The Scythe Book

by Tresemer, David

• ISBN13: 9780911469196
• ISBN10: 0911469192
• Edition: 2nd
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2001-01-01
• Publisher: Alan C Hood & Company

Summary

In the last few years, interest in the scythe has grown remarkably; and so have the sales of "The Scythe Book. Now Peter Vido, who has written two outstanding articles for "Small Farmer's Journal on the use of the scythe, has contributed an addendum for this book on the practical use of the scythe based on his own extensive research and experience.

Table of Contents

Introduction	1	(2)
This Book	3	(2)
The Parts of the Scythe	5	(14)
The Blade	5	(6)
Blade Cover	11	(1)
Snath	12	(7)
Sharpening	19	(11)
Peening	20	(4)
Whetting	24	(6)
Mowing Technique	30	(19)
A Helpful Exercise	30	(2)
With the Scythe	32	(6)
Small Advances	38	(2)
Reading the Grass	40	(2)
The Use of the Body	42	(6)
Reconsidering the Twisting Exercise	48	(1)
Mowing Hay	49	(15)
Making the Hay	52	(4)
Tools for Making the Hay	56	(3)
Mowing in Teams	59	(3)
Haytime Drinks	62	(2)
Clean Culture	64	(5)
Weeds	64	(1)
Pasture	65	(1)
Lawn	66	(3)
Harvesting Small Grains	69	(36)
The Scythe and Its Predecessors	70	(4)
Cradle Scythes	74	(5)
Cutting Grain with Old and New Tools	79	(3)
Sowing, Reaping, Threshing, Winnowing	82	(13)
Bringing the harvest Home	95	(10)
Notes	105	(8)
Bibliography	113	(6)
The Scythe Must Dance An Addendum on the Practical Use of the Scythe	119	(62)
Peter Vido
Introduction	121	(3)
Clarification of Terms	124	(3)
Fitting the Snath to the Mower	127	(4)
How Tough is a Scythe Blade?	131	(2)
Blade Selection	133	(3)
Sharpening Principles	136	(6)
The Practice of Shaping the Edge	142	(9)
Honing in the Field	151	(5)
Repairing the Damaged Edge	156	(6)
Principles of Movement	162	(8)
The Blade-Fitting Challenge	170	(11)
Postscript	181	(1)
Acknowledgments	182	(1)
Notes	183	(1)
Appendix	183	(10)
Index	193