Been away for a few days and the lawn is now covered in long-ish
grasses! When I go over with the hand mower, these foot-long blades of
grass are simply pushed flat, then spring up again after an hour or
so.

I'm thinking of buying a rechargeable (thus cordless) hedgetrimmer and
use it like an Allen scythe to cut these long grasses down to size.

Any other ideas? I could get down on my hands and knees with the
shears, but it would take two days to cover the whole lawn like that.

MM

On Thu, 09 Jun 2005 11:26:35 +0200, Martin wrote:

On Thu, 09 Jun 2005 10:24:29 +0100, MM wrote:

Been away for a few days and the lawn is now covered in long-ish
grasses! When I go over with the hand mower, these foot-long blades of
grass are simply pushed flat, then spring up again after an hour or
so.

I'm thinking of buying a rechargeable (thus cordless) hedgetrimmer and
use it like an Allen scythe to cut these long grasses down to size.

Any other ideas? I could get down on my hands and knees with the
shears, but it would take two days to cover the whole lawn like that.

Borrow a sheep or a hovermower. Both worked for us at various times.

I think a power mower may be too violent for my almost virgin lawn! I
don't want to risk ripping the grass (the short stuff in between the
long grasses) out by the roots. The cutting action of a hedgetrimmer
would be much more gentle, I think.

Of course, a sheep might work, too, but I don't know of any around
here. Lots of daffodils waiting to be ploughed in, but no sheep.

MM

"MM" wrote in message
...
Been away for a few days and the lawn is now covered in long-ish
grasses! When I go over with the hand mower, these foot-long blades of
grass are simply pushed flat, then spring up again after an hour or
so.

I'm thinking of buying a rechargeable (thus cordless) hedgetrimmer and
use it like an Allen scythe to cut these long grasses down to size.

Any other ideas? I could get down on my hands and knees with the
shears, but it would take two days to cover the whole lawn like that.

MM

thats the bent grasses you need to cut with a rotary mower or strimmer

"MM" wrote in message
...
Been away for a few days and the lawn is now covered in long-ish
grasses! When I go over with the hand mower, these foot-long blades of
grass are simply pushed flat, then spring up again after an hour or
so.

I'm thinking of buying a rechargeable (thus cordless) hedgetrimmer and
use it like an Allen scythe to cut these long grasses down to size.

Any other ideas? I could get down on my hands and knees with the
shears, but it would take two days to cover the whole lawn like that.

MM

===============
A pressed steel sickle ( not 1/4" thick steel blade type) works for me. You
can buy one quite cheaply at 'Focus' etc but remember to buy the sharpening
stone as well.

Cic.

On Thu, 09 Jun 2005 19:00:36 GMT, "Cicero"
wrote:


"MM" wrote in message
.. .
Been away for a few days and the lawn is now covered in long-ish
grasses! When I go over with the hand mower, these foot-long blades of
grass are simply pushed flat, then spring up again after an hour or
so.

I'm thinking of buying a rechargeable (thus cordless) hedgetrimmer and
use it like an Allen scythe to cut these long grasses down to size.

Any other ideas? I could get down on my hands and knees with the
shears, but it would take two days to cover the whole lawn like that.

MM

===============
A pressed steel sickle ( not 1/4" thick steel blade type) works for me. You
can buy one quite cheaply at 'Focus' etc but remember to buy the sharpening
stone as well.

Yes, I had contemplated one of those, too. But my father used one in
the 1950s and I tried it (I was 11 at the time) and it was darned hard
work! Not sure whether I can stoop that low any more. I want to mount
the cordless hedgetrimmer on a wheeled dolly, by the way, then push
the dolly across the 'lawn'.

MM

On Fri, 10 Jun 2005 09:37:36 +0100, MM wrote:

On Thu, 09 Jun 2005 19:00:36 GMT, "Cicero"
wrote:


"MM" wrote in message
. ..
Been away for a few days and the lawn is now covered in long-ish
grasses! When I go over with the hand mower, these foot-long blades of
grass are simply pushed flat, then spring up again after an hour or
so.

I'm thinking of buying a rechargeable (thus cordless) hedgetrimmer and
use it like an Allen scythe to cut these long grasses down to size.

Any other ideas? I could get down on my hands and knees with the
shears, but it would take two days to cover the whole lawn like that.

MM

===============
A pressed steel sickle ( not 1/4" thick steel blade type) works for me. You
can buy one quite cheaply at 'Focus' etc but remember to buy the sharpening
stone as well.

Yes, I had contemplated one of those, too. But my father used one in
the 1950s and I tried it (I was 11 at the time) and it was darned hard
work! Not sure whether I can stoop that low any more. I want to mount
the cordless hedgetrimmer on a wheeled dolly, by the way, then push
the dolly across the 'lawn'.

