How To Sharpen Lawn Mower Blades

The time has come to sharpen my lawnmower blades again.
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[@Thelawncarenut]

Complete DIY lawn care training - you will have a nice lawn using what I teach you here www.yardcarebootcamp.com/

[@B0bLeeSw4gger]

Use a flap sanding disc. It has heavy duty sand paper flaps overlapping in a circular pattern. It will keep the steel cooler and it will hold the edge better. Once you overheat the steel it won't hold the edge.

[@alanlittle8817]

When balancing my blades, I don’t remove any of the cutting surface. I remove excess weight from either the back or end of the blade. This helps the cutting portion of the blades last longer.

[@Youtubeuser1aa]

Smart

[@ceretomer5987]

Going to start doing just that. Thanks.

[@CuriousKL]

I disagree with removing from the back or end of the blade. What if you have a lawn tractor or ZRT with 2 or three blades? If you grind the 'end' then when you mow with that set of blades it will leave a 'tuff' of grass where the blades have become too short. I do not know exactly what you mean when you refer to 'back of the blade". Do you mean where it turns up or the back (underside) of the blade. You 'cutting edge' is the only place that material is suppose to be removed from. If you're tearing up blades that badly maybe you are cutting your grass too short. I see people all the time cutting so damn short the grass is only and inch or so left after mowing. Never cut grass less the 2 1/2 to 3 inches. I also do not mow weekly. I like mowing every 10 days. The grass is much more drought proof and the lawn is less like to allow the infiltration of weeds.

[@mateo85tx]

@@CuriousKL definitely agree with the sharpening statement!! Plus he’s removing material whether he likes it or not sharpening them. Unless he’s getting giant chunks knocked out of blade he shouldn’t have to remove much material to get them balanced anyways. As far as grass statement just depends on the type of grass, where I live a lot of people like Bermuda 🤢 and mow super low. Personally love a good fescue about 3.5” tall. Harder to grow where I live but it’s possible.

[@martymodus7205]

​@Keith Dunbar I don't think he is saying that he actually shortens the blade (at least not shortening the cutting edge, which would cause what you're saying). There are plenty of places other than the cutting surface where small amounts of material could be taken off with no impact on performance. It would not take much material at all to balance and it really seems like a good idea to focus on getting the cutting edge perfect and then leave that edge alone. You might have said this, in which case I'd agree that I don't think I'd touch the top of the raised parts of the backside either since that's more likely to impact the flow of grass inside the deck. Very slightly rounding part of the bottom edge of the end instead of taking more from the front... That just sounds like a good way to make the cutting edge last longer.

[@BigTimeZergRush]

"I haven't sharpened these in about 6 weeks that's to long"..... Me here, haven't sharp my blades in 6 years 🤣😅.... Guess it's time to buy new blades lol

[@shanew7361]

Have never sharpened mine in 3 years. Zero nicks and the cut quality is still flawless.

[@fuckjoebiden1435]

Mine gets sharpened every time i slip off the curb

[@ianwilliamson2980]

Yeah you don't need it too sharp in my opinion .just good edge on it .

[@jayasmrmore3687]

Nah you’ll be okay if all you do is mow your own backyard I’ve not sharpened mine for 19 years! My mower is 19 years old and still is holding up.

[@ianwilliamson2980]

Just use file as grinder ruin's the balance

[@PMichaels]

Using an 80 grit flap sander disk in an angle grinder will give excellent results with less metal removed and less chance of screwing it up. If you want it extra sharp, fine tune it with a 120 grot disk. I’ve tried many mower blade sharpening methods and flap sander is my go-to every time now.

[@wade6126]

You showed exactly what the strand of grass should look like after a clean cut and that makes this the best video on when to sharpen your lawn mower blades Thank you !

[@carlmiller1034]

Just sharpened the blades again. Perfect timing for this video. The domination on my street continues!!! Thanks again Allyn for the easy and simple tips.

[@JeremyKorzo]

I make sure I’m in my driveway and my neighbor’s can hear/see the domination ⚒💥

[@Thelawncarenut]

when they hear that metal grinding, they tremble in fear!

[@lawn2learn]

🤣🤘🏼

[@jamesmurphy5080]

Mb cuz 76 6😚😚😚68 677 hiu gymtc

[@davedaniels8211]

Excellent video. It's autumn here in 🇬🇧 so perfect time for this job. So glad you demonstrated the balancing of the blade. Too often missed on most videos. I use a dremel to sharpen my blades.

