ID-DOC: general search

The grass hook is used by the gardener and do-it-yourselfer to cut some grass and weeds on small areas. It is a small scythe consisting of a slightly curved sharp steel blade (approx. 30-40 cm) with a wide back and ending in a point, which is fixed at right angles to a wooden handle (approx. 10-80 cm). The scythe with short handle is used stooping with one hand; the one with a long, usually straight handle is held with both hands and used while standing. Sometimes the long stem has a slight kink about 12 inches from the tip. See also the grass whip. [MOT]

Square exagonal key that loosens or tightens the ring that attaches a scythe blade to the stem. A string can be threaded through the hole on the end of the lever. The scythe key comes in a single size. [MOT]

A scythe is used to cut grass for hay, to harvest grain and to remove weeds. A scythe has a long (approx. 40-100 cm) slightly curved blade with a wide back, ending in a point, which is attached at right angles to a long (approx. 150-200 cm) wooden or iron handle. The connection is done by means of a ring and a wedge or a screw, so that the angle between blade and stem can be changed and the blade is easily removed for whetting (see whetting hammer). The stem can be straight, S-shaped (1) or Y-shaped (2), without handles or with one or two handles, which are adjustable. Sometimes a whetting wood is attached to the straight handle. For haymaking, a scythe is used on which a wooden or iron bracket is attached at the bottom, which drags the cut grass along. That scythe also serves to mow weeds. When working between shrubs, etc., a scythe with a short blade (approx. 40 cm) and without a bracket is preferred. A scythe with one or two wooden brackets is used to harvest the grain. Long culms...