Best Reel Mower Sharpening Compound for Blades
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Reel mower sharpening compound is a fine abrasive paste that you apply to the reel blades and the bedknife, then turn the reel with a hand crank so the blades grind a sharper edge against the bedknife. Most of the products in our data are 80-grit or 120-grit pastes, sold alone or in kits with an applicator brush and gloves. This roundup lists eight compounds and kits, and each entry states only what its listing says about grit, quantity, included parts and compatible mower brands, so you can match the product to your reel mower and your blade condition.
Quick answer
- For a dull reel blade, the listings point to 80-grit compound first, then 120-grit compound for finishing. Several kits in this group include both grits.
- The listings name American Lawn Mower, Great States and Earthwise as the reel mower brands these kits are made for. Several listings say they are not compatible with Fiskars, Gilmour, Scotts or Sears Craftsman mowers, so check your mower brand before ordering.
- Package sizes range from a single 100g jar to a 350g (1.5 lb) total container, so the total quantity you need depends on how often you sharpen.
- Kits with an SK-1 label are sold for the same SK-1 crank-style reel mower sharpening method, while single-grit pastes need a separate brush or crank.
How the eight products compare on paper
The table shows only values the listing states. A blank cell means the listing does not say.
| Product (listing code) | Grit | Quantity or kit contents | Compatible brands named in the listing |
|---|---|---|---|
| American Lawn Mower SK-1 (B00004R9UM) | Not stated | Grinding compound, application brush, back-lapping crank | Great States, American Lawn Mower, Earthwise, Scotts |
| AAAQQ SK-1 (B0DZCMF1PR) | Not stated | Abrasive paste, reel mower sharpening crank, application brush | Great States, American Lawn Mower, Earthwise, Scotts |
| Rasaech SK-1 (B0FDKC9F2K) | Not stated | Compound, hand crank, brush, glove | American Lawn Mower, Great States, Earthwise |
| Sharpening compound 1.5 LB kit (B0FHHFTZ3X) | 80 and 120 | 350g total, applicator brush, cut-resistant gloves | Manual reel lawn mowers (brands not named) |
| Dunkive 80 grit (B0GLNQK9VH) | 80 | Two 100g jars, 7 oz total | Great States, American Lawn Mower |
| Dunkive 120 grit (B0GLNY5VCD) | 120 | Two 100g jars, 7 oz total | Great States, American Lawn Mower |
| SK-1 kit compound (B0H2HQTLB2) | Not stated | Complete kit, compound and sharpener | American Lawn Mower, Great States, Earthwise |
| Reel mower compound 280 grit (B0H6ZZT74D) | 280 | 200g | Roller mowers (brands not named) |
The Dunkive 120-grit and 80-grit products share the same jar size and brand list, so the grit is the main difference between them. The 280-grit compound is listed for roller mowers and is a different grit class from the 80-grit and 120-grit options.
Grit: what the listings say each one is for
Grit describes how coarse the abrasive is. A lower number means a coarser particle that removes more metal, and a higher number means a finer particle that refines an edge. The listings in this group use three grit values: 80, 120 and 280.
The 80-grit products are described as the coarse option. The Dunkive 80-grit listing calls it medium coarse, intended for back lapping reel mowers and for routine maintenance or seasonal blade touch-ups. The huzile kit describes its 80-grit paste as the coarse step for initial sharpening of a dull or uneven edge. The Dunkive listing adds that the grit is designed to help restore cutting edges without aggressive metal removal.
The 120-grit products are described as the finishing option. The Dunkive 120-grit listing calls it fine and says it helps refine blade edges with minimal metal removal. A combined kit with both grits, such as the 1.5 LB kit or the Reel Mower Sharpening Kit with brush and gloves, lets you go from coarse to fine in one set.
The 280-grit compound is listed for roller mowers and reel cutting tools, with a water-soluble formula and a note that it leaves no sticky residue. Its listing does not say which mower models it is designed for, so check the blade type before you use it on a reel blade.
Compatibility: which mower brands the listings name
Compatibility is the first thing to check, because several listings name only certain brands. American Lawn Mower, Great States and Earthwise are named most often. The SK-1 kits and the Dunkive products name Great States and American Lawn Mower. The Scotts brand appears in two listings, the American Lawn Mower SK-1 and the AAAQQ SK-1.
Several listings say the product is not compatible with Fiskars, Gilmour, Scotts or Sears Craftsman mowers. The Rasaech listing names Fiskars, Gilmour, Scott and Sears Craftsman as incompatible. The AAAQQ listing repeats that note. Because these lists are taken from each listing’s own text, confirm the brand on your mower’s label before you order.
The 1.5 LB kit and the 280-grit compound do not name a brand in the data. Their listings describe them as suitable for manual reel mowers or roller mowers, so the brand fit is not stated. Use the blade type and the mower model to decide.
