Category Archives: Scytherspace

Transylvanian Haymaking on tv

Posted on March 24, 2012 by stevetomlin

I just found this tv programme from last year’s Haymaking Festival in Transylvania. This year’s event is on 19-26 August 2012 in Gyimes, Transylvania. Follow the link to read about last year’s festival. To book a place, contact Barbara Knowles a british biologist and science … Continue reading →

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Meadow raking in Austria

Posted on March 19, 2012 by stevetomlin

I’m on holiday this week in Austria and, with spring well on the way over here, Christiane and I spent a few hours together raking the meadow she mows. This is public land by the apartments where Christiane lives and … Continue reading →

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A DIY Peening Bench

Posted on March 15, 2012 by stevetomlin

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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Scything with Susan

Posted on March 7, 2012 by stevetomlin

Last summer my friend Susan came on one of my ‘Learn to Mow’ courses. A few days later I went over to her house to help her mow the grass on her own land. This gave me the opportunity to … Continue reading →

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International Peening Day 2012

Posted on March 3, 2012 by stevetomlin

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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Scythe Course dates 2012

Posted on February 7, 2012 by stevetomlin

My course dates and prices for 2012 are finally set, more details on the courses page: Learn to Mow with an Austrian Scythe  26 May, 30 June, 9 Sept 2012  – £60 Scythe Improvers   11 Aug – £70 Improve your … Continue reading →

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Ransome's lawn mower

Posted on February 5, 2012 by stevetomlin

Here is the sentence you thought you’d never read on scytherspace: I’ve got myself a lawn mower. This though, is no ordinary mower, it’s a Ransome’s Ajax push mower from the 1960’s with 12″ wide cutters, solid wood rollers and … Continue reading →

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Saxon Peening Station

Posted on January 25, 2012 by stevetomlin

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

Posted on January 10, 2012 by stevetomlin

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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Transylvania Haymaking Festival dates & Scythe royalty

Posted on January 6, 2012 by stevetomlin

I’ve just been sent the dates for this year’s International Haymaking Festival in Transylvania. The fourth festival will take place on 19-26 August 2012 in Gyimes, Transylvania. Last year’s festival was a wonderful week and the event grows and improves  year. … Continue reading →

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