Reel lawn mowers remain a top choice for compact lawns in 2025. They’re both eco-conscious and easy on your wallet. Enjoy fume-free and quiet operation. Plus, they promote a healthier lawn. Unlike rotary mowers that tear grass, reel mowers use a scissor-like action for a clean, efficient cut.
How Often Should You Sharpen Reel Mower Blades?
Blade sharpness depends on several factors. For example, hitting small stones or rocks during mowing dulls the blades. Mowerslab experts advise sharpening blades every 20-25 hours of use. Some users sharpen them only once or twice a year. However, for commercial reel mowers, we suggest weekly sharpening for best results.
Using dull mower blades harms your lawn’s roots. This can lead to a brown, unhealthy appearance. Sharp blades are essential for a vibrant, green lawn. Regular blade maintenance is a must for a healthy lawn in 2025.
No need to fret!
This guide offers a quick, updated process for sharpening your reel mower blades in under an hour. Follow these simple steps to achieve a perfect cut.
Before sharpening reel mower blades, gather the necessary tools. These tools will save you time and effort, making the job easier than ever before in 2025.
Essential Tools:
How To Sharpen Push Reel Mower?
Reel mowers have two essential components.
The mower’s other components are designed to support the blade and bed knife. Wheels power a gear, rotating the 5-7 blades for efficient cutting. The blades are angled to improve grass snipping. A roller behind the bed knife allows for easy adjustment of the cutting height.
Before you even think about sharpening, let’s prioritize safety first.
These safety tools are essential. They shield you from injuries during mower blade sharpening.
Our primary objective is to sharpen your reel lawn mower blades to a bread knife’s cutting ability.
Let’s dive right in! We value your time, so here’s a comprehensive guide to sharpening your reel mower blades, updated for 2025.
How To Sharpen A Reel Mower With A File
A mill file excels at sharpening reel mower blades. Many hardware stores now offer specialized mill files specifically crafted for this task.
Here are 5 updated steps for sharpening reel mower blades using a file.
Secure the mower handle on a level surface like a workbench or table. Use a broom handle to lock the reel. This prevents the blades from spinning while you sharpen them.
Carefully clean the blades using a stiff wire brush or coarse sandpaper to eliminate any accumulated debris.
Gently press the toothed end of the metal mill against the dull edge of the blade. Use the file to carefully scratch the blade’s edge. Move forward and backward along the entire length of the blade. Avoid creating new cutting angles.
You’re simply aiming to shave off a millimeter or two from the blade’s worn edge.
Repeat the process multiple times. The exact number depends on the blade’s condition. However, we suggest repeating it at least seven times for optimal results.
After sharpening one blade, detach the broom handle. Gently rotate the mower cylinder. This exposes the next blade for easy access. Secure the blade again. Repeat this sharpening process for each dull blade until all are sharp.
After sharpening your blades, protect them from rust with a quality grease. Additionally, lightly lubricate all moving parts with a penetrating lubricant, such as WD40.
FyPower experts now suggest coating your blades. Use a penetrating WD40 lubricant. Alternatively, apply a small amount of linseed oil with a clean paper towel.
Let’s explore the process of using a sharpening kit to achieve razor-sharp reel mower blades. This updated guide for 2025 provides a detailed walkthrough.
Okay, let’s begin now.
How To Sharpen Reel Mowers Blades Using A Sharpening Compound
As of 2025, several mower companies provide specialized sharpening kits for reel mower blades. These kits typically facilitate a process known as “Back Lapping.”
This is a simple and effective method for restoring sharpness to your lawnmower blades. It includes a handle and sharpening paste. Apply the paste directly to the blade’s cutting edge for optimal results.
In 2025, we employ a handle or lapping tool to rotate the reel mower’s driving gears. Achieving razor-sharp blades requires moving them in a single direction for 3 to 4 passes.
Based on our recent analysis, this method isn’t as efficient as using the file directly. It also requires more time and resources to complete.
Back-strapping with sharpening compound offers a key benefit: it evenly sharpens blade angles. This eliminates the need to precisely match the bale’s bevel angle, simplifying the sharpening process.
How to Adjust The Blade Alignment Of My Reel Mower?
Correct blade alignment guarantees a precise and effective cut, even without prior experience. It also protects the underlying grass roots, promoting a healthy and vibrant lawn.
Now that we’ve covered blade sharpening, let’s focus on alignment. This guide highlights blade alignment as crucial. Achieve proper alignment in 4 easy steps.
Step – 1: Place the mower handlebar on your workbench. This provides easy access to the reel. Secure the two wheels using small wood blocks. This prevents movement and stops the cutting cylinder from turning.
Step – 2: Manually spin the reel several times. This helps determine the necessary adjustments. If there’s no metal scraping sound, you’re good to go. However, if you hear scraping, identify the location. Adjust the blades away from the horizontal cutting bar. If the blades spin freely, bring them closer to the reel cylinder.
Step – 3: If the blades seem misaligned, use a screwdriver to adjust them. Tighten the screws to secure them in the correct position. To bring the blades closer together, simply tighten the appropriate screws.
Step – 4: Re-spin the blades. See if more adjustments are necessary. Adjust the screw in small increments. Keep going until the blades are correctly positioned.
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Conclusion
Skip the expense of professional sharpening services! Sharpen your reel mower at home. Follow these easy steps for a DIY solution.
This task is straightforward.
Correct?
Reel mowers are excellent tools for keeping your lawn healthy and looking its best. They offer a precise and clean cut.
We’ve reached the conclusion of this piece.
We hope you found our updated reel mower sharpening guide helpful. If you have any questions or need clarification, please leave a comment below.
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