The top 3 recommendations and buying guides

Note: In this guide we will focus on hand scythes. We only mention electrical and gasoline-powered versions in passing, because we will deal with motorized models in detail in another article.

Our recommendations

The SHW-FIRE model is an extremely stable universal scythe. Made from a hand-forged and galvanized steel handle and a fully forged and hammered one Steel blade with a length of 65 centimeters, the design is extremely robust and powerful. This is confirmed by the positive reviews on Amazon. Due to the first-class quality and the good price-performance ratio, the Scythe from SHW-FIRE our comparison winner.

The Schröckenfux scythe is specially designed for "wild grass growth". The Amazon reviewers are thrilled. They praise the ergonomics (despite the high weight!) And the enormous performance. A customer says: "This scythe cuts EVERYTHING".

The Göbel grass scythe acts as a cheaper alternative to our test winner. It has a foldable scythe blade and can therefore be stored compactly and safely. Most customers describe the scythe as good. However, some reviewers note that before each use (including the first!), You absolutely have to pound and grind her in order to be able to work with her meaningfully.

Purchase criteria

drive

Manually: Hand scythes are easy to use and quiet. In addition, they do not consume any electricity and do not pollute the environment. And on top of that, the purchase price is comparatively cheap. The only downside: the manual one Scythes naturally requires physical strength. This makes it more strenuous than scythe with motorized models.

Motorized: Motorized - i.e. electric, battery or gasoline-powered - scythes require less physical strength, but they are also more complicated to use, louder and more expensive - both in terms of purchase and in relation to the follow-up costs (electricity, Petrol). Petrol scythes are harmful to the environment due to their CO2 emissions.

Length of the scythe blade / purpose

The length of the scythe blade determines to a large extent what exactly the respective scythe is best suited for:

• Clipping sensors have a short and slightly curved cutting edge (length of around 45 centimeters). They are especially recommended for removing bushes and other annoying vegetation between trees.
• Heath and bush scythes usually have a short, thick scythe blade (length between 45 and 50 centimeters). They are recommended for cutting more solid plants such as bushes, shrubs and reeds.
• Wild scythes reveal an extra robust and tends to be short scythe blade (length of about 50 centimeters). They are recommended for mowing harder grasses such as bush seedlings and fern.
• Grass and universal scythes are characterized by a long scythe blade (length between 60 and 75 centimeters). They are mainly recommended for grass. Depending on how wide or narrow the cutting edge is, you can also use the device to make thicker and denser ones Cut grass (wide scythe leaf) or only thinner, not very densely growing stalks (narrow Scythe leaf).

Handle ergonomics

The scythe should have two handles about an arm's length apart. This means that you can grip the garden tool firmly with both hands and guide it in a controlled manner.

It is practical if the lower handle comes along with a crutch. While without this extra you usually have to scythes in a slightly hunched position, the crutch allows you to do that Gardening to perform standing upright. This takes the strain off your back. You can usually only find a crutch on scythes with a wooden handle. However, the majority of the stems are made of steel. With these you will often look in vain for a crutch.

But: You can often adjust the handles on steel handles to do this. This means that the scythe can also be used by different people. Always make sure that the locking mechanisms of the handles are of high quality so that they do not suddenly come off when you are scythe (risk of injury!).

Note: There are also scythes completely without a handle. However, working with such designs quickly becomes a problem. We therefore strongly advise against opting for a handleless model.

Length of the scythe tree

Scythe tree? This is how the handle of the scythe is called. Sometimes it is also called Sensenworb. In order for the scythe to actually take place in a back-friendly manner, the scythe tree must of course be long enough, according to your body size. The stem lengths are usually between 140 and 170 centimeters.

Guide values:

• Standing in front of your chest, the scythe tree ideally extends slightly over your chin. Some manufacturers also state directly in their product descriptions which body sizes their devices are suitable for.
• The top handle of the scythe tree should be about 8 to 10 inches below your height. Example: If you are 1.80 meters tall, the best case scenario is where the top scythe handle ends at about 1.55 to 1.60 meters. By the way, the lower handle should be more or less at hip height.

Shape of the scythe tree

There are scythes with straight or S-shaped handles. Here your taste decides which variant is better for you.

frequently asked Questions

What is a scythe?

The scythe is a useful garden tool with which you can cut grass, bushes, shrubs, reeds and the like, depending on the cutting edge. Each scythe consists of a scythe tree (stem) and a scythe leaf. In most cases the handle has two handles. With motorized scythes still come the motor as well

• a plug connection for the power cable (electric scythe),
• a battery holder (battery scythe) or
• a tank (gasoline scythe)

added.

Which brands offer good scythes?

The best-known brands for high-quality scythes include:

• SHW-FIRE
• Schröckenfux
• Makita
• Stihl
• Gardena
• Fiskars
• Ryobi
• Grohe
• Bauknecht

Where is the best place to buy a scythe?

You can choose from scythes in the well-stocked hardware store (OBI, toom, Bauhaus, Hornbach, hagebaumarkt) and at Amazon.

How can I sharpen my scythe?

A sharpened scythe blade is the basic requirement for an easy and quick scythe. You can re-sharpen a blunt edge with a whetstone.

Important: Before sharpening, you should also nail the scythe blade. If you have no experience with this, it is better to let a professional do this step for you. Dengling is essential to maintain the size of the cutting blade.

We recommend that you hammer and sharpen the scythe before you use it for the first time - even if, according to the manufacturer, it is pre-hammered and pre-sharpened. As a rule, the measures taken by the manufacturer do not yet achieve the optimum sharpness.

Note: If peening and whetting no longer help, you have to replace the scythe blade for better or worse.

Is there a scythes comparison by the Stiftung Warentest?

No, to date the Stiftung Warentest has not made a scythe comparison. We will inform you here as soon as anything changes.

What alternatives to the scythe are available?

Depending on the specific application, grass shears and Grass trimmer(€ 34.90 at Amazon *) - whether manually or motorized - potential alternatives to the scythe. The good old lawnmower is also an option, especially if you have a very large garden and enough space for such a massive device. Also keep in mind that a lawn mower is much more expensive and noisy compared to a hand scythe and is not the right helper for narrow areas in the garden.

equipment

Dengel anvil, Dengelhammer and Dengelbock or Schlagdengler

To pound the scythe blade, a peening anvil are Dengelhammer and Dengelbock required.

Inexperienced people are better off using a punch to avoid damaging the scythe while peening and thus making it unusable.

Grindstone

Sharpen the scythe blade with a whetstone.