[Pil-pc-oceania] Relocalisation and Post Oil machines

[mossmans]

I am sorry that I didn't see this post until after we had arranged a
shipment of scythe blades from Peter Vido at www.scytheconnection.com 

You are worried about your height, but Peter can arrange for a snaith for
you that would suit your height, as his 12 year old daughter can mow with
the best of them, it just needs to be adjusted to your height, as well as
matching a blade.  Vladislav, a fellow in Melbourne is going to be making
the snaiths, then we just match up size of the person, and the type of blade
most suitable

It seems there are two types of blade.  There is the very long
Australian/English blade, then there is a shorter and more efficient
European blade.

I have an English scythe, and was struggling with it, which is when I found
Peter and his website.  He is committed to expanding the use of this blade
and I hope we can get him out here in the next year or so to run classes,
once we get a few more interested people

We are all keen to develop an interest in the use of this tool, so the
European blade seems to be the way to go. There is also a technique to the
cutting, which is ergonomic, and therefore not so hard on the body, and fits
more into Tai Chi movements than hard yakka, also the care of the blade,
sharpness etc is important.

Please contact me off list if you are interested as there may be a spare
that you can have. Also if anyone else is interested in a possible training
weekend (in 2008) contact me,

Regards, Sue Mossman

-----Original Message-----
From: pil-pc-oceania-bounces at lists.permacultureinternational.org
[mailto:pil-pc-oceania-bounces at lists.permacultureinternational.org] On
Behalf Of Linda Shewan
Sent: Wednesday, 30 May 2007 6:03 PM
To: permacultue discussion list
Subject: Re: [Pil-pc-oceania] Relocalisation and Post Oil machines

Hi,

Please keep the discussion going on list. I would love to get a chaff
cutter for the same reason as you Joel so am very interested in Sue's
response. I also have started researching scythes but am worried about
selection because I am only 5 foot tall - so if anyone knows who the
best supplier etc could you please share details (I'll check out the
Restorer's Barn next time I'm in Castlemaine as well). 

Thanks, Linda

-----Original Message-----
From: Meadows, Joel [mailto:JMeadows at portphillip.vic.gov.au] 
Sent: Wednesday, 30 May 2007 2:40 PM
To: permacultue discussion list
Subject: RE: [Pil-pc-oceania] Relocalisation and Post Oil machines

Dear Sue,
This all starts getting very Grass Roots magazine, but I'm sure there
are ways of adding a Permaculture design twist to the "back on the land"
interest we share.

I have a scythe (the Restorer's Barn in Castlemaine Victoria had a bunch
of them a while back too) and a few blades that I have tried out, but my
technique, or perhaps my sharpening is not up to scratch. I've had the
same issue with cut-throat razors, I just can't get them sharp enough to
do a good job. I'm hoping to learn from an old barber before they all
die, but it might be hard to find someone alive that ever used a scythe
for a living.

I'm on the lookout for a chaff cutter too in the hope that I can use it
for hand shredding/mulching of light garden prunings. Is this a
realistic hope, or can they only handle chaff?

Feel free to reply off list if you feel this is getting to particular
for the general edification of the other list members. 

Cheers,

Joel Meadows
jmeadows at portphillip.vic.gov.au





-----Original Message-----
From: pil-pc-oceania-bounces at lists.permacultureinternational.org on
behalf of mossmans
Sent: Tue 5/29/2007 8:18 PM
To: 'permacultue discussion list'
Subject: Re: [Pil-pc-oceania] Relocalisation and Post Oil machines
 
I am also into the trad tools, and am currently importing a scythe,
hoping to master it, so that I can present a segment on these tools at
the Convergence in Sydney next Easter.  

I also have a cream separating machine, and a chaff cutter... perhaps we
can get this little tool thing happening.

Sue


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