How to Sharpen a Push Reel Lawn Mower at Home
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
To learn how to sharpen a push reel lawn mower at home, you backlap the reel: brush a grinding compound onto the blades, then turn the reel backwards so the blades grind against each other and smooth their edges. Reel blades rarely need sharpening, and most mowing problems come from blade spacing rather than dull edges. Check the spacing first, then sharpen only if the cut still looks torn or ragged. Disable the mower and protect your fingers before you start.
Quick answer
- Check blade spacing and the bed knife before you sharpen anything. The reelmowers.org guide says most mowing problems can be fixed by adjusting blade spacing.
- Sharpen by backlapping: attach a handle to the driving gear, brush on grinding compound, and crank the reel backwards.
- Knife sharpening kits and power drill attachments are alternatives, but the guide warns that kits can overgrind and ruin the mower.
- After sharpening, wipe the blades and coat them lightly with low-acidity vegetable oil to prevent rust.
When a reel mower needs sharpening
A reel mower cuts when each spinning blade passes close to a fixed bed knife. When the edges stop meeting cleanly, the grass is torn instead of cut. The reelmowers.org sharpening guide says reel blades need sharpening very rarely, and that wear usually shows up after several years of use. Pebbles, curbs and rocks cause most of the damage, because one hard hit can nick an edge. Before you pull out compound, look for these signs in order:
- The blades do not touch the bed knife along their full length, so grass slips through uncut.
- The cut is torn or ragged even at the correct height.
- Blade edges look rounded when you check them against light.
If the blades are out of spacing, adjusting them is the faster fix. Sharpening a reel that already fits well does little for the cut.
Reel mower models and what their listings state
Sharpening is easier when the mower is clean, the blades are easy to reach, and the handle connects to the driving gear. The four reel mowers below differ in blade count, width and weight. The table lists only the values their listings state. Gaps are marked “not stated”.
| Model | Cutting width | Blades | Weight | Warranty | Height range |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| American Lawn Mower 1204-14 | 14 inches | 4 | 19 pounds (listing bullet) | not stated | 0.5 to 1.75 inches (listing bullet) |
| American Lawn Mower 1815-18 | 18 inches | 5 | 27 pounds | 1 Year Limited | 1/2 to 2-3/4 inches (listing bullet) |
| Great States 304-14 | 14 inches | 5 | 9.3 pounds | 90 day limited | 0.5 to 1.75 inches |
| Scotts 304-14S | 14 inches | 5 | 18.1 pounds | 90 day limited | 0.5 to 1.75 inches |
Sharpening method: backlapping step by step
Backlapping is the method the reelmowers.org guide describes for reel mowers. Work in a flat, well-lit spot and keep children and pets away.
- Disable the mower. Lock the reel so it cannot turn by accident. If the mower has arresting gears, use them. If not, wedge wooden blocks between the blades.
- Attach the handle. Connect the sharpening handle to the driving gear on the mower, under the hub cap.
- Apply compound. Brush grinding compound onto all of the blades with a paint brush.
- Crank backwards. Turn the reel in reverse. The blades scrape against each other, which smooths the edges.
- Use a drill only with care. The guide says a drill fitted with the proper attachment can speed the job. Keep the speed low and check the edges often.
- Clean the reel. Wash off the compound and dry every blade before you reassemble anything.
- Oil the blades. Apply a light coat of low-acidity vegetable oil to prevent rust. The guide says this kind of oil leaves no harmful residue on the lawn.
- Re-check spacing and cut. Mow a test strip, then adjust the bed knife and blade spacing if the cut is still uneven. The guide gives no step-by-step procedure for the bed knife itself, so follow your mower’s own manual for that adjustment.
Alternatives to backlapping
Three other approaches appear in the same guide, and each has limits:
- Knife sharpening kits. Some reel mowers can use them, but the guide says they are less effective and risk overgrinding and ruining the mower.
- Rotary sharpener on a power drill. The sharpener works like a polishing brush.
- Sandpaper strips. A sandpaper attachment on the back blade can be brushed against the cutting blades as the reel turns.
Do not sharpen a reel with a file or stone the way you would a rotary blade. The guide covers reel blades, and rotary-blade steps such as removing the blade for balancing are not part of this method.
Mistakes to avoid
- Sharpening before adjusting. Most mowing problems come from spacing, so check that first.
- Turning the reel with the mower live. Always lock the reel and disable the mower first.
- Letting fingers near the blades. The guide warns about pinching fingers and cutting skin. Watch your knuckles and use a sharpener with finger guards if one is available.
