Hand Tools
Courses/Workshops — by Danial Lawton March 11, 2013
The use of small hand tools in farming can be found all over the world, however in the so-called ‘developed‘ world many of these tools, and the skills in how to use, maintain and repair them, have been lost, as people are increasingly ensnared in dependence on fossil fuel powered machinery.
The very interesting thing is that almost everywhere you go around the world where they still use small cutting hand tools (sickles), you will find tools that are almost the same — with a very similar size and similar curved shape.
The education in the correct use of such tried and tested tools can help in reducing our reliance on fossil fuels. We all need to put away our small machinery and get back to our roots of hand tools. I have had many of conversations on the fact that you can do more work in a shorter amount of time with small machinery when compared to hand tools. I recall such a conversation while I was working at the Permaculture Institute (Tagari Farm) many years ago and a challenge was put to me: who can cut faster — me with my machete and my hook or the challenger (who had done council work as a brush cutter) with a brush cutter with a blade on?
So the challenge was set up on two different terraces of the same width with the grass the same height (both had had their last cut at the same time with a tractor), and with a large audience we were off.
From the get go it was neck and neck, by the middle it was still neck and neck, and when we finally got to the end some 45 minutes later it was still neck and neck, with a tie for the finish. In a discussion afterwards, with the consideration that the more work you do the more tired you get for the hand tools and for the brush cutter the more the vibration affects you, we concluded that it remained a tie, with the possibility that the hand tools may come out better off than the brush cutter. This was considering when taking into account the fuel needed for the brush cutter, as well as the energy required in the manufacture of both pieces of equipment. Also, after only two hours of using a brush cutter you start to adverserly affect your nervous system due to vibration.
Hand tools are the old way to go for a new frontier. Do you know how to use them correctly?
Permaculture Tools runs a range of courses on the correct use of hand tools.
Permaculture Tools also sells a range of hand tools (more coming soon).
The Permaculture Research Institute are stockists of Permaculture Tools. Find their collection here.
Traditional use of a sickle in bali
Scythes work exceptionally well too… and you get to make “grim reaper” jokes.
Comment by Greg Bell — March 11, 2013 @ 6:36 pm
I agree – having used both hand and fuel powered cutting tools I think there is a real place for a re- emphasis on hand cutting tools for most applications. I’ve been hearing a lot about a scything resurgence in the UK for grassland and pasture management (read more herehttp://www.lowimpact.org/factsheet_scything.html) and also support the more pleasurable work environment free of the noise pollution, fumes, and fuel and machinery costs. Still, there are perhaps occasional environments where a brush cutter may be ‘faster’ alone.
Gavin
Comment by Gavin Farley — March 12, 2013 @ 11:37 am
Nice article, I definitely agree that there are lots of good reasons for hand tools. One being that they can bring us together the way power tools can’t. To tackle larger projects we need each other: Scything a large field, bucking up firewood with hand saws. Hard to do it alone with much efficiency. I’ve been scything for the past 3 years at our homestead. It has been challenging, but so rewarding; and my daughter can be near by which is another bonus to hand tools in general. Yes, let’s re-skill and re-tool!
Comment by matt — March 12, 2013 @ 2:13 pm
Agreed with all the comments so far there has been a clear uprising of sycthing. I have not had the privilege of using a new one only old Australian style refurbished ones (well past their prime and a bit weighty) going off those experiences i would proffer to use my machete and hook. Saying that i has viewed many new ones being used in youtube clips and they are clearly not comparable to what i have used in the past. I have been looking into stocking scythes for Permaculture Tools but i am tying to find the right one that is easy to post but still great quality.
@ Gavin Farley – I can see your point on a brush cutter but if one is patience enough to learn and have the right tool available i can assure you it is achievable with a hand tool in at least the same time frame as a brush cutter. But also saying that i do own one i will use it on grass which is bordering sold objects like a concrete path this is not a time thing but protection for my hand tools.
Continuing the reskilling and retooling
Permaculture Tools
Comment by Danial Lawton — March 12, 2013 @ 10:07 pm
Hi there Daniel wondering what kind of ‘hook’ you use with your machete? Is it a bill hook style? Cant see any on your tool list ..
Thanks
Gavin
Comment by Gavin Farley — May 13, 2013 @ 9:22 am
@ Gavin Farley
Yes Gavin it is a Bill hook i have some coming in an order.
if you look at the Permaculture Tools introduction video and man vs machine video you can see me use mine with my machete which i have had for almost 15 years and the same as what i used in the storey above you can find this on the videos page here
http://permaculturetools.com.au/videos/
I am looking at getting more bill hooks of different styles.
The more i sell the more i can invest back into the business so the more different types and styles will be available.
This business is all about the love of tools.
Thanks Gavin
Hope that helps
Yours
Danial Lawton
Director of Permaculture Tools
#permatools
Comment by Danial Lawton — May 13, 2013 @ 10:07 am
Thanks Daniel – I share your love of good hand tools. Will check out the vid and look out for your latest additions.
Thanks
Gavin
Comment by Gavin Farley — May 14, 2013 @ 10:16 am
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