The Truth About Lawnmower Blade Sharpening: Test Results Exposed!

Summary

This video explores the necessity of sharpening new lawnmower blades, challenging the common belief that they are ready to use straight out of the box. The host conducts a test comparing the cutting performance of a dull, a new unsharpened, and a new sharpened blade. He also demonstrates how to balance, sharpen, and reinstall a blade effectively. The results show that a sharpened blade significantly improves the health and appearance of the grass, encouraging viewers to always maintain a sharp blade for a greener, healthier lawn.

Takeaways

• 🌱 Sharpening a lawnmower blade can significantly improve the quality of a lawn's appearance, turning it from brown to green.
• ⚔️ New lawnmower blades are often not sharp right out of the box, contrary to what one might expect.
• 📞 The reason given by manufacturers for unsharpened new blades is that the high speed of the lawnmower's rotation makes the sharpness less critical.
• 🔍 The video tests the cutting performance of a dull blade, a new unsharpened blade, and a new sharpened blade to see if sharpness makes a difference.
• 🛠️ The video demonstrates the fastest and easiest way to remove, sharpen, balance, and reinstall a lawnmower blade.
• ⚖️ Before sharpening, it's important to check the blade's balance to ensure it cuts evenly.
• 🔨 A simple trick using a washer and a nail can help balance the blade without an expensive balancer.
• 🛑 Safety first: Disconnect the spark plug before working on the lawnmower to prevent accidental start-ups.
• 🔄 A special tool can make removing the blade easier and safer, allowing for one-handed operation with an impact wrench.
• 💦 Avoid overheating the blade during sharpening as it can change the temper of the metal and make it more prone to chipping.
• 🌿 The results of the test show that a sharpened blade leaves a cleaner cut and keeps the grass greener for longer periods compared to unsharpened blades.
• ⏰ Regularly checking and sharpening the blade as needed can prevent grass from turning brown and reduce the risk of disease and fungus.

Q & A

Why does the script suggest sharpening the lawnmower blade even if it's new?

The script suggests sharpening a new lawnmower blade because, despite manufacturers' claims that new blades do not need sharpening, the author's tests showed that a sharpened blade resulted in a cleaner cut and healthier looking grass compared to both a dull and a new unsharpened blade.

What is the common misconception about new lawnmower blades according to the script?

The common misconception is that new lawnmower blades are already sharp and do not require sharpening. However, the script points out that new blades are often dull and need to be sharpened to ensure a clean cut and to prevent grass from turning brown and potentially causing disease or fungus.

What is the reason manufacturers give for not sharpening new lawnmower blades?

Manufacturers claim that the speed at which the lawnmower blade spins (over 100 miles per hour) negates the need for a sharp edge, and that a sharp blade will dull faster than a dull one.

How does the script describe the process of balancing a lawnmower blade?

The script describes using a balancer tool with a sharp point and cone to ensure the blade is balanced. It also suggests marking the blade with a sharpie to easily identify the correct positioning on the balancer. After sharpening, the balance should be checked again to ensure it's still correct.

What are some tricks mentioned in the script for balancing a lawnmower blade?

The script mentions using a regular washer as a resting point for the blade on the balancer and marking the blade with a sharpie to easily align it on the balancer. Another trick involves using a nail in a table to act as a pivot point for balancing the blade by eye.

What safety measures are recommended before working on the lawnmower blade?

The script recommends pulling the spark plug for safety to prevent the motor from accidentally starting while working on the blade.

How does the script describe the process of removing the lawnmower blade?

The script describes tilting the lawnmower on its back and using an eye hook to secure it. It also mentions using a tool that attaches to the blade and lawnmower housing to hold the blade in place while it's being removed with a wrench or an impact wrench.

What type of tool does the script recommend for sharpening the lawnmower blade?

The script recommends using a grinder with a paddle sander and 60-grit sanding paper to sharpen the blade while maintaining the same angle as the original blade.

Why is it important to avoid overheating the blade while sharpening?

Overheating the blade can change the temper of the blade, making it more susceptible to chipping and reducing its durability.