- Skipping the oil. Bare steel rusts, and rust dulls the edges again.
- Mowing grass taller than the rated range. The 1204-14 listing says it is less effective on taller grass, and the 1815-18 listing says multiple passes may be needed for grass taller than 4 inches.
Model notes from the listings
American Lawn Mower 1204-14, 14-inch 4-blade
This push reel mower has a 14-inch cutting width and 8.5-inch polymer wheels. The listing says it weighs 19 pounds and suits small lawns. It states an adjustable blade height of 0.5 to 1.75 inches and says it cuts grass up to 4 inches tall, though it is less effective on taller grass. Its listing describes it as reel-only, so the sharpening work is all manual.
American Lawn Mower 1815-18, 18-inch 5-blade
The listing gives an 18-inch cutting width and an adjustable range from 1/2 inch to 2-3/4 inches. It describes the mower as suited to dry grass under 4 inches, with multiple passes for taller grass. Its listed weight is 27 pounds, the heaviest of the four models here, and the manufacturer warranty is listed as 1 Year Limited. The listing also mentions a 5-year manufacturer protection plan.
Great States 304-14, 14-inch 5-blade
This 14-inch reel has five blades on a ball bearing reel and 8.5-inch composite wheels. The listing says the blades are made of heat-treated alloy steel for staying sharp longer. Its listed weight is 9.3 pounds and the height range is 0.5 to 1.75 inches. The warranty is listed as 90 day limited. The listing says the mower requires no gas or oil.
Scotts 304-14S, 14-inch 5-blade
The Scotts model shares the 14-inch, five-blade layout and the 0.5 to 1.75 inch height range with the Great States reel. The listing gives a weight of 18.1 pounds, and the warranty is listed as 90 day limited. It describes tool-less assembly and heat-treated alloy steel blades, and says the mower requires no gas or oil.
Review: the Great States 304-14 for a home sharpening session
The Great States 304-14 is a practical choice for a first sharpening session because its listed specs are easy to work with. It is a 14-inch, five-blade reel with a 0.5 to 1.75 inch height range and a listed weight of 9.3 pounds. The listing says the blades are heat-treated alloy steel and that the mower needs no gas or oil. The listing describes a T-style handle with a cushioned grip and tool-less assembly.
The listing also states a 90 day limited warranty, which is shorter than the 1 Year Limited warranty on the 1815-18. If you want a wider cut, the 1815-18 gives 18 inches. If you want more weight, the Scotts 304-14S lists 18.1 pounds. The listings do not compare blade hardness or edge geometry across models, so do not assume one reel holds an edge longer than another.
The right mower depends on your lawn and your strength. The listings give cutting width and weight, but they do not say which size suits a particular lawn, so match the reel to the lawn and to how much you can comfortably turn by hand. The sharpening method is the same for all four.
FAQ
How often should I sharpen a push reel mower?
The reelmowers.org guide says reel blades need sharpening very rarely and that wear usually appears after several years of use. Sharpen when the cut turns torn or ragged after you have checked blade spacing.
Can I sharpen a reel mower with a file?
The reel guide describes backlapping with grinding compound and warns against using a file the way you would on a rotary blade. Use compound and the reel itself.
Do I need to take the blades off?
The reelmowers.org method works with the reel in place. You attach a handle to the driving gear and turn the reel backwards. The guide does not describe removing the blades for this process.
What kind of oil should I use after sharpening?
The guide recommends a light coat of low-acidity vegetable oil to prevent rust and corrosion. It says this oil leaves no harmful residue on the lawn. Wipe off the excess before you mow.
Why does my reel still cut badly after sharpening?
The guide says most mowing problems can be fixed by adjusting blade spacing. If the blades do not touch the bed knife along their full length, adjust the spacing first. Sharpening alone will not fix a reel that is out of adjustment.
Is sharpening a reel mower dangerous?
It can be if you are careless. The guide warns about pinching fingers in the mower and cutting skin on the blades. Disable the mower, lock the reel, use wooden blocks or arresting gears, and keep your hands away from the cutting edges while the reel moves.
Bottom line
Check blade spacing first. If the cut is still ragged, sharpen by backlapping with grinding compound, turn the reel backwards, rinse and dry it, then oil the blades lightly. Skip files for reel blades. For a home sharpening session, the Great States 304-14 has the clearest listed specs to work with.
For the full safety steps on a powered blade, read how to sharpen a mower blade safely. To decide which blade style suits your mower, see the guide to blade styles for lawn mowers.
