How Do You Sharpen Push Mower Blades?
One of the beauties of a push lawn mower is that it sharpens itself to some extent: As you push the mower, the revolving blades scrape over the cutter bar, and the action tends to make both blades keener, not duller. Every year or two, though, a sharpening job is in order. You could take the machine to a pro, or use this backlapping technique. Step 1 Prop up the lawn mower so you can turn the reel by twirling the wheels. Step 2 Check the blades for nicks and burrs. If you find any, remove them by holding a file flat against the blade and pushing away from the edge. Step 3 Examine the cutting bar. It should just meet the blades along their entire length. (To make sure it’s in the right spot, grasp a wheel and turn it forward; you should hear a whispery sound as the blades pass the bar.) Step 4 If the bar is out of alignment, adjust it using the screws on the ends of the bar. (There are two at each end; when you look at them, it will be obvious which one will move the bar closer to the b
