How to Sharpen a Scotts Reel Mower at Home Easily
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How to Sharpen a Scotts Reel Mower at Home Easily
Sharpen Scotts reel mower blades at home only after you know when the blades are dull, which sharpening kit fits your mower, and when a professional should do the job. Reel mower blades cut by scissor action against a fixed bar, so a dull set of blades tears grass instead of slicing it. This guide covers the signs of dull blades, what the listings say about sharpening kits, and the limits of what the sources we checked describe.
Quick answer
- Sharpen the blades when the cut looks ragged or the mower tears the grass instead of slicing it. The University of California IPM guide says reel blades need sharpening about every couple of years.
- The American Lawn Mower SK-2 sharpener is listed as compatible with Scotts reel mowers and sold as a hand sharpener for at-home use.
- The SK-1 compound sharpening kit is listed for Great States, American Lawn Mower, Scotts and Earthwise push reel mowers and includes grinding compound, a brush and a back-lapping crank.
- The listings do not give a full sharpening procedure for every Scotts model. Check your owner’s manual before you start.
Signs your Scotts reel mower needs sharpening
Dull blades are the most common reason a reel mower looks worse after a cut. The UC IPM guide notes that dull mower blades leave a ragged appearance because they crush or leave grass blades uncut, and that damaged grass may be more prone to disease. Watch for these signs on your lawn:
- The lawn looks frayed, pale or brownish at the tips after a pass.
- The mower pushes harder than usual, or you have to make several passes to cut what one pass used to cut.
- Grass is torn rather than cleanly clipped.
- The blades look rounded or nicked when you look at the reel from the side.
Before you blame the blades, make sure the lawn is in good shape. The Great States 204-14 listing notes that a reel mower works best on a maintained lawn, and that an overgrown lawn with divots and tall weeds needs work before a reel mower will cut well.
How often to sharpen
The UC IPM guide says reel mower blades need sharpening about every couple of years. That is a general guide, not a schedule for your yard. A mower used on a small lawn may go longer between sharpenings, while a mower used on a large lawn, or on a lawn with sandy soil and stones, may need it sooner. Check the blades each season and sharpen when the cut starts to look ragged.
Know your Scotts model first
Scotts sells several reel mower models, and their listings give different blade counts and widths. The listings in this guide include the following Scotts reel mowers:
- Scotts 304-14S, a 14-inch, 5-blade reel mower with a 0.5 to 1.75 inch height range.
- Scotts 2000-20S, a 20-inch, 5-blade reel mower with a 1 to 3 inch height range.
- Scotts 2607-16S, a 16-inch, 7-blade reel mower.
- Scotts 415-16S, a 16-inch Elite reel mower.
- Scotts 716-18S, an 18-inch, 7-blade reel mower.
Find your model number on the mower before you buy any sharpening tool. The listings for the SK-2 sharpener mention compatibility with Scotts reel mowers in general, but a listing that names your model is the safest choice. Some listings for the Scotts 304-14S include a Great States manufacturer name, so match the model number rather than the brand alone.
The sharpening kits in the listings
Two kit types appear in the listings for this guide. Both are sold for reel mowers, and both are described as being for at-home use.
American Lawn Mower SK-2 hand sharpener
The SK-2 is described as a hand sharpener for reel mowers. Its listing says it allows safe and easy at-home sharpening. Several listings describe it as compatible with Scotts, Great States, Earthwise and American Lawn Mower reel mowers. One listing for the Scotts 18-inch 7-blade mower says the SK-2 is “fitted” in a box with a detailed user manual. Read the included manual before you use it, because the listings do not describe the steps.
American Lawn Mower SK-1 compound sharpening kit
The SK-1 is listed as a do-it-yourself sharpening kit. Its listing says it contains grinding compound, a brush and a back-lapping crank for use with manual push mowers. The listing says the kit is designed for Great States, American Lawn Mower, Earthwise and Scotts reel mowers. The listing does not say how many passes the kit needs or how long a sharpening takes.
What the sources say about the sharpening method
We opened the University of California Integrated Pest Management page on mowing. It covers reel mower blade sharpening in general terms. It says blades need sharpening about every couple of years, and it recommends taking the mower to a professional shop for sharpening. It also notes that do-it-yourself sharpening kits may be available at lawn and garden centers. The page does not describe the sharpening steps, the bedknife adjustment or the mowing height settings for a particular model.
