[ChrisDH]

OK, so in the face of an allotment that is rapidly becoming a grass-only version of a rain forest, I have taken the plunge and ordered a scythe.

Does anyone have any experience / tips / advice?

[smud6ie]

OK, so in the face of an allotment that is rapidly becoming a grass-only version of a rain forest, I have taken the plunge and ordered a scythe.

Does anyone have any experience / tips / advice?

Yes,as well as any advice you may get here,have a look on youtube.
smud6ie

[Paul Plots]

If it's what I think it is.... mind your legs and ankles.  :blink:

[Kleftiwallah]

The blade has got to be kept super sharp, it may be benificial to fit some sort of guard halfway along the sharpening stone (if they are still using the crowned cylindrical jobby).

Try and get into the rhythm of stroking the grass gently with a slow swinging motion,  the harder you 'force' scythe the more difficult it becomes.  Once you have the knack, it becomes very satisfying to do well.

Have fun.    Cheers,    Tony.

[arugula]

 the sharpening stone (if they are still using the crowned cylindrical jobby).

You can still get those they call them cigar stones, for obvious reasons, I guess.

[madcat]

OH loves his, and the paths and stream margin like him. 

Keep it super sharp as you go and you get a clean cut, easier to clean up than a strimmer (I should know, that is my job! ) easy on the ears and you can judge the height above the ground, giving the frogs and toads etc a chance to escape and not get caught by the cord.

But yes, your back and thighs and shoulders will hurt like heck after the first few times, till you get the hang of it. Sorry.

[Paul Plots]

 the sharpening stone (if they are still using the crowned cylindrical jobby).

You can still get those they call them cigar stones, for obvious reasons, I guess.

I've got one and a half "cigar" stones. Brilliant for sharpening  my grandfather's old knife that I keep on the plot (carving knife!).

Somewhere "we" have a sickle but I've only tried using it once.