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Help!! - Any hints on how to use my grass hook?

It seems like it is just not sharp enough, it folds the grass over or rips it out by the roots Not that bothered but it doesn't seem as simple as I was expecting. It is brand new, but maybe I could sharpen it



The grass I have is very long (3' -4') and dotted with weeds, it takes up about 500 square yards (maybe???) we have a recharable strimmer for when its a bit more managable and a push mower for the pretty bits.

Your " Slash Hook " is probably very blunt, but to be honest it would kill you cutting what is basically Hay with that you would need a Scythe which is a completely different thing.

Go to the hire shop and get yourself a Bush Cutter the largest and most powerful they have.

It's no good being green when you have put your back out

Do you mean a sickle? A single handed sort of mini-scythe? You may need to use something to support the grass as you cut it, eiher a rake with a short (18") handle, or, more traditionally, a hook-stick of some sort (cut a cleft branch from a tree - 1" dia - with a long end and a short end; hold the long end and use the 'hook' to support the grass as you cut underneath it).

This sort of tool does need to be kept very sharp - use a special, cigar-shaped whet stone regularly. A sickle is really best for awkward places - banks, ditches, places where a scythe can't get to.

We have a sttel blade as well as the 'string' head for our petrol strimmer and it is really good for things like that.
But I am too old and decrepit to do it the hard way any more

Paddy - It calls its self a grass hook or sythette, so I was obviously imagining that it would do the job I don't have the necessery time or transport or finance to hire one, not to mention that I HATE those big scary machines. I can think of much better ways to amputate my own foot

Muddy - I think that I will sharpen it though I have now lost all interest in cutting the grass in one go. I will just slowly reclaim the garden as I decide to use it, I guess it'll just die back over winter if I don't get to it.

I had initially thought that it would be able to take the grass down just now and then I could use the hook to keep down the awkward bits, but it would seem I was a little optimistic Oh well...

Annpan wrote:Paddy - It calls its self a grass hook or sythette, so I was obviously imagining that it would do the job I don't have the necessery time or transport or finance to hire one, not to mention that I HATE those big scary machines. I can think of much better ways to amputate my own foot

Yes i suppose they are dangerous.

If you can borrow some sheep they will do the trick without drawing blood!

paddy - I liked your previous reply before the edit, I thought it was funny
As OH says... "what and a 12" super sharp curved blade isn't?"

No can do on the sheep front... I have another theory at the moment about trying to plant totties in amongst it all under cardboard???