Quantity and value per job
Package size changes how often you need to buy again. The 1.5 LB kit includes 350g of compound, which its listing describes as enough for more than ten sharpening sessions. The Dunkive products each contain two 100g jars, 200g in total, which the listings describe as enough for multiple back-lapping sessions. The Homeowners starter listing includes two cans of 80-grit paste plus a brush, with a stated total of 9.17 ounces. The 280-grit listing gives a 200g size.
For a single mower used on a small lawn, a 200g pack may last several seasons, depending on how often you sharpen. A heavy-use setup, or a shared set of mowers, makes the 350g kit a better fit. The listings do not state how many sessions a given amount of compound supports, so the session counts shown here are the listing’s own claim, not something measured.
Kits that include gloves and a brush save you from buying those parts separately. The 1.5 LB kit, the Reel Mower Sharpening Kit with brush and gloves, and the Rasaech kit each name a glove or brush as part of the set. The American Lawn Mower SK-1 names a brush and a back-lapping crank, and the AAAQQ kit names a crank and a brush.
Step-by-step: how the back-lapping method works
Back lapping uses the reel mower’s own drive to turn the reel against the bedknife while abrasive paste is between them. The product listings describe the method in similar terms, and they ask you to apply the paste to the blades, then turn the crank in the opposite direction from normal mowing. The huzile listing says to crank in the opposite direction to rotate the roller and sharpen. The AAAQQ listing describes reverse rotation with a hand crank.
A typical sequence from the listings goes like this. Remove the grass from the reel and the bedknife. Set the mower on a stable surface, and apply the 80-grit paste evenly to the reel blades. Attach the crank and turn the reel backward, adding paste as needed. Once the edge looks even, switch to the 120-grit paste for the finishing step. Rinse the reel with water after sharpening, because several listings say the water-soluble compound rinses away easily.
Two points matter for safety. Wear gloves when you handle the blades, since the kits include cut-resistant gloves and the listings mention them. Keep hands and fingers clear of the reel while it turns, especially if you use a crank with no guard. The listings do not give a full safety procedure, so follow your mower manual and treat the blades as sharp at all times.
Mistakes to avoid
The most common mistake, according to the product text, is using the wrong grit for the job. Starting with 120-grit on a badly dull blade removes the grind more slowly, so start with 80-grit when the edge is uneven and finish with 120-grit. Going straight to the fine grit leaves a dull edge in place.
A second mistake is buying a compound that does not match the mower brand. Several listings say their product is not compatible with some brands, so check the brand printed on your mower and the compatibility line in the listing before you order.
A third mistake is leaving the paste on the blades after sharpening. Several listings say the water-soluble compound rinses off with water. Clean the reel and bedknife after each session so grass does not stick to the paste residue and so the reel does not rust.
The last mistake is confusing a roller mower compound with a reel mower compound. The 280-grit listing describes its product for roller mowers and general reel cutting tools, but it does not name the mower models it fits. Check the blade type before you use it.
Which product fits which job
If your reel blades are badly dull, pick a kit that includes 80-grit and 120-grit paste, such as the 1.5 LB kit, the huzile 2-piece kit or the Reel Mower Sharpening Kit with brush and gloves. The two grits let you do the coarse step and the finish step with one purchase.
If your reel blades are only slightly dull and you need a refresh, the Dunkive 120-grit compound or the Homeowners 80-grit starter can cover a few sessions. The listing for the Dunkive 120-grit describes it as fine for refining the edge.
If you want a complete kit with an SK-1 crank and a brush, the American Lawn Mower SK-1, the AAAQQ SK-1 or the Rasaech SK-1 kit each list the crank and the compound in one package. Choose the one whose listing names your mower brand.
If you maintain several reel mowers or want to sharpen other tools, the 1.5 LB kit gives the most paste per order, and its listing says the compound can be used on shears, knives and garden tools.
Product-by-product notes
American Lawn Mower Company SK-1 Compound Sharpening Kit
This is the kit the other SK-1 listings copy, and it is the one most often named for American Lawn Mower and Great States reel mowers. Its listing lists a grinding compound, an application brush and a back-lapping crank in one set. The listing also names Great States, American Lawn Mower, Earthwise and Scotts manual push mowers, and it names the 1705-16 and 1815-18 push mowers as fits. The listing does not state the grit of the compound, so choose it when the brand match matters more than the grit.
AAAQQ SK-1 Compound Sharpening Kit
The AAAQQ kit includes an abrasive paste, a reel mower sharpening crank and an application brush. Its listing says it works with Great States, American Lawn Mower, Earthwise and Scotts manual reel mowers, and it says the kit is not compatible with Fiskars, Gilmour, Scott or Sears Craftsman. The listing describes the method as applying the paste to the blade and reverse-turning the drum with the crank. It does not state a grit or a paste weight.
