The sharp, curved blade of a scythe has been a symbol of implacable strength since at least Shakespeare’s time. Here are 10 of our favorite scythes:
For a wide selection of scythe blades, snaths, whetstones, and fittings, see scything expert Niels Aamand Johansson’s Denmark-based shop, Legrej.
With a 22-inch hammered steel blade best suited for long, thin grass or hay, a Scythe By SHW is made in Germany and has a lightweight galvanized steel snath with two wooden handles; $99.95 from Garden Tool Company. .
An Austrian Scythe Kit comes with both blade and wooden snath, with the length of the handle customized to your height.
“The tool of Demeter comes back into favor,” notes Germany-based tool seller Manufactum.
With a 40-centimeter blade and a very short wooden snath, an Allotment And Raised Bed Austrian Scythe Kit makes it easy to mow a small space; £136 from Learn Scything.
A Schröckenfux Garden Sense Original Razor has a blade specially designed for “less fatigue even with uneven surfaces” and a tubular steel snath with two wooden handles.
Measuring 55 inches long, a Steel Blade Garden Scythe comes with a grinding stone; $34.99 from eBay.
A cross between a scythe and a short-handled sickle, a Bulldog Premium Garden Scythe has a 32-inch steel handle and a 12-inch detachable steel blade; €39.95 from Lenehans.
A miniature, 12-inch scythe has a curved steel blade and a hardwood handle.
Scything expert Steve Tomlin teaches classes for beginners and sells a Complete Beginners Scythe Kit 170 which includes a 65 centimeter Ditch blade an adjustable wooden snath three whetstones a whetstone sheath a peening jib to...
...shape the blade s edge a blade attachment ring with allen key and adjustment wedge and a copy of his Learn to Scythe book also available separately for 10 plus 4 50 for postage and handling