Scythe Question, best for mowing blackberries and pasture grass?

I'm looking into buying a scythe to use initially for mowing blackberries (small new growth only - going to use a gas flail mower for the first cut and then the scythe for regrowth) but also for tall pasture grass cutting. I found a company that sells custom scythe that seems good to me but I'm not sure since I have never purchased or used a scythe before. Here is a link to the site: scythe supply

Any advice would be great! Thanks all!

Scythe Supply is run by some great folks, but I'd caution that their snaths are known for being prone to have the grips come loose unless you outfit them with a cross pin, and many make the mistake of installing the grips perpendicular to the shaft rather than at natural angles and so wrist strain is the result. If married to the idea of a Euro-style scythe (I prefer the American, myself) then I would suggest One Scythe Revolution.

Thanks for the info! Going to be ordering a scythe in a couple weeks. Still got some things to think about. I want a scythe that will work for my blackberries and also tall grass that I can easily keep sharp and is as user friendly as possible since I'm new to this. Thanks again!

An American scythe would probably do well for those conditions, honestly. They're still a fairly light tool overall but their heavier blade will carry them through dense grasses smoother than a lighter one would and American grass blades, provided the heel is as wide as the stalks you're cutting, are durable enough to cut brambles as long as you're nimble enough to guide the blade amongst them. I've cleared raspberry thickets using a 26" grass blade with a glassy-hard edge and it handled the work well. Either style will get the job done, and I've already mentioned my personal preferences, so don't think Euros can't handle the work or anything. Botan at 1SR would be able to pick out a Euro rig of appropriate build for those tasks.

Benjamin Bouchard wrote:An American scythe would probably do well for those conditions, honestly. They're still a fairly light tool overall but their heavier blade will carry them through dense grasses smoother than a lighter one would and American grass blades, provided the heel is as wide as the stalks you're cutting, are durable enough to cut brambles as long as you're nimble enough to guide the blade amongst them. I've cleared raspberry thickets using a 26" grass blade with a glassy-hard edge and it handled the work well. Either style will get the job done, and I've already mentioned my personal preferences, so don't think Euros can't handle the work or anything. Botan at 1SR would be able to pick out a Euro rig of appropriate build for those tasks.

Thanks for the info - I'm not fixed one on type or another as long as I can use it to do the work I need without undue burden. I was also looking at this company: www.scytheworks.ca/catalogue.html#outfits do you have any thoughts on their scythes?

I purchased mine from Marugg.  I'm perfectly happy with it, but I also have nothing to compare it with.

Daron Williams wrote:

Benjamin Bouchard wrote:An American scythe would probably do well for those conditions, honestly. They're still a fairly light tool overall but their heavier blade will carry them through dense grasses smoother than a lighter one would and American grass blades, provided the heel is as wide as the stalks you're cutting, are durable enough to cut brambles as long as you're nimble enough to guide the blade amongst them. I've cleared raspberry thickets using a 26" grass blade with a glassy-hard edge and it handled the work well. Either style will get the job done, and I've already mentioned my personal preferences, so don't think Euros can't handle the work or anything. Botan at 1SR would be able to pick out a Euro rig of appropriate build for those tasks.

Thanks for the info - I'm not fixed one on type or another as long as I can use it to do the work I need without undue burden. I was also looking at this company: www.scytheworks.ca/catalogue.html#outfits do you have any thoughts on their scythes?

Scytheworks is another good source to go through for Euro scythes, particularly if looking to buy a new old stock blade.

I thought I would update this thread. I ended up purchasing a scythe from Scythe Supply. I have been very happy with their scythe and it has really helped me keep the blackberries under control. I'm learning more and more how to use it and keep it sharp but all in all it is going great.

Last night I was out doing a bunch of scything - basically chopping and dropping blackberries mixed with grasses including one section with a lot of reed canary grass. I'm a bit sore this morning since it was quite a lot of scything and I don't do it all the time.