[@liveyourbestlawn]

Sharpening my blade with the grinder was special for me this year as I had my 8 y/o son help with a couple of passes and was able to share some lawn care tips with him as I made a video.

[@backpacker3421]

I use the rotary grinder, but have changed from the metal grinder to a flapper sanding wheel. It's less agressive and handles curves a lot more evenly.

[@Grampa-el3kz]

Nice ocean sunsets. I like them. I’m one thousand miles from an ocean here in southern Iowa. So very nice to see you sharpen mower blades the same way I do. I was concerned that I was doing it wrong. Now I feel much better, thank you. Excellent videos. Best wishes to all the lawn care folks.

[@omardaly1195]

Another good way to make sure you are keeping the angle is to mark the blade a with a sharpie. You can see it remove the sharpie evenly

[@bobzilla6618]

That's a good idea! I think I will try that next go round.

[@eddiefoy3701]

Cheap man's Dykem Blue. (almost as good)

[@CuriousKL]

Good tip.

[@PauloCX07]

Thank you for sharing this information. As a new lawn and garden hobbyist, I'm in the process of learning and this video gave me exactly what I need it.

[@bigbearbear5458]

I use my garage to park my cars (I know, shocking....) so I do the sharpening using an angle grinder and flap disc in my driveway. I like to think of it as the equivalent of sable rattling in the lawn domination war, telling my neighbors "I'm coming for ya bro!",. :D

[@tazmankb26]

love the coaster on your work bench- it really ties the garage together.

[@RonHenry]

Great video Allyn. You definitely simplify the process.

[@jasonwatts1740]

All American Sharpener and a flap disc on your angle grinder. Perfect results.

[@Taylexwow]

Some people don't want to spend 200 bucks for a jig.....though not replacing blades and sharpening them will pay for itself over time

[@rgarri6396]

Once’s you get an American sharpener it’s all over. Great tool

[@peweecharles587]

Merica!!

[@SouthFLTools]

Was in Anna Maria Island several years ago with my family. Great place to vacation! I have an M18 FUEL angle grinder and it does a great job of keeping my blades sharp. Nice work LCN 👍

[@wakeupidiotsnow2611]

Excellent video! Very nice hand grinder too! Just sharpened my blades yesterday, and greased my spindles, and you can hear them making that perfect pitched sound, that’s when you know you got them blades sickle sharp and smooth spindles. Lower friction, pressure, wear and tear on the clutch, drive belts. Great closeups of the angle grind! Done good dude!

[@garysullivan8203]

You wasted your time greasing the spindles. The grease nipple just allows you to fill the void between the top and bottom bearings which are both SEALED bearings. Don’t want to burst your bubble but you should know that your wasting time and material. Ask any mechanic that works on mowers and you’ll get your verification if you don’t believe me.

[@Boodieman72]

I use an American Sharpener jig and a flap disc, makes getting the correct angle easy. On my reel mower I use a technique called back lapping.

[@edmorris7100]

I had The Most Satisfying Mow of my life yesterday, for me… up there with your ‘Rocky battery mow vid’. I followed your recommendation, bought the cheapest HF angle grinder and disk and sharpened my blades. I immediately cut the grass and I have never seen the grass look so nice. U da man!

[@greggrotbeck109]

Thanks so much for this!! I was using a file but it was brutal trying to get blades sharp. Excellent!!

[@rvnot1one1]

What a coincedence Allyn… I too need to sharpen my blades. Perfect timing…

[@richardjones647]

Thanks for your vid! Just sharing some info; the right type of grinding wheel depends on the material of the blade. That metal grinding disc you're using has an aluminum oxide formulation and is good to use for steel blades. However, if blades are made of a nonferrous material (e.g., tungsten carbide) then a silicon carbide wheel would be better. Also, 60 grit seems to be the most popular choice. It's aggressive enough to remove metal when needed but doesn't dig to deep to keep the edge clean/sharp. Hope this helps fellow lawn care nuts!

[@tommorris7179]

Exactly how I do mine. You’re right , it’s easy , not time consuming and works.

[@KE010101]

Just the information I was needing, thanks for the demo and explanation!

[@ScottiMac0007]

I requested this video after your last email blast. Thank you so much for producing this!

[@duanesandoval7055]

Thanks for the sharpening info and even more so for the the 2'9" sunset/ocean video and mellow music - aaahhhhh!

[@michelebushnik2874]

Heading to true value hardware! They do it for me! Thank you Allyn!❤

[@MrSaurusOfficial]

Was actually just about to research this, great timing!