What was the outcome of the script's test comparing a dull blade, a new unsharpened blade, and a new sharpened blade?

The test showed that the sharpened blade provided the cleanest cut and the grass stayed greener for longer. The new unsharpened blade was better than the dull blade but still left tear marks and did not provide as clean a cut as the sharpened blade.

How often should one sharpen their lawnmower blade according to the script?

The script suggests sharpening the blade whenever it starts to get dull or show signs of wear. Regular checks and touch-ups after mowing over twigs, branches, rocks, or roots can help maintain the blade's sharpness.

Outlines

00:00

🔪 The Importance of Sharpening Lawnmower Blades

The video script discusses the misconception that new lawnmower blades do not need to be sharpened due to their dullness. The author expresses skepticism about manufacturers' claims that the speed of the lawnmower's blade negates the need for sharpness. To test this, the author plans to compare the cutting performance of a dull blade, a new unsharpened blade, and a new sharpened blade. The script also promises to demonstrate the fastest and easiest way to remove, sharpen, balance, and reinstall a lawnmower blade, aiming to reveal whether sharpening is truly unnecessary.

05:01

🛠 Balancing and Sharpening Techniques for Lawnmower Blades

This paragraph details the process of balancing a lawnmower blade using a simple balancer tool or a makeshift method involving a nail and a level. The author emphasizes the importance of ensuring the blade is balanced before and after sharpening. It also covers various methods of removing a lawnmower blade safely, including using an eye hook for stability and a special tool to hold the blade in place while unscrewing. The paragraph concludes with the author's preferred method of sharpening the blade using a 60-grit paddle sander, maintaining the original angle while avoiding overheating the blade which could affect its temper and durability.

10:04

⚔️ The Impact of Blade Sharpness on Grass Health

The author presents the results of a test comparing the effects of using a dull blade, a new unsharpened blade, and a new sharpened blade on grass. After allowing the grass to settle for two days, it's evident that the sharpened blade provides the cleanest cut, resulting in healthier, greener grass that is less likely to turn brown or develop diseases. The script refutes the manufacturer's claim that a sharp blade is unnecessary, showing that a sharp blade does make a difference in the quality of the cut and the health of the grass.

15:06

🌱 Maintaining a Healthy Lawn Through Regular Blade Sharpening

The final paragraph of the script reinforces the importance of regularly sharpening lawnmower blades to maintain a clean and healthy lawn. The author suggests that a sharp blade will dull faster but is easy to maintain with quick touch-ups, which can prevent grass from turning brown and reduce susceptibility to fungus and disease. The script concludes with a call to action for viewers to subscribe to the channel, engage with the content, and support the creator, emphasizing the practical benefits of the demonstrated techniques for lawn care.

Keywords

💡Lawnmower Blade

A lawnmower blade is a crucial component of a lawnmower that cuts the grass. In the video, the importance of having a sharp blade for a healthy and aesthetically pleasing lawn is emphasized. The script discusses the differences in cutting performance between a dull, new unsharpened, and new sharpened blade, highlighting the blade's central role in achieving the desired lawn appearance.

💡Sharpening

Sharpening refers to the process of maintaining or restoring the cutting edge of a tool, in this case, a lawnmower blade. The script challenges the common belief that new blades do not need to be sharpened, and demonstrates through testing that sharpening a blade can significantly improve the quality of grass cutting, leading to a greener and healthier lawn.

💡Cutting Performance

Cutting performance is the effectiveness and quality of the cut made by the lawnmower blade. The video script discusses a test comparing the cutting performance of dull, new unsharpened, and new sharpened blades. The results indicate that a sharpened blade provides a cleaner cut, which is vital for the grass's health and appearance.

💡Balancing

Balancing a lawnmower blade ensures that it spins evenly, which is important for the blade's longevity and the quality of the cut. The script describes a method to check and maintain the balance of a blade using a balancer tool, illustrating the process with examples such as using a washer to support the blade for easier balancing.