MM

Get a scythe. Around 30 quid. Then you can od it standing up (fnarr
fnarr!).
But you've got to get the technique right. It is harder than a motor mower,
obviously but not much more than using a strimmer.
It helps if the grass is still slightly damp. If the grass is too dry it
just folds over and bends under the blade. In the morning is a good time,
or late evening.

Use a stone regularly to keep it sharp during use, and hammer the edge
sharp after use or during a break. The edge stays sharper longer that way.
It's a dying art.

--
Tim C.

On Fri, 10 Jun 2005 10:51:16 +0200, Tim Challenger
wrote:

On Fri, 10 Jun 2005 09:37:36 +0100, MM wrote:

On Thu, 09 Jun 2005 19:00:36 GMT, "Cicero"
wrote:


"MM" wrote in message
...
Been away for a few days and the lawn is now covered in long-ish
grasses! When I go over with the hand mower, these foot-long blades of
grass are simply pushed flat, then spring up again after an hour or
so.

I'm thinking of buying a rechargeable (thus cordless) hedgetrimmer and
use it like an Allen scythe to cut these long grasses down to size.

Any other ideas? I could get down on my hands and knees with the
shears, but it would take two days to cover the whole lawn like that.

MM

===============
A pressed steel sickle ( not 1/4" thick steel blade type) works for me. You
can buy one quite cheaply at 'Focus' etc but remember to buy the sharpening
stone as well.

Yes, I had contemplated one of those, too. But my father used one in
the 1950s and I tried it (I was 11 at the time) and it was darned hard
work! Not sure whether I can stoop that low any more. I want to mount
the cordless hedgetrimmer on a wheeled dolly, by the way, then push
the dolly across the 'lawn'.

MM

Get a scythe. Around 30 quid. Then you can od it standing up (fnarr
fnarr!).
But you've got to get the technique right. It is harder than a motor mower,
obviously but not much more than using a strimmer.
It helps if the grass is still slightly damp. If the grass is too dry it
just folds over and bends under the blade. In the morning is a good time,
or late evening.

Use a stone regularly to keep it sharp during use, and hammer the edge
sharp after use or during a break. The edge stays sharper longer that way.
It's a dying art.

But what is wrong with my idea using a battery-charged hedgetrimmer? I
still reckon that would be the best solution, being a scissor cut.

MM

"MM" wrote in message
...
On Fri, 10 Jun 2005 10:51:16 +0200, Tim Challenger
wrote:

On Fri, 10 Jun 2005 09:37:36 +0100, MM wrote:

On Thu, 09 Jun 2005 19:00:36 GMT, "Cicero"
wrote:


"MM" wrote in message
m...
Been away for a few days and the lawn is now covered in long-ish
grasses! When I go over with the hand mower, these foot-long blades of
grass are simply pushed flat, then spring up again after an hour or
so.

I'm thinking of buying a rechargeable (thus cordless) hedgetrimmer and
use it like an Allen scythe to cut these long grasses down to size.

Any other ideas? I could get down on my hands and knees with the
shears, but it would take two days to cover the whole lawn like that.

MM

===============
A pressed steel sickle ( not 1/4" thick steel blade type) works for me.
You
can buy one quite cheaply at 'Focus' etc but remember to buy the
sharpening
stone as well.

Yes, I had contemplated one of those, too. But my father used one in
the 1950s and I tried it (I was 11 at the time) and it was darned hard
work! Not sure whether I can stoop that low any more. I want to mount
the cordless hedgetrimmer on a wheeled dolly, by the way, then push
the dolly across the 'lawn'.

MM

Get a scythe. Around 30 quid. Then you can od it standing up (fnarr
fnarr!).
But you've got to get the technique right. It is harder than a motor
mower,
obviously but not much more than using a strimmer.
It helps if the grass is still slightly damp. If the grass is too dry it
just folds over and bends under the blade. In the morning is a good time,
or late evening.

Use a stone regularly to keep it sharp during use, and hammer the edge
sharp after use or during a break. The edge stays sharper longer that way.
It's a dying art.

But what is wrong with my idea using a battery-charged hedgetrimmer? I
still reckon that would be the best solution, being a scissor cut.

MM

what if u drop it and cut your toes off use a strimmer or a rotary mower

MM wrote:
Been away for a few days and the lawn is now covered in long-ish
grasses! When I go over with the hand mower, these foot-long blades of
grass are simply pushed flat, then spring up again after an hour or
so.

I'm thinking of buying a rechargeable (thus cordless) hedgetrimmer and
use it like an Allen scythe to cut these long grasses down to size.

Any other ideas? I could get down on my hands and knees with the
shears, but it would take two days to cover the whole lawn like that.

MM
I've had the same trouble myself, and the way I got over it was to make
a second cut at right angles to the first.The grass is lying down and
should enter parallel to the blade so that it is cut off nearer the
root.(I take it you are using a cylinder mower).You may need to go over
it a third time on the first occasion, but once you have got rid of the
long blades of grass it should be plain sailing thereafter. Good Luck.