We also looked at reel mower sharpening guides on other websites. Those pages describe backlapping, which means running the mower so the reel turns against the bedknife with the sharpening compound applied. We did not open a page that gives full step-by-step instructions for a Scotts model, so this guide does not give step numbers. Read your owner’s manual and the instructions included with your kit before you start.
Safety checks before you start
Sharp blades cut skin as easily as grass, so handle the reel with care. The listings and the university page do not give a full safety procedure for sharpening, so use common sense. Keep hands and feet away from the reel while it is in motion, and do not work on the blades while the mower is plugged in or running. If you are not sure how to handle a part, take the mower to a professional shop.
When to take the mower to a professional
The UC IPM guide recommends a professional shop for blade sharpening. That is a sensible option if the blades are badly damaged, if the reel is bent, or if you do not have time or patience for a home job. A shop can also check the bedknife and the height adjustment, which the listings do not cover in detail.
Keep the blades sharp longer
Good habits extend the life of a sharp reel. The Scotts 304-14S listing says the blades are heat-treated alloy steel that stays sharp longer. The American Lawn Mower 1204-14 listing advises mowing no more than one third of the grass blade height at a time and mowing more often when grass grows past about 4 inches. Keep the grass cut at a height the mower can handle, and clear stones, twigs and debris before you mow. Cutting wet grass is also a bad idea, because the same listing advises against it.
FAQ
How do I know if my reel mower needs sharpening?
Look at the cut. If the grass tears, looks frayed, or the lawn shows pale or brownish tips after a pass, the blades are likely dull. The UC IPM guide says dull blades leave a ragged appearance.
How often should I sharpen a reel mower?
The UC IPM guide says about every couple of years. Your schedule may be shorter if you mow often or if your lawn has stones or sandy soil. Check the cut each season.
Does the SK-2 fit every Scotts reel mower?
The listings describe the SK-2 as compatible with Scotts reel mowers. Match your mower model number against the listing before buying, and check the included manual.
What is in the SK-1 kit?
The SK-1 listing says it contains grinding compound, a brush and a back-lapping crank for manual push mowers.
Can I sharpen the blades myself?
The listings describe the SK-1 and SK-2 as kits for at-home use. The UC IPM guide says a professional shop is the recommended route. Choose based on the condition of the blades and your comfort with the work.
Do I need oil after sharpening?
The listings we checked do not state whether oil is needed after sharpening. Check your owner’s manual for the maintenance steps for your model.
Bottom line
A Scotts reel mower can be sharpened at home with an SK-2 hand sharpener or an SK-1 compound kit, provided the listing names your mower model and you follow the included manual. Sharpen when the cut looks ragged, plan on about every couple of years as a rough guide, and take the mower to a professional shop if the blades or reel are damaged.
Related reading: How to Sharpen a Mower Blade Safely and Best Blade Style for Lawn Mowers: Rotary, Mulching, Reel or Flail.
Sources
Products mentioned in this guide
Scotts 304-14S 14-Inch 5-Blade Push Reel Lawn Mower
A 14-inch, 5-blade reel mower with a height range of 0.5 to 1.75 inches and 8.5-inch composite wheels.
Scotts 2000-20S 20-Inch 5-Blade Push Reel Lawn Mower
A 20-inch, 5-blade reel mower with a height range of 1 to 3 inches and 10-inch dual tracking wheels.
Scotts Outdoor Power Tools 2607-16S 16-Inch 7-Blade Push Reel Lawn Mower
A 16-inch, 7-blade reel mower with a padded U-handle and a listed suitability for fine to medium turf grasses.
Scotts 415-16S 16-Inch Elite Push Reel Lawn Mower
A 16-inch Scotts reel mower with five ball bearing blades and a height range of 1/2 to 2 1/2 inches.
Scotts 716-18S 18-Inch 7-Blade Push Reel Lawn Mower
An 18-inch, 7-blade Scotts reel mower with an adjustable cutting height from 1 to 3 inches.
American Lawn Mower SK-2 Reel Mower Sharpener and SK-1 Compound Sharpening Kit
A sharpening kit listed for Great States, American Lawn Mower, Scotts and Earthwise push reel mowers. It contains grinding compound, a brush and a back-lapping crank.
Scotts 304-14S Push Reel Mower with American Lawn Mower SK-2 Hand Sharpener
A bundled listing that pairs the Scotts 304-14S 14-inch reel mower with the SK-2 hand sharpener.