[@mikemorris8497]

I do pretty much the same but try finishing it off with a hand file. It’s really simple. Thanks Al

[@ciaranomalley919]

Great advice Allyn! Going to sharpen tomorrow, thanks mate! Cheers

[@Aenyn]

Thank you for taking the time to make this!

[@gijoe83]

I like using my flap disc for sharpening lawn mower blades.

[@How_Lay]

Yep

[@_P0tat07_]

I just came to say this! They work much faster than standard grinding discs. And don’t leave heavy burrs.

[@BMETFerg]

What grit flap disk??

[@_P0tat07_]

@@BMETFerg 80 I think either 60 or 80. Both will work.

[@gijoe83]

@@BMETFerg 80

[@makeachangetoday]

Great info! I definitely need to start doing this on the regular. Love the sunset 🌅 close 😎💯🤠

[@SenBolemSpeed]

Exactly what I was looking to learn! Thank you!

[@jimbeaux89]

Big thanks to @The Lawn Care Nut!! Instead of buying a new blade for my greenworks 60v mower, I bought myself a craftsman angle grinder, and sharpened my own blade. The thing cuts like it did when it was brand new! Super thankful I found this video.

[@CuriousKL]

Try mowing 1.5 acres with that 60 v mower.

[@mypointofblue5260]

Great tips, sunset, and music! Thanks for sharing!

[@ImOnUToob]

I was just thinking I need to be more diligent about it this year and moving forward. This just confirms and motivates

[@Thelawncarenut]

get er' done!

[@TheCanadiancutter]

“I once ripped my tip in college”. LMFAO!

[@TryRickPayton]

Beautiful sunset watching this video about almost 4:00 am in the morning and that sunset view is putting me too sleep.😍

[@LongBeachCityCAJoe]

Thank you for this. Very helpful. I have all the right tools, yet, still didn't think I could DIY this. Almost wasted my money. Again, thanks!!

[@dboyd1124]

Nice video. Very true what he said about dull blades not cutting clean.

[@jonathanarjani3895]

Enjoying the smooth jazz with your video

[@FreedomRock44]

I got a cheap grinder on Jungleriver this week and it works great.metal grind disc 41/2" Lets just say I cut the grass after and the cut was so even!!!! I have used a hand file but it does not ever get the edge as neat on the blade of the mower blade!!! What a difference!!!!! So agree with you Allyn major game changer for me. Never had a grinder before and it came with the discs as well. Have to get use to the burning wire smell of metal on metal...

[@craig42069]

Love the sunsets allyn!!

[@breakfree4177]

Another All American Sharpener owner. And it’s definitely worth the money. Made from high quality parts. Made in the USA. Highly recommend for those looking for a jig/sharpener set up.

[@Martlin]

Nice detailed info on how and when to sharpen mower blades. Thanks!

[@the-handy-fixer]

Sharp video! Thanks for sharing Mr. Nut.

[@sdrake74]

Ive been doing this my whole life .. your cuts look factory!!!! Good job!!!!

[@lawnstarwrangler4641]

I like to keep two blades in rotation. So I can always have a sharp blade at the ready.

[@FreedomRock44]

Me too!!! It is such a big help.

[@calgal7828]

👍👍👍

[@cmann47647]

Same here too

[@jmodified]

I usually buy a three pack if it's available so I have four total, then sharpen them all each spring. I also have eight spools for my string trimmer which will last me through one year and into the next.

[@gwot]

I just sharpen and re-install, kinda pointless to have more than 1 for home use.

[@natehaby]

vise and a file.... Worked for my grandfather.. still works excellent for me. Same file most of the time too.

[@LawnDad]

Good video Al. I bought the mower attachment for my Dremil and the same balancing tool 👌🏼.

[@Mark-lq3sb]

Thanks for the reminder. In fact, I just bought a new 4 and a 1/2 inch angle grinder. I have to get on this, my cool season Fescue has been growing like mad with the high nitrogen count driving the bus for the past two months. Thanks Allyn! (notice: I spelled your name correctly this time...😁)

[@kennyp507]

Thankyou for the balancing tip, ingenious

[@oldtimefarmboy617]

You want a blade that is sharp enough to cut instead of ripping. When I get my blades sharp, rather than mess with the sharp edges by continued grinding, I balance them by grinding on the back of the blade until they are balanced.

