Keep Your Mower Running Better: Best Lawn Mower Blade Sharpeners
If you’re in charge of lawn maintenance, you’re probably already aware that a sharp cutting surface is the best way to achieve professional quality results with your lawn maintenance and landscaping. Sharpening the blades yourself helps save time and money while also ensuring top performance.
But, with so many styles and types of sharpeners on the market, it can be difficult to narrow down the best lawn mower blade sharpener options available.
Today, we’ll take a closer look at five of the best models, and learn a bit more about the best lawn mower blade sharpeners…
Best Lawn Mower Blade Sharpeners
Let’s jump right into our short list of the five best lawn mower blade sharpener tools you’ll find on the market. Our list is far-ranging and covers easy to use hand tools as well as professional quality grinders, as well.
Smith’s 5063 Mower Blade Sharpener
If you’re looking for a no-frills manual blade sharpener that’s perfectly suited for occasional use, Smith’s 5063 sharpener may be exactly what you need.
This tool is one of the safest and easiest to use on the market. It has a large molded handle which is comfortable to grip, even when you’re wearing gloves.
The 5063 works just like a standard kitchen knife sharpener. It’s something you’re probably already familiar with using. Inside the blade sharpener are two replaceable carbide tipped abrasives. These allow you to easily restore a perfect edge to your worn mower blade. Sharpening the blade takes just a few pulls per side.
A wire bristle brush is also included. This allows you to put the finishing touches on your newly sharpened blade. And clean out any metal shavings from inside the sharpener. When the brush isn’t in use, it stores away conveniently in the handle.
Work Sharp Ken Onion Edition Knife Tool Sharpener
The Ken Onion edition knife and tool sharpener from Work Sharp is a favorite of machine shops and professional landscapers, and it’s easy to see why. It allows you to achieve professional quality and easily repeatable results without costing an arm and a leg.
This electric sharpener features a 1.5-amp variable speed motor that’s capable of speeds between 1,200-2,800 SFM, which makes this sharpener uniquely qualified to handle both grinding and precision honing tasks.
The sharpening module is adjustable from 15-30 degrees in five-degree increments, which is an improvement over many grinders which only work at either 15 or 30 degrees. That way, you’ll be able to get tons of extra use out of your tool sharpening knives and other edged tools.
Premium abrasive belts are also included, which allow you to hone a precision, razor-sharp edge. While this may not be as important when sharpening mower blades, it’s sure to come in handy when sharpening other knives and tools.
There are five belts altogether, including extra coarse, coarse, medium, fine and extra fine. The belts are 12” Norton NORaX belts, which is the industry standard when it comes to abrasive belts for sharpening.
There are also attachments available for this sharpener which allows you to use it with an even broader range of yard tools and blades.
Work Sharp makes this sharpener in the United States, and it’s backed by a one-year warranty on parts and workmanship.
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How to Sharpen a Lawn Mower Blade Using a Bench Grinder
Similar to the process above, using a bench grinder to sharpen lawnmower blades works just as easily. A bench grinder reverses the process. Instead of moving the grinder over the blade—you move the blade across the grinder wheel. Since many bench grinders include an adjustable table, you can often get fantastic and consistent results using this method.
Try not to over-sharpen the blade. Doing so only results in a too-fragile edge that dulls more easily and weakens the blade. You also want to use quick passes to sharpen the blade. Be careful not to heat the steel too much. If you do, you may inadvertently weaken the hardening process that holds the blade’s edge.
Steps to sharpen a lawn mower blade with a bench grinder:
Use a Drill and Sharpening Wheel to Sharpen a Lawn Mower Blade
Another way to sharpen a lawn mower blade involves the use of a cordless drill and a special bit. You can find these in any number of shapes and sizes. These bits match the natural angle of the lawnmower blade.
Steps to sharpen a lawn mower blade with a drill accessory:
- Place the lawn mower blade in a vice
- Insert the bit into the drill
- Set the drill to High Speed
- Run the accessory along the sharpened portions of the blade to refresh the edge
One advantage of these types of sharpeners is that you can leave the blade on the mower. Depending on the type of blade and mower, you may get better results by removing the blade first. Still, it does provide a truly quick way to maintain your blade sharpness.
Balancing the Mower Blade
These methods are rather forgiving, however, you should take care to not miss an important step: periodically balancing the blade. After taking off some metal on either side of the blade and achieving a nice edge, you need to ensure the blade still balances evenly.
To do this, hammer a 16D or similar nail into a wall in your shed or shop and hang the blade from its center point. If it stays balanced, you’re all done. if not, mark the heavy side with a Sharpie marker and take some additional metal off that side by continuing to sharpen it. Most of the time, you can keep a blade balanced by staying aware of how many passes you make with a grinder. Still, periodically check the blade balance to ensure you haven’t drifted too far on one side or the other.
