Description
This set comes with a Profisense blade
A fine blade for mowing meadows, soft weeds and lawns. This blade sets up and mows easily so is ideal for learning to scythe. It comes in two lengths (65cm and 75cm).
A longer blade will allow you to move forward further with each stroke of the scythe and so mow a given area more quickly. This does result in the mower having to move the weight of more grass across the stroke. So a compromise has to be made between speed of mowing and the weight the mower is able/willing to move.
In light to medium meadow grasses and lawns a longer blade is best, but a shorter blade may be preferred in heavier grasses or in confined areas eg small lawns, paths, “garden meadows”.
Alternatively, you can choose the Falci 100 meadow blade.
The Falci 100 is easy to use and set up. It is slightly lighter then the Profisense, so less suited for rougher meadows (eg loose stones on the surface, occasional coarser vegetation such as bramble, bracken etc.) but needs less peening to maintain a fine cutting edge. The shorter lengths are ideal for “garden meadows”.
Books
We highly recommend adding the book “Learn to Scythe” to your scythe set.
This comprehensive instruction book is clear, informative and easy to read. It’s the next best thing to going on a scythe course! Only £10
Also available Managing Grass with a Scythe. Add to your scythe set for £6.
We highly recommend adding the book “Learn to Scythe” to your scythe set.
This comprehensive instruction book is clear, informative and easy to read. It’s the next best thing to going on a scythe course!
Add a copy of Managing Grass with a Scythe by Simon Fairlie to your scythe set for £6.00.
New revised and extended edition, an excellent book with guidance on how to manage grassland with a scythe, everything from hay making to mowing the lawn.
Click on these links for answers to FAQ
Which blade length do I need?
This kit comes with either a 60cm, 65cm or 75cm blade. Most people can mow well with the 75cm blade, given an open situation with at least 6ft of width to mow in. In more confined areas, a 60cm or 65cm blade is more appropriate.
Which snath length do I need?
Snaths are available in four lengths. The length needed depends on your height.
Your Height———-Snath Number
Less then 5ft ———Size 1
5ft – 5ft 10————-Size 2 (150cm)
5ft 8 – 6ft 4————Size 3 (160cm)
6ft 4 and taller——–Size 4
Once the correct length has been chosen, the scythe can be fine tuned using the adjustable handle positions on the snath such that the set up suits your height and mowing style.
Note:
People who are at the edge of the height range may not be sure which snath length to choose.
If your legs are long in proportion to your body length you should choose the longer snath. If they are short in proportion to your body length choose the shorter snath. This should give you the most useful range of adjustment of the handle positions.
Which Peening Jig do I need?
We are now offering a choice of two jigs with our sets.
The standard jig is a good entry level jig and a cost effective way to begin peening. This jig is the better choice for peening blades used for coarser mowing.
If you end up doing a lot of peening you may, in the future, want to move onto a Fux deluxe jig or freehand peening with an anvil.
The Fux Deluxe Peening Jig is slightly more expensive but is a better quality jig.
It is a good choice if you expect to stick with jig peening over your scything career, you will do a lot of peening (multiple blades, many times a year) or if you want to get started with the best tools. It is especially good for helping you achieve a finer, grass-mowing edge.
Which Sharpening stone do I need?
As standard, we recommend a La Saurat sharpening stone as we find this stone offers a good compromise – it is easy for a beginner to use, yet is fine enough that it does not wear away the peened edge too quickly.
As you gain experience with sharpening the finer Rozutec stone will enable you to achieve a good sharp edge whilst removing even less metal, increasing the length of time a peened edge will last.
Preparing your new blade for mowing
All new blades should have the lacquer cleaned off the cutting edge to prevent it clogging the sharpening stone. See this post for further details.
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Each kit contains:
- One Scythe Blade,
- An adjustable wooden snath (inc movable hand grips, clamp and wedge),
- A whetstone holder (for carrying the sharpening stone whilst out scything),
- A natural Sharpening Stone (for regular sharpening of blade in the field),
- A Peening Jig (What is Peening?),
- A Garryflex block (for cleaning the blade prior to peening),
- An artificial Stone: Carborundum (for use after jig peening),
- A Quick Set up Guide.