How to sharpen Mower Blades CHEAP. 4 CHEAP & EASY options.
Vložit
- čas přidán 22. 03. 2022
- Here are four cheap options to sharpen your mower blades this year. I mean cheap in a couple of ways…. All of these are under $20, but one of them totally sucks and one marginally sucks.
Mower blades should be sharpened every 25 hours of use or even every 25 mows if it's easier to remember. Sharp blades will promote healthier grass all around, so do it often if you hit roots or rocks.
Here's the deal, it doesn't matter how you sharpen the blades, it just matters that you do it. Angle grinders, grinding wheels, belts, stones or whatever.... just be sure you're not BREAKING YOUR GRASS WHEN YOU CUT.
Bonus. I believe the Toro 60v recycler mower stock mulching blade on the sucks. I am hoping the Max Power is better.
Please see the links below for more information on each one of these options. The timestamps will take you to the products in the video and below you will find my rating:
2:10 Sharpal
3:17 Double stone
4:45 Grizzly tools stone
5:46 Swix File
1. Best all around, easiest to use and best result on the blade- 3:17
double layer corundrum lawn mower blade
www.amazon.com/dp/B088R5K1PV/...
2. Razors edge but more work- Swix tuning file
www.amazon.com/Swix-Carving-K...
3. not great- Grizzly Lawn Mower SHarpener kit.
www.amazon.com/dp/B07W3ZGQRN/...
4. do not buy- SHARPAL 2:10
www.amazon.com/dp/B01L8Q3J5M/... - Jak na to + styl
Of all the mower blade sharpening videos in this world, this one….this one is by far the best for someone that is trying to learn. You hit the center of the target with this one.
Thanks man.
I’m loving the daily content it’s like oxygen to keep me going in these early spring days in the PNW
This is a timely video for me as the mower blades I ordered allegedly arrived by my garage yesterday. I say “allegedly” as I am yet to find a package near the garage. Your “preferred” tool in this case looks like it’d make it easy to sharpen what I already have (while I get to the bottom of the missing mower blade mystery). Thanks for putting this video together - it’s always helpful to know what tools work well.
Bare in mind that these are cheap tools, the one just works really well. No clue on the lasting power of them, but that little double stone would be great for touching up the blades regularly.
@@Lawncology if it works well for a handful of uses, it’s cheap enough to buy a few “backups.”
Amazing intro, the info is key to success in the lawn. Sharp blades are a must.
Yes
Awesome! This is going to save so much time and effort. Thanks a bunch!
You’re welcome
Loved this episode. Long term fan !
Incredible John ! At 1:33 that short clip is such an obscure segment from an Australian channel Riverina mowing. I can’t believe you stumbled upon it.
Viewers should go and watch this elderly gentleman literally mowing rocks!! It’s hilarious. You have a top five channel mate, I’m looking forward to our Aussie winter , so we can watch our northern hemisphere brethren.
Regards from Adelaide SA
Lol. That’s one of the funniest vids I’ve seen!
This just reminds of how much work I need to do before the season starts
Gonna be sharpening the reel soon
Hudson Star?? I talked to Brian for about an hour on Monday. Loving what could happen!
Thanks for the great tips in the video.
Great info John. Thanks. Cheers!!
Thanks! I too am a bit disappointed in my Recycler leaving clippings. My neighbors think I'm insane blowing my yard to spread them around more.
Looking forward to seeing if the new blade makes a difference.
It really makes no sense why it leaves piles
Jason do you have a gas or electric Toro?
@@richardbowling7440 electric
@@richardbowling7440 Yeah I have the 60V electric 22"
Does fine with my tall fescue but leaves clumps all over with my Bermuda.
I have a southern Lawn Mullet... Bermuda in the front, Fescue in the back
Agreed this is awesome, it’ll be fun to mix up a couple ways to sharpen now too (just starting a proper mowing program since a year ago) thanks John!
You’re welcome!
Nice!! I might have to get that double stone grinder. Also man, the new bells and whistles on the production are cool man they work with your whole vibe very well….