Regardless of which grinder method you use, balance the blade periodically to ensure it stays even.
Other Methods to Sharpen a Lawn Mower Blades
We don’t typically recommend the use of a file when sharpening your lawnmower blades. The process is slow and manual, and the results won’t get you a nicer lawn or a longer blade life. Instead, pick one of the grinder methods above and get to work. If, however, you enjoy using a hand file—by all means, go for it.
If you happen to sharpen mower blades regularly—enough to warrant a faster process—several commercial models do exist to save you time. A newly-created tool from Noracore called the Easy Mower Blade Sharpener (EMBSX) has particular promise. In fact, this tool won a 2019 Pro Tool Innovation Award.
This pneumatic tool drives a die grinder with both a mirror and a camera interface that lets you sharpen the blades on zero-turn mowers without removing them. It takes some finesse and skill to use, so it’s not for everyone. You also need to watch that you don’t sharpen one side more than another or you risk unbalancing the blades.
Some Considerations
No matter which method you choose to sharpen a lawnmower blade, please be careful to wear proper personal protective equipment (PPE) to protect your eyes, hands, and ears. Grinding mower blades takes little effort and we find it a great entry-level task almost anyone can handle. Still, taking proper safety precautions guards against accidents.
Let us know what you think in the Комментарии и мнения владельцев below. Do you have a preferred method for sharpening lawnmower blades? Which method works most consistently in your experience? We’d love to hear from you.
Clint DeBoer
When he’s not playing with the latest power tool, Clint DeBoer enjoys life as a husband, father, and avid reader—especially the Bible. He loves Jesus, has a degree in recording engineering, and has been involved in multimedia and/or online publishing in one form or another since 1992.
Clint’s career has covered nearly the entire realm of audio and video production. After graduating at the top of his class with an Associates Degree in Recording Engineering, he began working for the famed Soundelux studios in 1994, one of the largest post-production companies specializing in audio for feature films television. Working on a myriad of feature films, Clint honed his skills as a dialogue editor, foley editor, and sound designer. Years later, he moved into the expanding area of video editing, where he served as the company’s senior AVID video editor for three years.
Working for such clients as Universal Pictures, Hollywood Pictures, Paramount Home Entertainment, NASA, Universal Studios, Planet Hollywood, SEGA, NASCAR, and others, Clint DeBoer dealt extensively with client management as well as film video editing, color correction, and digital video MPEG compression. He also carries several THX certifications (Technician I and II, THX Video), and is ISF Level II Certified.
After founding the CD Media, Inc. publishing company in 1996, he went on to help start or grow several successful online publications, including Audioholics (as Editor-in-Chief for 12 years), Audiogurus, and AV Gadgets. In 2008, Clint founded Pro Tool Reviews followed by the landscape and outdoor power equipment-focused OPE Reviews in 2017. He also heads up the Pro Tool Innovation Awards, an annual awards program honoring innovative tools and accessories across the trades.
Crediting God and his excellent staff for the success of what is now the largest power tool review publication in the industry, Clint DeBoer hopes to see continued growth for the company as it rapidly expands its reach. Pro Tool Reviews critically reviews hundreds of hand tools, power tools, and accessories each year to help inform users about the best and newest products in the industry. Reaching everyone from the construction industry professional and tradesman to the serious DIYer, Pro Tool Reviews helps tool consumers shop better, work smarter, and stay aware of what tools and products can help put them at the top of their game.
Clean the blade before sharpening
If you don’t clean your blade before sharpening it, the accumulated rust, grass, and dirt can make it difficult to get enough abrasion to file or grind away the metal. Wiping the blade down with a rag may be enough, but if your blade is in bad shape, you can use a penetrating cleaner.
Once your blade is clean, place it securely in a bench clamp. Don’t try to sharpen your blade without a clamp; you’ll need both hands to do the sharpening and trying to brace the blade with a body part could result in cuts and injuries.
Sharpen with a file or grinder
If Using a File:
A hand file is the best sharpening tool to use, especially if you don’t have much experience with a grinder. Once your blade is secured, you’ll need to file with the angle of the bevel. This is usually a 40- or 45-degree angle. Push the file from the inside edge of the blade toward the outside edge, applying enough pressure to feel the abrasion between the file and the blade.
Most blades need about 50 strokes to get them sharp enough. You want your blade to be butter knife sharp when you’re done, not steak knife sharp. A blade that is too sharp will dull quickly.
If Using a Grinder:
A hand grinder is much faster than a file, but it’s easier to ruin the angle of the blade or damage the metal through overheating.
If you have some experience with a grinder, though, the process is similar to using a file. Simply run the grinder along the edge of the blade following the bevel until your blade is roughly as sharp as a butter knife. If the metal starts to overheat, wait for a few minutes or run some water over it to cool it down.
