The Scythe Association of Austria

Walter Blumauer, the last director of the Redtenbacher Scythe Company, is presently the secretary/treasurer of the Scythe Association of Austria, officially established in May 2005 (and of which I am one of the founding members).

His season's greeting to the members (some of whom, because of distance, did not attend all meetings) is posted below--loosely translated from German by me--because it expresses the group's intent in a less dry manner than its legal "Statement of Purpose". (For an original German version, click here.)

Peter Vido
30 Dec. 2005

Scharnstein, 20.12.05

Dear Colleagues,

The first stage of our existence as an association is now behind us. During regular meetings we've discussed the topics of public campaign, Internet presentation, the 2006 symposium, certification of scythe instructors, the format for courses offered to the public, as well as options for the retailing of products and services.

In our goal to usher in the Scythe Renaissance--and to spur it on--we shall endeavour to help people re-learn the skill of using this old tool and point to the various possibilities of its application.

The benefits of the scythe in conserving biodiversity have now been widely acknowledged. Additionally, the Tai-chi-like movement during mowing enhances personal vitality, subsequently lowering health care costs and increasing quality of life. The work accomplished with the scythe is pollution- and noise-free. Finally, it is a real pleasure to use a well-peened and well-honed blade...

And it is this pleasure that we would like to share with many people by means of scythe courses during coming seasons.

In our endeavours, it may be well to keep in mind a statement made many decades ago by Mahatma Gandhi:

"If the machine-dependent development so continues, we will gradually lose many of our hands' skills, and the time shall come when we may curse ourselves for having forgotten how to use our hands as hands."

We are already looking forward to an activity-filled year and thank all members for their cooperation in the "birthing" of our association.

I wish you all a Merry Christmas and in 2006 a very keen edge.

Walter Blumauer