Taking care of your new blade
Before first use
Clean the lacquer off the edge of the blade (bevel) to prevent
it clogging the sharpening stone.
• Place the blade on a flat surface.
• Using a rubberised sanding block (“Garryflex”) or a
piece of emery cloth (60-80 grit), clean the lacquer off
the 4mm bevel at the edge of the blade, on both the
front and the back.
After every use
Wash and dry your blade before putting it away.
This prevents the accumulation of dirt and discourages rust
formation
Using a rag and water, wash down the blade to remove any
vegetation and sap sticking to the surface.
After washing, use a dry cloth to thoroughly dry the blade
If storing your blade for a length of time, you can optionally
apply a coat of olive oil or other non-drying oil to the surface.
Lower grip
• Place the bottom end of the snath on
the ground next to you.
• Hold the handle of the grip level with
your greater trochanter (the point
where the leg rotates at the hip when
lifting the knee) and offer up the other
end of the grip to the snath. (Fig 1)
• Note the hole in the snath that the end
of the grip falls nearest to. (Fig 1)
• Remove the bolt and washer from the
end of the grip. Keep the washer on
the bolt.
• Thread the bolt through the required
hole from the smooth side of the snath
to the ridged side.
• Fix the bolt back into the grip, making
sure the carriage bolt inside the grip is
correctly aligned. Tighten the bolt using
a 10mm spanner.
• The ridges on the end of the grip will
align with the ridges on the snath to
hold it secure and prevent twisting.
• ders. If the grips are correctly placed
they should slip easily either side. If
they are too tight, adjust the top grip as
necessary.
Upper grip
• Place your elbow on the outer end of
the now fixed lower grip and reach up
towards the top of the snath.
• Position the upper grip at the hole
nearest to, or slightly above your finger
tips. Note which hole you will be fitting
the grip into. (Fig. 2)
• Remove the nut and washer from the
bolt. Leave the bolt in the grip.
• Thread the bolt through the required
hole from the ridged side of the snath to
the smooth. Replace the washer and nut
and tighten using a 10mm spanner.
• The ridges on the grip and the snath will
align as before.
• Tighten the nut sufficeintly that the end
of the bolt is drawn slightly into the wood
of the grip.
Check the position of the grips
BEFORE ATTACHING THE BLADE - Hold the
snath horizontally and try to put the grips
either side of your shoulders. If the grips are
correctly placed they should slip easily either
side. If they are too tight, adjust the top grip
as necessary.
Setting up your new scythe
1) Position and attach the hand grips
The following will give you a good first approximation. Adjust as necessary to get a good ergonomic mowing position.
Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Bevel or Peening Zone
SAFETY
Be careful of the sharp edge when cleaning and
handling the blade.
