On 26/05/2025 14:38, jkn wrote:

Hi All
    I have an excuse to try out learning to use a sickle 'properly' -
an area of 20sq. metres or so of 'verge' which has become very overgrown
and needs tidying

I have a sickle which I want to try using for this purpose. I have
sharpened it and got the general hang of usage - but I suspect I am
missing a few fine points to make it easier work and to give better
results.

Any pointers or general advice?

Don't use one with anybody standing close to you!

Generally made for right hand work. Perhaps start to the left of your
crop and trim a strip off the front. Don't attempt to harvest the full
blade width. Wear gloves against Nettles.

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Hi All
I have an excuse to try out learning to use a sickle 'properly' -
an area of 20sq. metres or so of 'verge' which has become very overgrown
and needs tidying

I have a sickle which I want to try using for this purpose. I have
sharpened it and got the general hang of usage - but I suspect I am
missing a few fine points to make it easier work and to give better results.

Any pointers or general advice?

Thanks
J^n

--- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
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On 26/05/2025 14:38, jkn wrote:

Hi All
    I have an excuse to try out learning to use a sickle 'properly' -
an area of 20sq. metres or so of 'verge' which has become very overgrown
and needs tidying

I have a sickle which I want to try using for this purpose. I have
sharpened it and got the general hang of usage - but I suspect I am
missing a few fine points to make it easier work and to give better
results.

Any pointers or general advice?

    Thanks
    J^n

A scythe might be the tool, for mowing. A sickle I think is a smaller
curved knife for cutting grain crops neatly at harvest so they can be
stood in stooks.

TW

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Timatmarford <tim@marford.uk.com> wrote:

On 26/05/2025 14:38, jkn wrote:

Hi All
    I have an excuse to try out learning to use a sickle 'properly' -
an area of 20sq. metres or so of 'verge' which has become very overgrown
and needs tidying

I have a sickle which I want to try using for this purpose. I have
sharpened it and got the general hang of usage - but I suspect I am
missing a few fine points to make it easier work and to give better
results.

Any pointers or general advice?

Don't use one with anybody standing close to you!

Friendly dogs can get in the danger zone as well, they might think you are wielding a stick for them to play with.

GH

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On Mon, 26 May 2025 14:38:03 +0100, jkn <jkn+es@nicorp.co.uk> wrote:

Hi All
I have an excuse to try out learning to use a sickle 'properly' -
an area of 20sq. metres or so of 'verge' which has become very overgrown
and needs tidying

I have a sickle which I want to try using for this purpose. I have
sharpened it and got the general hang of usage - but I suspect I am
missing a few fine points to make it easier work and to give better results.

Any pointers or general advice?

Thanks
J^n

Assuming you mean a scythe, plenty of videos here https://www.google.com/search?client=firefox-b-d&q=usuing+a+scythe

An Austrian scythe is generally considered the best design.

You need to keep the blade absolutely razor sharp. Pause every fifteen
minutes or so to sharpen it.

Take a step forward after each swing: swing-step-swing-step etc.

A skilled scyther will build up a line of cut grass along the end of
each swing, that can be easily gathered up later.

Years ago I saw a short film of an old lady scything across a steep
field on the side of an alpine valley (Switzerland? Austria? No idea).
Poetry in motion! It was fascinating to watch.

--

Chris

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Roger Mills wrote:

On 26/05/2025 15:37, TimW wrote:

On 26/05/2025 14:38, jkn wrote:

Hi All
     I have an excuse to try out learning to use a sickle 'properly' >>> - an area of 20sq. metres or so of 'verge' which has become very
overgrown and needs tidying

I have a sickle which I want to try using for this purpose. I have
sharpened it and got the general hang of usage - but I suspect I am
missing a few fine points to make it easier work and to give better
results.

Any pointers or general advice?

     Thanks
     J^n

A scythe might be the tool, for mowing. A sickle I think is a smaller
curved knife for cutting grain crops neatly at harvest so they can be
stood in stooks.

TW

Yes indeed. I have a suspicion that a scythe https://briantsofrisborough.co.uk/product/alpine-scythe-with-fixed-60cm-grass-blade/?gQT=1

was what the OP meant, but wrote sickle instead.

https://youtu.be/V7hNN-5Q3yc

Yes, I don't think using a sickle for this purpose would be very
successful. If the OP is anywhere within striking distance of the Black Mountains there's a place that does scything courses - the secret seems
to be extreme sharpness and a smooth swing - but a ripped torso and
strong waist muscles seem to be de rigueur ;-)

I was told that injuries to dogs were very common when scything was
widespread. Imagine - your best friend comes dashing up to see you and ...