Thanks buddy 🤪
Good review man
Good stuff...watching this video reminds me of the time I cut off the tip of my finger using a mandoline to make french fries 😬
Um… ouch?
Slicing beets for Borscht!
Thank you for the informative video. The EGO electric mower uses a 2 blade system and does a great job with the mulching blade.
You’re welcome
Whats up my friend, love your videos!! So I went to electric last year and something I learned that I haven't seen anyone talk about is the blades. Companies put a thin flat blade on the electric mowers for less resistance and longer run times. Toro is better and puts a normal thick blade on the E mower but it's still flatter then what you would find on your typical gas mower, meaning weak suction. Any performance blade or high lift blade is going to mulch and bag significantly better, but you sacrifice a little run time from the added resistance on the blade.
Please let us know in a future video how the new blade works out.
This will make for great content
Your talking to a guy who still uses wood #2 pencils ✏️ John I’m all over the double stone grinding wheel 😎 thanks for the recommendation kind sir 👍
For all the cheapo products, that one worked surprisingly good.
Last year I started using a flat hand file on my "new" 1991 Toro Recycler blade with great results. I believe I tried that file on my old Honda HRX 217 a year or two earlier with mixed results. The Toro blade is pretty straight, and Hondas twin blades have some weird curves to them that seem less file friendly.
I am of the mindset that power sharpeners may possibly overheat the edge drawing out the heat treat, making the blade dull faster in use. So far the hand file sharpened blade seems to hold its edge a very long time.
I like the beveled stones for ease, I suppose they could heat up if you were really
Going to town on it, but at a medium speed it didn’t really have that issue
@@Lawncology That paper slice was very impressive.
@@WisconsinEric ski file. It got a wicked edge. Not that it would hold up…
@@Lawncology Try stropping it with a leather strop to increase the durability after getting that shaving edge. I do it with axes and scandinavian wood carving/bushcraft knives. It would be awesome if it worked out for mower blades too.
You shouldn’t draw out heat treatment if you keep moving the grind. Kind of like using a buffer.
I was going to start a sharpening business but it fell through with COVID. The basic angle on a mower blade is flat on one side and ~30 degrees on the other. A standard chef's knife or kitchen knife is a 15 degree bevel on both sides, so both end up having a total angle of about 30 degrees, so yes, it's going to be as sharp as a kitchen knife if you get the blade down to a fairly flattened and sharpened edge. As far as removing the burr on the back side, I see that as a waste of time. The burr, if sharpened correctly, should be minor. This burr would be quickly knocked off with just a few seconds of mowing, so I do not bother with removing the burr unless it is excessive from damage from hitting something that pushes a bump/budge on the underside of the blade. As a matter of my OCD, I tend to get my mower blades sharper than most, and because I'm mowing my Zoysia with a rotary mower, I like to keep it sharpened much more frequently than what you stated. I sharpen my blade (twin blade Honda HRN 216), then mow the front lawn of ~5,000 sq. ft. of Zoysia, then I mow the back which is about 10,000 sq. ft., and then I sharpen it again before I mow the Zoysia again. The blade is fairly blunt by then, but maybe the OEM Honda blades that come on the mower are crap to begin with? That's what I believe - the OEM blades are softer than they should be and wear away fast, which seems to be what some others think now that I did some quick research. I was thinking that was the case after I saw how blunt the blade was after I sharpened it well, then mowed the entire lawn once. I need to do some lawn work and remove a tree before I redo the back with Zoysia. I won't be as OCD with the back...I'll mow it higher and be less fickle with the blade sharpness on the riding mower. Great video though. I've used that balancing item you had shown in the video but did not show a review. I think it's either going to work great, or be so-so, depending on the size hole in the center of the blade. On my Honda blades, the circle is just a little too small so it won't rest evenly, but I can still see if it is pretty close. I just put the heavy side of one blade with the lighter side of the other so long as they are close to balanced to even it out. I love the Honda HRN twin blade mower and cut, but the OEM blade is cheap crap. Still looking for a quality non Honda replacement.
