Category Archives: Scytherspace

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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Woman mowing wheat

Posted on January 2, 2012 by stevetomlin

It’s unusual to see old pictures of women mowing so this great photo merits it’s own post.  Note that she’s holding the snath by the shaft it’s made for someone taller than her and there’s no cradle or bow on … Continue reading →

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Austrian Scythe Association end of year dinner

Posted on December 7, 2011 by stevetomlin

I’m in Austria this week and have just attended the Sensenverein Osterreich (Austrian Scythe Association) end of year dinner which Christiane Lechner and I were invited to by Walter Blumauer. The association has 220 members of which 31 turned out … Continue reading →

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Koseni 2011 Czech Republic – pictures

Posted on December 2, 2011 by stevetomlin

The pictures from this years mowing fortnight in the Czech Republic are now online here. Great memories for me of the week that Christiane and I spent there, mowing and making hay with the other volunteers in a special conservation … Continue reading →

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Where do you peen?

Posted on November 20, 2011 by stevetomlin

When I was living out in the sticks of North Devon, peening my scythe was never a problem. The nearest neighbours lived over a mile away and I could hammer away to my heart’s content. Now I live in a … Continue reading →

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