Best Blade Sharpening Kits for Reel Mower Blades
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A blade sharpening kit reel mower owners use is usually a compound, a brush, a crank or a grinder that restores the cutting edge of a reel’s blades. The kits in this roundup are all listed for reel or push reel mowers, and each listing names the mower brands it says it works with. Some kits are sold as complete sets, others as a compound on its own. Read the compatibility line and the contents list before you buy, because a kit that fits one brand may not list your model.
Quick answer
- Match the kit to your mower brand. Several listings name American Lawn Mower, Great States, Earthwise and Scotts reel mowers.
- Check what is in the box. Some listings include compound, an applicator brush and a back-lapping crank, while others add a grinder or a hand-held sharpener.
- Look at the grit and the amount of compound. One listing gives 80 grit and 120 grit and a total of 1.5 pounds (350 grams).
- If your mower is an American Lawn Mower or Great States model, the SK-1 kit names are the ones to compare closely.
How to choose a reel mower sharpening kit
Start with compatibility. Reel mowers are built by several makers, and a sharpening kit is usually designed around a specific range of blade sizes and reel designs. The listings in this roundup name American Lawn Mower, Great States, Earthwise and Scotts reel mowers in their compatibility lines. The Atatod listing says it is for reel and push mowers, and the AAAQQ listing says it is compatible with manual push reel mowers. If your mower is from a brand that is not named in the listing, check the model’s blade size before you order.
Next, look at the contents. The American Lawn Mower SK-1 kit, which several listings reference, includes grinding compound, an application brush and a back-lapping crank. The AAAQQ listing contains abrasive paste, an applicator brush and a hand crank. The Atatod listing is a different type of tool, a blade sharpener grinder with an adjustable 30-degree bevel. Choose the contents that match how you want to sharpen the blade.
Then compare the grit and the quantity. The 1.5-pound (350-gram) compound kit lists 80 grit and 120 grit, which the listing presents as a two-step workflow. The listing says 80 grit restores a dull edge and 120 grit performs honing and smoothing. The listing also says the kit has more paste than small starter packs. Compare the quantity with how often you expect to sharpen the blades.
Roundup: six reel mower sharpening kits from the pack
Reel lawn mower backlapping compound kit, 1.5 pounds, 80 and 120 grit
This kit is listed as a 1.5-pound (350-gram) total compound with 80 and 120 grit, sold for backlapping reel mower blades. The listing says it includes sharpening abrasives, a complete all-in-one set and a dual-grit combination for a full sharpening workflow. The listed model is LL001. The listing presents the larger volume as enough for ten or more sharpening sessions. Choose it if you want a large supply of compound with two grit levels.
Atatod lawn mower blade sharpener grinder tool kit
This Atatod kit is a blade sharpener grinder with an adjustable bevel. The listing says it is for reel and push mowers, with a precise 30-degree bevel for sharpening. The body is built from iron, the listing says it has an overhanging base for stability, and it describes a dust-free operation. The model is KHSK98. Choose it if you want a grinder-style sharpener with a set bevel angle rather than a compound and crank set.
Ulreon SK-2 reel mower blade sharpener
This Ulreon sharpener is listed for manual push reel mowers and says it is compatible with American Lawn Mower, Earthwise, Great States and Scotts models. The listing describes a plastic body and sharpening abrasive, and says no professional skills or extra tools are required. The model is SK-2. Choose it if your reel is one of the named brands and you want a simple hand-held sharpener.
Yayapig SK-2 reel mower sharpening kit
The Yayapig listing describes an SK-2 reel mower sharpening kit that the listing says fits American Lawn Mower, Great States, Earthwise and Scotts reel mowers. It says the kit lets you sharpen blades quickly and conveniently by hand, and that it keeps reel mower blades sharp for a clean cut. Choose it if you want an SK-2 kit with the same brand list as the Ulreon sharpener, but in a sharpening kit format.
Kwongfoyii SK-1 reel mower sharpening kit compound
This SK-1 kit is listed for reel mowers from American Lawn Mower, Great States and Earthwise. The listing says it is a complete kit for restoring dull reel blades, and that it is engineered for manual push reel mowers. The model is listed as Sk-1. Choose it if you want an SK-1 compound kit for one of the named brands.
AAAQQ reel lawn mower blade sharpener and SK-1 compound kit
The AAAQQ listing combines a blade sharpener with an SK-1 compound kit for manual push reel mowers. The listing says the kit contains abrasive paste, an applicator brush and a hand crank. It gives short instructions for two blade styles: for a flat blade, flip the machine, invert the sharpener and slide it back and forth; for a roller blade, attach the rotating part. Choose it if you want a sharpener and compound in one set with both blade styles described.
Deep look: the SK-1 family of kits
Several listings in this roundup refer to the SK-1 kit, which is the compound set sold with American Lawn Mower and Great States reel mowers. The Kwongfoyii listing names it directly, and the AAAQQ listing combines a sharpener with SK-1 compound. The American Lawn Mower SK-1 kit in the pack lists grinding compound, an application brush and a back-lapping crank. Because the SK-1 name appears in more than one listing, check the box contents on each page, since the kits do not all include the same tools.
The advantage of an SK-1 style kit is that the compound and crank are designed to work together for back-lapping. The disadvantage is that the listing does not give blade sizes or a full list of compatible reel models beyond the brands named. If your mower is not one of those brands, measure the blade width and check the reel design before you buy.