Needed this video as my Ego blade seems to be getting dull. Was trying to figure a way to easily sharpen the blade and I caught the bonus benefit of may not need to take off the blade. Plus, I have a manual Fiskar reel mower that I used up until the Zeon Zyosia got too thick. That needs some sharpening too and back lapping was a bi-ach.
I know you could touch up with the double stone. If you can’t back lap the reel, that little “knife sharpener” would work.
Good information, to the point, & didn’t try to sell me a particular product.
Options
@@Lawncology do you have a livestream?
Flap disc on a grinder is the best.
I just use a baster cut file maybe twice a year. It doesn't give it a knife edge, but it's good enough for grass.
Files are the best
Always detach the spark plug wire before removing the blade.
I bought the same mower blade for my gas powered 22inch recycler last week. I’m in Ohio so I haven’t used it yet, but I bought it for the same reason, I always felt like the OEM blade didn’t create enough suction.
That’s my feeling as well
Have tried several different tools and ways in the past but spent the money on an All American Sharpener and flap disc in my grinder and nothing comes close......great video as always
I’ve officially sold that mower… out with the old!
Hey John - another great video! You sent me a mix to use on my veggies with your products I have but I cant find that email. I have FloraGreene, Rgs, Greenepunch, Air8 and micorgreene. What's the best combination/ratio with any of these products?
Floragreene one ounce in a gallon of water Weekly
I love that Sharpal tool for pruners and shovels. It did not work with a damn for mower blade lol
Haha! Yes, it will work great for light duty stuff, I’m going to use it on any fine edge I have.
This review is right on time. I have had that Grizzly stone on my Amazon list since the end of last mowing season and was about to pull the trigger. Going for the double stone one instead for the same price. Thanks John!
I liked the result way better
Hopefully you made sure it was balanced after all that grinding!! Offsetting weight has the potential of vibration damage from the spindle up. I do understand you were covering sharpening options. #doitinthelawn
Oh yes. I really didn’t take a lot off, the burrs were bad, but it was quick grinds
i noticed quality of cut issue last year with my Toro blades (Timemaster). I purchased Gator Blades and the cut quality improvement was amazing.
What’s up with that? Such a simple thing
I see you pulled out your union work boots! What the heck were you mowing with that blade...that was pretty banged up for mowing the new sod.
Haha! I don’t know how it was banged up. There’s something I’m my lawn for it to hit! Further than that, I barely use the damn thing. I’m guessing it’s from roots in my neighbors yard. It actually just found a new home there.
I have the single stone one and obv not that great. Will get the double stone also now
Works extremely well for the price
12" bastard file will last a lifetime
Oregon gator blades are incredible mulchers.
I may need to get one
What rate do you recommend for foliage rate of flora green for a 100 gallon skid sprayer? It sprays 2gpm . How many ounces per 100 gallon mix?Thanks
You only need 2-3 gallons per acre of total material. Really your coverage out of 100 gallons tank will be all over the place. 5 gallons per 100 is a safe rate
Dirty First 👍🏻
That double looks very good. I wonder if it will work on the rotary scissors 🤔
Doubtful… maybe I’ll run it on the old Scott’s classic and see.
With that single stone, aren’t you supposed to wedge the blade between the stone and the plastic piece? And the stone is at a decent angle? Not just free hand.
Yes you are, I cut a lot of video out. I really didn’t like that one
@@Lawncology I have it and don’t like it either haha. I’m team angle grinder and flap disc…
@@BenNawrath flap discs are great, I wonder what the percentage of people is that own a drill vs angle grinder? I have two angle grinders, and like 6 drills 😂
@@Lawncology seriously! I think I’m the same. I got a cordless grinder with my annual “I don’t know what to get Ben but he’s into tools” Home Depot gift card from my in-laws last year, and it doesn’t have the balls of a corded one, but certainly enough for sharpening, and damn it’s convenient!
@@BenNawrath I find I use cut off wheels the most
Looking sharp. 😂
I don't think I could use any of them. I don't have a trailer 🤔🤷🤣
Dang, you let your blade get that bad? 😳 I just use a file and clamp the blade to something. CZcams channel project farm has a video on lawn mower blade sharpener.
