Scythe vs Grass Whip, vs Machete?

Posts: 47

Location: Ensley Center, MI, USA

posted 1 year ago

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What non-power tool would be the most practical for cutting small amounts of hay/fodder? Say, enough fog a pair of goats or herd of rabbits. We are currently using a grass whip/weed whip (like a bladed golf club) and it seems to work on the grass, chicory, and lambsquarter.

I suppose it depends a bit on the type of material being cut. Woody stuff like our coppiced trees and older sunflower/sunroot stems would probably be better with a machete. I imagine the scythe would be better for a smooth, even crop but I don't really know.

We cut an armload of reens for our rabbits and pigs daily, and are considered getting a pair of milk goats so we would need to cut more greens each day.

As a farmer, I am a steward of the land and it’s animals.
My job is to feed both people and nature, to build up the world around me.
Farmers are healers of the land and providers of the people.
I will do my best to keep a clean and healthy environment that would be pleasing to God

Almond Thompson

pollinator

Posts: 287

posted 1 year ago

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I'd love to try a scythe. Does your grass whip need sharpened often? Mine doesn't seem to cut anything.

Jordy Buck

Posts: 47

Location: Ensley Center, MI, USA

posted 1 year ago

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Almond Thompson wrote:I'd love to try a scythe. Does your grass whip need sharpened often? Mine doesn't seem to cut anything.

I sharpened it when I got it. They never seem to come with a decent edge, and they're usually painted which gums up the edge further. I filed the crud off and gog a decent edge with a medium then a fine file. It works much better now.

G Hurk

Posts: 4

Location: Western NY, Zone 6

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posted 1 year ago

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The scythe would likely be the best choice. Scythes are supported by the ground, and use the whole body for the swing, spreading the effort out across your body. Grass whips use largely arm speed and strength, and you will tend to tire faster.

Farmhand's Companion just had an interesting pair of videos on this (bookmarked to his comments on the slingblades/grass whip):

"They weren’t cows inside. They were waiting to be, but they forgot. Now they see sky, and they remember what they are."
"Is it bad that what she said made perfect sense to me?"

greg mosser

gardener