💡Grinding

Grinding is the act of using an abrasive process to shape or sharpen an object, such as a lawnmower blade. The video script provides a tutorial on how to grind a blade correctly, maintaining the same angle for a consistent sharp edge, and warns against overheating the blade which can alter its temper and make it more prone to chipping.

💡Mulching Blade

A mulching blade is a type of lawnmower blade designed to cut grass clippings into fine particles that decompose quickly, enriching the soil. The script mentions that the sharpening and balancing techniques demonstrated can be applied to both mulching blades and regular blades, indicating the versatility of the presented methods.

💡Dull Blade

A dull blade refers to a blade that has lost its sharpness, resulting in an ineffective cut. The video script uses the term 'dull blade' to describe the initial state of the blade before sharpening, and to contrast it with the improved performance of a sharpened blade, especially in terms of the grass's health and appearance.

💡Clean Cut

A clean cut is a precise and smooth incision made by a sharp blade. The script emphasizes the importance of achieving a clean cut for the grass, as it contributes to a better-looking lawn and reduces the likelihood of grass discoloration and disease. The results of the test show that a sharpened blade provides a cleaner cut compared to a dull or unsharpened one.

💡Grass Discoloration

Grass discoloration refers to the change in the grass's natural color, often to a brownish hue, which can be caused by poor cutting techniques. The video script explains that a dull blade can cause grass to tear at the top, leading to discoloration, whereas a sharp blade results in a clean cut that helps the grass remain greener.

💡Fungus and Disease

Fungus and disease can affect lawns, and in the context of the video, it is suggested that a dull blade can contribute to these issues by tearing the grass, creating an environment conducive to their development. The script contrasts this with the benefits of using a sharp blade, which makes clean cuts and reduces the risk of grass discoloration and disease.

💡Touch Up

Touching up refers to the process of making minor adjustments or refinements, in this case, to the sharpness of a lawnmower blade. The script advises viewers to touch up the blade's sharpness as needed, demonstrating how to quickly sharpen the blade to maintain a clean cut and a healthier lawn.

Highlights

Sharpening a lawnmower blade can transform a brown lawn into a vibrant green space.

New lawnmower blades often come unsharpened, contrary to what one might expect.

Manufacturers claim that new blades do not need to be sharpened due to the high cutting speed of the lawnmower.

A test was conducted to compare the cutting performance of dull, new unsharpened, and new sharpened blades.

The presenter shares the fastest and easiest way to remove, sharpen, balance, and reinstall a lawnmower blade.

A lawnmower blade should be balanced before and after sharpening to ensure optimal performance.

Innovative tricks are demonstrated for balancing blades that do not have a round hole in the center.

A simple nail and level method is introduced for quick blade balance checks without specialized equipment.

Safety precautions are emphasized when working on a lawnmower, such as removing the spark plug.

A tool is recommended for easier blade removal without the need for strenuous manual holding.

The use of a grinder and paddle sander is shown as an effective method for sharpening the blade.

Maintaining the original angle of the blade is crucial during the sharpening process.

Overheating the blade during sharpening can change its temper and make it prone to chipping.

A side-by-side comparison of grass cut by dull, unsharpened, and sharpened blades shows clear differences in quality.

The presenter concludes that a sharp blade makes a significant difference in the health and appearance of the grass.

Regular sharpening of lawnmower blades is recommended to maintain a clean and green lawn.

The video includes a call to action for viewers to subscribe and enable notifications for future content.

Links to products and tools used in the video are promised in the description for viewer convenience.

