Any advice on using a sickle ?

amandstu

I have had a few bad experiences and I remember well that leading up to each event was a (short) period of confidence in using this tool.

I have found it difficult to find any instructions on the internet as to how to use one safely and so would appreciate anyone's opinion.
My own advice is innevitably flawed as it has let me down but ,for what it is worth this is my own view.

1: Always wear a strong leather glove on the hand that is not holding the sickle.
2: Never use it to slash at anything but only draw back into grass that you already have a grip of in the other hand.
3: It needs to be sharp as you don't want to force.
4: Stop before you get tired

I would say not to use one unless really necessary but unfortunately it is a pleasure to work with.....

rje66

amandstu wrote: »

I have had a few bad experiences and I remember well that leading up to each event was a (short) period of confidence in using this tool.

I have found it difficult to find any instructions on the internet as to how to use one safely and so would appreciate anyone's opinion.
My own advice is innevitably flawed as it has let me down but ,for what it is worth this is my own view.

1: Always wear a strong leather glove on the hand that is not holding the sickle.
2: Never use it to slash at anything but only draw back into grass that you already have a grip of in the other hand.
3: It needs to be sharp as you don't want to force.
4: Stop before you get tired

I would say not to use one unless really necessary but unfortunately it is a pleasure to work with.....

Just curious what you were cutting?

Agree, to keep it sharp being important

flutered

there is no need to use the left hand, at least i never did back in the day.

amandstu

rje66 wrote: »

Just curious what you were cutting?

Agree, to keep it sharp being important

long grass around the blackcurrants for example.And I might use it for edging the lawn.Or maybe cutting grass for animals.

amandstu

flutered wrote: »

there is no need to use the left hand, at least i never did back in the day.

Don't you need to swing it then? And isn't that less controlled?
I can see your opposing hand might seem to be less in the line of fire but I have hit my leg in the past -as well as my left hand.

My point I suppose is that its use should be restricted to what is really safe

( maybe leather leggings might help as well as maybe giving it a safe rubber cap the way you have on rapiers in sword duelling-I have sunk the tip into the bone of my finger on one occasion)

flutered

one needs a wide legged stance, so when the sickle is swung your leg leg will not be in the way, back in the daay they were used for most things, i even cut oats with one, long slow back breaking labour, for a nipper, or any one else for that matter.