...a pretty good book called "Scythe Book"...

I have seen several references to this title on the web. Don't hate me, but
I couldn't justify the cost of purchasing the book (or an anvil) yet. I had
searched our local library without success, but tonight I was able to
request this book from another library in Alberta.

I have contacted Lee Valley Tools, and they have been very cooperative, but
failed to address my concerns about the scythe.

After one day's use, the ring clamp has become bent. I assume that this is
because the pasture I am cutting has areas of dense/wet grass. I beleive
that this grass is difficult to cut and is covering the blade at the
beginning of the stroke, thus preventing the remainder of the grass from
being cut withing that stroke. The result is that I am using exessive force
to complete the stroke and forcing the blade out of the correct hafting
angle (repeatedly) and still failing to cut the grass effectively (sigh).
The ring clamp is bearing the majority of the force and is not up to it.

My gripes are as follows:
o The clamping screws on the ring clamp are not sufficient to hold the
blade in place when meeting resistance
o The ring clamp is not rigid enough to withstand the force
o The tang is thin and allows too much freedom of movenent within the clamp

I know, you will all yell at me and tell me I'm probably an idiot and
shouldn't be using such a wonderful tool if I'm just hacking at the grass. I
would partly agree seeing as I have little experience using a scythe.. it's
not a common subject. I am making an attempt to learn, but, I should expect
a tool to withstand a certain amount of expected stress without failing.

Cheers,
Greg