Best Fiskars Reel Mower Sharpening Kits to Buy
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If you are looking for a Fiskars reel mower sharpening kit, the first question is whether the kit fits your mower. The kits in this group are sold for reel mower blades, and a kit sold for one brand of reel mower may not suit another. The Fiskars listing in this comparison is the only kit that names Fiskars in its title. The other seven kits name American Lawn Mower, Great States, Earthwise or Scotts mowers, and two of them say directly that they are not compatible with Fiskars. Compare the mower brand, the compound grit and the included tools before you order.
Quick answer
- For a Fiskars reel mower, the Fiskars Push Reel Lawn Mower Blade Maintenance Kit is the one whose listing names Fiskars StaySharp reel mowers.
- For an American Lawn Mower, Great States, Earthwise or Scotts reel mower, several compound kits list those brands, including the SK-1 kits and the 80-grit and 120-grit pastes.
- Two kits in this group say they are not compatible with Fiskars. Do not buy them for a Fiskars mower.
- Check whether the kit is a back-lapping compound with a crank or a handheld sharpener. The listings describe both types.
How to choose a reel mower sharpening kit
Start with the brand and model of your reel mower. The listings in this group name a short list of compatible brands, and they differ. The American Lawn Mower SK-1 listing says it is designed for Great States, American Lawn Mower, Earthwise and Scotts manual push mowers, and it names two American Lawn Mower models, the 1705-16 and the 1815-18. The Fiskars listing names Fiskars StaySharp reel mowers and most standard push reel lawn mowers. If your mower is not in the list, read the product page before you buy, and look for your brand in the compatibility bullets.
Next, look at the type of kit. A compound kit uses a grinding paste, an applicator brush and a crank. You apply the paste to the blades and turn the reel backward with the crank, which is called back-lapping in several listings. A handheld sharpener, such as the SK-2 style tools in this group, works on the blade with a hand-held unit instead of a crank. The TOSRWGLL listing says its handheld sharpener removes burrs and dull spots, and that it is not for rotary mower blades.
Then check the grit and quantity. The 80-grit paste is described as the coarse step for restoring dull or uneven edges, and the 120-grit paste is described as the fine step for finishing and smoothing. Some kits sell both grits together, and some sell a single compound. The paste is usually sold by weight, and the listings range from 0.3 pounds of each grit to 1.5 pounds in total. The Dunkive listing says its smaller 100-gram jars stay fresh longer and are easier to apply than bulk tubs.
Compatibility: what each brand’s listing says
Most of the kits in this group are built for the same family of American-style reel mowers, which is why several listings repeat the same brand list. The following points come from the listings. The American Lawn Mower SK-1 kit is designed for Great States, American Lawn Mower, Earthwise and Scotts mowers. The Dunkive kit names Great States and American Lawn Mower. The huzile kit names Great States, American Lawn Mower and Earthwise. The Generic 1.5 pound paste names Great States, American Lawn Mower and most push-style manual reel mowers. The TOSRWGLL SK-2 names Earthwise and most reel mowers, and says it is not for rotary mower blades.
Two of the kits say they are not compatible with Fiskars. The AAAQQ SK-1 kit lists Fiskars, Gilmour, Scott, Sears and Craftsman as not compatible. The Rasaech SK-1 kit also says the same thing and names Fiskars, Gilmour, Scott, Sears and Craftsman. The listing for the Fiskars kit does not say whether it works on the other brands in this group, so do not assume compatibility in either direction. Read the product page of each kit before you buy.
Comparison of the eight kits
| Kit | Type | Grit or form | Brands named as compatible | Included tools listed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fiskars Push Reel Lawn Mower Blade Maintenance Kit | Lapping compound kit | Lapping compound | Fiskars StaySharp, most standard push reel mowers | Brush, two fittings, hand crank, instructions |
| American Lawn Mower SK-1 Compound Sharpening Kit | Compound kit | Grinding compound | Great States, American Lawn Mower, Earthwise, Scotts | Brush, back-lapping crank |
| AAAQQ SK-1 Compound Sharpening Kit | Compound kit | Abrasive | Great States, American Lawn Mower, Earthwise, Scotts (not Fiskars) | Application brush, reel mower crank |
| TOSRWGLL SK-2 Hand Reel Mower Sharpener | Handheld sharpener | Not stated | Earthwise and most reel mowers | Not stated |
| Rasaech SK-1 Compound Sharpening Kit | Compound kit | Lapping compound | American Lawn Mower, Great States, Earthwise (not Fiskars) | Hand crank, brush, glove |
| Generic 1.5 lb Backlapping Compound Kit | Compound kit | 80 and 120 grit, 350 g | Great States, American Lawn Mower, most push-style reel mowers | Applicator brush, cut-resistant gloves |
| huzile 2-piece Reel Mower Sharpening Kit | Compound kit | 80 and 120 grit, 0.3 lb each | Great States, American Lawn Mower, Earthwise | Applicator brush, gloves |
| Dunkive Reel Lawn Mower Sharpening Kit | Compound kit | 80 and 120 grit, 100 g each | Great States, American Lawn Mower | Application brush, gloves |
Where a listing does not state a value, the table says “Not stated.” The table does not show prices or ratings, and it does not rank the kits.
