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OFFGRID TECHNOLOGY
As the Industrial Revolution gained steam (literally), and the people
became caught up in the idea of "progress" and "modernizing", there
was an entire class of technology which was swept to the wayside.
As steam, gasoline, and electric powered machines became the foundation
of progress, many of the solutions to everyday problems which had been
developed and refined for centuries, disappeared from the public
conciousness. In some ways, there was benefit to the industrialization
of society. In other ways, it created an entire culture of corporation
dependent slaves.
On this page, I will explore some of the technology which I have used
personally, and was widely used in the time right before the Industrial
Revolution. Today, these tools can be used to reduce dependence on
outside systems, as well as contribute to a more healthy and sustainable
life.
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| | THE SCYTHE:
| |
| | A few years ago I purchased a scythe from a small
| | company in New England. The blades are hand made
.-----` | and hand hammered, and the body is made from
/.-----| | hardened oak. When you purchase a scythe from them,
/ / | | they send you a list of measurements they require.
| | | | The length of your arm, the length of your forearm,
| | | | etc. When they make the body, also called the snath,
|_| | | it is fitted to your body.
| |
| | Here is a 40 second clip of a woman mowing her lawn
| | with a european scythe to see what I am talking about.
| | (use mpv instead of youtube!)
| |
| | mpv https://atyh.net/video-woman-mowing.mp4
| |
| | Once you learn how to use and maintain a well made
| | scythe,it is not difficult to out perform a gas mower.
| |
| | mpv https://atyh.net/video-mower-vs-scythe.mp4
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Learning how to use a scythe takes some practice. There is a method,
and a meditation to it. You arent just swinging it around. But its
peaceful.
The scythe has been in continuous use since at least 500BC. And in
Europe, since the 12th century. When something stays around that long,
there is a reason, and it is improved and refined over the generations.
I purchased two blades. One is a long grass blade, which is actually
fairly delicate, and light weight. Its also razor sharp. It cuts through
grass like its not there. The other blade is a bush blade. This is sturdy,
and cuts through brush and blackberries quickly and easily. Many
mornings in the spring, I will go for a walk around the property, and
bring the scythe with the bush blade, to keep things trimmed back along
the paths.
I like this tool because if I take care of it, it will last for a lifetime.
And it requires no gas to operate, save a decent breakfast.
Ill end this with a video of an man harvesting wheat by himself, like
they used to do in Egypt, Europe, Rome, etc...
mpv https://atyh.net/video-scythe-wheat-harvest.mp4
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