Scythes & Sickles
Whether you want to cut back some overgrown areas of your garden or you've got a full-blown woodland or meadow to tackle, scythes and sickles are made for the job. These traditional hand-held tools are just as popular today as they were in the past, thanks to their ergonomic and effective design. Updates over the years have produced comfortable tools with better grip, sharper blades and convenient folding handles – amongst other features. These much-loved tools enjoy a boost in sales around Halloween each year, as fancy-dress fans create spooky grim reaper costumes. For safety's sakes, you'll probably want to stick to the plastic versions for Halloween.
Short-handled Sickles
If you are clearing relatively small areas of brambles, weeds or grass in your garden, a small hand-held sickle should be more than enough to tackle the job. Their short handles make them easy to manoeuvre and their neat size means they can be stored in a compact area in your shed. Most designs can be used by either right or left-handed users. Hardwood handles are a popular choice as they give great slip-free grip, but you'll also find models with modern rubber handles. The serrated steel blades come in a variety of sizes allowing you to choose a comfortable choice for you. Too big and you lose some ease of handling. Too small and it will take longer to get the job done.
Long-handled Scythes
For larger areas, it can save your back to go for a long-handled scythe. Once you have mastered the sweeping motion, keeping the blade low to the ground, cutting vegetation with a scythe can be a beautifully efficient way to work. The gentle arcing motion and swishing sound are way more peaceful than revving up that lawnmower. Modern designs boast lightweight handles and comfortable grips while keeping the traditional durable steel blades.