Tips for Mowing Your Lawn With a Reel Mower Well
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Mowing with reel mower blades works best when you keep the grass short, cut often and keep the blades sharp. A reel mower cuts with a scissor-like action between a rotating cylinder of blades and a fixed bedknife, so it gives a clean, even cut when conditions suit it. It struggles with tall, wet or uneven turf. The habits below cover height, pace, timing and maintenance so a manual mower gives you the clean finish it is built for.
Quick answer
- Keep the cutting height at 2 inches or less. Reel mowers are used at that height or lower.
- Remove no more than one-third of the grass height in a single pass.
- Keep the reel and bedknife sharp. Dull blades tear and bruise the leaf tips.
- Mow dry grass on flat ground, and avoid wet lawns and uneven ground.
Why the cutting height matters most
On a reel mower, the cutting height is set by raising or lowering the roller, which moves the bedknife. Each setting is measured from a flat, solid surface to the bedknife edge. Adjustments are often small steps, so it helps to check the setting on a driveway or sidewalk before you start on the lawn. Several mowers in the range covered here list their own height ranges, and you should compare the listed numbers against the grass you have.
The Clemson Home and Garden Information Center notes that reel mowers are for highly maintained turf where appearance is important, and that they are used at cutting heights of 2 inches or less. Clemson also states that bermudagrass and zoysiagrass are best suited to reel cutting. If your lawn is a bunch-type grass cut tall for shade or heat, a reel mower is the wrong tool for that job.
The one-third rule
Clemson advises removing no more than one-third of the grass height in a single mowing. The same guide gives an example: a centipedegrass lawn kept at 2 inches should be mowed at about 3 inches. Cutting more than one-third at once can stop root growth and increase watering needs in dry summers. Smaller clippings from this habit also filter down to the soil faster.
When the lawn has grown well past the height you want, do not drop the reel to the target height in one pass. Raise the setting, mow, then lower it over several sessions. A reel mower that is set too low on tall grass will bend the grass over instead of cutting it cleanly.
Keep the blades sharp
Dull blades tear and bruise grass. Clemson notes that torn leaves turn brown at the tips and give the lawn a brownish cast, while sharp blades give clean cuts that heal and regrow faster. Damaged grass is also weaker against weeds, disease and insects. Reel blades are sharpened differently from rotary blades, so check the manufacturer’s maintenance notes before you choose a method.
A hand sharpener is one option for light touch-ups between full sharpenings. The SK-2 Hand Reel Mower Sharpener in this group is listed as compatible with Earthwise and most reel mowers, and the listing says it is not for use on rotary mower blades. Clemson recommends leaving full sharpening to a professional, so treat a hand tool as a way to remove small burrs rather than a replacement for a shop job.
Choose a mowing pattern and pace
Walk at a steady, moderate pace. Pushing hard on a reel mower does not give a better cut, and it makes the mower wobble over bumps. Overlap each pass slightly over the one before it so no strips of uncut grass remain. Many reel mowers have large rear or front wheels that help the cylinder ride level, and keeping those wheels on firm ground helps the reel keep its setting.
Mow in a consistent direction for most of the lawn. Changing direction each week can keep the grass from leaning one way, but the key is to keep the cut even. If the lawn has a slope, work across it rather than straight up and down, and keep steps short so you do not lose footing.
Timing: dry grass and clear ground
Mow when the grass is dry. Wet grass clogs the reel, slips under the blades and leaves a ragged finish. The Walensee cordless reel mower listing in this group says it is not recommended for mowing immediately after rain, and that applies to every reel mower. Wait until the lawn dries before you cut.
Clear sticks, stones and small debris before you start. The COZONY 14 and 16 inch reel mowers in this group both say that small debris can jam the reel and that stones should be removed beforehand. The PeacefulHues listing also says that if the mower jams, you pull it back to clear the debris and continue mowing. Doing that check first saves time and protects the blades.
