OK. It's a Scythe Field Anvil used with a hammer to dress the blade. It's designed to be stuck in the ground or a log. I found this one in our old longere along with a rather swish modernish metal handled scythe.
Here's one I found online. https://www.oldtoolmart.co.uk/onlinesho ... anvil.html
I did think it could only be connected with sharpening, but doesn't look very practical! We have various sharpening methods, including the natural sharpening stone which apparently works well enough. If I do decide to buy a full size scythe (and the obligatory black cloak, hehehe .....), I'll probably use that.
Bayleaf wrote: ↑Wed Apr 17, 2024 10:07 am
I did think it could only be connected with sharpening, but doesn't look very practical! We have various sharpening methods, including the natural sharpening stone which apparently works well enough. If I do decide to buy a full size scythe (and the obligatory black cloak, hehehe .....), I'll probably use that.
Bayleaf wrote: ↑Wed Apr 17, 2024 12:07 pm
What a palaver! Obviously that's the perfect thing to do, in a perfect world, but for my purposes I'll be sticking to the quick method!
Of course & so would I. Your post reminded my of the Scythe & 'thing' hanging in my barn. Just thought that it was interesting
Very interesting to see the traditional way of sharpening, and how it is used in anger. Life's too short to spend beating one with a hammer and anvil to achieve a good edge, and using it with the twisting action will destroy my back just as effectively as using a strimmer does.
Humanity landed on the moon over fifty years ago but it seems too much to ask for a reliable telephone/internet service in rural France.
modernish metal handled scythe.
Obviously that's the perfect thing to do, in a perfect world, but for my purposes I'll be sticking to the quick method! 