Rasaech SK-1 Compound Sharpening Kit
The Rasaech kit includes the SK-1 compound, a hand crank, a brush and a glove. Its listing names American Lawn Mower, Great States and Earthwise, and it adds the same incompatibility note for Fiskars, Gilmour, Scott and Sears Craftsman mowers. The listing describes the compound as a precision option for reel mowers and says the crank gives controlled operation. Because the glove is part of the set, this kit suits a buyer who wants the protective item in the same order.
Reel Lawn Mower Backlapping Sharpening Compound Kit, 1.5 LB
This is the largest set in the roundup, with 350g of compound. It contains 80-grit and 120-grit pastes, an applicator brush and cut-resistant gloves. Its listing describes the paste as water-soluble, with a glove and brush in the set. The listing says the quantity is enough for ten or more sharpening sessions. Choose it when you want both grits and a large supply for frequent maintenance or several mowers.
Dunkive 80 Grit Reel Lawn Mower Sharpening Compound
This product is a single-grit 80 compound supplied as two 100g jars, 7 oz in total. Its listing calls the grit medium coarse and names Great States and American Lawn Mower manual push mowers. The listing says the compound is water-soluble and rinses off easily, which makes it a practical choice for the coarse step on a dull edge. Pair it with a 120-grit product from the same brand if you want a finishing step.
Dunkive 120 Grit Reel Lawn Mower Sharpening Compound
The 120-grit version uses the same two-jar, 7 oz format as the 80-grit product. Its listing describes the grit as fine and says it helps refine blade edges with minimal metal removal. It names the same two brands, Great States and American Lawn Mower. Use it after the 80-grit step, or for a blade that only needs a light refresh.
SK-1 Reel Mower Sharpening Kit Compound Blade Sharpener
This SK-1 listing names American Lawn Mower, Great States and Earthwise reel mowers and describes a complete kit for restoring dull blades at home. Its bullets say the compound method lets homeowners sharpen without professional service. The listing does not give a grit, a paste weight or a list of included parts beyond the kit itself, so check the package when it arrives. It is a fit for a buyer who wants the SK-1 method and the named brands in one listing.
Reel Lawn Mower Sharpening Compound, 280 Grit
The 280-grit compound comes in a 200g size. Its listing describes a water-soluble formula that rinses off completely and leaves no oily film or sticky residue. It is listed for reel mower cutting tools and roller mowers, and the listing does not name the mower brands it fits. Its grit is the finest in this roundup, so it suits a finishing pass rather than the coarse step on a badly dull blade.
FAQ
What grit should I use first on a reel mower?
Start with 80-grit compound when the blade edge is dull or uneven. The listings describe 80-grit as the coarse step that restores an edge. Move to 120-grit for the finishing step, which the listings describe as fine and light on the metal. Several kits include both grits so you can do both steps.
Do these compounds fit all reel mowers?
No. The listings name specific brands, mostly American Lawn Mower, Great States and Earthwise, and several say they are not compatible with Fiskars, Gilmour, Scotts or Sears Craftsman mowers. Check your mower brand and the compatibility line in each listing before you buy.
How often should I sharpen a reel mower?
The listings do not give a fixed schedule. They describe routine maintenance and seasonal touch-ups as the typical use, which suggests sharpening when you see uneven cut marks or when the grass looks torn. Check your mower manual for the interval your model recommends.
Can I use reel mower compound on other tools?
The 1.5 LB kit and the huzile kit list other uses, including shears, knives and gardening tools. The Homeowners 80-grit starter also lists scissors and knives. The other listings describe use on reel mowers only, so check the listing for each product before you use it on other tools.
How do I clean up after sharpening?
Several listings say the compound is water-soluble and rinses off with water. Rinse the reel and bedknife after the session so the paste does not stay on the blades. The listings do not describe a specific cleaning procedure beyond rinsing, so follow your mower manual for any further cleaning.
Is it safe to sharpen a reel mower at home?
The listings present back lapping as a home maintenance task that uses a hand crank and a brush, and several kits include cut-resistant gloves. This article does not add any safety claim beyond that. Keep your hands clear of the moving reel, wear gloves, and ask a qualified repair shop if you are unsure about the blade condition.
Bottom line
For a dull reel mower, pick a kit with both 80-grit and 120-grit compound and make sure the listing names your mower brand. Pick a single-grit product only when the blade needs a light refresh. Use the package size to match how often you sharpen, and rinse the reel after each session. The product listings are the source for every grit, quantity and compatibility value on this page.
Related reading: Best Blade Style for Lawn Mowers: Rotary, Mulching, Reel or Flail and Best Replacement Mower Blades, and the Reel and Robot Mowers Listed Beside Them.