You were using the single stone one wrong. The blade goes between the plastic and the stone. The other side of the stone is for getting rid of the burrs before honing.
There you go. I messed with it a bunch and it just kicked too much
I’m guessing it got beat up with my neighbor using it. I don’t have anything it can hit
I never sharpen my blade. I just buy a new one. Biggest concern over time is a bent or unbalanced blade.
Pretty sure he was using the single stone rotary bit wrong
or i just pay the guy down the road 15 bucks. or better yet I have a spare new set. and I FILE and balance my self
We need more 15$ guys… they don’t exist much anymore
The single stone is hot garbage!! I bought one, and immediately returned it. I'm going to check out the double stone.
It sucked.
Can you still buy a mower in the People’s Republic of California? I don’t have a lawn anymore because that’s not allowed...
I think until 2026
Really! What do you think We live in the jungle. Dude it’s 2022 there’s no need to freaking muscle your way to sharpen the blade…..🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
Lol
Seriously throw that blade out and get a new one. We’re you mowing rocks??? You should also be balancing the blade. I charge $5 to sharpen my customers blades with Pro equipment. But the “drill sharpener” is very cute!!
Lol. The rocks had to have come from my neighbors use. I don’t have any!!!
Frankly, I didn't care for this video at all. To my way of thinking, these discuss the wrong approaches to maintaining mower blades, and provide poor advice.
But that's just my thinking, of course.
My differences include:
1. Mower blades should be sharpened FREQUENTLY. Nothing else will improve and maintain mower performance as effectively.
2. If you are going to sharpen your mower blade frequently, it's useful to have the tools you need segregated into a separate tool collection. For me, that's a wrench to loosen and remove the central bolt holding in the blade, and two smaller wrenches needed to remove two bolts on the side of the main bolt which also hold the blade in place.
3. You need a way to holf the blade immobile when installing or removing the bolta holding it in place. Most people just use a piece of 2x4, which is fine, but I'd store that piece of wood with your tool kit described above so you aren't huntin around for a suitable piece of wood.
For the perfectionist (like me), there is a special tool that fits of the mower that immobilizes the blade. While not necessary, this performs the function above safely and ELEGANTLY! Also, it wont slip like wood block are want to do.
The use of this tool is illustrated at:
czcams.com/video/LYihNnaocBM/video.html
I store this tool along in my mower sharpening tool kit as well.
4. I have two mower blades. I R&R the mower blade and replace it with the second blade, which I set aside and sharpen when I find it convenient.
5. In the event that I have major dings in the blade, I'll use a bench or angle grinder to work those out. After than, and for most sharpening, I prefer to use a file rathe that power equipment. I just treated my self to a new, 8" flat file from Harbor Freight ----cost $3.49:
www.harborfreight.com/search?q=8%20flat%20file
Wow! that new file makes a real improvement!
6. A vise is great to hold the blade while sharpening it. But using vise grips or a clamp is fine as well. Use two is my recommendation.
Happy filing and sharpening!
The sharpal is great. You don’t know how to use it 😂 you used every wrong part of it. Don’t listen to this guy.
That things sucks for mowers. Works great for everything else though. Fine edged garden tools are where it shines
Sharp as a steak knife from a cheap steakhouse is how I describe the edge that provides a good cut and isnt too brittle. Careful not to over heat the thin edge and ruin the temper.
Ive used every style blade there is for every machine I have. The 'gator' style blades do not perform well in my experiences. Your mileage may vary.
If your mower is the 21" version and not 22", use the commercial part number (P/N 108-3762-03). Unless it has very recently changed they arent the same sail design but the blades are interchangeable in dimensions and weight. There is also a bagging blade (P/N: 125-1072-03) with a lot more lift, for those times collecting debris is your goal. #toroforlife
This is the most informative comment ever! Mine is 22”
@@Lawncology Its a game of inches lol Im not sure of any factory alternatives to the 22" OEM do-it-all blade. I agree it is mediocre.
My 22in gas Recycler does a good job in dry grass, poor in high, wet grass. Im looking for a flatter blade for wet conditions.