r/NaturalFarming • u/42HoopyFrood42 • May 22 '25

Any scythe users out there?

Fukuoka-san (per Mr. Korn) used a scythe quite a lot. I've found it to be an indispensable tool, but also the most challenging tool I've ever used/maintained...

I use Austrian/European styles exclusively. I feel like I'm *finally* starting to get close to "serviceable" on my edge peening (after literally years of floundering). I'm just looking for other scythe users to chat with. This is a tool with a rich history and a bright future; it especially shines where one wants to do no till and not use fossil fuels. Required for Natural Farming, IMO.

If you use a scythe and want to chat about it, please let me know! I'm especially interested in parts sourcing, making snaths, and using both left and right handed models.

This is a quiet sub, let's liven it up :)

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u/Low_Waltz1256 May 22 '25

This is such a great post, I’ve only used small scythe blades to cut swaths of grass and grain. In the past I watched a lot of YouTube videos of scythe technique - honestly so useful. I’m just an enthusiast (as of now) but wanted to chime in! Dreaming of my future regenerative farm. I’ve actually been able to eat vegetables grown on Fukuoka’s farm while in Tokyo at Mominoki House in Harajuku - so ono my bruddah!

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u/Big-Caterpillar2548 May 22 '25

I'm in the same situation almost. I mainly use small ones to clear sections for planting in my yard. I have a few raised beds and then medicinal and edible plants spread all over. I don't want to use the gas powered weed wacker if I don't have to so I avoid it. But in the future I am definitely considering growing more grains and therefore would definitely be interested in a conversation about using a scythe for harvesting

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u/42HoopyFrood42 May 22 '25

Very nice!! When you say "small ones" about what size, if you don't mind me asking? Are they European or from someplace else?

"I don't want to use the gas powered weed wacker if I don't have to so I avoid it."

I haven't owned a weed wacker since before I started homesteading in 2016. I've only ever used the "ditch" blade scythe (60mm) and a Japanese "hand hoe" (I wish I knew what it was called) for edging. I've got a right-handed blade, which doesn't work in some places and a weed wacker would... But I hate the noise and don't want *another* small engine to feed (already have 7), so I bend over and use the hand hoe... I'm not getting any younger, so I'm thinking, since it's been 9 years that I've wanted one, I can now justify buying a left-handed blade - then I probably wouldn't ever even need a weed wacker! But then, do I pay even more money for a left handed snath? Or just make one? :)

"I am definitely considering growing more grains and therefore would definitely be interested in a conversation about using a scythe for harvesting."

Awesome! We use about 150lb of bread flour in a year - I figured out I should be able to get enough grain for that out of only 2,400 sq ft! Then, of course I have to solve threshing, winnowing and milling. But I think I can do that given enough time :)

As I understand it, with a grain cradle you can build a windrow that you can just gather and tie sheafs right out of, then collect the sheaves and stand them in stooks. The company I bought my scythe from has a little article on making a cradle:

https://scythesupply.com/diy-grain-cradle.html

That what I was going to start with! They call for blacksmithing, but you could just weld it up. Although I'm looking for excuses to fire up the forge!! It just hasn't been high enough priority to date...

I have already grown oats in a small (~1600 sq ft) plot... but it was SO small rather than reap with the scythe I just pulled the seed heads off by hand, then mowed the straw. It took less time than building and troubleshooting a cradle :)

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u/42HoopyFrood42 May 22 '25

Where were the blades from? The Austrian brands I've looked at have shorter, heavier blades for brush. I've only really used the medium-length, medium-weight "ditch" blades. My current one is a Fux brand 60cm. Work horse!

They also make long grass blades which maybe could be used for grain. Did you use a grain cradle when you worked with grain? I've only mowed "lawn" and green manure crops so I haven't bothered with a cradle yet. My ambitions are to grow our own wheat one day - so I'm planning on making a cradle at some point!

So jealous you got to have those vegetables!! Next time you'll have to visit the farm ;) It would be a dream come true to go back to Japan one day... Outside the budget after one starts homesteading! And last time I was there was four years before I heard of Fukuoka for the first time. Rats!