Assessing and comparing whetstone quality has become very important recently as the supply and availability of different whetstones is ever changing. This particularly for natural stones as their quarries struggle to remain viable. To be able to objectively compare the different alternative stones I decided that I first needed to devise a series of bench Read more about Whetstone Testing[…]
International Peening Day at the start of this month aimed to highlight the importance of blade peening and scythe maintenance to get the best from your scythe. Some time ago, Michelle of Scythe Cymru put out a request for more experienced practitioners to offer a blade peening service; recognising that peening is a practical barrier Read more about Blade Peening Services[…]
Opportunities for scythe-folk around the country to meet up face to face are still somewhat limited by the pandemic. But please don’t despair, things are looking better for the summer! In anticipation of this we have organised two spring events that can still run and connect people remotely via the wonders of internet technology. International Read more about Opportunities to prepare for the coming mowing season and have your scythe questions answered![…]
As a postscript to this year’s International Peening day (April 7th) I have been reviewing the wonderful diversity of peening pony designs. A number of scythers have kindly sent me photos of their many and varied set ups, (and I can add more if you want to send me your photos). Arrangements for peening of Read more about Peening day review 2019[…]
International Peening Day, on the first Sunday of April, is a perfect opportunity to prepare and test blades on newly awoken grass in the meadow in readiness for the coming season. This is a personal blog post account of International Peening Day 2018. It was indeed quite a personal event for me, falling as it did Read more about Peening Days[…]
There is something particularly satisfying about the feel and action of a good natural stone which a coarse synthetic cannot match. Simon Fairlies’ article in Windrow 9 (Feb 2015) highlighted the endangered status of quality natural whetstones, particularly two favourite stones the Bregenzer and Rozsutec. I also enjoyed reading the reports by Dutchman Henk Bos Read more about A Welsh Whetstone Holiday in Snowdonia[…]
Spring is a time to bring scythe blades out of hibernation. Time to check that the oil we coated the steel with when we put them into storage in the Autumn is still protecting them (of course we all did this). Time to re-clean our blades and check for any damage that needs repairing and peen to restore Read more about Spring Peening and Restoration[…]
Clean before you peen! This annual spring Peening day is a prompt for SABI members to renew their relationship with their scythes and mowing. Peening is a mysterious and elusive art, and can lead to some fairly obsessive and compulsive behaviour! To celebrate this and promote peening day I have put together a 53 second promotional video. Read more about International Scythe Peening Day April 2014[…]
Christiane Lechner and Steve Tomlin will be running a small number of one-to-one workshops in mowing and peening at this year’s Somerset Scythe Festival on 16-17 June 2012 at Thorney Lakes, Muchelney. You can learn to improve your scything with individual attention and detailed tuition or and learn to peen the blade under expert supervision. Read more about One-to-One Scythe Tuition at Somerset Scythe Festival[…]
The modern scythe is a very safe tool to use – when you’re mowing with it. With a grip in each hand, it’s difficult to bring the blade anywhere near yourself, though easy enough to nip someone else’s heels. In addition, it’s light weight and manoeuvrability make it ideal for use in tricky corners or Read more about Safer sharpening[…]