Allotments 4 All

I'm thinking of buying either a Brushing Hook
http://shop.btcv.org.uk/shop/level3/21/stock/288
or a scythe
http://shop.btcv.org.uk/shop/level3/18/stock/250
to cut grass and such things as nettles at my lottie.

Does anyone have any experience with either, as to which would be most suitable, easiest to use.

I know a strimmer would be quicker, but not having a car, I've decided that it'd make more sense to have something I can keep at the lottie and use as and when.  Also much more environmentally friendly  :)

A 'scythe' is quite difficult to use, so I reckon a 'scythette' would be just the job. Not a 'slasher'. That's for hedges. Learn how to keep it really sharp!

I use a grass hook / sickle and it works a treat but does involve some bending over.  I reckon that in some instances it's quicker than a strimmer.

I use a scythe for some things and a grass hook for others as well as good old fashioned shears, edge trimmers and a machete. Depends what you want to cut -a scythe is good for biggish areas where you can swing it, I keep my apple tree area grass nettles &c. down with it, much quicker than a strimmer. I also use it on paths a bit which is much more difficult especially as I have a chain link fence around the lottie -a push mower would be best for this. Keeping the grass along the fence from getting too rampant shears are best, probably long handled horizontal edging ones, a strimmer would do this too -but I'm not sure what would happen to the chain link :o

http://www.thescytheshop.co.uk/

One legged Jez.

Yes - I have used a scythe a lot, but I would hesitate to recommend it to a lady-person.

Of course, in Asia, they use a bent car spring. Very efficient. Even for lawns.

In fact, I think they do a version over here?

Thanks guys.

Derbex, the scythes on the link you gave look fantastic, although a bit scary.  I think maybe they might be a little too big for my needs.  

I recon I'll probably go for a smallish scythe, maybe the 'scythette' , and a pair of shears.

I have a couple of scythes, and have used them occasionally, but think I am too chicken to use them properly!  Always fear for my legs!  I think if you have the knack, then you are away...me, I use my shears, or drag my darling Ava to the plot.

Good for halloween -especially trick or treat ;D

Unless you have a reasonable area of grass you are probably better off with the scythette. I can just about use my scythe on the main path, but not between the beds as it's too wide. The one I got -despite being steel, big size, is very light.

I think I'm more of a danger to other people E-J, guess you could try cricket pads.

Tim, I think I've seen something similar -bit like a long machete with the end bent back in a U?

Jeremy

I've just ordered a scythette.  Hope it doesn't take too long to arrive as I don't want to repeat saturday.  I was on my knees cutting the grass around my beds with lawn shears, my back didn't like it one bit!