The Big Mistake To Avoid Making When Sharpening Dull Lawn Mower Blades

Maintaining a lawn mower is no easy task, as it involves keeping an eye on oil levels, spark plugs, filters, and of course, those lawn mower blades that grow dull with use. But when it comes to sharpening blades, many homeowners make this one big mistake when doing it themselves: uneven sharpening. This mistake leads to unbalanced blades.  

When it comes to maintaining a lawn mower, no one wants dull blades. Without sharp edges, they will tear or smush grass rather than cutting it. Dull garden clippers will do similar damage to branches or stems, too, which is why it's also a good idea to regularly sharpen clippers and garden shears. How do you know if your lawn mower blades are dull? Take a look at your lawn. Dull blades can cause the lawn to look brown or ragged after mowing. They can also make the mower harder to push, and it might cut unevenly, too. 

You should look to sharpen mower blades about 3 times a year, depending on the size of your lawn and the density of your grass. If your yard is less than half an acre, you can probably get away with sharpening just twice a year. A good rule of thumb is to sharpen them after every 20 to 25 hours of use. When you do so, take the time to sharpen your blades evenly. Read on for more tips on the best way to sharpen mower blades.

If you want to avoid uneven sharpening of your lawn mower blades, it's a good idea to use a hand file, not a grinder, as you'll have more control this way. To start sharpening, you'll first need to remove the blade from your mower. Then, with your blade in a clamp, take the hand file and move in one direction, not back and forth. Don't get carried away. A lawn mower blade doesn't need to be that sharp. 

How do you know if your blade is equally sharpened on both sides? It's all about the balance. Hang the mower blade from a nail, using the center circle. If it hangs unevenly, with one side dipping downward, that means that side hasn't been sharpened enough. Take a little more off that side, and try balancing the blade again, until it's fairly level. 

You'll want to make sure the blade is as level as it can be, otherwise, it'll can cause a lawn mower to shake. This will make it hard to steer and, worse, can cause serious damage to the mower itself. Keeping your mower blades well maintained, sharpened, and balanced can improve gas mileage on your lawn mower and even extend its life. And while you have your file out, you might as well use it to properly sharpen the blades on your hedge trimmers too.