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In article <m9jfmnFt7p2U1@mid.individual.net>, mills37.fslife@gmail.com
says...

On 26/05/2025 15:37, TimW wrote:

On 26/05/2025 14:38, jkn wrote:

Hi All
���� I have an excuse to try out learning to use a sickle 'properly' -
an area of 20sq. metres or so of 'verge' which has become very
overgrown and needs tidying

I have a sickle which I want to try using for this purpose. I have
sharpened it and got the general hang of usage - but I suspect I am
missing a few fine points to make it easier work and to give better
results.

Any pointers or general advice?

���� Thanks
���� J^n

A scythe might be the tool, for mowing. A sickle I think is a smaller curved knife for cutting grain crops neatly at harvest so they can be
stood in stooks.

TW

Yes indeed. I have a suspicion that a scythe https://briantsofrisborough.co.uk/product/alpine-scythe-with-fixed-60cm-grass-blade/?gQT=1
was what the OP meant, but wrote sickle instead.

https://youtu.be/V7hNN-5Q3yc

If indeed the OP means a sickle, it is usual to hold a stout stick in
the free hand to lift any fallen grass/brambles/stems, preferably with a leather/thick glove in that hand.
Ankles of the 'front' leg sometimes 'get in the way'.
Take your mobile at all times - The number of the emergency services is
999.

If it is indeed a scythe, the a slicing motion by swivelling from the
waist is easier than hacking/chopping.
It's a knack that comes with experience and a lot safer than a sickle.

--
Jim the Geordie

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On Mon, 26 May 2025 16:54:01 +0100, No mail wrote:

Roger Mills wrote:

[quoted text muted]

Yes, I don't think using a sickle for this purpose would be very
successful. If the OP is anywhere within striking distance of the Black Mountains there's a place that does scything courses - the secret seems
to be extreme sharpness and a smooth swing - but a ripped torso and
strong waist muscles seem to be de rigueur ;-)

I saw on "QI" that you may need blocks to stand on depending on how close
you want to cut. Scything is most efficient when carried our across a
very narrow range of heights, apparently.

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On 26/05/2025 15:37, TimW wrote:

A sickle I think is a smaller curved knife for cutting grain crops
neatly at harvest so they can be stood in stooks.

It also has a saw toothed blade and cuts toward the hand as you gather.
I cut more mature bracken with a similar blade.

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Jethro_uk wrote:

On Mon, 26 May 2025 16:54:01 +0100, No mail wrote:

Roger Mills wrote:

[quoted text muted]

Yes, I don't think using a sickle for this purpose would be very
successful. If the OP is anywhere within striking distance of the Black
Mountains there's a place that does scything courses - the secret seems
to be extreme sharpness and a smooth swing - but a ripped torso and
strong waist muscles seem to be de rigueur ;-)

I saw on "QI" that you may need blocks to stand on depending on how close
you want to cut. Scything is most efficient when carried our across a
very narrow range of heights, apparently.

Choose your snath (I kid you not) to suit your height

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On 26/05/2025 16:29, Roger Mills wrote:

On 26/05/2025 15:37, TimW wrote:

On 26/05/2025 14:38, jkn wrote:

Hi All
     I have an excuse to try out learning to use a sickle 'properly' >>> - an area of 20sq. metres or so of 'verge' which has become very
overgrown and needs tidying

I have a sickle which I want to try using for this purpose. I have
sharpened it and got the general hang of usage - but I suspect I am
missing a few fine points to make it easier work and to give better
results.

Any pointers or general advice?

     Thanks
     J^n

A scythe might be the tool, for mowing. A sickle I think is a smaller
curved knife for cutting grain crops neatly at harvest so they can be
stood in stooks.

TW

Yes indeed. I have a suspicion that a scythe https://briantsofrisborough.co.uk/product/alpine-scythe-with-fixed-60cm-grass-blade/?gQT=1
was what the OP meant, but wrote sickle instead.

https://youtu.be/V7hNN-5Q3yc

No, I mean a sickle. IIUC (and in my experience) they can
be used both for reaping (when you want to eg. harvest the corn),
and for general 'cutting down/back'.

