scythes, weed whackers etc

[ChingfordHarry]

thanks Snoop.

I have read that with tung oil, when you start you apply it once a week for a month, then once a month for a year, then once a year. But I have no idea how you get oil out of a tung in the first place .

[Snoop Puss]

But I have no idea how you get oil out of a tung in the first place .

Me neither. I presume it's very difficult, which would explain why it costs an arm and a leg.

[ChingfordHarry]

Okay, I succumbed to the temptation and bought a scythe (see * below) with a 55cm ditch blade (which has a bluntish spike on the end of the blade - useful for protecting the cutting edge if you hit anything hard - although I say "bluntish", it will still dig into tree trunks etc ~15mm without trying). After reading the "learn to scythe" book a couple of times I've been out on the lawn to get the hang of things, and then progressed onto the vacant plot next to mine at the allotments (mostly grass, dock, young brambles), then went through the communal orchard (mostly docks, young brambles and plum suckers (~1cm thick).

Where there is room to have a decent swing (so cutting a swath at least 1.5m wide, more usually well over a couple of metres), it's surprisingly easy and fast to cut through the growth - I doubt my style is any good, but I'm hoping I can only get better. Before I develop too many bad habits I'll find a course so that I can consult with an expert.

Where I have trouble with it is on the narrow paths between beds on my plot - so I'm still using my grass hook there which has a blade that's only about 30cm long. From what I gather, experts would also do this anyway.

* I know enough people who might have been described as "new age" back in the day who would use it if I decide it's really not for me. As Snoop did, I bought from Simon Fairlie.

[ChingfordHarry]

Oh - the best thing so far is cutting through the vegetation without the whine and/or petrol motor of a strimmer/brush cutter .

[Nicos]

Great update - you’ve got me thinking that maybe we should get one to cut back the very high ‘ wildlife grass’ we leave in swathes in our field.
Sounds easier than the chainsaw/ strimmer being used horizontally at the end of the season!

[Snoop Puss]

Just dropped in to ask what you did, ChingfordHarry, and you've answered me already! Yes, it's really meditative working without the racket of a strimmer. Or the smell of a petrol one.

Yes, narrow paths aren't all that easy because you have to control your swing a lot. But I'm a big fan. My style isn't great, but I get the job done.