Scythes were used with a long sweeping movement which made them much less tiring for labourers to use than reaping hooks or sickles though they still involved great physical labour and considerable skill to perfect. Both hands were in use and the operator did not have to bend his back to reach down to the crop. Scythes were not used as often on farms after the mechanisation of harvesting. They were still used for cutting awkward shaped small plots and for opening a path for the tractors. This item is an example of a tool used by the early settlers of the Orbost district. A curved wooden scythe handle with two nailed grips attached with metal rings. There is no blade. There is a metal hook at the bottom.scythe agricultural tool farming

Scythe Handle. Wooden Scythe Handle approximately 200cm long and 3cm in diameter.farming, scythe, agriculture

Scythe Blade. Remains of two yellow paper labels. One label contains 'Trade Mark W.A. TYZACK & CO LTD. SHEFFIELD' The other contains 'PATENT UNBREAKABLE POINTED SCYTHE' This scythe has an advantage over any other scythe, as The Point cannot be broken in stony or rough ground' An embossed stamp on The scythe has the words 'W. A. TYZACK & Co. Ltd. Stella Works, Sheffield.agricultural implements, farming