In the last few years, interest in the scythe has grown remarkably; and so have the sales of The Scythe Book. Now Peter Vido, who has written two outstanding articles for Small Farmer’s Journal on the use of the scythe, has contributed an addendum for this book on the practical use of the scythe based on his own extensive research and experience.
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Book Description
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Editorial Reviews
From Scientific American
David Tresemer has converted me to scything. If you hate your lawn mower, you'll like this book.
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
From The New Yorker
In a world cluttered and confusing, Tresemer gives us a book which is a beautiful balance between care and joy, without being idyllic or idealistic. There is pride in tradition coupled with an underlying vision of things to come inherent in the image of the scythe itself.
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
18 of 19 people found the following review helpful
By Elliot
Format:Paperback
The second edition of The Scythe Book was released this June and I am posting this before Amazon lists it as available, but I hope that will soon change.
The original text by Dave Tresemer has not been re-edited. It is still a good introduction to this wonderful tool. The core of the new edition is the addendum by Peter Vido. Peter is extraordinarily dedicated to the scythe as both a practical tool and as a model of wisely applied human engineering. Peter shows us how complex and subtle this simple tool can be. The depth of his knowledge may overwhelm the uninitiated on first reading, but as your experience grows with this tool, Peter's commentary becomes increasingly valuable. There is a lot of important information packed into this addendum and any scythe enthusiast will learn much from this master.
The European scythe accomplishes more than the mundane job of cutting grass. It offers us an opportunity to step away from the craziness of American lawn culture. It gives us the space in which to breathe, listen and explore our own rhythms without burning gasoline. This book is the place to begin.
13 of 14 people found the following review helpful
By Valerie
Format:Paperback
The author rants against the 'American' scythe, and all things American, which seems to him to represent modern, industrial, evil. The 'European' scythe is traditional, pure, righteous. The reader may become confused to find that, according to this book, the 'European' scythe may have been invented in Turkey, and might be made today in China. Also, the early American scythes were made by Europeans just like in Europe.
The terminology is standard, though it is a little inaccurate. The 'European' scythe is hammer forged from a bar stock. The 'American' is stamped and formed from sheet material. So the scythe the author is so fond of is a hammer forged scythe. Simple as that. Europe really has no claim to it.
Here's the basics to using a scythe:
Adjust it so that you are standing and the blade is just slightly tilted up at the edge.
Cut the grass when it is wet.
Keep the blade close to the ground, actually just riding lightly over the ground.
Swing the blade pointy end first. Don't slash like using a sword, but slice like cutting bread.
Cut only a few inches at a time.
The terminology is standard, though it is a little inaccurate. The 'European' scythe is hammer forged from a bar stock. The 'American' is stamped and formed from sheet material. So the scythe the author is so fond of is a hammer forged scythe. Simple as that. Europe really has no claim to it.
Here's the basics to using a scythe:
Adjust it so that you are standing and the blade is just slightly tilted up at the edge.
Cut the grass when it is wet.
Keep the blade close to the ground, actually just riding lightly over the ground.
Swing the blade pointy end first. Don't slash like using a sword, but slice like cutting bread.
Cut only a few inches at a time.
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This book is essentially split in two. The first half is older and written by David, the second half is newer and written by Peter. I liked the sections written by David, but he was often a bit vague in explaining things. There was a lot of what and not a lot of why. Peter on the other hand goes into great lengths to explain the minutia of his naming conventions. Where David lacks, Peter is superfluous. Often the two differ in opinion as well. Neither of them really get it right and I am left with questions and wishing I had a better book on scything. Additionally the parts written by Peter are filled with disdain for anyone other than him and his elite little home schooled family. The book drips with narcissism to the point where towards the end I became disgusted with it. Two stars for being the ONLY scythe book. If you can, find someone to teach you instead of slogging through this mess.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Olde Time Mowing
It is a clearly written book about old technology and helps one to use it. I am not the most dexterous person around (in fact I'm left-handed) but it helped me.
Published 6 months ago by Richard A. Luc
5.0 out of 5 stars
_The_ Scythe book
I haven't seen any other scythe books - but I don't think I have to. As the book has two different writers work, and they don't always agree, it presents a balanced view on the... Read more
Published on December 6, 2008 by Mr. John D. Barlow
5.0 out of 5 stars
How to Be a Human Weed Whacker
It takes a certain kind of person to choose cutting grass and weeds by hand over more conventional technology and this book will appeal to those that choose the less beaten (and... Read more
Published on December 1, 2007 by D. Schneider
4.0 out of 5 stars
more historical reference than how to manual
First, this book is primarily about the European scythe, not the American scythe. The author mentions the American scythe very briefly before dimissing it as too heavy to use and... Read more
Published on July 9, 2007 by Laurie J. Neverman
3.0 out of 5 stars
Better than nothing
In that this seems to be the only available book on scythes you could say it is the best book on scythes. Read more
Published on August 3, 2001 by Dennis Cole
5.0 out of 5 stars
A great book about a traditional hand tool
This book covers the history, the care and the operation of an ancient farming tool--the scythe. It offers a fascinating history such as answering the question of how an acre came... Read more
Published on December 19, 1999
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