Seymour SN-9 Aluminum Snath

This scythe fits perfectly on with the Seymour scythe blades you can buy on Amazon for about 40 bucks. (http://www.amazon.com/Seymour-2B-42G30-Grass-Scythe-Blade/dp/B000H5RYR0/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1423844247&sr=8-1&keywords=scythe+blade) I've used this scythe, fitted with a bush blade and a grass blade, depending on what I'm cutting, for two years now and think it's great. Here are 5 things to consider when buying this scythe:1. You need a sharpener. I use this one, and it's great: http://www.amazon.com/Ali-Ind-6055-Scythe-Stone/dp/B000BQNXQ6/ref=pd_bxgy_lg_img_y Now, this has nothing to do with the blade quality itself. Working a scythe simply means taking a break once in a while to run your stone over the blade. Sharpening is easy, and you'll appreciate the break!2. Working a scythe is hard work. I've found that an hour a day is more than I can do, so keeping track of a couple of acres means scything a few times a week.3. Note that the blade really matters, meaning that a bush blade is a good all-purpose blade and a grass blade is much better for grass. You'll find the grass blade makes much quicker work of hay and wheat and grasses.4. A note of caution: if you're using the aluminum handle, you need to stay away from power lines and extension cords. Traditional scythes have wood handles, keeping you safe. The aluminum scythe can be a deadly conductor.5. When installing the blade, you should have a couple of options in terms of the cutting angle. Play around with what works for you, as the ergonomics of scything are pretty personal.

This is surprisingly light-weight. I read it was light, but reviews don't even begin to give that statement any weight! It's sturdy though.It's a workout to use, especially if you're doing it wrong and wildly swinging it like I was my first time out. I did 1/3 of my front yard (it's a good sized yard on a hill, so it's a little more awkward...) and had to break and use a mower. Take the time to watch some videos on youtube, and you'll see how graceful the movement is. With some practice, I know I'll get better. This and a good blade are excellent tools- whether you are looking to get some practical exercise outdoors, prep for shtf, or have a broken mower...As others have mentioned, the handles have the bolts shaved off for some stupid reason and are indeed threaded backwards. I was able to get one sort of loose, but the other I had no luck with. Thankfully, it's not something I needed to adjust- was just curious. They shouldn't do that, and leave the user the option- it'd save them time and effort at the factory anyway.

I have been using an old metal scythe I bought for $10 over $20 years ago, and it has more welding repairs than original metal left. Time for a new scythe. Every one around me uses European Type scythes, but because my scythe gets used on thistles, woody weeds along with lucerne (alfalfa), I didn't want to spend my life preening blades. I wanted an English/American scythe blades.This scythe is unbelievably better than my old one :) The snath is extremely light and both the grass and general purpose blades I bought cut through my lucerne with a feather touch straight out of the box. You wouldn't want to be much taller than me,155cm, because the snath is only just long enough for me. the snath may be light, but it feels very sturdy.I've only given 4 stars because of the handles. Every one is right. They are very difficult to alter. I'm glad someone here mentioned they needed to be turned clockwise to come off, or I'd still be trying. I ended up having to use a pipe wrench to undo the wooden handles. It is only the wood part of the handles that unscrews to come off, so don't try turning the metal at the bottom of the handle as well. I tried putting padding around the handle to stop the wrench jaws from biting into the wood, but the padding slipped, so in the end, I used the wrench on the bare wood. I gently applied more and more pressure to try not to damage the wood. It took an enormous amount of pressure to eventually start turning the handle. It was then very difficult to move the metal ring up the handle. I smeared the snath with vaseline (petroleum jelly) to help the metal ring slip. In the end I discovered if I rotated the ring about 90 degrees around the handle first, as the snath wasn't perfectly round, I could move the ring more easily up the snath. I hope you don't need to move the handles!I tried doing the handles up less tightly when finished, but they started moving as I scythed. In the end I used the pipe wrench to re tighten them.

Item is as described, except for the handles - not adjustable by any non-destructive means. I haven't taken a big wrench to them because I'm debating returning the snath and damaging the handles would seem to void the return policy. I am 5'7" and the left handle is almost correctly placed for my height...but not quite. So depending how much the oversized package shipping + up to 25% restocking fee runs, I'm not sure whether I'll return it or take a chance. Without aggressive tools, there really is no way to loosen the handles, it seems; no way to grip the things other than by the wood as the ends are sawed off smooth. And the wood is so soft, even fingernails make impressions in it. Very disappointing. I'll pay closer attention to the negative reviews on products in future, this seems to be an ongoing issue with this product.

After installing the blade, it is very light to use and worth its money