How to Tell a Mower Blade Needs Sharpening
A trained eye can tell when a blade needs to be sharpened simply by looking at the lawn after it has been cut. If the height of the grass is uneven (because the mower has failed to cut in some areas) or if there are tears in the blades, it is because the blade is dull. But it will be easier for the average homeowner just to remember to sharpen the lawn mower blade every other month or so. This works out to sharpening three times each year for the typical homeowner in the North.
Tools for Sharpening Lawn Mower Blades
Now that you know why it is important to sharpen dull lawn mower blades and when to do it, let’s find out the best way to do the job. You have a variety of sharpening tools from which to choose, including both manual tools and power tools. Knowing which is the right one for you depends on how much you mow and on your landscaping budget. If you want to cut lawns for a living, then you will almost surely want to own one of the high-end power tools sold for the purpose. These so-called “grinders” do not come cheap. You can expect to pay $700 or $800 for a good one. Since homeowners do much less mowing than the pros do, they are better off choosing from among a number of options for manual tools and lower-end power tools. If your priority is saving money, then that old manual standby, the humble file, is certainly an option. For those who already own a Dremel tool (or do not mind investing in one), the Dremel A679-02 Attachment Kit is a great choice, providing a guide that helps you do the job right. But far more homeowners already own a power drill than own a Dremel tool, making drill attachments sold specifically for sharpening lawn mower blades the most sensible choice. VintageBee sharpeners are an example. A VintageBee sharpening attachment consists primarily of a blue plastic guide and a gray sharpening stone. Assuming you choose to sharpen your lawn mower blade with a drill attachment, here are the tools and other supplies that you will need for the job:
Power drillSharpening attachmentBlade balancerWorkbenchViseWrenchSafety glovesSafety glasses
What You Need to Know Before You Sharpen
Before beginning, and regardless of which tool you choose to use, you need to know:
How sharp the blade should beWhen sharpening is not enoughHow often to sharpen
Because you are undertaking this project to correct the dullness of your blade, you might think that you should be aiming for the sharpest blade possible. Unfortunately, it is not that easy; a delicate balance is called for. The cutting edge of the blade needs to be sharp, but it should not be razor-sharp. A razor-sharp edge will not hold up for very long at all, meaning you will soon have to sharpen it again. If you detect large nicks or bends in your blade, no amount of sharpening will correct the problem. Instead, you need to buy a new lawn mower blade. Sharpen your blade every other month.