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On 26/05/2025 18:05, ajh wrote:

On 26/05/2025 15:37, TimW wrote:

A sickle I think is a smaller curved knife for cutting grain crops
neatly at harvest so they can be stood in stooks.

It also has a saw toothed blade

No, it does not.

and cuts toward the hand as you gather.
I cut more mature bracken with a similar blade.

Its a reasonable hedging and ditching tool, if kept dangerously sharp

Stone age version of a strimmer


--
In todays liberal progressive conflict-free education system, everyone
gets full Marx.

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On 26/05/2025 19:14, jkn wrote:

On 26/05/2025 16:29, Roger Mills wrote:

On 26/05/2025 15:37, TimW wrote:

On 26/05/2025 14:38, jkn wrote:

Hi All
     I have an excuse to try out learning to use a sickle 'properly' >>>> - an area of 20sq. metres or so of 'verge' which has become very
overgrown and needs tidying

I have a sickle which I want to try using for this purpose. I have
sharpened it and got the general hang of usage - but I suspect I am
missing a few fine points to make it easier work and to give better
results.

Any pointers or general advice?

     Thanks
     J^n

A scythe might be the tool, for mowing. A sickle I think is a smaller
curved knife for cutting grain crops neatly at harvest so they can be
stood in stooks.

TW

Yes indeed. I have a suspicion that a scythe
https://briantsofrisborough.co.uk/product/alpine-scythe-with-fixed-60cm-grass-blade/?gQT=1
was what the OP meant, but wrote sickle instead.

https://youtu.be/V7hNN-5Q3yc

No, I mean a sickle. IIUC (and in my experience) they can
be used both for reaping (when you want to eg. harvest the corn),
and for general 'cutting down/back'.

Not easy to do grass or crop cutting, OK for hacking down brambles or
nettles

--
In todays liberal progressive conflict-free education system, everyone
gets full Marx.

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On 26/05/2025 16:52, Chris Hogg wrote:

On Mon, 26 May 2025 14:38:03 +0100, jkn <jkn+es@nicorp.co.uk> wrote:

Hi All
I have an excuse to try out learning to use a sickle 'properly' -
an area of 20sq. metres or so of 'verge' which has become very overgrown
and needs tidying

I have a sickle which I want to try using for this purpose. I have
sharpened it and got the general hang of usage - but I suspect I am
missing a few fine points to make it easier work and to give better results. >>
Any pointers or general advice?

Thanks
J^n

Assuming you mean a scythe, plenty of videos here https://www.google.com/search?client=firefox-b-d&q=usuing+a+scythe

An Austrian scythe is generally considered the best design.

You need to keep the blade absolutely razor sharp. Pause every fifteen minutes or so to sharpen it.

Take a step forward after each swing: swing-step-swing-step etc.

A skilled scyther will build up a line of cut grass along the end of
each swing, that can be easily gathered up later.

Years ago I saw a short film of an old lady scything across a steep
field on the side of an alpine valley (Switzerland? Austria? No idea).
Poetry in motion! It was fascinating to watch.

A little history:-)

About 75 years ago, my father harvested his cereal crops with a
*binder*. These things were originally pulled by a team of horses but
ours had a drawbar fitted and was towed by an iron/spike wheeled tractor.
First trip around the field headland would crush standing corn so it was
cut manually by a pair of men using scythes.
My job (time off from school:-) was to gather tied sheaves from the
binder and stand them upright in *stooks* to allow wind and sun to
complete the ripening.
Scything went out with the advent of full width cutter bar combine
harvesters before I was big enough to handle one.


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In article <m9jlbhFu8s0U1@mid.individual.net>,
ajh <news@loampitsfarm.co.uk> wrote:

On 26/05/2025 15:37, TimW wrote:

A sickle I think is a smaller curved knife for cutting grain crops
neatly at harvest so they can be stood in stooks.

It also has a saw toothed blade and cuts toward the hand as you gather.
I cut more mature bracken with a similar blade.