Balance the blade
Always check the balance of your blade before putting it back on your mower. The process of removing metal to create a sharper edge can leave a blade unbalanced. An unbalanced blade on your mower can cause the engine to run rough and can even damage the bearings.
To check the balance, hammer a nail into a wall and thread it through the hole in the center of the blade so your blade looks like a plane propeller. If one side or the other drops toward the ground, more material needs to be removed from that side. You’ll know your blade is balanced when it can hang evenly with both sides of the blade horizontally level.
Mow with confidence
Go try out the sharpened mower. You should notice that the mower is cutting grass more evenly and easily. If you hear any rattling or other loud noises that you didn’t notice before, turn it off immediately and repeat steps 8-9 above. If you notice that the mower is still cutting unevenly or poorly, try sharpening the blades once more or consider taking it to a professional or your local big box retailer for help.
Hopefully this guide has shown you how to sharpen mower blades in a way that is simple, straightforward, and safe for you and your mower. Keep this article handy for the next time you need to shape your mower!
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Lawn Mower Blade Sharpening
Mobile Lawn Mower Repair Mower Doctor is a full service, mobile lawn mower repair service. We come to your door to repair riding lawn mowers, trimmers and more! Repairing a broken lawn mower can be a hassle, we’ll save you time money on your next lawn mower repair. Find out how!
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For more information or to schedule a lawn mower blade sharpening Call 734-558-2328
About Our Mobile Lawn Mower Blade Sharpening
We are based out of New Hudson, Michigan, allowing our team to service the surrounding South Lyon, Brighton, Whitmore Lake, West Bloomfield, Northville, Novi, Plymouth and surrounding areas. We bring the mower repair shop right to your door, allowing us to repair your lawn mower faster than a normal repair shop.
There are many things you can do to ensure that your lawn mower is running the best that it can. Properly sharpened lawn mower blades are one of the most important aspects of lawn mower maintenance and help to keep your lawn healthy all year long.
Some of the Benefits of Properly sharpened lawn mower blades include:
- Reduction of over-all engine temperature
- Will maintain a healthy, good looking lawn all season long
- Reduces the number of clumps and piles of grass that will kill your lawn
- Reduces wear on riding mower belts, causing your belts to last even longer
- Sharpening on a blade grinder specified for lawn mower blades
- Balancing of lawn mower blades. Reduces vibration on the lawn mower
- Removal of all Grass Debris from the bottom of the mower deck
- Re-Installing the lawn mower blade to the proper torque
For more information or to schedule a lawn mower blade sharpening Call 734-558-2328
Our Full Service Lawn Mower Repair Includes:
Blade sharpening and balance, deck cleaning, spark plug replacement, air filter check/replacement, oil change, oil filter change, grease all steering components, fuel systems check up, belt inspection and tire pressure check.
We service all makes and models!
We Accept All Major Credit Cards
Please Note: We have a minimum service charge of 95 for push/self propelled mowers and snowblowers, 160 for a rider, call for minimum on commercial mowers. Service charge is applied towards labor and repair of the machine. This is to cover technicians time and diagnosis of machine. Fee is due at time of service if customer declines service and/or machine is ruled not worth fixing.
Lawn Mower Repair Reviews
“Great service, very knowledgeable and reasonable rates. Jason was able to diagnose and fix my mower at my home within fifteen minutes, and he was more than willing to explain what he was doing and what had happened with my mower. I highly recommend Jason if you need your lawn mower repaired.”
Description
Dual disc grinder blade sharpener for flat lawnmower blades and mulching blades or wavy blades. The RBG 950 has all the features of a RBG 934 plus a second versatile 7” flap wheel for sharpening curved or nonstandard mulching blades to any angle. The RBG 934 upgrades to a 3/4 HP motor, a 9” disc wheel, and a 7” flap wheel to sharpen mulching or straight edge blades in one go! With more power and speed the RBG950 meets the high use needs of commercial landscapers.
RBG Grinders make sharpening lawnmower blades faster, simpler, and safer. Preset 30-degree blade guides maintain proper angle to sharpen flat mower blades to original factory edge. Sharpen any length standard or reverse rotation lawn mower blade. A second flap wheel grinder on some models enables sharpening of mulching blades. RBG Grinder reduces work time while eliminating grinding wheel dust and wheel dressing.
- Includes one RBG 981 9” fast grind disc
- Includes one RBG785 7” flap wheel disc
- 30-degree preset blade guides for fast grind to factory edge.
- 3/4 H.P., continuous duty, fan-cooled motor for commercial needs
- Sharpens any length standard or reverse rotation blade.
- Sharpens nonstandard mulching blades to any angle.
- Made in USA by Wall Enterprises.
Accessories: RBG960 Grit Collector, RBG780 replacement grinding wheel, RBG785 replacement flap grinding wheel. All sold separately.
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Grinding Wheel: 9″ Fast Grind and 7″ Flap Wheel