Do You Need to Sharpen New Mower Blades?
We were all made to jot down our notes during our school days using a pencil. For this, all of us ensured that we had the best pencil in stock for writing and, of course, to show off in front of the class. But the pencil was only as good as long as we managed to keep the tip sharp by sharpening it now and then. Writing with a blunt pencil only costs us our speed and efficiency.
Similar is the case with your lawn mower’s blade. Just like we kept our pencils sharpened and ready to go, it is equally important to keep our mower blades sharpened. Even if you have purchased a new mower, it is important to sharpen new mower blades. Just as a blunt pencil costs us our writing speed, sharp mower blades will leave us with unevenly laid-out grass that will only spoil the overall look of our yard.
Therefore, this article will answer your query, “do you need to sharpen new mower blades or not?” In addition to that, we will also walk you through the different ways to sharpen new mower blades.
Should You Sharpen New Mower Blades?
From a practical standpoint, this looks like a pretty stupid question for anyone to ask. However, most of the new mowers come with sharpened blades that can work on every terrain and cut all sorts of grass. Although the edge may look blunt, it is sharpened at the right angles to give you evenly laid out grass. So, yes, the condition of the blades is quite essential when mowing the lawn to achieve the quality of grass you desire. However, if you cannot get that desired finish even with that new mower, you need to sharpen it at once.
When you look at your new mower blades, they look like the blades you find in a Blendtec blender. Although they may seem blunt, they spin at 200 miles per hour to cut down veggies and fruits into finely chopped individual cells. When the blades in your Blendtec blender go blunt, you probably need to get yourself a new blender. But in simple words, there is NO need to sharpen new mower blades.
This is because the blades are sharpened automatically at the time of manufacturing. Therefore, when you purchase a new mower, it is bound to come with mower blades that are sharpened straight from the factory. These blades are sharpened at all the right angles that will cut through grass with great ease and give you that desired finish. However, note that the sharper the blade, the quicker it gets dull. And the more often you sharpen these blades, the more shortened their life will become.
1. Can Sharpening Newer Blades Be Harmful?
No. Sharpening a mower blade protects you from injuries that can be caused due to blunt blades. In addition, it is vital to keep your mower blades sharpened to make your mower last long. However, having a finely honed edge can make it prone to damage by rocks, stones, and roots. Once these blades are damaged, you will need to sharpen them again, and each time you point, you lower the blade’s life. Therefore, always check your blades to check for any nicks or damages. The longer you wait between sharpening your mower blades, the longer your mower will last.
2. How Do If I Know Mower Blades Need To Be Sharpened?
Mower blades, just like any other metal device, are prone to rust, corrosion, and another form of damage due to the environment and other factors. For instance, if you have a rocky lawn, your mower blades are more susceptible to damage. It is hence advised to remove rocks from yard before any mowing session. Failing to do so only shortens the life of your lawn mower. In extreme cases, mowing a rocky yard can also potentially cause your lawn mower to catch fire, risking your very life. Anyway, over time, every mower blade tends to lose its sharpness.
This can be visible when you don’t get the desired finish after mowing the lawn. A blunt mower blade won’t get through every grass blade and thus leave you with an uneven yard. This is the first sign that indicates that your mower blades need to be sharpened. The longer you wait between sharpening your mower blades, the longer your mower will last.
Another way to determine whether your mower blades need to be sharpened is by checking for nicks, gouges, or any other damage. To do this, simply turn the mower on its side so that carburetor faces the sky (Check where the carburetor is located). Then, wearing protective gloves, run your hand through the blades to check for nicks, damages, and gouges. If you notice any, then it means that your mower blades need to be sharpened.
How To Sharpen Lawn Mower Blades?
Irrespective of how powerful your lawnmower is, the blades are still susceptible to wear and tear. But with the right tools and techniques, you can always sharpen your lawnmower blades from the comfort of your own homes. There are two different methods using which you can sharpen lawn mower blades.
NOTE
- When sharpening your blades at home, always wear protective gear such as gloves, safety goggles, and safety boots.
- The sharper the edges, the quicker they tend to get dull.
- The more often you sharpen these blades, the shorter their lives will become.
- Always check your blades to check for any nicks or damages. ( learn which side of mower blade is up) for effective sharpening.
- The longer you wait between sharpening your mower blades, the longer your mower will last.
1. Using Power Tools
The best and perhaps the most effective way to sharpen your mower blades is through the use of power tools. Using power tools reduces the chances of human errors when sharpening the knife. Several power tools are available in the market that can help with the sharpening process. However, the drill machine is perhaps the most popular and effective method to sharpen new mower blades.
Follow the given steps to sharpen new mower blades using power tools (drill machine). Ensure that you are wearing all the prescribed safety equipment when dealing with power tools
1. Disconnect the spark plug
2. Drain the gas tank completely, not doing this can lead to your lawnmower catching fire.
3. Now, turn the mower on its side in such a way to expose the retaining nut
4. Insert a small piece of wood between the blades to keep them from turning
5. Use a wrench to loosen the nut and bolt
6. Once the nut and bolt are removed, remove the blade
7. Scrape the underside of the blade
8. Remove all the grass and mud present on the blade
9. Clean all the visible debris present on the mower blade
10. Now, clamp the blade in a vice at an angle such that one of its cutting edges are facing up
11. Take the drill-powered blade sharpener
12. Ensure that the stone is present at an ideal cutting angle to the blade
13. Put on your safety goggles
14. Chuck the sharpening rock on the blade
15. Run the drill across the edge at full speed
16. Ensure that the dull blade edge is facing the beveled side of the stone at all times
17. Slowly move the stone back and forth along the cutting edge using moderate pressure.
18. Repeat this motion for at least 4-5 strokes and then check for the sharpness of the blade
19. Once both edges are sharp enough, ensure that you balance the blade
20. Once you have sharpened and balanced the blade, put it back inside the mower into its exact location
21. Use the wrench to tighten up the nut and bolt
2. Using Hand Tools
If you are handy with the tools, you can opt to sharpen your mower blades using hand tools. To sharpen new mower blades using hand tools, trace the given steps.
1. Disconnect the spark plug
2. Drain the gas tank completely
3. Now, turn the mower on its side in such a way to expose the retaining nut
4. Insert a small piece of wood between the blades to keep them from turning
5. Use a wrench to loosen the nut and bolt
6. Once the nut and bolt are removed, remove the blade
7. Scrape the underside of the blade
8. Remove all the grass and mud present on the blade
9. Clean all the visible debris present on the mower blade
10. Now, put both edges on a sharpening stone
11. Using a sharpening rod, subject the mower to steady thrust on the blade’s top edge.
12. This will help flatten the sharp, brittle edge.
13. Repeat this motion for at least 4-5 strokes and then check for the sharpness of the blade
14. Once both edges are sharp enough, ensure that you balance the blade
15. Once you have sharpened and balanced the blade, put it back inside the mower into its exact location
16. Use the wrench to tighten up the nut and bolt
Conclusion
All your efforts will be in vain if your mower blades are dull and blunt, all your efforts will be in vain. This will only leave you with an unevenly mowed lawn surface. To tackle this, you need to sharpen your mower blades at least once a year to ensure their longevity. The more often you sharpen these blades, the shorter their lives will become. Always check your blades to check for any nicks or damages. This guide will walk you through the process of sharpening new mower blades.
