How to Sharpen a Lawnmower Blade with a Simple Hand File DIY

It doesn't take much to sharpen a lawnmower blade
As long as its in good shape and you follow a few simple steps you should be good to go
Do it yourself and save!

[@SeattlePioneer]

1. The key thing withy sharpening mower blades is to do it OFTEN. I find it doesn't take more than 3-4 cuts before it's tme to sharpen up again. 2. If you are going to sharpen often, it's important to make the practice easy and painless to do. For me, that means I have the tools needed to remove and remount the blade handy as a separate collection of tools. That means one wrench to loosen the central bolt holding the blade, and two other wrenches to use to loosen two smaller bolts that also secure the blade. I also have a manufactured tool to hold the blade immobile while loosening or tightening the bolts holding the blade. Most people just use a block of wood, and that's fine, but I'd have the block of wood with the necessary tools so that you aren't looking for new blocks of wood all the time. 3. I have two mower blades,. so I can remove the mower blade, swap it for one already sharpened and reinstall rapidly. I sharpen the blade when convenient. 4. I used to grind the blade, but in recent years I've used a file. I'll use a grinder to repair a major ding, and then finish up with a file. 5. I treated myself to a new file! That actually makes a big difference. The old file was worn and wasn't cutting very well. I paid $3.49 at Harbor Freight for a new file with a handle on it, and it's a big improvement over the old one. 6. I like to run the file all the way along the cutting edge of the mower blade on each stroke. I find that's most efficient ---and most satisfying. It's SATISFYING to file a mower blade! And I file from the thin part of the cutting edge to the thick part of the cutting edge, the reverse of that illustrated in the video. Just feel better to me. 7. I also file the edge on my splitting maul several times during the heating season. 8. Perhaps those reading this will find one or two items they want to try. That's what I do when I listen to videos like this or read comments. The best advice I've given here is the importance of sharpening a mower blade OFTEN! Happy filing!

[@TheNovaJohn]

Great Response! I pinned it up at the top. Since I do so many I keep the steps down. I sharpen my Honda 1 or twice a year depending on what I'm doing. Sometimes I like to grind up lawn debri and then I may sharpen more. I already need one of the 2 blades on that system. Often the tractor gets used so I may use the push much less. But for the business its the one thing that requires speed only! How much yard do you have if ya don't mind me asking?

[@SeattlePioneer]

@@TheNovaJohn Thanks for your kind reply and I'm glad you found my post a useful addition to your video. I mow my own home and a rental house I own, both 50x100 foot lots. But then I also mow neglected public property, unmaintained alleyways and street ends and such. And like you, I GRIND up whatever debris the mower will choke down of --- an ordinary 5 HP B&S engine. A sharp blade is a definite help when placing real demands on a mower, I find. I like making my mower work, and using it, and I like perfecting skills like methods of blade sharpening. Each time I do such a thing is an opportunity to identify better ways of doing something. And that's why I like watching videos on such subjects --- the person making the video or a person commenting may have interesting ideas on how to do things. And in this thread, I was glad to be able to remind viewers about Archie Bunker and "All In the Family"! That was a fun added bonus. Again, thanks for taking the time to make your videos!

[@willkindred7450]

Hey thankyou! This is just as helpful as the video!

[@SeattlePioneer]

@@willkindred7450 I got my time to sharpen my mower blade down to TWELVE minutes the other day! That included moving the mower, removing the blade, filing the blade, reinstalling it and putting the mower back in it's place. That's my personal best! Having a collection of tools and materials at hand for the job is a key. I even have a sandbag to hold the handle of the mower down, for access to the blade. And sharpening the blade often means you are in practice, not fumbling around trying to remember how you do things. Heh, heh! It's becoming a hobby, really! And it is a constant surprise how fast the blade gets dull.

[@Mikieperson]

Good vid. Not sure I have a vice handy, but I do know where some screw down C-clamps are and fam member has some files. Now to convince my fam member to let me take my hand at sharpening. They supply the mower/tools needed for me to maintain their property.. so sometimes getting regular maintenance is hard and money is tight, so I do all I can to take care of maintenance or repairs.

[@TheNovaJohn]

Thanx for the comment! I use clamps quite often, I have that area outside that I often work. Although I have a vice out there I still use clamps! Always good to know the hand method and develop good file handling!! Get a good sharp file!

[@larrycroft470]

Arch you are making so much sense Brother. I have been forced the past year & 1/2 to start fixing & maintaining my own equipment (Within my skill set - which is nowhere near as wide and deep as yours) Your videos are very helpful & you really do make them interesting. Keep up the great work my friend. Larry C

[@TheNovaJohn]

Thanks,,,what better time to learn to be more resourceful! I'm learning all the time,,,its hard soemtimes, I'm older now.

[@tjm6753]

Great video

[@TheNovaJohn]

Hope it helped,,,

[@larrycroft470]

Arch 2 more comments if i may. 1. There was a radio program from the 1950's (i'm having a senior moment & actually do not remember the name of it but since I am old time radio program buff i have listened a few times on line) where one of the main characters was named Arch. He was a bartender if i remember correctly & it was set in NY so a lot of the accents on the show sounded similar to yours!! The other comment i was going to make was that i found a very reasonably priced seller of NOS American made tools. Harry J Epstein in Kansas City KS has been a brick and mortar hardware store in the same location since 1933. I have purchased many American made files from them over the years at very reasonable prices.

[@TheNovaJohn]

Now ya got me wondering. My ex wifes name is Veronica so there is that reference. Its just a nickname I picked up over the years. Some call me Uncle Arch, Back in the 50's NY was the place for TV and Radio! Glad to hear there are these stores still around!!!

[@SeattlePioneer]

Archie Bunker! "All In The Family" was the original television show! Archie And Edith Bunker - Those Were The Days Lyrics: Boy the way Glenn Miller Played Songs that made the Hit Parade Guys like us we had it made Those were the days. And you knew who you were then Girls were girl and men were men Mister, we could use a man like Herbert Hoover again Didn't need no Welfare state Everybody pulled his weight Gee our old Lasalle Ran great Those were the days!

[@SeattlePioneer]

All In the Family, Series on episode one: kzbin.info/www/bejne/mZbLn4xulr1sbNE

[@jeffreywalker8268]

I've watched a few other videos and I'm a little confused on what direction you should run the file on the blade. Some videos show running the file from the inside to the outside part of the blade like this video does and some others show running the file from the outside to inside part of the blade. Does it matter what direction you run a file on a blade?

[@TheNovaJohn]

Yes, just like I show! 1st for safety sake, imagine filing toward the sharp edge and slipping then hitting that sharp blade! Lay the file on the angle and follow the original angle, press down and push away from yourself then lift the file off and back up toward yourself. Its not a draw knife, generally when a file is used, you push away, then return but lift the pressure off the file on the return trip, it keeps the sharp of the file a little longer. Most files are made to cut in one direction.

[@jeffreywalker8268]

Great, Thanks for the info.@@TheNovaJohn