I purchase a scythe from Lehman’s and found it a bit awkward. I ordinarily don’t have problems with tools from Lehman’s so I thought I just needed to learn to use the tool. After reading this page on snath making at scytheconnection.com I realized that it was the tool that needed to change, not me.
The snath is the wooden handle of the scythe. Being made of wood, it should be very easy to change or duplicate.
According to scytheconnection.com, the grip where you put your hand should be about 2 inches above where you hips bend. The grip on the Lehman’s snath was much higher than this and angled away from the blade. I took the snath apart and made a new piece to connect the grip to the snath. In the photo on the right, the piece on the left is the original. The one in the middle is my first prototype, made from plywood and the last was made from oak. Click on the image for a better view. You can’t see it in the picture, but the tenon on Lehman’s piece was only cut on one side. The new one I cut from Oak was cut on both. This should make it sturdier, and help it last longer.
Because of the curve, the grip was now placed forward by about 4 inches. This made all the difference. The scythe was easier to balance and it was easier to keep the blade parallel to the ground. If you click the image below, you can see how everything goes together.
I love wooden tools because they are so easy to change and improve.
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on Jan 7th, 2010 at 11:32 pm
I am finding it difficult to source a blacksmith who has knowledge of the old English Schythes – wooden handles with metal or usually now aluminium blades. I need a new metal piece that fits into the blade (hole in blade a short distance from top of handle and attaches to nut and bolt in the wooden handle near the top so as to firm the blades position. Do you know anyone who has such knowledge or is able to manufacture a suitable piece if the scythe is taken to the blacksmith. This is one I purchased in UK some years ago and brought back to Australia. I used a scythe to cut the lawns in UK way back in the 1950’s and also have a sickle which is still useful for certain jobs.
Thanks
on Jan 22nd, 2010 at 11:17 am
Scythe Supply carries replacement parts for European style scythes. See this page on their website, http://scythesupply.com/equipment.htm for information. It looks like the ring and bolts are sold an one part.
If that is not how your scythe is assembled, then perhaps it is an American design. http://www.Lehmans.com carries complete American snaths (handles) but not the individual hardware.