Rust! restoring and protecting scythe blades

 International Peening Day on the first weekend in April each year is a great opportunity to get out scythe blades from hibernation and get them cleaned and peened ready for the new season. There are inevitably occasions where rust forms and it needs removing to restore the blade.  This ranges from light surface rust blooms when Read more about Rust! restoring and protecting scythe blades[…]

Maig – The Sub-Aqua Scythe

Maigs are a traditional long reach scythe – used in the Norfolk broads for clearing emergent vegetation in drainage ditches from the bankside. They are also useful for clearing excess growth from the margins of ponds and other water features. I first came a across a Maig on a tool collector’s stall at the Strumpshaw Read more about Maig – The Sub-Aqua Scythe[…]

A Welsh Whetstone Holiday in Snowdonia

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[…]

Tribute to legendary Scythesman Eric Edwards

Legendary Scythesman, Reed cutter, marshman and “true Norfolk man” Eric Edwards died this week aged 71. Eric was a champion of the traditional skills of reed and sedge cutting on the Norfolk Broads for which he was awarded an MBE. Although officially retired he was still “swinging his scythe” at the reserve just two weeks Read more about Tribute to legendary Scythesman Eric Edwards[…]