In article , pied piper
writes

"MM" wrote in message
.. .

But what is wrong with my idea using a battery-charged hedgetrimmer? I
still reckon that would be the best solution, being a scissor cut.



what if u drop it and cut your toes off use a strimmer or a rotary mower


If you drop it, it cuts out automatically

--
Kay
"Do not insult the crocodile until you have crossed the river"

"MM" wrote in message
...
Been away for a few days and the lawn is now covered in long-ish
grasses! When I go over with the hand mower, these foot-long blades of
grass are simply pushed flat, then spring up again after an hour or
Snip
If you don't want to invest in a decent machine then why not just get a
gardener to cut it for you to get you back to normal height. Should only set
you back £10.00 - £12.00 depending on amount of work etc.
Btw I have used my hedgetrimmer to cut long grass and that is a pro
poletrimmer with adjustable blade but best bet is a decent strimmer followed
by mower.

"Kay" wrote in message
...
In article , pied piper
writes

"MM" wrote in message
. ..

But what is wrong with my idea using a battery-charged hedgetrimmer? I
still reckon that would be the best solution, being a scissor cut.



what if u drop it and cut your toes off use a strimmer or a rotary mower


If you drop it, it cuts out automatically

--
Kay
who asked you shitface

In article , pied piper
writes

who asked you shitface

You did, by posting in a public forum.
--
Kay
"Do not insult the crocodile until you have crossed the river"

On Fri, 10 Jun 2005 20:57:43 +0100, sam wrote:

MM wrote:
Been away for a few days and the lawn is now covered in long-ish
grasses! When I go over with the hand mower, these foot-long blades of
grass are simply pushed flat, then spring up again after an hour or
so.

I'm thinking of buying a rechargeable (thus cordless) hedgetrimmer and
use it like an Allen scythe to cut these long grasses down to size.

Any other ideas? I could get down on my hands and knees with the
shears, but it would take two days to cover the whole lawn like that.

MM
I've had the same trouble myself, and the way I got over it was to make
a second cut at right angles to the first.The grass is lying down and
should enter parallel to the blade so that it is cut off nearer the
root.(I take it you are using a cylinder mower).You may need to go over
it a third time on the first occasion, but once you have got rid of the
long blades of grass it should be plain sailing thereafter. Good Luck.

I was at a garden centre this afternoon and saw for the first time the
Gardena Shrub Shears Accu 75. These are like a mini version of a hedge
trimmer, with the same type of oscillating blades. They are designed
to prune shrubs and do topiary and stuff, but the bloke reckoned
they'd be ideal for the type of thin-stemmed grasses I have. 'Course
he would say that, wouldn't he...

Then I checked on the web and Bosch also do one, which is even cheaper
than the Gardena! Seems like more research is needed. Oh, I could
choose from half-a-dozen strimmers, but I don't like strimmers, horrid
noisy things, like demented bees.

MM

On Fri, 10 Jun 2005 14:55:40 +0100, MM wrote:

On Fri, 10 Jun 2005 10:51:16 +0200, Tim Challenger
wrote:

On Fri, 10 Jun 2005 09:37:36 +0100, MM wrote:

On Thu, 09 Jun 2005 19:00:36 GMT, "Cicero"
wrote:


"MM" wrote in message
m...
Been away for a few days and the lawn is now covered in long-ish
grasses! When I go over with the hand mower, these foot-long blades of
grass are simply pushed flat, then spring up again after an hour or
so.

I'm thinking of buying a rechargeable (thus cordless) hedgetrimmer and
use it like an Allen scythe to cut these long grasses down to size.

Any other ideas? I could get down on my hands and knees with the
shears, but it would take two days to cover the whole lawn like that.

MM

===============
A pressed steel sickle ( not 1/4" thick steel blade type) works for me. You
can buy one quite cheaply at 'Focus' etc but remember to buy the sharpening
stone as well.

Yes, I had contemplated one of those, too. But my father used one in
the 1950s and I tried it (I was 11 at the time) and it was darned hard
work! Not sure whether I can stoop that low any more. I want to mount
the cordless hedgetrimmer on a wheeled dolly, by the way, then push
the dolly across the 'lawn'.

MM

Get a scythe. Around 30 quid. Then you can od it standing up (fnarr
fnarr!).
But you've got to get the technique right. It is harder than a motor mower,
obviously but not much more than using a strimmer.
It helps if the grass is still slightly damp. If the grass is too dry it
just folds over and bends under the blade. In the morning is a good time,
or late evening.

Use a stone regularly to keep it sharp during use, and hammer the edge
sharp after use or during a break. The edge stays sharper longer that way.
It's a dying art.

But what is wrong with my idea using a battery-charged hedgetrimmer? I
still reckon that would be the best solution, being a scissor cut.

MM

I've tried it, and you'll probably find the grass blades are too soft to be
properly cut. Some stiff stems will cut, but most will just bend and clog
up the trimmer. I've tried it.


--
Tim C.