Best Reel Lawn Mower Sharpening Tools for Home Use
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A reel lawn mower sharpening tool restores the cutting edge where the reel’s blades meet the bed knife. Two methods show up in this set. Back-lapping kits use a fine compound and a hand crank to grind the reel against the bed knife while the mower sits in place. Bench sharpeners hold a blade at a fixed angle for a stone or grinder, which suits a blade you have taken off the mower. This roundup compares five tools from the listings we have, with the method, the parts included and the fit notes stated for each, so you can match the tool to the mower you own.
Quick answer
- For a reel mower sharpened in place, the American Lawn Mower SK-1 kit and the Fiskars maintenance kit both list a hand crank, a brush and lapping compound.
- For a bench jig with a 30-degree bevel, the Atatod listing is written for reel and push mowers, but it does not say whether a grinder is included.
- The Kimgsoak and Hasopy sharpeners are described as lawn mower blade sharpeners. Their listings do not say they are for reel blades, so check the blade type before buying.
- Read the parts list on every listing. Several tools need a stone, a grinder or a motor that is not in the box.
Back-lapping and bench sharpening: what the listings describe
A reel mower cuts because its spiral blades turn past a fixed bed knife, and the edge that does the work is the one where the two meet. When that edge dulls, grass tears instead of cutting cleanly. Back-lapping is the method most home reel owners use. You apply a fine abrasive compound to the reel, turn the reel backward with a crank so the blades grind against the bed knife, and clean the compound off afterward. The Fiskars listing describes the steps in that order: apply the compound with the brush, then use the hand crank to spin the reel backward.
Bench sharpening works on a different principle. The blade is clamped at a set angle, and a stone or grinder works the edge. The Atatod listing describes a 30-degree bevel and a base that catches dust. The Kimgsoak listing gives an adjustable angle range of 15 to 45 degrees and a blade width range of 1.69 to 3.54 inches. The Hasopy listing describes a 30-degree adjustable bevel ring that works with a grinder, and the grinder is not included. That method suits a blade that is removed from the mower, but it takes more care than back-lapping and needs a grinder or stone that many listings leave out.
Comparison at a glance
| Tool (listing) | Method | Parts or form stated | Fit note in the listing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Atatod Lawn Mower Blade Sharpener Grinder Tool Kit | Bench jig, 30-degree bevel | Iron body, adjustable bevel, overhanging base | Reel and push mowers; grinder inclusion not stated |
| American Lawn Mower Company SK-1 Compound Kit | Back-lapping compound | Compound, application brush, back-lapping crank | Push reel lawn mowers |
| Fiskars Push Reel Lawn Mower Blade Maintenance Kit | Back-lapping compound | Lapping compound, brush, two fittings, hand crank | Restores blades on a reel mower |
| Kimgsoak Lawn Mower Blade Sharpener with Blade Balancer | Bench sharpener, guide pins and bushings | Aluminum alloy body, zinc alloy balancer, angle guide | Lawn mower blades; reel use not stated |
| Hasopy Professional Lawn Mower Blade Sharpener | Grinder attachment, 30-degree bevel ring | Iron alloy body, base platform; grinder not included | Lawn mower blades; reel use not stated |
Where a listing gives no detail, the table says so. The fit notes come from each listing’s title and bullets, and they are not a substitute for checking the model of your own mower.
The tools one by one
Atatod Lawn Mower Blade Sharpener Grinder Tool Kit
The Atatod is a bench jig built from iron and designed to hold a blade at a 30-degree bevel. The listing describes an adjustable bevel, a stable base with four corners and an overhanging edge that catches dust during sharpening. It has a quick assembly and disassembly design, and the title says it is for reel and push mowers. The listing describes a factory-edge finish, which you should judge by the edge you get on your own blades. The listing does not state whether a grinder or stone is included, so check the parts list before ordering. For someone who already has a grinder and wants a repeatable angle, the Atatod is the jig in this set that the listing describes most clearly for reel use.
American Lawn Mower Company SK-1 Compound Sharpening Kit
The SK-1 is a back-lapping kit that the listing describes as a do-it-yourself sharpening kit for push reel lawn mowers. It contains grinding compound, an application brush and a back-lapping crank, and the listing says it helps keep the blades at their cutting peak. The listing names American Lawn Mower Company as the brand. The listing does not say how long a jar lasts, and it does not state a grit, so check the grit on the compound you receive against the grit you need. If you own a push reel from the same company, the SK-1 is the simplest match in this roundup.
Fiskars Push Reel Lawn Mower Blade Maintenance Kit
The Fiskars kit is a restore-blades kit for a reel mower. The listing includes lapping compound, an application brush, two fittings, a hand crank and step-by-step instructions. The bullets tie the kit to Fiskars tools and describe the same back-lapping steps as the compound kits: apply the compound with the brush, then turn the reel backward with the crank. The listing does not state a grit, and it does not say which reel models the two fittings suit. If you own a Fiskars reel, this kit is the closest match in the set, and the listing describes it as a dedicated reel maintenance tool rather than a general sharpener.
