of course come the rake. Looks like a long process, with a questionable effect.
OMG. I've never seen so many erroneous ideas about scythes in one thread!
First, they are very lightweight. You want one with an Austrian blade (Scythe Supply in Maine has them) and a snath ("handle") of ash or some other lightweight but strong wood. Secondly, they are not at all dangerous to the user. I can't imagine how you could cut your legs or anything else. Mowers (what they call scythe users) traditionally use the scythe barefoot. And yes, you can mow a small area with one; a good mower can trim right around a fence post. You do not need tall grass, either. Women can easily use them (my wife does). The scythe is silent, so you do not disturb the neighbors. And it works just as well (better?) in damp/wet grass, when you can't use a gas mower.
The downsides: good ones are not cheap. And like all blades, they need to be sharpened - a lot. In fact, mowers always carry a "whetstone" in a belt-holder, with water, for sharpening when the blade no longer has it's sharpened "bite" on the grass. Takes all of 5-6 seconds to restore the blade. Less frequently, the blade needs "peening" (thinning and re-shaping) which also goes quickly.
I have been using them for many years. You get better with practice. But you need to learn a little about them, and get some practice. After that...no more gas fumes or stalled engines for you!
^^^ This. I am female and I used to use one when I was a kid visiting my grandparents. I still have both legs!
The inevitable unevenness of the lawn makes me shudder. I'm so anal about even mowing lines that I don't even want to imagine how bad a lawn cut with a scythe will look. For a field? Go nuts. For a yard where others have to see it too? No friggin way. It's 2015, not the 1700s. Buy the right tool for the job.
The inevitable unevenness of the lawn makes me shudder. I'm so anal about even mowing lines that I don't even want to imagine how bad a lawn cut with a scythe will look. For a field? Go nuts. For a yard where others have to see it too? No friggin way. It's 2015, not the 1700s. Buy the right tool for the job.
What about the old fashioned push mower that I also want to buy ? One of the most beautiful lawns ever is Wrigley Field baseball stadium and according to this article it is done partly with the use of a roller which many old fashioned push mowers already have so if you want an enviable front lawn the reel mower can help you get it.
How many staff do they have to make sure Wrigley field looks perfect each and every day? That's apples to oranges. You can't compare a neighborhood lawn to a professional baseball field. Not to mention, what species of grass do you have? I have a fantastic looking lawn, but I have a very strict regimen, the proper tools AND technique to make sure it looks that way.
How many staff do they have to make sure Wrigley field looks perfect each and every day? That's apples to oranges. You can't compare a neighborhood lawn to a professional baseball field. Not to mention, what species of grass do you have? I have a fantastic looking lawn, but I have a very strict regimen, the proper tools AND technique to make sure it looks that way.
Well according to the article I posted a roller with some weight attached to it will help acheive that baseball stadium look . Maybe it is hard to get exactly the same look but I bet you can come close. Are you going to share with us your secrets to a beautiful lawn?
I do not know what kind of grass I have. Living with the sandy soil of central Florida about 20 miles from the beach I feel lucky to have much of a lawn at all. I do not want to spend a huge amount of money on my front lawn. Actually planning to buy some privacy hedges so nobody will see it anyway lol.
Get a new weed eater. As mentioned, a scythe is a harvesting tool for use on tall grasses.
If you do use one be ready to have Incredible Hulk shoulders eventually.
Yes, a push mower is good for small yards. The trick is to cut the grass regularly (sometimes twice a week) as they are not good on taller grass.
This. I have a hand mower that I originally bought for my tree lawn, but I found I still had to use the weed eater or the self-propelled mower on it if the grass got a bit too tall. If you have dandelions, a hand mower won't get the blossoms; it just knocks them down and rolls over them.
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