Captain Poldark\u2019s rippling muscles may have sparked a nation\u2019s interest in the scythe, but this ancient tool has long been gaining popularity with gardeners. Champion mower Simon Damant shows how to wield one safely. <\/p>

I can cut a meadow faster and neater with my scythe than anyone with a strimmer <\/blockquote> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div>\n<\/div>
Even so, by the Second World War many in the UK had largely abandoned this traditional low-cost, low-impact tool in favour of motorised lawn mowers and combine harvesters. Only the Grim Reaper and a niche group of environmental enthusiasts kept hold of their scythes. And then Poldark<\/em> hit our screens. The scene in which actor Aidan Turner stripped off his shirt for a spot of sweaty mowing was voted the best TV moment of 2015 by Radio Times<\/em> readers and suddenly everyone was interested again.<\/p>\n
$\"""\"$ <\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div> \u00a9 Andrew Montgomery<\/i> <\/span>\n<\/div>\n
\u201cActually, going topless is one of the real dangers of scything,\u201d says Simon, with his tongue slightly in his cheek. \u201cYou\u2019ve got to be careful to slap on the sunscreen.\u201d Given that a scythe is essentially a razor-sharp blade lashed to the end of a long stick, sun burn is not the only health and safety issue but, if used properly, it is neither dangerous nor particularly hard work. \u201cMy only objection to that scene in Poldark was that he was making it look hard work,\u201d says Simon. \u201cYou certainly don\u2019t need to break a sweat if your technique is correct.\u201d<\/p>\n
Good technique is key, both for safety and efficiency, which is why Simon encourages beginners to get a bit of hands-on training. \u201cThere are lots of courses available. The Scythe Association<\/a> website is a good first port of call.\u201d And once you get the hang of it, suddenly mowing<\/a> can become a pleasure. Instead of battling with temperamental starter cords and smelly engines you discover that, as with all the best gardening jobs, there is real joy to be had from working in tune with nature.<\/p>\n
If you\u2019re not convinced scything is for you, here\u2019s the best cordless mowers <\/a><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n
How to use a scythe<\/h2>\n
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