This catalog shows that an astonishing array of both scythes, grass hooks, and other tools were still being produced in Oakland, Maine at this late date by the industry giant. Of interesting note is that this catalog is spiral-bound, having been printed in the first year that such a binding was available. The date of publication was ascertained due to an Iron Age ad with a known date asking retailers to write to request their “new” catalog No. 117, though this catalog was likely issued to the retailer within a few years after initial publication due to the inclusion of additional loose leaflets and stamped corrections for discontinued products within the main body of work.
An illustrated brochure from scythe manufacturer Hervey Waters of Northbridge, Massachusetts, circa 1861, demonstrating his offered range of curvatures and describing their regional popularity for what kinds of terrain and growth. Mr. Waters has been credited with a number of manufacturing innovations, including the use of roll-forging as opposed to the typical use of trip hammers. A PDF form of this incredible document can be found HERE.
Also shown is an order slip dated 186_ of the same firm.
A fascinating ca. 1911 account of the manufacture of wooden scythe snaths at the Fenn Manufacturing Co. of Charlotte, MI. Interestingly, the wood used for the grips of their nibs are described as being made from maple, while birch was the most commonly used wood for the task.
Young, C. (1911). Manufacturing Scythe Snaths. In The Wood-Worker (Vol. 30, pp. 30-31). S. H. Smith Company.
A collection of writings on edged tools from the folks at Baryonyx Knife Co.
