Scythes and Scythettes

Yes. Mind your legs! If you're not sure or confident you could do with watching a demonstration film or get someone to show you.

I use a scythe for my field. I learnt a lot by going on a course.

The key thing is to go slowly, nibbling into the grass rather that trying to cut too wide a swathe at one go, slow and relaxed movements mean you shouldn't get too tired.

Aim to sharpen the scythe about every 10 imns - this sound v. frequent, but the differece a sharp blade makes is enourmous and the break help to prevent you getting tired.

I've done over 6 hours of mowing in the last week - my next purchases wil be a hay rake and pitch fork, collecting up the 'hay' is as big a job as the mowing.

Practice makes permenant - watch YouTube clibs of using an Austrian scythe to set you off with good technique