Best McLane Reel Mower Sharpening Kits Compared
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If you are looking for a McLane reel mower sharpening kit, none of the listings below name McLane, so no product here is confirmed for a McLane mower. This guide compares the reel mower sharpening kits that the listings describe for American Lawn Mower, Great States, Earthwise and Scotts push reel mowers. Use the model details and the mower brands in each listing to decide whether a kit fits the reel mower you own.
Quick answer
- None of the eight listings in this comparison mention McLane. Check your mower’s make and model against the brands each listing gives.
- Kits with two grits (80 and 120) are the ones whose listings name both steps: a coarser compound first, then a finer one.
- Most listings say they are for manual push reel mowers only. Several say they are not for rotary mowers.
- Look at what is in the box. Some listings itemize a brush, a crank, gloves and compound; others do not list the contents at all.
How reel mower sharpening kits work, as the listings describe them
A reel mower cuts by sliding the spinning reel blades past a fixed bed knife. Over time the edges round off or develop burrs, and the grass gets torn rather than cut. The kits in this comparison are built around one method that the listings describe: back-lapping. The operator spreads a grinding compound on the reel, then turns the reel backward with a crank so the compound works the blade edges. The listings describe it as a home method that needs no power source.
Most kits include the same three parts: a compound, an applicator brush and a crank or gear tool that turns the reel. Some add gloves. The compound is usually described as a water-soluble gel or paste that rinses off with water after use. The grit number matters because the listings name 80 grit for restoring dull or uneven edges and 120 grit for finer finishing with less metal removed. Kits without a stated grit do not tell you which step they cover.
The listings also describe a second, smaller use. Some say the same compound can be used for hand shears, pruning tools and other garden tools. Treat those claims as the seller’s words. Check the product page for the exact wording before you buy for a non-mower use.
Comparison table
The table uses only what each listing states. “Not stated” means the listing does not give the value.
| ASIN | Listing name | Grit stated | Items named in listing | Mower brands named |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| B00004R9UM | American Lawn Mower SK-1 Compound Sharpening Kit | Not stated | Grinding compound, application brush, back-lapping crank | Great States, American Lawn Mower, Earthwise, Scotts |
| B0DZCMF1PR | AAAQQ SK-1 Compound Sharpening Kit | Not stated | Abrasive paste, applicator brush, reel mower crank | Great States, American Lawn Mower, Earthwise, Scotts |
| B0FDKC9F2K | Rasaech SK-1-1 Compound Sharpening Kit | Not stated | Lapping compound, hand crank, brush, glove | American Lawn Mower, Great States, Earthwise |
| B0FHHFTZ3X | Generic LL001 Backlapping Compound Kit, 1.5 LB | 80 and 120 | Compound, long-handle applicator brush, cut-resistant gloves | Great States, American Lawn Mower, most push-style manual reel mowers |
| B0FVLSTFQJ | huzile 2PCS Reel Lawn Mower Sharpening Kit | 80 and 120 | 0.3 lb 80-grit paste, 0.3 lb 120-grit paste, applicator brush, gloves | Great States, American Lawn Mower, Earthwise |
| B0GLNTB118 | Dunkive Reel Lawn Mower Sharpening Kit, 80 and 120 Grit | 80 and 120 | 80 and 120 compound, application brush, gloves | Great States, American Lawn Mower |
| B0GY16RKPX | Yayapig Reel Mower Sharpening Kit SK-2 | Not stated | Not itemized | American Lawn Mower, Great States, Earthwise, Scotts |
| B0H2HQTLB2 | Kwongfoyii SK-1 Reel Mower Sharpening Kit Compound | Not stated | Not itemized | American Lawn Mower, Great States, Earthwise |
The eight kits, one by one
American Lawn Mower Company SK-1 Compound Sharpening Kit
This is the kit from the brand that makes the reel mowers it names. The listing describes a compound sharpening kit that holds grinding compound, an application brush and a back-lapping crank. It says the kit is designed for Great States, American Lawn Mower, Earthwise and Scotts manual push lawn mowers. The bullets also name two push mower model numbers, 1705-16 and 1815-18, which is the most specific fit detail in this group. The listing says it helps you keep reel blades at their cutting best and that it lets you sharpen at home instead of paying for a service. The listing does not state the grit of the compound or the amount in the package.
Choose this kit if your mower is one of the brands named and you want the brand’s own compound. If you need the grit split, look at the 80 and 120 grit kits below.
