Let's look at the scythe itself, it's big, heavy, combersome and does nothing but big slashing strokes particularly well. Because of the shape and placement of the blade it can only be used in very specific directions and modifying those directions mid swing would take preperation and massive amounts of strength.
1. You could keep the handles if you worked out some way of guarding the hands. When hand location on a weapon becomes predictable hands become a major target because holding a weapon without hands usually doesn't work.
2. Not particularly. A double sided blade might make it an interesting thrusting weapon but because of it's location it would add nothing to a back-swing.
3. Better to just have an axe or halberd in all honesty.
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4. I can only think of two reasons a person might use a scythe.
1) It's all they've got so it'll have to do and modifying it would take that reason away from it.
2) They want to look like the Grim Reaper and intimidate their enemies. Real warriors would not be impressed and besidesm what's the point of intimidating somebody you plan on killing anyway?
A very interesting question indeed. I happen to own a wheat Scythe I inherited from my Grandfather and practice with using it in a Bo-staff fashion to increase my strength and agility as well as my overall coordination.
I think the first and most practical adjustment would be the re-positioning of the handles to optimize the balance of the Scythe for more rapid movement and versatility. Being properly mounted and secured would increase the level of control you would have over the weapon as well over not having the handles at all (my opinion). Remember, if you need to let go with one hand for any reason the weight of the blade will inevitably turn it point down. This has to be considered when practicing in it's use.
The existing blade could be sharpened along the back curve without the need of increasing it's thickness which would add encumbrance and change balance as well as mobility. The back edge would greatly increase it's versatility in battle in regards to back swings and swiveling strikes both vertically and angularly.
Changing the angle of the blade would be a personal preference, imo, but one I would avoid as it would give away the intent of the device. Farm implements were adapted to combat in areas where martial training by the general public had been outlawed. Of course this is an aspect that may be irrelevant in this regard..
As for your last inquiry, I do not know how to answer that because I do not have any personal experience with other pole-arm weapons. I would think it comparative based on size, weight, and overall utility of its use. Of course any modifications would adjust the versatility of the weapon.
Hope this is helpful in your consideration. Thanks for having the most unique question I have come across on the YA forum.
the practical answer would be to shorten the handle and tilt the blade up from the 90 degree angle and possibly shorten it. there is a reason why the kama exist it is basically a smaller scythe. the ninjas got it right the first time.
you would have to shorten the whole thing overall and put a thrusting point on the tip somehow because this weapon is for cutting you will be vulnerable right before and right after your slashing attack. remove one of the handles and at the end there should be a large ring for you to grip instead of a handle so you can swing and change direction and grips faster otherwise any martial artist will just attack your hand since it will be in the same place all the time.
as history has shown farm tools must be modified before being used as weapons. there is a reason the scythe has not been seen much on the battlefield. what you are looking for is something like a huge karambit blade at the tip. its curved and double edged as well.
Rokushaku-kama – 6 ft long staff with sickle, is an okinawan weapon similar to the scythes, it was already used in combat, there was no need to make it double edge there are specific techniques for this type of weapon as is.
TL;DR: How could you modify a scythe to make it a better weapon in hand-to-hand combat? Please read the whole thing, but if you're lazy just respond to that question.
First off, when I say "scythe", I mean "scythe" (reference photo included), not "kama" or "sickle". I'm talking the big, 6-ish foot long farming implements with 90-degree curved, single edged blades.
Secondly, I want to know this because I write fiction, and it's relevant to my current project. I'm not going to build a scythe to go murder people or something (there would be much better ways to accomplish that anyway, if I was that deranged).
Now, I already know that in general, these make for impractical weapons compared to swords, axes, maces and the like, so that's now what I'm after with this question. What I want to know, preferably from someone with the experience/knowledge to back them up, is this: what modifications to a scythe would make it a more viable weapon? Please provide references or otherwise convince me that you know what you're talking about.
To be the most helpful to me (and increase your chances of getting "best answer"), please address ALL of the following points, arranged from most important to me to least:
1. I understand the function of the S-curve on the snath, and the grips: they make it easier to stand upright while scything your crops. HOWEVER, would they serve any advantage in combat, or would a straight snath with no grips be be better for this purpose?
2. If the blade were made to be double edged, and perhaps a big thicker, to allow for the double edge, would this improve the weapon's utility in battle?
3. How viable would the scythe be if you re-forged it to stick out at a 135 degree angle to the snath, allowing you to wield it sort of like an axe?
4. How about a straight 180 degrees? I know this was done historically, making it more like a polearm. How does the re-forged polearm-scythe compare to other polearms like spears or glaives?