Compound, grinder or sharpener: what each type is for
There are three types of product in this roundup. The first is a compound kit, such as the 1.5-pound grit kit and the SK-1 style sets. Compound is applied to the reel and the reel is turned backward with a crank, which the listings call back-lapping. The second is a hand-held sharpener such as the Ulreon and Yayapig units, which the listings describe as working by hand. The third is a grinder-style tool, the Atatod kit, which the listing describes with an adjustable 30-degree bevel. Choose the type that matches your skill and your reel.
The listings do not give a sharpening schedule, so follow the reel maker’s owner’s manual for how often to sharpen and how to set the reel. The listing text does not state how many sharpenings a kit will last, although the 1.5-pound kit describes a large supply.
Who each kit suits
Different owners will get different value from these kits, and the listings point to a few clear groups. If you own a reel from one of the brands named in the compatibility lines and you want to keep everything in one place, a complete kit with compound, brush and crank is the simplest route. The listings that describe a complete set are the Kwongfoyii SK-1 and the AAAQQ combination, and both name the same brand group. If you already have a bench, a grinder-style tool with a set 30-degree bevel may suit you better, and the Atatod listing is the one that describes that approach.
If you sharpen several reels or plan to do the job more than once a season, the 1.5-pound compound kit gives you the most material to work with. The listing presents its two grit levels as a full workflow, with 80 grit for restoring a dull edge and 120 grit for finishing. If you only need a hand-held tool for a single small reel, the Ulreon and Yayapig sharpeners are the lighter-weight options described in this roundup.
The AAAQQ listing also describes two blade styles. For a flat blade, the listing says to flip the machine, invert the sharpener and slide it back and forth. For a roller blade, it says to attach the rotating part. If your reel has a roller-style component, read that section of the listing before you choose the kit.
Mistakes to avoid when buying a sharpening kit
- Buying a kit without checking the brand list. Several listings name specific brands, and the pack does not say they fit every reel.
- Ignoring the box contents. Some kits include a crank and brush, while others include only a sharpener.
- Comparing grit levels without the quantity. The 1.5-pound kit gives two grits and a larger supply than most starter packs.
- Mixing up a mower kit with a sharpening kit. Some listings in the same search are complete mowers with a kit added, so read the title.
- Skipping the blade check. A reel’s blade width and design should match the kit’s listing.
Sharpening kits at a glance
| Kit | Type as listed | Compatibility named | Contents or detail as listed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Backlapping compound kit (LL001) | Compound, 1.5 lb | Reel mower blades, 80 and 120 grit | Abrasives, complete set |
| Atatod KHSK98 | Grinder tool kit | Reel and push mowers | 30-degree bevel, iron body |
| Ulreon SK-2 | Hand sharpener | American Lawn Mower, Earthwise, Great States, Scotts | Plastic body, abrasive |
| Yayapig SK-2 | Sharpening kit | American Lawn Mower, Great States, Earthwise, Scotts | Hand sharpening |
| Kwongfoyii SK-1 | Compound kit | American Lawn Mower, Great States, Earthwise | Complete kit |
| AAAQQ sharpener and SK-1 | Sharpener and compound | Manual push reel mowers | Paste, brush, hand crank |
Where a listing does not state a value, the table says so.
FAQ
What is a blade sharpening kit for a reel mower?
It is a set of compound, a sharpener or a grinder, and sometimes a brush and crank, used to restore the cutting edge of a reel’s blades. The listings in this roundup describe kits for reel and push reel mowers.
Which brands are the kits compatible with?
The listings name American Lawn Mower, Great States, Earthwise and Scotts reel mowers. The Atatod listing says it is for reel and push mowers, without naming a brand list in the material used here.
Do the kits include a crank?
Some do. The American Lawn Mower SK-1 kit and the AAAQQ listing describe a back-lapping or hand crank. Other listings do not mention a crank, so check the contents before you buy.
Is a grinder better than a compound kit?
The two work differently. The Atatod listing describes a grinder with a set 30-degree bevel. The compound kits describe back-lapping with a crank. The right choice depends on your reel and your comfort with each method. The listings do not compare the two methods on results.
How much compound do I get in the large kit?
The backlapping kit lists 1.5 pounds (350 grams) total, with 80 grit and 120 grit. The listing says that is more than a 7-ounce starter kit.
Are the SK-1 and SK-2 kits the same thing?
No. The listings use the model names differently. The Kwongfoyii and AAAQQ listings refer to SK-1, while the Ulreon and Yayapig listings refer to SK-2. Both are reel sharpening products, but the contents differ between listings, so compare the box contents rather than the model label alone.
Can I use these kits on a rotary mower?
The listings in this roundup are for reel and push reel mowers. A rotary blade is a different type, so check the listing and your mower’s manual before using a reel kit on a rotary blade.
Bottom line
For a reel mower blade sharpening kit, start with the brand on your mower. If it is American Lawn Mower, Great States, Earthwise or Scotts, the SK-1 and SK-2 style kits are the ones named in the listings. If you want a large supply of two-grit compound, the 1.5-pound backlapping kit is the largest option in the pack. If you prefer a grinder-style tool with a set bevel, the Atatod kit is the one to compare. Confirm the box contents on the live page before you buy.
For background on blade style, read Best Blade Style for Lawn Mowers: Rotary, Mulching, Reel or Flail. If you want general steps for working on a mower blade, see How to Sharpen a Mower Blade Safely.