I keep 2 sets for all my mowers. That way I can change and sharpen latter. I use factory Kubota blades for the big belly mower and everything else gets Gator G5's. Unlike some of the factory stuff they are straight and easy to sharpen. I hate those with the crazy curve and edge angle changes.
Do you usually sharpen or buy new blades?
- Thread starter ZZman
- Start date
I used to buy new blades when mine got dull. Last year, I bought a Worksharp Ken Onion sharpener for my pocket knives and kitchen knives. I use it for sharpening mower blades as well. Quick and easy and I get good results.
Ok, I hated to be the only one that's using a dull blade so I figured I'd just buy a new one. But when I saw my Honda used a two blade setup and all the stores wanted what I considered real money for them I decided to sharpen them. I was surprised that even after 8 years of use and abuse both these blades didn't look that bad. Put them in a vise and used a flap disc on an angle grinder. Those blades are razor sharp now. Yeah I know you're not supposed to put that kind of an edge on them, or so I've been told. I see how well they perform now and if I notice any difference in the appearance of my lawn.
I use a flap wheel i sharpen every 3rd mowing ( 5 acres ).
Zee09
$200 Site Donor 2023
Super Sharp blades you would think would extend oil life and engine life of any mower.
Dull blades aren't fun to mow with.
Dull blades aren't fun to mow with.
Way over due for replacement.
Zee09
$200 Site Donor 2023
This year we still have that nasty wire like fall grass for some reason. Tough to cut.
Sharpen twice a season.
- Joined
- Sep 30, 2023
- Messages
- 2
I Remove the blade, place it firmly in a bench vise, sharpen it with a common file, balance the blade, and reinstall. I do this twice per season, and the mower cuts like butter.
4WD
$50 site donor 2024
Welcome
Not getting hot enough to mess with the heat treatment. To alter the heat treatment you need the whole blade heated to at least 300f for extended periods of time.
- Joined
- Sep 30, 2023
- Messages
- 2
Oil Pan 4, To answer your question I use the Sharpal dual-grit diamond file which you can look at here. It's two-sided, one side being coarse and the other fine, to finish off the blade edge. It has a comfortable grip and works great for me. There are simpler files that cost a few bucks less as well,
Good luck
I learned to sharpen blades properly by one of the commercial guys that did them for a living about 25 years ago. Bought an American Sharpener jig last year and now do them as a hobby (along with a little $$$ or beer). I have 47 regular "customers" at the present time and sharpen blades for them about twice in a season. Currently have 4 sets of Micro-Cuts for the Honda ground at 40° using 60 grit flap disc. They get changed after every fourth cut.
I sharpen mower blades about as often as I wash and wax the mailbox at the end of the driveway.
Ok thats not completely true. I have sharpened the blades a few times over the years, but honestly I never noticed much difference in what the lawn looks like before and after, and after checking them after 2-3 mowings the blades were about as dull as they were before I sharpened them, so the blade sharpener sits in a bin next to the brake line flaring tool which has also been used twice in 15 years.....
Ok thats not completely true. I have sharpened the blades a few times over the years, but honestly I never noticed much difference in what the lawn looks like before and after, and after checking them after 2-3 mowings the blades were about as dull as they were before I sharpened them, so the blade sharpener sits in a bin next to the brake line flaring tool which has also been used twice in 15 years.....
