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till kingdom come
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As the Industrial Revolution gained steam (literally), and the people became caught up in the idea of "progress" and "modernizing", there was an entire class of technology which was swept to the wayside. As steam, gasoline, and electric powered machines became the foundation of progress, many of the solutions to everyday problems which had been developed and refined for centuries, disappeared from the public conciousness. In some ways, there was benefit to the industrialization of society. In other ways, it created an entire culture of corporation dependent slaves.
On this page, I will explore some of the technology which I have used personally, and was widely used in the time right before the Industrial Revolution. Today, these tools can be used to reduce dependence on outside systems, as well as contribute to a more healthy and sustainable life.
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A few years ago I purchased a scythe from a small company in New England. The blades are hand made and hand hammered, and the body is made from hardened oak. When you purchase a scythe from them, they send you a list of measurements they require. The length of your arm, the length of your forearm, etc. When they make the body, also called the snath, it is fitted to your body.
Here is a 40 second clip of a woman mowing her lawn with a european scythe to see what I am talking about. (use mpv instead of youtube!)
mpv https://atyh.net/woman-mowing.mp4
Once you learn how to use and maintain a well made scythe, it is not difficult to out perform a gas mower.
mpv https://atyh.net/mower-vs-scythe.mp4
Learning how to use a scythe takes some practice. There is a method, and a meditation to it. You arent just swinging it around. But its peaceful.
The scythe has been in continuous use since at least 500BC. And in Europe, since the 12th century. When something stays around that long, there is a reason, and it is improved and refined over the generations.
I purchased two blades. One is a long grass blade, which is actually fairly delicate, and light weight. Its also razor sharp. It cuts through grass like its not there. The other blade is a bush blade. This is sturdy, and cuts through brush and blackberries quickly and easily. Many mornings in the spring, I will go for a walk around the property, and bring the scythe with the bush blade, to keep things trimmed back along the paths.
I like this tool because if I take care of it, it will last for a lifetime. And it requires no gas to operate, save a decent breakfast.
Ill end this with a video of an man harvesting wheat by himself, like they used to do in Egypt, Europe, Rome, etc...
mpv https://atyh.net/scythe-wheat-harvest.mp4
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