AAAQQ SK-1 Compound Sharpening Kit
The AAAQQ listing describes an abrasive paste, an applicator brush and a hand crank. Its bullets explain the method: apply the paste to the blade and reverse-rotate the drum with the crank. The listing says the kit is compatible with Great States, American Lawn Mower, Earthwise and Scotts manual reel lawn mowers. It also says the kit is not compatible with Fiskars, Gilmour, Scott or Sears Craftsman. Those exclusions matter if you own a mower from one of those brands. The listing states a model of SK-1 and a part number of SK-1. The grit and the paste quantity are not stated.
Rasaech SK-1-1 Compound Sharpening Kit
The Rasaech listing names a package with an SK-1 compound sharpening kit, reel mower lapping compound, a hand crank, a brush and a glove. It says the kit works with American Lawn Mower, Great States and Earthwise push reel mowers. The bullets also say that the kit is not compatible with Fiskars, Gilmour, Scott or Sears Craftsman. The listing describes the hand crank as giving controlled operation. The model shown is SK-1-1. The listing does not state the grit or how many sharpening sessions the compound covers.
This kit is a good match when the glove and brush in the box matter to you and the mower brand is one of the three named.
Generic LL001 Backlapping Compound Kit, 80 and 120 Grit, 1.5 LB
This is the largest compound quantity in the group. The listing gives a total of 1.5 lb (350 g) and names both 80 grit and 120 grit. The bullets say the 80 grit is for restoring dull, uneven edges and the 120 grit is for fine honing with less material removed. The kit includes a long-handle applicator brush and cut-resistant gloves. The listing says the paste is water-soluble, so it rinses off with water. It also names Great States, American Lawn Mower and most push-style manual reel mowers, and says the compound can be used for hand scissors and pruning shears.
The listing gives two instructions that you should read together before you buy. It describes the paste as premixed, and it also says to mix it with kerosene or machine oil at a 1:1 to 1:2 ratio. Read the label that comes with the product and follow the one that matches the jar you receive. The listing brand is Generic. It says the compound is enough for 10 or more sessions.
huzile 2PCS Reel Lawn Mower Sharpening Kit, 80 and 120 Grit
The huzile kit is sold as two pastes, 0.3 lb of 80-grit compound for the first pass and 0.3 lb of 120-grit compound for finishing. It includes an applicator brush and a pair of 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 same as reel mowers in the listing’s wording, and it says the kit can also be used on shears, knives and other garden tools. The listing gives two model numbers, RLM35 and RLM12. Confirm which one you are buying before you order, since the listing does not explain the difference.
Dunkive Reel Lawn Mower Sharpening Kit, 80 and 120 Grit
The Dunkive listing describes a starter kit with 80 and 120 grit compound, a dedicated application brush and a pair of gloves. It says the compound is premixed in a water-soluble gel that clings to the blade during work and rinses off with water. The bullets state that each jar holds 100 g, for 200 g in total. The listing title, however, says 7 oz total. The listing does not reconcile the two figures, so check the size on the package you receive. The kit is named for Great States and American Lawn Mower manual push mowers. The model number is LIF-Dunkive-1077.
Yayapig Reel Mower Sharpening Kit SK-2
The Yayapig listing presents a hand-operated SK-2 kit with no power source. It says the kit fits American Lawn Mower, Great States, Earthwise and Scotts reel mowers and most standard manual reel mowers. The bullets describe the design as built to withstand repeated use. They do not itemize what is in the box, and they do not state a grit or a compound quantity. Buy this kit when the brand fit is your main concern and you can accept that the listing gives no detail on the sharpening material.
Kwongfoyii SK-1 Reel Mower Sharpening Kit Compound
The Kwongfoyii listing presents an SK-1 compound kit that it says is designed to fit American Lawn Mower, Great States and Earthwise reel mowers. The bullets say the kit includes everything needed to restore dull blades, and that the compound method lets homeowners sharpen without a professional service. The listing does not itemize the contents, the grit or the quantity. Because the list of contents is missing, ask the seller for those details through the listing before you rely on the kit for a full sharpening session.
How to choose the right kit
Start with the mower, not the kit. Find the make and model on the mower’s frame or in its manual. Then check the brands in each listing. The listings in this comparison name four brands most often: American Lawn Mower, Great States, Earthwise and Scotts. If your mower is a different brand, none of these listings state that it fits, and you should not assume that it does.
