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custom made scythes?

 
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Do you have any experience with custom made scythes?  They are over $100, but are made to each customer's body measurements.  I believe there is a craftsman in Maine and also Tennesse. I wonder how they would compare - ease of use and durability to the ones from Lee Valley.

After 3 years of thinking about it I am going to buy one this winter.  If I can use it to mow my lawn, I will, but it will be mostly for the fields that have been growing wild where I want to improve the soil and plant pasture.
 
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I would also like to learn more about custom made scythes.  It's fun playing with these mass market scythes, but if I'm going to maintain two acres of lawn with loads of hills and obstacles, I'm going to want something that fits my body better.

Scythe Works is really close to where I live.  

The whole kit isn't cheap, but it looks like it will last a lifetime.  At least, that's how it looks.  Will it?  

Please, talk me into spending the money.  

Any other scythe suppliers you can recommend?
 
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I would suggest "One Scythe Revolution" as a good resource for scythe information and equipment. I'm a little confused by "custom made scythes".  A custom scythe blade of quality would run well over $100, if you could find someone that could make one. The snath, or handle, needs to be fit to the user, and the scythe blade mounted on it accordingly. So, "custom fitting" a scythe setup is a necessary part of making the system work, but a "custom scythe" is a different thing entirely.

As far as being a tool that will last a lifetime - depends on how you use it and care for it.  Grass blades are kind of delicate, hit a tough weed or a seedling, much less a rock, and you can have a job getting it back in working shape. Use it as a pry bar and it's done. They rust overnight, even when you thought you were taking good care of them.  Brush blades are stouter, they'll handle the weeds and some saplings, but still not pry bars  The snaths - handles break sometimes, and they take wear from the mounting of the blade. Aluminum may hold up better, not my thing.  One thing about the wooden snath is that the farmer can pretty easily make it himself.

Also, Benjamin of Baryonyx Knives posts here on permies and is quite an expert on American style scythes. He refurbishes old blades and snaths and puts sets together for sale.
 
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I paid well over a 100$ for mine , its what you pay for a quality tool that will last a life time . When I bought mine it came with full instructions on how to set it up and they asked my height before they sold it too me . I would expect any reasonable retailer to offer similar if they dont then I would go elsewhere .
 
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While not yet a scythe owner (I am planning to get one in the next year), from my research into the subject I don't see much reason to opt for a custom scythe over some of the high quality options available.

Especially considering scythes are a fairly small market. The quality production models are still going to be getting some close inspection and work from the makers rather than just mass produced on assembly lines.
 
David Livingston
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I dont think anyone is going to get a "custom" made scythe made just for them . It will be a blade made in a factory along with others .No one I know of is making a single blade to your unique design the cost would be really prohibitive the same with a snath  I think it would cost  1000$ plus . Check out what this guy says in the UK . Its where I got mine from http://www.thescytheshop.co.uk/index.html

David
 
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Custom snaths are done by a Marugg and Scythe Supply, but they are fixed models which means you cannot adjust them, so you'd better get your measurements right! And you may find that your preferences are actually a bit different from their idea of your ideal settings. It's generally preferable to purchase an adjustable snath like the Schröckenfux Swiss snath (for Euro blades) or American pattern snath (for American blades) that can be adjusted as you see fit in accordance with both your preferences and mowing conditions.
 
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