Sharpen a Push Reel Mower : 14 Steps

Easier than it looks -- basically reverse the rotation and lap with a grinding compound

Here is a video of the mower cutting grass once it is all sharp.

Video:

*Update 8/7/19*

I recently bought a Fiskar push reel mower and it is great:

https://amzn.to/31qjp1f

Step 1: Basics

A push reel mower is like scissors, except one blade is fixed and the other blade is on a reel.

The blades make a spiral so they are only cutting in one small spot at a time.

Here are the basic steps:

Make it so the blades rotate the wrong way
Put grinding compound on the blades, this makes the blades into there own sharpening stones
Push the mower around until it is easy, this is called lapping (maybe reverse lapping...)
Wash off the grinding compound
Make the blades so they go the right way again
Mow the lawn

Step 2: Take Off the Wheels

Step 3: Take Out the Gears

Step 4: Swap the Gears

Put the left gear on the right side and the right gear on the left side.

Now it will run backwards.

Step 5: Put the Wheels Back On

Step 6: Adjust the Fixed Blade

The blade that is fixed (not on the reel) can be positioned by adjusting two screws.

You want to make it so the fixed blade is touching the reel blades, so that it is hard to rotate the blades (but not impossible).

Step 7: Apply Grinding Compound

Putting valve grinding compound on the blades makes them into their own sharpening stones. The blades will sharpen each other, eventually they will both be sharp and fit together perfectly.

They have this at auto parts stores and on amazon: Valve Grinding Compound

Step 8: Push the Mower Backwards

Pushing the mower backwards will now sharpen the blades. Push the mower until it the reel is moving easily, then adjust the screws on the fixed blade so that it is is hard to push the mower. Now push the mower until it is easy, again. You want to repeat this until the blades are shiny all the way across.

http://youtu.be/locDYNSIrKs Video:

Step 9: This Is What It Looks Like Sharp

Step 10: Wash Off the Grit With Water

As the blade gets sharper you can start to wash off the grit with water. This makes the blade easier to turn. You also want all the grinding compound to be gone by the time you are done.