Hi All,
I'm new to the forums, and came here after doing some online research and talking with Ben from Baryonyx Knife company about a scythe I'm looking to restore and use.
Here are some pictures of my probable primary scythe setup for the time being. It appears to be a Craftsman model 8701.
In all of my enthusiasm to swap from strimmers to scythes, I read up, adjusted the nibs, and started attacking some invasive weeds and golden rod with it. While I can definitely clear them, and technique is something I'm still developing, my blades could be sharper. This is the point where I called Ben on the phone. He was super kind, enthusiastic, and encouraging, not to mention a font of knowledge on the subject matter.
I have the luxury of an old wet grinding wheel, operated by a foot treadle, which I can use to follow the bevel and re-establish the edge. I filled the trough, gave the wheel a spin or two, and let the stone soak before getting to work.
However, I started second-guessing my blade's origin, and my own ability not to mangle it. A buddy had a couple of old scythe blades turned sling blades that they wanted sharpened, so one of those became my first test/practice subject. This is one of them, after I hit it with a wire brush and sanding sponge. It was severely rusted, and remains quite pitted, but there's also a bunch of green paint on it, too.
After a few passes following the old bevel, I think that the old bevel may be too wide an angle. Also, I could have a steadier hand (especially as I get closer to the toe), and may try to make a jig similar to the one in Ben's sharpening tutorial, utilizing some rods and bushing stock. I'm not done, as I need to make these corrections. Also, I did take more off of the back of the blade, though the second of the following two pictures doesn't show it.
The goal for me is to learn on this blade, then tune up the other one that's currently mounted on the snath, as well as clean up that snath.
I've been looking around, but figured I'd hop on here to share the journey and ask for any advice/insight from you more experienced folks. Also, any ideas on the make/age of some of these blades and components? I doubt the Craftsman snath can be very old, but am curious about my ditch/weed blade and the sling blades. I'll take more pictures later, when the light is better.
Also, may be picking up another scythe tomorrow with a grass blade on it. It, too, will be a project to get that one in working order.
Looking forward to hearing from you all!
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