The sickle we have has a curved, un-toothed, blade

--
from KT24 in Surrey, England - sent from my RISC OS 4t�
"I'd rather die of exhaustion than die of boredom" Thomas Carlyle

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On 26/05/2025 16:42, Marland wrote:

Timatmarford <tim@marford.uk.com> wrote:

On 26/05/2025 14:38, jkn wrote:

Hi All
    I have an excuse to try out learning to use a sickle 'properly' - >>> an area of 20sq. metres or so of 'verge' which has become very overgrown >>> and needs tidying

I have a sickle which I want to try using for this purpose. I have
sharpened it and got the general hang of usage - but I suspect I am
missing a few fine points to make it easier work and to give better
results.

Any pointers or general advice?

Don't use one with anybody standing close to you!

Friendly dogs can get in the danger zone as well, they might think you are wielding a stick for them to play with.

GH

This^^^^
Take seriously this warning. One man and his dog should never go to mow
a meadow.
TW

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On 26/05/2025 21:00, charles wrote:

The sickle we have has a curved, un-toothed, blade

I call that a fagging hook and spent most of the summer of 74 weeding
with one on piecework. When reaping rye I would gather a bundle with my
left arm, pass the sickle behind the bunch and draw the hook backwards
through the stems, the blade was sharp but had small sawtooth cuts along
its edge.

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charles <charles@candehope.me.uk> wrote:

In article <m9jlbhFu8s0U1@mid.individual.net>,
ajh <news@loampitsfarm.co.uk> wrote:

On 26/05/2025 15:37, TimW wrote:

A sickle I think is a smaller curved knife for cutting grain crops
neatly at harvest so they can be stood in stooks.

It also has a saw toothed blade and cuts toward the hand as you gather.
I cut more mature bracken with a similar blade.

The sickle we have has a curved, un-toothed, blade

Yes, that's what I call a sickle. I think it's also called a 'grass
hook'. It's a handy tool for hacking away at the sides of ditches and
under hedges etc.

--
Chris Green
·

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On 26/05/2025 21:16, ajh wrote:

On 26/05/2025 21:00, charles wrote:

The sickle we have has a curved, un-toothed, blade

I call that a fagging hook and spent most of the summer of 74 weeding
with one on piecework. When reaping rye I would gather a bundle with my
left arm, pass the sickle behind the bunch and draw the hook backwards through the stems, the blade was sharp but had small sawtooth cuts along
its edge.

Is that why the old soviet flag was called a hammer and fagging hook?

--
A lie can travel halfway around the world while the truth is putting on
its shoes.

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In article <vi8ggl-o22e1.ln1@q957.zbmc.eu>, cl@isbd.net says...

charles <charles@candehope.me.uk> wrote:

In article <m9jlbhFu8s0U1@mid.individual.net>,
ajh <news@loampitsfarm.co.uk> wrote:

On 26/05/2025 15:37, TimW wrote:

A sickle I think is a smaller curved knife for cutting grain crops neatly at harvest so they can be stood in stooks.

It also has a saw toothed blade and cuts toward the hand as you gather.
I cut more mature bracken with a similar blade.

The sickle we have has a curved, un-toothed, blade

Yes, that's what I call a sickle. I think it's also called a 'grass
hook'. It's a handy tool for hacking away at the sides of ditches and
under hedges etc.

There are two versions.
The modern one has a wooden handle with a slightly curved blade on a
metal rod. The other is a on the Russian flag along with the hammer.

--
Jim the Geordie

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On 26/05/2025 21:00, charles wrote:

The sickle we have has a curved, un-toothed, blade

As does mine!

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On Tue, 27 May 2025 09:09:35 +0100, Chris Green <cl@isbd.net> wrote:

charles <charles@candehope.me.uk> wrote:

In article <m9jlbhFu8s0U1@mid.individual.net>,
ajh <news@loampitsfarm.co.uk> wrote:

On 26/05/2025 15:37, TimW wrote:

A sickle I think is a smaller curved knife for cutting grain crops
neatly at harvest so they can be stood in stooks.

It also has a saw toothed blade and cuts toward the hand as you gather.
I cut more mature bracken with a similar blade.

The sickle we have has a curved, un-toothed, blade

Yes, that's what I call a sickle. I think it's also called a 'grass
hook'. It's a handy tool for hacking away at the sides of ditches and
under hedges etc.

In Scotland it's called a "heuk" (cognate with "hook"). Not to be
confused with "Heuch!", which is often ejaculated during eightsome
reels and other dances.
.

