Can you scythe in the rain?

Posted on July 21, 2025 by stevetomlin

I’m often asked this question as the British summer doesn’t always guarantee long sunny days. The short answer is yes, the scythe has no problem with the rain and you can even work with it underwater if managing a pond or river. These students on my Learn to Scythe course in Lancashire did a fantastic job and were so engrossed in scything they forgot about the weather!

The weather may knock your grass over which will make mowing more tricky but otherwise rain is no reason not to scythe your wildflower meadow.

Visit my Learn to Scythe page for beginners scything workshops across the North of England.

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Hebden Bridge scything workshop 2025

Posted on July 19, 2025 by stevetomlin

I’m just back home after two days teaching a group how to scythe at Hebden Bridge for the High Hirst meadow project. During the workshop we looked at setting up the Austrian scythes, honing, peening and mowing technique for cutting the meadow on a slope.

This is my fourth year teaching scything courses here and it’s great to see the group growing. I deliver scythe workshops for volunteer groups across the UK so get on touch if it’s something that would work for your group. Email stevetomlin8[at]gmail.com

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Scythers wanted at Hebden Bridge 2025

Posted on July 15, 2025 by stevetomlin

‘Hay Time at High Hirst’

Sunday 20th – Sunday 27th July 2025

Experienced and/or enthusiastic scythers are keenly invited to help a small, dedicated team of volunteers mow their c.2 acre meadow near Hebden Bridge this summer.

You are very welcome to join them for a day or more on the edge of the delightful West Yorkshire town of Hebden Bridge, and assist them in their efforts to restore this ancient hay meadow. They’ll be mowing and haymaking from 9am into the evening each day, weather permitting*, over the week.

If anyone is able to join them for more than one day, the ‘Friends of High Hirst Woodmeadow’ can offer help with overnight accommodation, possibly even in a local home – advance notice would be very much appreciated!

For further details, please contact SABI member Neil Diment, High Hirst Woodmeadow Project, e: neil@ndiment.co.uk or m: 07821 620680.

*N.B. If the weather forecast is poor, it would be advisable to call Neil – or check out the Hay Time post on the ‘High Hirst Woodmeadow Project’ Facebook page – before setting out for the day. We will post there if plans change due to the weather, and we decide NOT to go ahead for that day

 

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Beginners scything workshop in Manchester

Posted on July 14, 2025 by stevetomlin

The Austrian scythe is a perfect tool for working in urban areas and I’m very proud of how many projects in Manchester are now working this way. At the weekend I taught a Learn to Scythe workshop for some beginners in south Manchester. We were managing a rare wet meadow with some challenging, long grasses with is ideal for cutting with a scythe.

Please visit my Learn to Scythe page for details about my scything courses or contact me for information about training for your volunteer group stevetomlin8@gmail.com

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Scythe course in Staffordshire 2025

Posted on July 14, 2025 by stevetomlin

It’s always a treat to be back at Silverdale Country Park training volunteers how to use an Austrian scythe. This year the weather was hot, hot, hot but the group did a fantastic job and I’m looking forward to working more with them during the coming months.

Visit my Learn to Scythe page for details of my courses.

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Hay rake making workshop 2025

Posted on July 14, 2025 by stevetomlin

During this very hot summer weekend it was great to be in the shade of the woodland teaching a group how to make a wooden hay rake.

We split and shaped the ash head and made teeth with my tine cutter before fitting a hazel handle to finish off the hay rake ready for hay making.

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Spoon carving course in Manchester 2025

Posted on July 13, 2025 by stevetomlin

Spoon carving is a fantastic pastime and great introduction to working with wood suitable for beginners and improvers. You learn to use axes and knives to transform a freshly cut birch log into a practical cooking spoon during a fun, lively day with other likeminded people.

My next workshop is in Oct 2025 in Manchester, book your place and find other dates on Eventbrite. I can also deliver a private workshop for you or your group at your venue. Please email me for details stevetomlin8[at]gmail.com

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Scything while visually impaired

Posted on July 5, 2025 by stevetomlin

This is Rob who came on my Learn to Scythe course earlier this year. He has macula degenerative disease and is registered blind though, as you can see, it doesn’t hold him back. Scything is lightweight, low impact work which is a lot safer than a strimmer and more fun too! As Rob himself said, ‘If a blind man can do it, what’s stopping you?’

Visit my Eventbrite collection to book your Learn to Scythe course place. If you’re still unsure, feel free to drop me an email stevetomlin8[at]gmail.com

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Learn to Scythe instruction book review

Posted on July 1, 2025 by stevetomlin

It’s great to hear that my Learn to Scythe book is helping people who can’t get to a course. The book covers all aspects of using am Austrian scythe including how to set up a scythe, honing, mowing, peening the blade and more. It’s no substitute for a Learn to Scythe workshop where I can assist with your technique directly but will give you a good grounding to start from.

Thanks to Susan for this excellent review:

I want to learn how to scythe before I risk buying the equipment and this book is an easy read. The techniques are well explained with illustrations and photos accompanying where applicable. There are some very useful photo closeups which back up the written description. The technical descriptions are well written which I have had no problem understanding. This book is obviously written by an expert scyther who also knows how to teach. I would love to go on one of his courses but in the meantime I’m going to give scything a go.

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How to peen a scythe workshop 2025

Posted on June 30, 2025 by stevetomlin

Peening is an essential element of maintaining your Austrian scythe. Hammering the blade creates a finer edge so the blade cuts sweetly as you mow your meadow. This can be a daunting process for a scythe beginner so each year I lead a Scythe peening course for those looking to learn the skills.

This year the Peening Workshop will be on 19th Oct 2025 at Bell Sykes, Slaidburn in Lancashire. During the day you’ll learn how to peen your scythe blade with a peening jig under my guidance and we’ll look in depth at sharpening the scythe. There’ll also be chance to mow and get some advice on your mowing technique.

Places cost £100 and are limited so please book early to avoid missing out. Email me to reserve your spot and for payment details stevetomlin8@gmail.com

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