Safety and handling notes from the listings
Several listings include gloves for handling the blades. The Generic 1.5 pound paste and the huzile kit both include gloves, and the Dunkive and Rasaech kits include a glove. The listings do not give a full procedure for working on a reel mower, so read the instruction sheet that comes with your kit before you start, and follow the gloves guidance in the listing.
The Generic paste listing says to mix the premixed abrasive paste with kerosene or machine oil at a 1:1 to 1:2 ratio, and it says the paste rinses off with water. Read the mixing instructions on the product page before you open the jar, and follow the listing’s own directions for any solvent or oil you use.
The Fiskars listing says the kit includes instructions, so follow those steps first. The huzile listing says its instructions are on the product details page and should be read carefully.
The eight kits, one by one
Fiskars Push Reel Lawn Mower Blade Maintenance Kit
This kit is the only one in the group with Fiskars in its title, and its listing says it is ideal for restoring blades on Fiskars StaySharp reel mowers and most standard push reel lawn mowers. It contains lapping compound, an application brush, two fittings, a hand crank and step-by-step instructions. The listing describes the process as applying the compound to the blades with the brush and using the crank to spin the reel backward. The model is 362150-1001. The listing includes a one-year warranty. Many of the bullets describe Fiskars tools in general, such as axes and knives. Those lines do not describe this kit, so they are not used here.
American Lawn Mower SK-1 Reel Lawn Mower Compound Sharpening Kit
This is a do-it-yourself compound kit that contains grinding compound, an application brush and a back-lapping crank. The listing says it is designed for Great States, American Lawn Mower, Earthwise and Scotts manual push lawn mowers. It also names two American Lawn Mower models, the 1705-16 and the 1815-18. The listing says the kit saves time and effort by keeping the blades in their peak cutting condition, and that it cuts down on mowing time. The model is SK-1. It is the same SK-1 designation used by several other kits in this group, so match the brand and not only the model code.
AAAQQ SK-1 Compound Sharpening Kit
This compound kit contains an abrasive, a reel mower sharpening crank and an application brush. The listing says it is compatible with Great States, American Lawn Mower, Earthwise and Scotts manual reel mowers. It also says it is not compatible with Fiskars, Gilmour, Scott, Sears or Craftsman. For a Fiskars mower, this kit is the wrong choice according to its own listing. The bullets say you apply the abrasive paste to the blade and reverse the drum with the crank. The model is SK-1, and the part number is SK-1.
TOSRWGLL SK-2 Hand Reel Mower Sharpener
This is a handheld sharpener rather than a crank kit. The listing says it is compatible with Earthwise and most reel mowers, and it says it is not for use on rotary mower blades. It is designed to improve and maintain the blade edge and to remove burrs, and the title describes the handheld design as removing burrs and dull spots. The listing gives an orange color, a model of SK-2 and a part number of SK-2. The bullets do not list a compound grit or a set of included accessories, so check the product page for the contents before you buy. It suits a user who wants a simple handheld tool and whose mower is on the Earthwise or general reel list.
Rasaech SK-1 Compound Sharpening Kit
This compound kit includes SK-1 lapping compound, a hand crank, a brush and a glove. The listing says it works with American Lawn Mower, Great States and Earthwise push reel mowers. It also says that it is not compatible with Fiskars, Gilmour, Scott, Sears and Craftsman. The listing describes the compound as designed for reel mower blade sharpening, and it says the crank gives controlled operation. The model is SK-1-1 and the part number is also SK-1-1. Like the AAAQQ kit, this one is not a Fiskars match, so do not buy it for a Fiskars mower.
Generic 1.5 lb Reel Mower Backlapping Compound Kit
This kit contains 1.5 pounds (350 g) of compound in total, with 80-grit and 120-grit pastes, a long-handle applicator brush and cut-resistant gloves. The listing says the paste is a water-soluble premixed abrasive, and that you mix it with kerosene or machine oil at a 1:1 to 1:2 ratio before use. It also says the paste rinses off with water. The listing names Great States, American Lawn Mower and most push-style manual reel lawn mowers as compatible, and it adds that the paste can be used to hone scissors and pruning shears. The brand is listed as Generic and the model as LL001. The listing does not name Fiskars, so do not assume compatibility with a Fiskars mower.
huzile 2-Piece Reel Lawn Mower Sharpening Kit
This kit includes 0.3 pounds of 80-grit paste for initial sharpening, 0.3 pounds of 120-grit paste for finishing, an applicator brush and gloves. The listing says the paste is fully premixed and ready to use. It names Great States, American Lawn Mower and Earthwise roller mowers, which is the listing’s term for reel mowers. The bullets say you apply the paste to the blades and crank the hand crank in the opposite direction. The model is listed as RLM35 and the part number as RLM12. The listing says its instructions are on the product details page, so read them before you start. The bullets also say the kit can sharpen shears and knives.