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Chris Green <cl@isbd.net> wrote:

charles <charles@candehope.me.uk> wrote:

In article <m9jlbhFu8s0U1@mid.individual.net>,
ajh <news@loampitsfarm.co.uk> wrote:

On 26/05/2025 15:37, TimW wrote:

A sickle I think is a smaller curved knife for cutting grain crops
neatly at harvest so they can be stood in stooks.

It also has a saw toothed blade and cuts toward the hand as you gather.
I cut more mature bracken with a similar blade.

The sickle we have has a curved, un-toothed, blade

Yes, that's what I call a sickle. I think it's also called a 'grass
hook'. It's a handy tool for hacking away at the sides of ditches and
under hedges etc.

My father used both scythes and what he called hooks right up to the 1970’s
, some of our land was too steep to safely manoeuvre a wheeled tractor on.
One hook was the normal short length handle the other had a long one to
reach down into the edge of ditches.
By the 1980’s his body was too worn to continue and the tools just hung in
a shed and when I came to dispose of things following his death and Mother selling up the small holding the handles had succumbed to Woodworm. I kept
one hook and it is definitely the shape of what is called a Sickle on the Soviet Flag with a smooth curved blade. Now re handled I use it
frequently, kept well sharp it makes short shrift of cutting down briar etc
and the best thing it does it reasonably quietly, unlike the weed basher my neighbours employ under the euphemism of “gardener” who is deaf and is determined to make anyone else nearby deaf as well by operating a petrol strimmer flat out with an exhaust that has broken but can’t tell because of his condition. A sharp Sickle would likely be quicker as well. If my neighbours were not so nice people I’d seed the hedge with with lengths of stainless steel model aircraft control wire and jam his bloody strimmer up. Some in modern society think everything has to be done with an engine or
motor.


GH

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On 27/05/2025 20:34, Custos Custodum wrote:

On Tue, 27 May 2025 09:09:35 +0100, Chris Green <cl@isbd.net> wrote:

charles <charles@candehope.me.uk> wrote:

In article <m9jlbhFu8s0U1@mid.individual.net>,
ajh <news@loampitsfarm.co.uk> wrote:

On 26/05/2025 15:37, TimW wrote:

A sickle I think is a smaller curved knife for cutting grain crops
neatly at harvest so they can be stood in stooks.

It also has a saw toothed blade and cuts toward the hand as you gather. >>>> I cut more mature bracken with a similar blade.

The sickle we have has a curved, un-toothed, blade

Yes, that's what I call a sickle. I think it's also called a 'grass
hook'. It's a handy tool for hacking away at the sides of ditches and
under hedges etc.

In Scotland it's called a "heuk" (cognate with "hook"). Not to be
confused with "Heuch!", which is often ejaculated during eightsome
reels and other dances.

Wouldn't that make the floor slippery?

--
Sam Plusnet

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On 27/05/2025 21:13, Marland wrote:

Some in modern society think everything has to be done with an engine or motor.

And by te time you have got the mechanival beast, adorned yourself with
the right safety kit and got it started, the old fashioned way would
have been quicker.

--
In a Time of Universal Deceit, Telling the Truth Is a Revolutionary Act.

- George Orwell

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On 26/05/2025 14:38, jkn wrote:

Hi All
    I have an excuse to try out learning to use a sickle 'properly' -
an area of 20sq. metres or so of 'verge' which has become very overgrown
and needs tidying

I have a sickle which I want to try using for this purpose. I have
sharpened it and got the general hang of usage - but I suspect I am
missing a few fine points to make it easier work and to give better
results.

Any pointers or general advice?

Wear gloves. If your hands are not work hardened you will have blisters
within 5 minutes. Also, of course, added protection.



--
Regards
wasbit

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In article <1016f88$355q7$1@dont-email.me>,
The Natural Philosopher <tnp@invalid.invalid> wrote:

On 27/05/2025 21:13, Marland wrote:

Some in modern society think everything has to be done with an engine or motor.

And by te time you have got the mechanival beast, adorned yourself with
the right safety kit and got it started, the old fashioned way would
have been quicker.

However, at the age of 85, I tend to let machines do as much of the work as possible.

--
from KT24 in Surrey, England - sent from my RISC OS 4t�
"I'd rather die of exhaustion than die of boredom" Thomas Carlyle

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On 28/05/2025 10:00, charles wrote:

In article <1016f88$355q7$1@dont-email.me>,
The Natural Philosopher <tnp@invalid.invalid> wrote:

On 27/05/2025 21:13, Marland wrote:

Some in modern society think everything has to be done with an engine or >>> motor.

