Different homeowners feel differently about mowing their lawns. Some really enjoy the process and find it cathartic, while others dread it and would rather not do it at all. Depending on which group you belong to, your reaction to sharpening your mower blades will also very.
However, whichever mindset you adhere to, there is sufficient reason to convince you that this a necessary practice for the health of your lawn.
Importance of Sharpening your Mower Blades
While, like most homeowners, you might feel that sharpening your mower blades may not be that important or significant, you may want to reconsider that.
A sharp mower blade leaves a fresh clean-cut after mowing.
Think of it this way, when you use a blade to shave the hair off your skin, the difference between when you used it for the first time and when you’re finally discarding it is quite drastic. Same is the case with mowing blades.
Often when you have finished mowing your lawn, you will see that the grass has torn ends instead of clean-cut ones, and these turn into frayed brown edges as time passes. This is primarily due to poorly kept blades that don’t cut the grass smoothly, and have a pulling or tearing effect instead. This, in turn, makes the lawn susceptible to pest and diseases and damages the turf.
How Often Should You Sharpen Your Blades
It will again depend on what kind of user you are. Usually start with a routine inspection, roughly after every 10-15 hours of usage. Check if the blades have any bends or dents, or if they have soil or grass stuck to the surface. Additionally, keep an eye out for materials that could nick your blades, such as debris, rocks or sticks. These factors will define how often you should sharpen your blades.
Most professionals sharpen their blades every week due to the high volume of jobs their mowers do. But given that homeowners mow less often, it would be more practical to carry it out after every 20-25 hours of yard mowing. For some users, this might translate to once a year, while others might have to carry out a monthly routine. Another solution would be to keep a spare blade, swap it in when needed, and clean the other at convenience.
However, make sure to take relevant precautions before you go around handling your blades. Use protective gear, disconnect the chord and refer to the owner’s manual for procedures specific to your mower. On the other hand, if you have time constraints or aren’t comfortable with sharpening them yourself, you could seek professional assistance and allow them to sharpen and balance the blades for you. We recommend using a blade sharpener by Bradley Mowers.