Scythes as Weapons (IRL)

[trash beast]

Obviously, the normal farming scythe would be a crap weapon in battle comepared to a sword or a battleaxe.

But if the scythe were modified in some way to better fit the field of battle, would it actually be lethal? Let's take a normal farming scythe as a base, and see if we can modify it enough to stand a chance in a fight.

For once, the curving handle is meant for holding the tool upside down. This is so farmer could cut grass 'n' stuff. The blade is also rotated at a 45 degree angle, also contributing to cutting grass. Should this thing be used in battle, not only would the handle cause it to wobble uncontrollably, but it'd be quite hard to hit anyone unless you were only swinging at their feet. Though, I guess if you manage to trip them over, you've got the advantage. But you can do that with any other two-handed weapon, and those weapons would probably cut you off your feet if they were to hit there.

In order to make this thing any good on the battle field, you'd have to straighten the handle and rotate the blade so that it's not at that horrid angle. At this point, the scythe is almost fit for a fight. It's not wobbley anymore, and it can make efficient strikes. But the blade is thin and wobbley, so it's best to thick it out.

Now the weapon should be fine a battle. I'm not sure exactly how heavy the scythe would be, but I'm guessing a battleaxe would be heavier since I assume there's more metal on the end of the weapon. If you were to add a grip on the bottle of the handle, you'd be enabled a better range while still being able to control the scythe. I mean like, a shovel grip.

The weapon is very similar to a battleaxe, though. The most difference is the possibility that the scythe is lighter (which I don't even know) and how the scythe would hit your opponent sooner than a battleaxe would since the blade is longer.

[Ishan451]

Google War Scythe. They been in use in many eastern european countries. There were even War Scythe regiments well into the 20th century, until about World War 2.

[76561198121230750]

It's like trying to hold a sword upside down.
Theoretically, it could work, but it's highly ineffective. The scythe's shape does not allow for quick stabs at range and the weight distribution is shifted to one side. That works well for battleaxes because it uses more of a crushing motion than a slashing motion to inflict damage. The scythe's blade length would require the blade to be thicker to protect it from lateral force, making it even heavier.
A far more superior weapon would be the glaive.

edit : I did not notice the part about rotating the blade. Wouldn't straightening out the blade turn it into a glaive?

[Rumpelcrutchskin]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/War_scythe

[trash beast]

Originally posted by Zeus Ex Machina:

It's like trying to hold a sword upside down.
Theoretically, it could work, but it's highly ineffective. The scythe's shape does not allow for quick stabs at range and the weight distribution is shifted to one side. That works well for battleaxes because it uses more of a crushing motion than a slashing motion to inflict damage. The scythe's blade length would require the blade to be thicker to protect it from lateral force, making it even heavier.
A far more superior weapon would be the glaive.

edit : I did not notice the part about rotating the blade. Wouldn't straightening out the blade turn it into a glaive?

Good points.

I know the scythe's shape does not allow for quick stabs, but neither does a battleaxe. (Sorry I keep referring to battleaxes)

As for scythes being heavier than battleaxes, I'm not sure how much heavier it would be, but I think it would be a minor thing. I don't have evidence to back that up, though. I think the scythe would be good for counter moves, due to its shape, i.e. hooking on to the weapon/opponent. It does seem, though, that the shape is limiting. Either way, though, if it swings approximately as fast as a battleaxe, the scythe should hit sooner than it because of the blade length. Plus, the more weight, the more force. Harder to swing, though.

[supertrooper225]

It just wouldn't be as effective as a tool built specifically for fighting.

[Paintbrush Poltergeist]

They're not very effective.

[trash beast]

Originally posted by supertrooper225:

It just wouldn't be as effective as a tool built specifically for fighting.

Eh, I think they could have the potential.

[supertrooper225]

Originally posted by Zeus Christ:

Originally posted by supertrooper225:

It just wouldn't be as effective as a tool built specifically for fighting.

Eh, I think they could have the potential.

Great user name.

They would just be too awkward and any person who knows anything about melee would strip that weapon from you quickly and easily. Or, at the very least, get in close enough to make the weapon have very little use.

But you are Zeus....make them ride the lightening instead.

[♠ZerØ♠]

After reading the OP's origional post on the scythe, and a lot of the additional facts added to the conversation... Wild guess, but none of you have ever swung a scythe, or anything similar, into anything else.

If we were growing corn out here this year, instead of soy, man I would get the farmer next door to show you just how wobbly his swings are NOT. The tool as a weapon isn't nearly as effective as a hand scythe or Kama, but if you need to royally murder a guy or two, it will do the job and then some...

[supertrooper225]

Originally posted by Kuroi Taiyō:

After reading the OP's origional post on the scythe, and a lot of the additional facts added to the conversation... Wild guess, but none of you have ever swung a scythe, or anything similar, into anything else.

If we were growing corn out here this year, instead of soy, man I would get the farmer next door to show you just how wobbly his swings are NOT. The tool as a weapon isn't nearly as effective as a hand scythe or Kama, but if you need to royally murder a guy or two, it will do the job and then some...

Anything sharp can royally mess someone up. I figured the OP was referring to its use as a weapon in a combat situation against someone with an actual weapon.

[CJHRRIHRH]

Isn't kusari-gama a scytthe type weapon? It's very small compared to a scythe used for farming, and it has a chain for restraining your opponent's weapon.

[trash beast]

Originally posted by CJHRRIHRH:

Isn't kusari-gama a scytthe type weapon? It's very small compared to a scythe used for farming, and it has a chain for restraining your opponent's weapon.

It's more accurate to call it a kama.

[trash beast]

Originally posted by supertrooper225:

Originally posted by Zeus Christ:

Eh, I think they could have the potential.

Great user name.

They would just be too awkward and any person who knows anything about melee would strip that weapon from you quickly and easily. Or, at the very least, get in close enough to make the weapon have very little use.

But you are Zeus....make them ride the lightening instead.

Heh, thanks for the compliment.

Anyway, I believe if the wielder of the scythe is skilled enough, he/she'd be able to rid those vulnerabilities or counter them.

[♠ZerØ♠]

Originally posted by CJHRRIHRH:

Isn't kusari-gama a scytthe type weapon? It's very small compared to a scythe used for farming, and it has a chain for restraining your opponent's weapon.

Yep. It is a weapon that combines the Kama (hand Scythe) and the manriki gusari (weighted chain)