Review: Fiskars Push Reel Lawn Mower Blade Maintenance Kit
The Fiskars kit is the direct answer to a search for a Fiskars reel mower sharpening kit. Its listing is built around one job: restoring the blades of a push reel mower with lapping compound, a hand crank and an application brush. The title says it restores blades on a reel mower, and the bullets say it includes lapping compound, an application brush, two fittings, a hand crank and instructions. The model is 362150-1001, and the listing includes a one-year warranty. These are the facts the listing supplies, and this review does not add to them.
The process described in the listing has three steps. You apply the lapping compound to the blades with the brush, you fit the crank to the reel using one of the two fittings, and you turn the reel backward so the compound works on the blade edges. The listing calls this an efficient and comfortable use. It does not give a time for each step, a count of sessions per bottle, or a grit rating for the compound. Those details are missing from the listing, so check the product page or the instruction sheet for the exact amounts before you start.
The listing says the kit suits Fiskars StaySharp reel mowers and most standard push reel mowers. The fittings are the part to check. The listing includes two fittings but does not say which fitting goes with which mower. If your mower is an American Lawn Mower or a Great States model, look at the product description before you buy, because the other kits in this group name those brands directly and this one does not.
Two close alternatives from the group fit a similar buyer. The American Lawn Mower SK-1 compound kit names its own compatible brands, and it includes a back-lapping crank and brush. The Dunkive kit offers 80-grit and 120-grit compound in two 100-gram jars, along with a brush and gloves, and its listing names Great States and American Lawn Mower mowers. Choose the Fiskars kit if your mower is a Fiskars StaySharp model. Choose the SK-1 kit when you have an American Lawn Mower and want the crank in the box. Choose the Dunkive kit when you want two grits and gloves.
Mistakes to avoid
- Buying a kit by the word “SK-1” alone. The SK-1 designation appears on several kits from different sellers, and the compatibility lists differ.
- Using a kit on a rotary mower. The TOSRWGLL listing says its sharpener is not for rotary mower blades.
- Assuming the Fiskars kit fits every reel mower. The listing names Fiskars StaySharp and most standard push reel mowers, and it does not list every brand.
- Skipping the instructions. The huzile listing points to instructions on the product page, and the Fiskars listing includes instructions in the box.
- Mixing the Generic paste without reading the ratio. The listing gives a 1:1 to 1:2 ratio with kerosene or machine oil.
- Buying a grit that does not match the job. The listings describe 80-grit for restoring dull edges and 120-grit for finishing.
FAQ
Will a Fiskars kit fit a Great States reel mower?
The Fiskars listing covers Fiskars StaySharp reel mowers and most standard push reel mowers, but it does not name Great States. The Dunkive, huzile and American Lawn Mower SK-1 listings name Great States, so those kits state compatibility with that brand. If your mower is a Great States model, choose a kit whose listing names Great States.
What does back-lapping mean?
Back-lapping means turning the reel backward while compound is on the blades, so the abrasive works on the cutting edges. The listings describe it as the process used with the hand crank. The American Lawn Mower SK-1 listing calls the kit’s crank a back-lapping crank, and the Fiskars listing describes spinning the reel backward with the crank.
What is the difference between 80 grit and 120 grit?
The listings describe 80-grit compound as the coarse step for restoring dull or uneven cutting edges, and 120-grit compound as the fine step for finishing and smoothing with minimal material removal. Kits that include both grits, such as the Generic, huzile and Dunkive kits, let you work through the two steps in order.
Can I use these kits on other tools?
Some listings say yes. The Generic paste is described for honing scissors and pruning shears, and the huzile kit says its compound can sharpen shears and knives. The listings for the reel-mower compounds do not describe other uses, so check the product page if you plan to use a kit on a different tool.
Does a handheld sharpener work as well as a compound kit?
The listings do not compare the two methods, so this review cannot say which one is better. The TOSRWGLL listing describes a handheld tool for removing burrs and dull spots. The compound kits describe back-lapping with paste and a crank. Choose the method that matches your mower and the work you plan to do.
Do the kits include gloves?
Some do. The Generic kit includes cut-resistant gloves, the huzile kit includes gloves, the Dunkive kit includes a pair of gloves, and the Rasaech kit includes a glove. The Fiskars listing does not mention gloves. Blades are sharp, so buy gloves separately if the kit you choose does not include them.
Bottom line
Match the kit to the mower brand before you compare anything else. If your mower is a Fiskars StaySharp model, the Fiskars kit is the one whose listing names it. If your mower is an American Lawn Mower, Great States, Earthwise or Scotts reel mower, the American Lawn Mower SK-1 kit gives you a crank, and the Dunkive and huzile kits give you two grits. Avoid the AAAQQ and Rasaech kits for a Fiskars mower, because their listings say they are not compatible with Fiskars.
For more on keeping a reel mower in shape, read Best Replacement Mower Blades, and the Reel and Robot Mowers Listed Beside Them. If you are weighing blade types before you buy a sharpening kit, see Best Blade Style for Lawn Mowers: Rotary, Mulching, Reel or Flail.