[@aprilgeneric8027]

curious, how much of the fan blade lift wing are you taking off per balancing would you hazard guessing, and have you noticed a difference in the cut due to decreased lift force. aerodynamically that would be worse of unbalancing as having a heavy side as more fan blade will cause the bearings to wear unevenly top to bottom from one side to the other. also curious, using your method, do you notice any extension in the life of your blades before they wear down or reach the end of their lives?

[@oldtimefarmboy617]

@@aprilgeneric8027 The amount taken off the back is very small if you do a good job sharpening the cutting edges on the front. If you have to take more than a small notch off the back then you have royally screwed up sharpening the edge and should get new blades. With such a small amount taken off the back the effect on airflow is really non-existent and it moves air just as good as before. The less you grind off the front to sharpen the blades will make them last longer. And keeping them balanced is critical to keeping the bearings on the mower deck, or engine in the case of a single blade mower, from being worn out quickly. Another useful piece of information. If your mower deck has grease zerks on the shaft going through the deck do not bother greasing them. They use sealed bearings and the grease you put in there will never get into the bearings. If you do want to add grease to those bearings you will have to remove the shaft and bearing from the deck and physically remove the seal from the inside side of the bearing first. But you will have to be sparing on the grease you put in because you do not want to pop the seal on the outside side of the bearing off because that will allow dirt to get into the bearing. What I do is remove the shaft and bearing and get a needle zerk and lift the inner seal enough to get the needle under it and then pump some more grease into the bearing so it has more than the minimum grease they put in at the factory. I think that works perfectly fine and you do not risk blowing the seal off the bearing. I have had my mower for ten years now and have never had problems with the bearings. The last mower I had the engine wore out first and I mow several acres each time. We live on a farm and have a big yard and mow along the fence line in the pasture to keep the electric wire clear.

[@MM-ig1iv]

very true about doing them as often as you should and just making it an easy and quick task... by doing it over and over you get better and quicker. It is important to do them right... I'm about to do that now by the way...lol fun fun!

[@paulsanchez4141]

Always have enjoyed your videos ! Revisiting your old videos and sure miss the old music:)

[@kennyplay5982]

Hanging blade off a nail?

[@stokesjo82]

I bought a low RPM bench grinder that worked great.

[@justlooking4771]

I did NOT know about balancing the blades! Thank you!

[@cubeweaver]

Forget about sharpening the blade! Enjoyed watching the sunset and nice soundtrack.

[@wawacoffee8945]

Enjoying a Perdomo 10th Anniversary Maduro to this. Thanks for the reminder...I’m due to sharpen this week.

[@shawnengstrom3906]

Sharpening to razor sharp makes getting those nicks or chips on the sharpened edge much easier. Sharp, but not razor sharp makes your cutting edge last longer between sharpening for the most part unless you hit a lot of mulch or sticks with the blades. Another tip, when balancing you can remove material from the back of the blade instead of continually removing from the sharpened edge.

[@mtcman42]

I try to preserve as much of the cutting edge as possible when balancing, so I take the excess weight off the back edge and the end,a little at a time. I try to spread the removal out a little so to not just make a big gouge all in one spot. I use a cone type balancer to get a three dimensional balance , rather than a two dimensional balance using a nail in the wall. Good luck.

[@johnp82]

I'd rather have the blade as sharp as possible and just sharpen it more if I had to.

[@shanewhittemore]

Good job Lawn care Nut!! Very Helpful

[@starzztop]

I sharpen my blades with the All American Sharpener. The best shapener i have used.

[@webcrawler5548]

Great tip regarding the balancing. It didn't even occur to me that it needed to be balanced.

[@WisconsinEric]

I sharpen with a hand file as recommended by Toro in the owners manual for my Suzuki 2 cycle powered 1991 Recycler.

[@WisconsinEric]

@j s The Hondas from those years seem pretty awesome too. Cast aluminum decks like Toro. My plastic deck '08 Honda HRX 217 can not touch my '91 Toro in terms of mulching ability.

[@neildavid9161]

Hi, i learnt a couple of things there so keep up the good work

[@donwells6236]

THANK YOU SO MUCH......MY MOWER BLADE NEEDS TO BE SHARPEN.......BEEN NEEDING FOR AWHILE.......THANKS AGAIN....

[@drescherjm]

I was just thinking its time to do this and I saw your video. I use a battery powered angle grinder as well.

[@davidofhawaii6509]

I use a metal cut off disk on one end of my bench grinder and cut three notches at each end of my mower blades for my push mower. I rebalance the blade after each sharpening. I am now 88 and can easily cut through grass that is up to 6 inches tall in places.

