Category Archives: peening & sharpening

Scythe Champions 2013

After a 6 year reign by Simon Damant, the UK has a new Scythe Champion. On a beautiful day 28 competitors took part in the mowing finals at the Somerset Scythe Festival 2013. Simon made a time of 1:35 with … Continue reading

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Picard Peening Hammer

Having the right tools for the job make everything much easier. After a fair bit of searching I’m pleased to say I’ve now found a source of Picard peening hammers in the UK from Vaughans of Stourbridge. If you’re placing … Continue reading

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International Peening Day 2013

Grab your hammers, it’s time for International Peening Day again! (cue fanfare) Last year was great fun with  group of us getting together in Cumbria to sharpen up our scythes and push-mowers while others took part across the UK, in … Continue reading

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Peening in the kitchen

I’ve got a fully-booked ‘Learn to Mow’ course tomorrow with a group of beginners coming over to Cumbria to learn to use a scythe. So today I’m peening the blades in preparation. When you come on one of my courses … Continue reading

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1st International Peening Day

In years to come thousands will claim to have been there but in truth a select bunch of six scythe folk turned up to Sprint Mill in Cumbria for International Peening Day. Huge numbers was never my objective and our … Continue reading

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Get ready for peening

When I decided to set up Peening Day you can imagine I got a few funny looks from friends, even the ones who also mow with a scythe. So when I adjusted the name to International Peening Day it was … Continue reading

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A DIY Peening Bench

Only two weeks now until International Peening Day on April 1st so, in preparation, I thought I’d offer some instruction on making a simple and lightweight peening bench. While the best support for a peening anvil or jig is probably … Continue reading

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International Peening Day 2012

It’s not a joke; this year I am planning International Peening Day to take place on Sunday 1st April – clear your diary. After 6 months languishing forgotten and unloved in the shed does your scythe need some loving care … Continue reading

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Saxon Peening Station

I’ve been sent some photos from Michael Stibane in Germany of his peening station which his great-grandfather, who was a cartwright, produced and sold. Peening is done on a flat anvil and by altering the string on the upright pole, the … Continue reading

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Peening hammer

The first stage of sharpening a scythe is to peen the blade, drawing out the edge to thin it and give the right bevel angle. When you start out, the peening jig designed and made by Schroeckenfux along with Peter … Continue reading

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