How often do reel mowers need sharpening?
That depends on many factors: size of lawn, frequency of use, exposure to moisture, condition of lawn, whether or not the mower is cleaned after each use and how particular the customer is about the sharpness. Manufacturers estimates run the gamut from one to eight years. Each manufacturer estimates the length of time before sharpening based on feedback from their customers, and some tend to estimate more conservatively than others. Some customers will find they need to sharpen more or less often than the manufacturers estimate. Since some mowers tend to attract customers with small well-manicured lawns, while others may appeal to customers with larger or rougher lawns, the estimate is not necessarily a true measure of the quality of the mower’s blades. You can help maintain the sharp edge by keeping the both the reel and the bedknife blades clean, dry and well-coated with WD40, silicone spray or other lubricant, storing it in a dry location and keeping the lawn free of twigs, stones o
