Sharpening vs. Buying New Blades

[Smolenski7]

I have about 65 hours on a set of OEM blades on my lawn tractor. That's 1 year's use. I certainly keep them sharp, making sure to keep a razor sharp edge on them as the summer progresses into fall. When do you guys give up the ship and buy new blades? And, does it matter if you have a lawn tractor vs. a walk behind?

[ericgautier]

In the past 3 years that I have owned my mowers, I've bought about 3 sets of blades. 1 for my Toro 22" and 2 for my eXmark 48". The eXmark uses 3 blades and I find it easier/quicker to just always have a set sharpened and ready to go instead of taking them off, sharpening them and putting the same set back on.

[andy10917]

+1. I remove blades and put on a set that I sharpened when I had time for that. Weekend time is for the lawns and gardens at my house - not in the basement grinding blades. I toss them away when they will no longer balance easily, have major nicks, or have become otherwise fugly.

[tlinden]

Two sets for sure. Then if its a crappy weather day you can sharpen blades.

[andy10917]

I always sharpen blades when I've had a tough week at work - it allows me to think about other uses for razor-sharp, heavy steel objects. Just sayin'.

[Paul]

I always by a new set every year and swap out every month with the previous years blades (Honda uses two blades). I always keep the extra set of blades sharp, so I just need to swap them and not sharpen them at the same time. Then the next year I throw out the oldest blades. I always sharpen the new blade since they come not sharpened, and I always use a file, never a grinder. This way I only take off very little, just enough to get then razor sharp.

[LoneRanger]

I find using a 3M sanding-sponge, after each mow, keeps the blades very sharp. It only takes a few passes, about 30 seconds.

[Pway]

I have some kind of stupid questions. First, how sharp should blades be? I know for axes for splitting wood, you keep the same bevel and don't want razor sharp. Of course wood and grass aren't the same. Do you go for razor sharp? My dad gave me, or left me, a whet stone that goes at slow speed, which he always said was better but I don't know if he meant for an axe/shovel, or alternatively mower blades. Thanks in advance.

[tlinden]

You don't want it razor sharp otherwise it will ding easily.

[Pway]

You don't want it razor sharp otherwise it will ding easily.

Thanks t. So similar concept to an axe but probably sharper, great.

[PSU4ME]

Yeah you don't need them razor sharp,rather a good angle/point that is even and correctly balanced

[kbgfarmer]

I always by a new set every year and swap out every month with the previous years blades (Honda uses two blades). I always keep the extra set of blades sharp, so I just need to swap them and not sharpen them at the same time. Then the next year I throw out the oldest blades. I always sharpen the new blade since they come not sharpened, and I always use a file, never a grinder. This way I only take off very little, just enough to get then razor sharp.

I just took my old blades off my Honda and had them sharpened by a local servicer while i installed a new set. I was told they come presharpened. On examination they had a black coating over the sharpened edge that the guy at the mower service said is a factory coating that comes off as you mow with them the first time exposing the presharpened edge. Is this bs? They didn't appear to be very sharp especially compared to my old set that I got back from them after they sharpened them.

[andy10917]

On examination they had a black coating over the sharpened edge that the guy at the mower service said is a factory coating that comes off as you mow with them the first time exposing the presharpened edge. Is this bs? They didn't appear to be very sharp especially compared to my old set that I got back from them after they sharpened them.

Not BS at all. Correct info.

[kbgfarmer]

Thanks boss!