Is Your Lawn Mower Blade Dull? How to Tell and Sharpen It Properly Staying on top of your lawn mower maintenance is essential to ensure longevity and performance. One of the key jobs involved is inspecting and sharpening your lawn mower blades. Although it sounds like a tough job in most cases, you can do it in less than 20 minutes. How to Tell if a Lawn Mower Blade is Dull A dull lawn mower blade is fairly easy to spot as it can leave grass looking untidy, uneven, or torn. You might also notice that your lawn mower feels like it’s working harder or struggling to get through the grass. Are you putting more effort into your push than usual? A sharp blade ensures a clean cut, which promotes healthier grass and reduces strain on the mower itself. Checking for these signs can help let you know that it may be time to sharpen. How to sharpen your lawn mower blades If you’ve never attempted to sharpen lawn mower blades before, we’d recommend seeking some professional help or advice. There’s a host of risks that you pose to both yourself and your mower if you attempt to sharpen and get it wrong. You can get in contact with our experts via our website by clicking here. Preparation Steps Before starting, make sure your lawn mower is safely disconnected by removing the spark plug to prevent any accidental starts. Next you need to gather your tools—typically a sharpening file, grinder, or sharpening kit. Carefully tip the mower, ensuring it’s stable, and remove the blade following your instruction manual. Make sure to always wear protective gloves for added safety when handling the blade. Sharpening technique Secure the blade in a vice or stable surface. Use a sharpening tool to file the blade’s cutting edge at a consistent angle, usually around 30 degrees. Apply even pressure along the edge to maintain a good finish. It’s important to sharpen ONLY the cutting side to prevent excess wear and keep the blade balanced. Double-check that the blade is balanced before attaching it—an unbalanced blade can lead to vibration and uneven cuts. When to seek professional help Some situations require a professional’s touch, like when the blade has dents, is heavily worn, or has become bent. Attempting to sharpen a damaged blade might result in more harm than good. Mowshop’s team provides expert sharpening and repair services, ensuring that your blade is safe, sharp, and ready for the next mow. Trust the pros for any complex sharpening needs.
