Thread: Looking a source of Ash for scythe handle/snath

Sven,
I’d use spotted gum.
Head down to budget timbers in North Lismore for a bit.


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Or, if spotted gum is too heavy, see if you can get some silver ash. Its light(er), easy to work and not too dense ) the Mullumbimby slab factory might have some.


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FWIW, I've seen a few good good continental style ones that've been made from local woods (ie. from scraps which just happened to be handy at the time ), although I can certainly understand if you want to stick to the tried 'n true.

I've yet to see an American style made from local timbers...

Out of curiosity, with regards to this:

Originally Posted by svengalisven

It also has a pin-type hole cut into the handle to hold the end of the scythe blade, that also puts a lot of lateral stress on the timber.

You're not using a snath-saver?

The ones I have appear to be something like that, but they are old and dry and can be a bit brittle and a bit heavy, but at a pinch, I will use it if I can't find Ash.
Thank you

I have made up a metal collar to do the same job after one of mine twisted and split up its length. But I have some very heavy going in places and thought I'd like to try and make a snath of Ash just to see how it performs. I have some pitch forks with ash handles and I really like how light they are and how much inherent spring they have in them, even though they are quite old.

Thank you, I'll give them a call and see what they have. Effectively what I need is an off-cut considering the sizes they are working with.
cheers