Ron Hardin wrote:
It doesn't solve the clipping problem, in fact makes it worse (get a
leaf sweeper and pile grass clippings by the back fence), but if you
don't have a huge lawn and have lots of time, a European scythe is a
great way to cut grass. No grass too high for it, either.

It would appear your needs are far different than most homeowners who
might be reading this.

For most people who take good car of their lawn (don't over fertilize
with high nitrogen fertilizer for example) and cut their lawn as often as
they should, a mulching mower is a very good choice.

However if you are not able to usually mow when your lawn needs it, or
have certain grasses in certain climates, then mulching may not be right.

There are some people who want to put an extreme amount of personal
effort into their lawn to try and produce the putting green look. For them
I would not suggest a mulching mower.

However from the majority of people who just want a very good looking
lawn without speeding too much time or money, a mulching mower is a good
idea.

I suggest checking the library for the latest review by Consumer's
Reports (not the other consumer magazine that accepts advertising) and read
the whole article, not just the final report and use that as a starting
point for your decision.


Just an alternative if you're getting a new mower. I cut an acre but
I have _lots_ of time. You do a few swaths a day and by the time you
get done with the whole lawn, it's a perfect time to repeat, at that
size.

A scythe leaves a windrow of clippings at the edge of every
ten-foot-wide pass though, indeed that's its original point.

http://www.scythesupply.com has a nice outfit, you need snath (I
suggest straight, which works best with long grass blades), blade
(26" grass is good general one; the 36" is good on easier spring
grass), sharpening
stone (Begrenzer medium grit is good), bar peen hammer and wide anvil
(for thinning the edge again after you've sharpened it away enough);
and stone-holder, since you stop and sharpen every 5 minutes or so,
for a few sharpening strokes. A lot of stuff but a nice pasttime.
They have
a package deal on price, the last I looked.

With a European scythe, you're slicing grass, not whacking it. It's
a very smooth activity. The blade rides flat on the ground, the
curve of the back keeping the edge just off the ground, and the odd
shape of the snath that holds it is to keep that geometry through the
stroke.

--
Joseph Meehan

26 + 6 = 1 It's Irish Math