Scythe company choosing-quick and dirty

I'm a wife to a 6'2" left handed Permaculture chap with acres of raw land and hay fields soon to turn into a permaculture haven. First tool he'd like is a scythe. I'm making a bday present happen! I know there are a lot of scythe posts but please help a mama with a newborn just pick a good quality well made last a lifetime scythe outfit for him.

I've done some homework and I believe I've got it down to a couple sources, but I'm open to any and all advice you give me.

Scythe Works
One Scythe Revolution

Yay? Nay? One better than the other?
Scythe Supply is another company I'm entertaining and the pricepoint is attractive for the whole outfit, but I see a lot of accounts that the snath handles have issues.

This would be for grass but also for some light brush and general terrain (I'm thinking a middle of the road "ditch" type blade is what we're after. I'm into multipurpose). Speaking of, I'm also a leftie and about 5'7". Is it unreasonable to think I could use his too?

So yes. In summary:
1. Company choosing advice
2. Type and size of blade
3. Any other pearls of wisdom for scythe noobs.

Appreciate it!
Maria

I would see if any do gift tokens as scythes are really individual and in a way need to be fitted plus hiding one in the house might be difficult

David

I got mine at Scythe Supply.  Never an issue, and always friendly customer support.  I bought one of the outfits.

A ditch blade sounds right for what you are saying, but keep in mind, nothing ever works in real life as good as it does in our heads.  That's why I started with a ditch blade 3 years ago, but this year I added a bush blade for the heavier stuff.  The lighter stuff was heavier than I thought.

And yes, they absolutely must be made to his measurements.

Hope this helps!
-Johntodd

If specifically looking at a European style one then I'd definitely go with One Scythe Revolution. Botan (the owner) is quite a tall fellow and will be happy to help you pick everything you'd need.

Psst!  Benjamin is the guy to listen to.

Thank you all! Your guidance and time are much appreciated!

I'm going to have the husband contact Botan and get set up! I guess it makes sense to get the whetstone, holders, peening tools, etc etc from the same place you get the snath and blades, eh?

I'm so excited! It's like picking out a wizard wand! I'm also excited for the floodgates to open for collecting our tools and gear for the new land. Thanks folks! Looking forward to cruising permies forums nonstop.

Maria Oregon wrote:Thank you all! Your guidance and time are much appreciated!

I'm going to have the husband contact Botan and get set up! I guess it makes sense to get the whetstone, holders, peening tools, etc etc from the same place you get the snath and blades, eh?

I'm so excited! It's like picking out a wizard wand! I'm also excited for the floodgates to open for collecting our tools and gear for the new land. Thanks folks! Looking forward to cruising permies forums nonstop.

It pretty much IS a wizard wand. Tell Botan I sent ya'!

I would go with Scythe Supply.

If everyone knew the owners story, what she had to endure, and how she defied all the odds and allowed her company to rise from the ashes after her husband's passing, they would buy from her. It is not just a heart wrenching story; it is a story of defy all odds, come from behind, gender equality, and Maine small business success story.

I have had the pleasure of being at a local fair (The Common Ground Country Fair in Maine) and she has qualified people showing her tools, telling how to use them, making sure each person knows just what to get, and letting them try them out. Her heart IS scythes and the people that will be using them. How can you put a price on that?

The thing is, the lady is so humble she would never say all this because she would not want people to buy off her because of her companies back story, but for the kind hearted people that Permie people are, that is the very reason they would. They can identify with her; in grief, in struggle, in gender equality, and even being a small business.

Helpful thread - thank you all!

As an update, since the thread got bumped, I've finalized prototypes for a single-gripped snath for tall folks using hardware of my own design. It'll be available in versions for both American and European blades, with the chief difference being the amount of curvature in the neck (for the difference in tang angle of the blade) and the width of the ring used to affix the blade. An advantage of the single-gripped design is that it will be able to be shared among individuals of radically different heights with only the need to adjust a single grip.

Benjamin,

Can you tell us more about where your snath will be available?  I am 6'5" so a design for tall folks is of definite interest.  

Bryan Beck wrote:Benjamin,

Can you tell us more about where your snath will be available?  I am 6'5" so a design for tall folks is of definite interest.  

Pretty soon. Just waiting on the steam-bent shafts from my manufacturing partner. I've got all the custom hardware ready and waiting. Out of curiosity, how high are your eyes from the ground? I've found with the single-grip snath design the upper handhold position correlates pretty closely with eye level when the snath is stood upright next to the user. Our initial offerings will be in 72" and 78" lengths, but want to make sure we're not leaving anyone out!

Scythe Supply was awesome. They gave me some good advice regarding which set up to go with. Very grateful for their help. Just got my scythe not too long ago and made a video of me testing it out. I actually show the full unboxing from Scythe Supply in the video if you are curious about what it looks like.

Any more info about the single gripped snath?  This tall person is interested!
Happy trails,
Keith