Kimgsoak Lawn Mower Blade Sharpener with Blade Balancer
The Kimgsoak is a bench sharpener built around guide pins and bushings. The listing says the high-density aluminum alloy body and the bushings fit snugly over the guide pins to reduce wobble, which helps keep the angle steady. The listing gives an applicable blade angle of 15 to 45 degrees, a blade width of 1.69 to 3.54 inches, a maximum thickness of 0.28 inches and a maximum length of 30 inches, and it asks the buyer to check the blade against those limits. The kit includes a zinc alloy balancer, which the listing says helps the sharpened blade stay balanced. The product dimensions are 13.8 by 8.8 by 3.4 inches, and the item weighs 3.27 pounds. The listing describes lawn mower blades in general and does not say the kit is for reel blades, so check the blade width and shape on your reel before buying.
Hasopy Professional Lawn Mower Blade Sharpener
The Hasopy is a grinder attachment rather than a stand-alone sharpener. Its listing describes a heavy-duty iron alloy body and an integrated adjustable ring that locks the blade at a 30-degree sharpening angle. The listing says the sharpener fits most standard grinders, and it notes that the grinder motor is not included. The base platform is described as stable, and it makes it easier to clean up metal filings after sharpening. The listing describes lawn mower blades in general and does not say it is for reel blades. A grinder is the main cost to plan for, and a grinder that is not already in the workshop adds to the total. If you own one, this is a simple way to hold the blade at a fixed angle.
Closer look: the Fiskars kit in depth
The Fiskars kit is the most complete reel-specific option in this set that works in place on the mower. Its contents are lapping compound, an application brush, two fittings, a hand crank and written instructions, which covers the basic parts for back-lapping. The bullets describe the process in three steps: apply the compound with the brush, use the hand crank to spin the reel backward, and then clean the reel. The listing does not give a grit or a jar size, so ask the seller those details before buying. The two fittings are listed but not explained by model, so compare them with the reel you own. The listing describes Fiskars tools as built to last, which is a general brand claim rather than a test result. For a Fiskars reel, the kit is the direct choice. For a reel from another brand, check the fittings before ordering.
How to choose a reel sharpening tool
Start with the mower. Check whether it is a reel or a rotary machine, and whether the reel is a push model. The back-lapping kits and the Fiskars kit are described for reels, while the bench sharpeners in this set are described for lawn mower blades without naming reels. Next, decide where the sharpening will happen. A back-lapping kit works with the reel still on the mower. A bench sharpener needs the blade off the mower and a stable place to clamp it. Last, check the parts. Some listings include a brush, a crank and gloves, and others leave those out or require a grinder that is not in the box.
Plan for cleanup as well. Back-lapping leaves compound on the reel, so set aside time to clean it off after each session. The Atatod and Hasopy listings both describe a base that helps with dust or metal filings, which matters when a grinder is involved.
Mistakes to avoid
- Buying a bench sharpener for a reel without checking the blade. The Kimgsoak and Hasopy listings describe lawn mower blades, not reel blades.
- Assuming the jig includes a grinder. The Atatod and Hasopy listings do not include one, and the Hasopy listing says the grinder motor is not included.
- Skipping the blade measurements. The Kimgsoak listing gives width, thickness and length limits, so measure your blade first.
- Ignoring the fittings and parts. The Fiskars kit includes two fittings, and the listing does not say which reels they suit.
- Skipping the cleanup. Back-lapping compound must be cleaned off the reel after each session.
FAQ
What is the difference between a back-lapping kit and a bench sharpener?
A back-lapping kit uses a compound and a hand crank to grind the reel against the bed knife while the mower is in place. The SK-1 and Fiskars kits work this way. A bench sharpener holds the blade at a set angle for a stone or grinder, and the Kimgsoak and Hasopy listings describe that method.
Do I need a grinder to sharpen a reel mower?
No, not for the back-lapping kits in this set. The Hasopy listing requires a grinder, and the Atatod listing does not say whether one is included. A grinder is not needed for the SK-1 or Fiskars kits, which work with a crank.
Which of these tools are for reel blades specifically?
The SK-1 is described for push reel lawn mowers, the Fiskars kit is described as a reel mower maintenance kit, and the Atatod title names reel and push mowers. The Kimgsoak and Hasopy listings describe lawn mower blades in general, so they do not state reel use.
How often should I sharpen a reel?
The listings in this set do not give a schedule. Sharpen when the cut looks ragged or the grass tears instead of cutting cleanly. The SK-1 listing describes the kit as a way to keep blades at their cutting peak, but no listing in this set gives a schedule.
Do any of these kits include gloves?
None of the five listings in this set states that gloves are included. The SK-1 lists a compound, a brush and a crank. The Fiskars kit lists compound, a brush, two fittings and a crank. The Atatod, Kimgsoak and Hasopy listings do not mention gloves.
Bottom line
For a reel mower, a compound kit with a crank is the most direct way to sharpen in place, and the Fiskars and SK-1 kits are the two listings here that describe reel use directly. If you prefer a bench method and own a grinder, the Atatod is written for reel and push mowers, and the Kimgsoak and Hasopy are general lawn mower blade sharpeners. Match the tool to the blade type before you buy.
Related reading
For a reel mower blade replacement option, read Best Replacement Mower Blades, and the Reel and Robot Mowers Listed Beside Them. To learn how blade style affects the cut, see Best Blade Style for Lawn Mowers: Rotary, Mulching, Reel or Flail.