Match the mower to the grass you have
Reel mowers suit short, maintained turf. Several listings in this group say so directly. The Walensee 16-inch cordless model says it is for short, maintained turf only, and it lists grass limits that include dry grass or stalks, coarse-stemmed dandelions, vines, and thick or tall grass. The same listing notes that the reel is best kept to short, maintained lawns, and that taller or denser grass should be handled by raising the cutting height, moving slowly and mowing in stages.
A 14-inch manual model is a better match for a small yard than a wide mower. The 14-inch LTIGOAW 2-in-1 push mower in this group lists a cutting height range of 0.47 to 1.65 inches and a rear collection box with a fixing chain, which helps keep clippings off the lawn while you mow. For a tighter, shorter cut, the COZONY 16-inch model in this group lists the same five-blade reel design and a 14 or 16 inch cutting width, so you can pick the width that fits your yard.
The Goudergo reel mower in this group lists a 20-inch cutting width and a height range of 1.33 to 2.51 inches across nine settings. That range is higher than the other models here, so it fits lawns that are a little longer, provided the grass stays within the one-third rule.
Mistakes to avoid
- Setting the reel too low for the grass. Raise the height first, then lower it over several mowings.
- Mowing wet grass. Clippings and wet soil clog the reel and tear the leaves.
- Letting the blades go dull. Torn leaves brown at the tips.
- Cutting uneven or stony ground. Clemson notes that uneven surfaces cause scalping with reel mowers.
- Skipping the debris check. Stones and sticks jam the cylinder and can damage the blades.
FAQ
How high should I set a reel mower?
Set it to 2 inches or less for most reel mowers, which is the range Clemson gives for their use. Then apply the one-third rule so no more than a third of the grass height comes off in one pass.
Can I use a reel mower on tall grass?
Not in one pass. Raise the cutting height, mow, then lower it over several sessions. Reel mowers are built for short, even turf, and tall grass bends over instead of cutting cleanly.
How often should I sharpen a reel mower?
The sources in this article do not give a set interval. Check the blades each season, and sharpen when the cut turns ragged or the tips brown. Clemson recommends leaving full sharpening to a professional.
Is a reel mower good for uneven lawns?
Clemson states that uneven surfaces cause scalping with reel mowers. If your yard is bumpy, raise the setting, go slowly, and consider a different mower type for those areas.
Should I mow a reel mower after rain?
No. Wait until the grass is dry. The listings in this group say the same for their models, and wet grass tears and clogs the reel.
Do I need to clear debris before each mow?
Yes. Walk the lawn first and remove sticks and stones. Several listings in this group say debris can jam the reel and that stones should be removed first.
Bottom line
Mow with a reel mower when the lawn is short, dry and even. Set the height at 2 inches or less, remove no more than one-third of the grass height per pass, keep the blades sharp and clear the lawn before you start. If your grass is tall, wet or bumpy, raise the setting or choose a different mower for that job.
For more on related topics, see Mowing Your Lawn for the First Time in Spring and Mowing Habits That Keep Weeds Down.
Products mentioned in this guide
Each listing below is named by its own listing facts. Check the cutting width and height range against your lawn before you buy.
LTIGOAW 14-Inch 2-in-1 Push Lawn Mower. The listing gives a 14-inch cutting width, five blades, a cutting height of 0.47 to 1.65 inches, and a rear collection box with a fixing chain.
Walensee 16-Inch Cordless Electric Reel Lawn Mower. The listing describes two 36Wh batteries and a charger, four cutting heights from 0.67 to 1.77 inches, and a push-button start. It states the mower is for short, maintained turf only.
COZONY 16 Inch Manual Reel Lawn Mower. The listing gives a 5-blade reel and a 16-inch cutting width in orange, with no grass catcher included. It says to mow gradually on thicker areas and to avoid wet grass.
Goudergo Adjustable Mowing Height Reel Mower. The listing gives a 20-inch cutting width, nine height settings from 1.33 to 2.51 inches, and a collection bag.
