Description: Showing one man with a scythe and one operating a reaping machine. The scythe was the companion tool to the reaping hook or sickle. It was always used for mowing grass but sometimes oats and barley were cut with it. It was not generally used for cutting wheat. With the scythe a man could cut up to three acres a day. The reaping machine cut as much grain in one day as 4-5 men with scythes or 12-16 men with reaping hooks. Note the sharpening tool worn on the back of the belt of the man scything