Tool Restoration?

[J. Donaldson]

In my civilian persona, I portray a farm laborer, and I'm in the process of acquiring some of the appropriate tools so that I can practice my profession at events. A couple of years I picked up a complete scythe at a local auction, and I've been debating how to get it into shape to use for events. the blade is old and rusty, and I'm not sure if I should try and restore the blade by sharpening it and scrubbing it with steel wool and oil, or if I should just buy a new blade. The problem is, the modern American style scythe blades that I've seen for sale all have modern Austrian maker's marks. While the tools we use shouldn't look 150 years old, where is the line between trying to save and refurbish an original piece of equipment, and getting something new that might not be 100% correct? Any thoughts?

[GrumpyDave]

Re: Tool Restoration?

find an Amish-man or a Mennonite, no kidding and ask.

[WoodenNutmeg]

Re: Tool Restoration?

Dave is pretty right on there, Bob.

[Curt Schmidt]

Re: Tool Restoration?

Hallo!

As asked...

IMHO, yes, I would restore the sythe.

IMHO still, as with guns, while there is nothing more "authentic" than an original item- if the item is in the condition or shape that it was when it was being used during the CW, that is different than one that has been rusitng and rotting for 150 years in a barn.

As with firearms, modern collectors, etc., etc., value the "patina" of 150 years of environment, use, misuse or abuse and restoring or refurbishing something to its 1861-1865ish condition and apperance can really ding its resale value most often.

However, somefew lads embrace the Heresy that restoring a relic to its former life condition is worth the hit to its value because to them the value is enhanced because contributes to a more Believeable Image for their impression/persona.

I might would advise chelating the (ring, tang, heel, beard, chine, toe of the) blade with molasses solution first before going to the abrasives.

Others' mileage will vary...

Curt
Fond memories of watching Bavarians and Austrians sything on steep hillssides

[Busterbuttonboy]

Re: Tool Restoration?

It might not be a bad idea to call a reputable museum who has a tool conservator to pick his/her brain. Furthermore look into organizations such as the "Early American Industries Association" and the "Association for Living History Farms and Agricultural Museums" to network with people who work with these tools on a daily basis.

[J. Donaldson]

Re: Tool Restoration?

Thank you all for your help. I've been in contact with a friend (and AC member), and have received some good advice all around as far as this goes. I view this as a sacrificial article, since there are more scythes and blades available than Carter has pills; my main concern was using a new blade with modern markings and blowing an immersion scenario. I've since learned that the blades are easy to alter in appearance, so if I must use a modern blade, I can figure out how to make it appear period.

Again, thanks for all of your help and advice.

[Hank Trent]

Re: Tool Restoration?

I view this as a sacrificial article, since there are more scythes and blades available than Carter has pills; my main concern was using a new blade with modern markings and blowing an immersion scenario. I've since learned that the blades are easy to alter in appearance, so if I must use a modern blade, I can figure out how to make it appear period.

I think most events would just be happy to have someone cutting grass with a vaguely period-looking scythe, so beyond that, the details are up to however much work you want to put into it! (Edited to explain, by vaguely period-looking, I mean wood and metal, regardless of details or markings.)

If it's the kind of snath where the nibs are held on with round metal straps maybe 1/4" wide, you're right that there are a zillion of those in second-hand shops. I do not know if they were period, but they may have been. If it has wider flatter metal bands holding the handles, those are what one sees in typical period images of scythes, and are rarer to find, except for on cradles. Of course, since all snaths are fairly indestructable, that's not necessarily a reason not to use one. Here's an 1838 patent handle with a fairly narrow strap, still flat: http://www.osv.org/collections/colle....php?N=2.1.20#

The part where the blade is attached can also be used to date a scythe, but I don't know how to do it; just know that there was a loose sliding ring attachment that was older (early antebellum), then others came in.

Nice image of a period scythe, with provenance, flat loops on the nibs that are narrower than some period ones, and a typical grass blade:

http://www.osv.org/collections/collection_viewer.php?N=1.10.4

Another nice image of an earlier scythe. They call this a curved snath but I'd call it a straight one in the older/European style. It has the wider nib straps and a very basic ring attachment for the blade:

http://www.osv.org/collections/collection_viewer.php?N=2.1.19

Seems like more period cradles got hung up in the barn and saved, since fewer people were using them after reaping machines came out, but scythes were still used after mowing machines, to clean up corners, cut brush, etc., so people just used the old ones to death and bought new ones. Also, old cradles look "cool" and got saved, while old scythes without the cradle got pitched.

It's also hard to find longer grass blades, except on cradles. I actually had one antique dealer argue with me that scythes were never fitted with blades as long as cradles, apparently because he'd never seen one. Junk-shop scythes are probably fitted with shorter blades, because mowing machines were taking care of the big fields when they were stored away in the barn. That was true in the 1860s as well of course, so having a shorter blade for cleaning up corners and such, that the mowing machine can't get to, makes sense even then, since not many people were mowing whole hayfields by hand anymore, unless they had very cheap labor or slaves. Never say never, though. A cradle, post-war, and no horse-drawn reaper in sight: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi...slow_Homer.jpg

Period recommendation for blade lengths, around 4', for true hay-mowing by hand, not bush blades: http://books.google.com/books?id=OhU...18&output=html

Hank Trent
hanktrent@gmail.com

[J. Donaldson]

Re: Tool Restoration?

Hank, my main concern has been using the scythe at Independence Village, down in the lower area. Lot of grass to cut down there, but more importantly, I didn't want to use an item at the event that would detract from the experience of others. It currently has a short grass blade, just longer than a brush blade; if I buy a new one, I was planning on getting a grass length to use. The rings are the round attachments as mentioned, but I using the ring to date it, mine is probably a later design, as it has more of a staple to secure the tang than a ring.

And Homer's "A Veteran in a New Field" is one of my favorite images of the citizen-soldier in our period.

[Hank Trent]

Re: Tool Restoration?

Hank, my main concern has been using the scythe at Independence Village, down in the lower area. Lot of grass to cut down there, but more importantly, I didn't want to use an item at the event that would detract from the experience of others.

Trust me, if you want to go down there and mow the meadow, nobody is going to care about the markings on your scythe blade, etc.

Hmm... If you mow it Saturday in dry weather, it would be ready for tedding Saturday afternoon, and raking Monday morning, and we're doing four-day events next year. Memorial Day weekend is a little early for mowing, but still...

This means we're going to need hay rakes for the ladies, you know. :) I've got a fork I'll bring.

Hank Trent
hanktrent@gmail.com

[Rmhisteach]

Re: Tool Restoration?

Hank and Bob , I would be all in to help with the mowing and raking . I am sure you will need someone to bring liquid and sportual refreshments .:)

[Horace]

Re: Tool Restoration?

I've been restoring period tools with a product called Evaporust, available at hardware stores. You immerse the metal in it and within 24 hours, generally speaking, the results are impressive. It realy does what it claims. I tried all the other commercial products that remove rust and this stuff worke way better.

[Hank Trent]

Re: Tool Restoration?

Hank and Bob , I would be all in to help with the mowing and raking . I am sure you will need someone to bring liquid and sportual refreshments .:)

I don't even... not going to go there... nope.

Sounds like fun, though. ;)

Hank Trent
hanktrent@gmail.com

[Michael Comer]

Re: Tool Restoration?

And I'll watch and protect you from whatever dangers there might be.