Curly Sue wrote:
...I found this webpage which has info on sharpening (peening and honing)
with how-to photographs!...



There are two different materials that scythe blades are made from: high
carbon steel and low carbon steel. The high carbon steel blades are
harder and are fairly easy to sharpen, but when (not if) they hit a
rock, they get a gouge in the edge. To get the gouge out takes some work
with a stone and eventually will thin out the blade. The low carbon
steel blades are softer and will bend when it hits a rock. The rough
sharpening is done with a hammer and (small pocket size) anvil, cold
working the steel. Final honing is done with a water stone.

The blades have a lip on the dull edge that defines the angle for the
sharpening stone.

In addition to the materials, the blades come in different lengths. The
grass blade is 3-4 feet long and fairly thin. The brush blade is
shorter, 18-24" long and is thicker, since it is built to cut heavier
stuff. I generally use the brush blade since I'm not usually mowing
fields, but just trimming around edges. I have the high carbon steel
blades and generally carry the stone in my back pocket.

The scythe is the 4th level weeding implement, coming after the rake,
torch and hoe, but before the chainsaw and backhoe.