Next, decide whether you want a grit split. A kit that names 80 grit and 120 grit lets you do a coarse pass and a fine pass, which matches the two-step method the listings describe. A kit with no grit stated works, but the listing does not tell you which step the compound is for. For a blade that is badly dulled or has visible burrs, the 80-grit step is the one the listings tie to restoring the edge.
Then look at the box. A kit that names gloves, a brush and a crank is easier to start with than a kit that names only compound. If the listing does not itemize the contents, the seller’s listing is the only source you have, so consider a different kit with a full parts list.
Sizing and fit notes
The listings give fit information in two forms: brands and model numbers. The SK-1 kit from American Lawn Mower names the push mower models 1705-16 and 1815-18. The other listings name brands and do not give model numbers for the mowers. If your mower is not one of the named brands or models, the listing does not confirm the fit.
The listings also name two brands that the kits say they are not compatible with: Fiskars, Gilmour, Scott and Sears Craftsman. If your mower is from one of those brands, skip the kits in this list that carry that exclusion. Some of the kits, such as the Dunkive and huzile listings, name only the reel mower brands and do not state exclusions, so the absence of a brand is not a confirmation.
A sharpening kit does not change the mower’s blade height range or the reel’s diameter. The listings do not give those values for the kits, and they should not be read from the kit listing. Use the mower’s own manual for those specifications.
Mistakes to avoid
- Buying a kit for a rotary mower. Several listings say the kit is for manual push reel mowers and some say it does not work on rotary blades.
- Skipping the fit check. A kit can look right and still name different mower brands in its bullets.
- Mixing the compound without reading the label. The Generic LL001 listing gives two different instructions, one premixed and one mixed with kerosene or machine oil.
- Assuming a grit. Some listings state 80 and 120 grit and others do not state a grit at all.
- Treating the listing’s size as certain. The Dunkive listing gives 7 oz in the title and 200 g in the bullets.
- Using a compound on the wrong blade. The listings for hand tools say the compound can also be used on shears and knives, but that is a different job than reel mower back-lapping.
FAQ
Does any kit in this list mention McLane?
No. None of the eight listings names McLane. The kits are reel mower sharpening kits for the brands listed in each product section. If you own a McLane reel mower, check its manual or the mower’s model plate before you buy, because the listings do not confirm a McLane fit.
What grit should I start with?
The listings that name two grits describe 80 grit as the coarser compound for restoring dull or uneven edges, and 120 grit as the finer compound for smoothing and finishing. Start with the coarser compound when the blades are visibly dull, then finish with the finer one. Kits that do not state a grit do not tell you which step the compound is for.
Can I use these kits on a rotary mower?
The listings in this group describe the kits for manual push reel mowers. Some state directly that the kit is not for rotary blades. The listing for the Ulreon hand sharpener, which is not in this comparison, says the same. For a rotary mower, use a blade-sharpening method that the mower’s manual describes.
Do I need gloves?
Several kits include gloves, and the Generic LL001 listing describes its gloves as cut-resistant. The listings do not say whether gloves are required for the method. Wear gloves when you work near the blade edges, since the listings describe the blades as sharp and the method involves turning them by hand.
How do I clean up after sharpening?
The listings for the Generic LL001 and the Dunkive kit describe a water-soluble compound that rinses off with water. The huzile and Rasaech listings do not describe the cleanup method. Read the instructions in the package for the cleanup and disposal steps, and do not pour the leftover compound into a drain unless the label allows it.
Can I use one kit for several mowers?
The listings do not say how many mowers one kit can serve, and none of them give a number of mowers. Check the brands in each listing against all of your mowers. If the names match, the kit’s compound and tools should work across them, but the listing does not state that for every model.
Related reading on this site
If you are deciding whether the reel blade needs replacing rather than sharpening, the guide to replacement mower blades, and the reel and robot mowers listed beside them covers the blade side of the decision. For a broader look at how blade types differ, the blade style guide for rotary, mulching, reel and flail blades explains where a reel blade fits.
Bottom line
For a McLane reel mower, none of the listings confirm a fit, so start by checking your mower’s make and model against the brands each listing names. If your mower is a named brand and you want the two-step method, choose a kit that states 80 and 120 grit and includes a brush and gloves. If the brand is named and you want the brand’s own compound, the American Lawn Mower SK-1 kit is the one whose listing names specific model numbers.
