How to Sharpen Mower Blades

In this video, This Old House landscape contractor Roger Cook shows how to convert a dull blade and cut grass cleanly.

Steps to Sharpen Mower Blades

1. Disconnect the spark-plug wire from the spark plug to prevent accidental starting.
2. Tip-up the lawnmower with its spark plug pointing vertically.
3. Put on a leather work glove and grab hold of the lawnmower blade.
4. Use a ratcheting socket wrench to remove the nuts holding the blade to the mower.
5. Remove the blade from the mower.
6. Clamp the blade in a vise and use a metal file to sharpen the cutting edges of the blade.
7. Chuck a blade-sharpening stone into a drill/driver and use it to sharpen the lawnmower blade. Be sure to keep the stone’s plastic guide against the rear of the blade.
8. Sharpen the lawnmower blade using a bench grinder and get it “butter knife sharp.”
9. Repeat to sharpen the opposite end of the blade.
10. Set the sharpened blade onto a blade balancer. If the blade is out of balance, file or grind a bit more steel from the heavy end.
11. Use a putty knife to scrape away any matted grass clippings from the underside of the mowing deck.
12. Reinstall the blade, firmly tightening the nuts with a ratcheting socket wrench.
13. Lower the mower and reattach the spark-plug wire.

Tools