[@kevinmartin4787]

Thanks! Watching from Central Texas

[@dbzfanatic278]

Thanks for this video. I mow yards for a living and I'm pretty sure the blades on the commercial mower I use are slightly dull

[@Thelawncarenut]

Lawn Forcement Hats (NEW!) thelawncarenut.com/collections/merch/products/lawn-forcement-curved-bill-snapback-hat?variant=39527306494090

[@steverossen2816]

poggers

[@tonymm429]

Hey AL is that Hat your wearing Blue is it exclusive for you ? Or when is it going to be available to buy Thanks

[@deathvalleyalex9485]

Years ago I was a free sleeper on a golf . The golf pro sent me to several mowing equipment training seminars at the rotory classes they taught us to re establish the sharp edges and then to rebalance the blade to prevent lateral vibrations that will damage the mower .

[@jhors7777]

Thank you for posting this helpful video

[@rjohnson1959rj]

May your tips be crisp always!

[@Mist-Pro]

Love the hat Allyn!!! I'll be purchasing one!

[@Thelawncarenut]

🤘👊

[@AuthenTech]

Great tips!

[@sueblaine3579]

Thank you I'm learning alot from your channels

[@derickmccarrell9593]

Awesome, great video. Hell yeah brother!

[@StephenBrewer89]

Just did this the other day. This a the only way. Quick. Easy. Effective

[@philanderson8419]

Great video, I try and do my riders twice a year because it's such a pain to remove deck

[@harveystephens6115]

Couldn’t find your hammer either! Hehe. Been there done that. Enjoyed. Thanks for the lesson.

[@GarageGear]

Good tips here! Thanks for sharing! 👍

[@35057]

I like to take a hand file to the back of the blade to knock off the burr edge. A nice file finish helps the blades. And yeah I’m noticing it tearing the grass blades also.

[@orion-viikhmernight2748]

Thanks for sharing the knowledge sir.

[@tjdjinn1983]

I like to use 60-80 grit flap disk. I use them daily at work and I feel like a get a better response when sharpening my blades

[@Richard-nb4iv]

This season I have focused on sharpening my mower blade. My lawn has never looked better!

[@hungr4anime]

New to your channel!! Thank you so much for making all these videos! Would you be able to do a video on how to get rid of spurweeds from our lawn?

[@tjdjinn1983]

I usually use a 60-80 grit flap disk...but now this video has me thanking. Wonder how/what the outcome would be if we actually honed/polished the blade? Maybe make the blade pass through the blade of grass a little easier? I'm probably thinking way too hard

[@deepaksethy]

Very informative, thank you for this

[@Defensive_Wounds]

I just sharpened my 2 mowers blades for the first time in 12 years.......they were so blunt!!!

[@MAGAMAN]

I have just been using a coarse sharpening stone. Does a good job and as long as you aren't hitting rocks, there is no need to remove a ton of metal with a grinder.

[@CuriousKL]

Not suppose to cut the driveway, only the lawn. If you're hitting rocks in the lawn, my guess is you're cutting too short.

[@miks8]

perfect timing, thanks, Allen! Hey, can you please comment a bit on battery-powered mowers? Where Im at they are pretty popular and I also just got a one. Seem to work great, the only concern is power output- is it enough

[@aimlesssoul]

When checking the blade for balance, remove all the crap on the blade from and back before sharpening, this will give a better indication.

[@glennrosa234]

Your technique is fine also the balancing is key , ive learned the hard way once grinding too much off & not balanced the Vibration is un bearable, thats also why I believe that (like you said,) you follow the original angle and bring it back also as for you ,your machine is for your yard that you know your lawn ,so razor sharp is fine , but if you do comercial jobs razor sharp is not recomended because it will be thinner and if cutting a not so perfect yard weeds, sand, small rocks, etc that same day your blade would be nicked ,bent edge etc. Thats why i think its fine bringing back a consistant nice edge , taking away the least metal you can ,is fine with a bulkyer blade, grass is not hard to cut ,at the RPM,s its spinning it will cut , but you are on the money when the blades of grass is ,"split ends or freyed" definetly time for a sharpening. Thanks for sharing info on your channel bro Keep it up!👍✌

[@lewisteixeira1012]

Way to go bud. Keep it sharp as possible

[@musicjazzvez]

Thank you for sharing!

[@markterzigni2526]

I do the same process but use a flap disc, also I have more than one set of blades so I can swap out and go...after sharpen and balance I also hit it with a shot of spray paint. Oh I also sometimes de-burr with a hand file depends. Thanks! I subscribe to razor sharp too.