Toolbox Tuesday- Scythes

Scythes

    A scythe is an agricultural hand tool that was used for mowing grass or reaping crops. A scythe consists of a long handle that is either straight or curved that is called a snath (sometimes it was also referred to as a snid or sneath). The scythe has either one or two handles that are at a right angle to the snath. There was always one in the middle of the snath and if there was two it would be at the top of the snath. These handles were referred to as nibs. A long curved blade was then mounted at the lower end of the scythe perpendicular to the snath. Using a scythe is called mowing, or often called scything. It is a skilled take that can be preformed with relative ease by an experience mower. Beginners often struggle using a scythe not holding it at the right angle or trying to cut too much at once. Another version of the scythe is called a cradle scythe, which is a agricultural tool that was used to reap grain. This form of scythe had an arrangement of fingers attached to the snath so the cut (or reaped) gain would fall upon the fingers and could be cleanly laid down in the row for collection. The above picture is an example of a scythe and the below picture is an example of a cradle scythe.