And by te time you have got the mechanival beast, adorned yourself with
the right safety kit and got it started, the old fashioned way would
have been quicker.

However, at the age of 85, I tend to let machines do as much of the work as possible.

True.

--
Future generations will wonder in bemused amazement that the early
twenty-first century’s developed world went into hysterical panic over a globally average temperature increase of a few tenths of a degree, and,
on the basis of gross exaggerations of highly uncertain computer
projections combined into implausible chains of inference, proceeded to contemplate a rollback of the industrial age.

Richard Lindzen

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On Wed, 28 May 2025 09:25:03 +0100, wasbit <wasbit@REMOVEhotmail.com> wrote:

On 26/05/2025 14:38, jkn wrote:

Hi All
    I have an excuse to try out learning to use a sickle 'properly' -
an area of 20sq. metres or so of 'verge' which has become very overgrown
and needs tidying

I have a sickle which I want to try using for this purpose. I have
sharpened it and got the general hang of usage - but I suspect I am
missing a few fine points to make it easier work and to give better
results.

Any pointers or general advice?

Wear gloves. If your hands are not work hardened you will have blisters >within 5 minutes. Also, of course, added protection.

Never mind blisters on the wielding hand.

I wear a cut-resistant kevlar glove on the hand not wielding the sickle! (5 pounds or less...)

Woven kevlar, non-sweaty, and I feel much more comfortable vigorously hacking with a razor-sharp toothed blade with my hand at least marginally protected.

Thomas Prufer

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On Tue, 27 May 2025 22:49:57 +0100, Sam Plusnet <not@home.com> wrote:

On 27/05/2025 20:34, Custos Custodum wrote:

On Tue, 27 May 2025 09:09:35 +0100, Chris Green <cl@isbd.net> wrote:

charles <charles@candehope.me.uk> wrote:

In article <m9jlbhFu8s0U1@mid.individual.net>,
ajh <news@loampitsfarm.co.uk> wrote:

On 26/05/2025 15:37, TimW wrote:

A sickle I think is a smaller curved knife for cutting grain crops >>>>>> neatly at harvest so they can be stood in stooks.

It also has a saw toothed blade and cuts toward the hand as you gather. >>>>> I cut more mature bracken with a similar blade.

The sickle we have has a curved, un-toothed, blade

Yes, that's what I call a sickle. I think it's also called a 'grass
hook'. It's a handy tool for hacking away at the sides of ditches and
under hedges etc.

In Scotland it's called a "heuk" (cognate with "hook"). Not to be
confused with "Heuch!", which is often ejaculated during eightsome
reels and other dances.

Wouldn't that make the floor slippery?

Probably not what you would want for the more energetic ceilidh
dancing, but I'm sure there will be a few here who can remember when
ballroom floors were sprinkled with "Slipperine" or similar so that
dancers could glide around more smoothly.

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On 28/05/2025 10:00, charles wrote:

However, at the age of 85, I tend to let machines do as much of the work as possible.

+1

--
TOJ

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On 28/05/2025 10:00, charles wrote:

In article <1016f88$355q7$1@dont-email.me>,
The Natural Philosopher <tnp@invalid.invalid> wrote:

On 27/05/2025 21:13, Marland wrote:

Some in modern society think everything has to be done with an engine or >>> motor.

And by te time you have got the mechanival beast, adorned yourself with
the right safety kit and got it started, the old fashioned way would
have been quicker.

However, at the age of 85, I tend to let machines do as much of the work as possible.

I just find that, with _some_ machines on _some_ tasks, things can go
wrong very very quickly (much quicker than my reflexes, at any rate).

--
Sam Plusnet

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On 26/05/2025 14:38, jkn wrote:

Hi All
    I have an excuse to try out learning to use a sickle 'properly' -
an area of 20sq. metres or so of 'verge' which has become very overgrown
and needs tidying

I have a sickle which I want to try using for this purpose. I have
sharpened it and got the general hang of usage - but I suspect I am
missing a few fine points to make it easier work and to give better
results.

Any pointers or general advice?

Yup, keep the fine point out of your ankle :-)

--
Cheers,

John.

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