I was thinking about another action as I was typing my last post above. Even before i turned 38, in fact, even before I turned 20, and that was waaay back, i was in the Boy Scouts. I loved camping and other activities. When i finally dropped out, i still continued with hiking and camping in all sorts of weather. I was asked by the scout leader to take a crew of young scouts out to a clearing job. There was an elderly couple in town, actually out of town and in a wooded area of town, who were wanting to sell their home. The property was over-run with underbrush and weeds so the Scouts volunteered to cleanup the property. I was experienced with hand tools needed and also had a good collection, soooo, I was sort of volunteered to lead a small crew.
We were using all tools powered with hickory booms and armstrong power. No noise and no smoke. Among my collection of tools was an old scythe that I used often. It was razor sharpe. I showed the boys how to use the tool, as I did with each tool used. I also instructed all of them on safety measures to take with each tool, including instructions for standing back from the operators of any cutting tool. My scythe was a tool that not one of the boys had ever used. Most had never seen one in action. I showed how to swing the tool with a smooth rhythmic motion instead of a chopping motion. There was only one boy who seemed to catch on, so i decided to be the only one to use the tool. Eventually, I needed to "whet the edge" and demonstrated how to do it.
I had learned how to use the scythe from my uncle who, like me, was left handed. He had been borne with partial paralysis in his high side and there were certain things he could not do right handed. A scythe is designed to e used right handed. That he could do. I could copy his swing. Whetting (sharpening) ws always done with the stone held in the right hand and sliding along the entire length of the blade alternating from side to side. Since my uncle could not use his right hand for the motion required, e always sharpened using his left hand. since i was left handed, and almost never used my right hand for much of anything, he showed me the method he used. I don't recommend such practice, as it is extremely dangerous. It exposes the entire back of the left hand to the shop blade for the entire length of the blade with every stroke. I decided to show the boys how to sharpen the right handed way which was the only safe way to do the job.
I showed them how to hold and support he scythe. I showed them how to hold the stone. I went thru the motions very slowly. I did not allow any of the boys to practice. I figured they would never use a scythe again after that day, so there was no need to put them in danger. After going thru the motions very slowly, it was time for real action. I positioned myself and took the first swipe down the blade. OOPS! With the real activity, i had allowed my hub to be held straight up. I still can see the scar.
That day, I showed the boys a lesson in emergency first aid. i showed them how to make a "dumb-bell" with adhesive tape to hold two sides of a deep cut together as if it might be held with stitches. With the first aid treatment, i was able to continue thru the day until we finished the job. I have used the scythe several times thu the years since that day, BUT, i have never sharpened (whetted) the blade by using "the safe" right handed right handed method. Always the "dangerous" method i was taught "way back when". It is safer >>> for me.
Tinker