Transcripts

one of the quickest and easiest ways to

get your lawn from looking Brown to nice

and green is by just sharpening your

blade or putting a new blade on your

lawnmower the easiest and fastest way

you would think is to just buy a new

blade and put it on but if you've ever

bought a new lawnmower blade you're

going to notice something strange

they're not sharp so after calling

several companies about this and asking

them why aren't these blades Sharp I was

told this there's no need to sharpen a

new blade just install it and use it as

it is really that doesn't sound right so

I thought let's do a test and see if

they're correct in this video we're

going to test a cutting performance of a

dull blade a new unsharpened blade and a

new sharpened blade and I'm going to

show you the result to see if it's true

or not also I'm going to show you the

fastest and easiest way to remove a

blade to sharpen a blade to balance it

and to reinstall it so stick with me

until the end and you're going to find

out if you really need to sharpen that

lawnmower blade or not so let's get

[Music]

started welcome back to my channel you

know every time I've bought a brand

brand new lawnmower blade if you'll look

at them I mean these things are so dull

they're like a butter knife why don't

they sharpen these is because they're

shipping purposes is because they don't

want to uh tear the package up I went

ahead and called a lot of the

manufactures and their number

one reason for not sharpening these or

keeping them sharp was because there's

no need to because the speed that this

turns on your lawnmower which is two 100

plus miles an hour while it's spinning

underneath your lawnmower it's not going

to make a difference if it's a razor

sharp or if it's U like this and what

they were saying was that if it's razor

sharp it's going to dull up faster it'll

cut just as good as if it's razor sharp

I wasn't buying it so I said you know

what I'm going to do some tests let's

see what we find out and I think you're

going to be surprised you can do this

either with a mulching blade or a

regular blade I'm going to show you how

to sharpen it and show you a few tricks

on uh how to change out the blade inside

of your lawn mower now before we do any

type of grinding or sharpening on this I

want to check this to make sure it's

balanced obviously it should be brand

new from the factory but hey you never

know let's go ahead and uh I want to

make sure my balancer which is not a

real expensive one to make sure that it

shows that it's perfectly balanced and

then after we sharpen it we're going to

make sure it's still balanced so let's

go now there's a couple ways to balance

these you can use one of these cheap

balancers uh I I'll go ahead and put a

link to all the tools and products I'm

using I'll put that on the down in the

description so if you guys want to go

ahead and purchase you can find it right

away but anyway this uh just got this

little sharp Point here and like a cone

and that fits on there and it keeps it

balanced now the problem with this type

of a blade if you'll see it

has it doesn't have a round hole like

these in the center so to put it on this

thing it's not so easy to try to get it

lined up and put on there but I'm going

to show you a couple tricks on how to do

it it can be done it's a little more

difficult to do it so what you have to

do

is first of all on the ring sometimes

it's hard to tell all these

different these levels on here here so

what I did every other one I marked with

a sharpie so it's easy to tell when

you're looking down here you

know which part of your blade is sitting

on what part of the uh little ledge you

have to put it on

here and make sure it's even on all

sides from the center of the hole so as

you can see it can be frustrating but

there it is right there and I'll show

you on the side of

it so what you want to end up up with is

the same height from here to here and

make sure it's on a level plane and that

way you know it's balanced if it was

like this you'd know that this side

needs to be ground down more because

it's too heavy it has too much metal and

that way you when you get it done now

let me show you a trick I found out on

using one of

these so here's a trick I learned I take

this a regular

washer put it on top of here just like

that that something for your blade to

rest

on and then I take the

blade and put it on here and it'll

pretty much if you your eye will self-c

Center the blade on

there and that's

it now also what you can do is if you

don't have the balancer and you just

need to do something and this doesn't

work too bad is you can take and you can

put a nail up here whether it's so maybe

a stud this is just a table a fold down

table I made

and what I did I put my nail up here

made sure it's perpendicular and then I

took my

level and I drew a

line to make sure it's level that way I

can tell when the blade gets on there

then all you have to

do is you take your blade and you put

put it over the top of the nail and you

want to make sure the blade

is centered on

there and that will get you pretty close

what you're basically looking for if you

see it's hanging like this you know you

have to grind more off of this side or

vice

versa so that's a good quick way just to

see if your uh your blade is

balanced and since we're going to to

sharpen it we just want to make sure

it's balanced again before we put on the

lawnmower so there's a couple ways to

change a lawn mower blade and how to get

to it one is in fact they had this on

the instructions on the blade itself was

to tip it on its

side uh keep the air filter up in the

air and you can do that but they said to

drain all the gasoline out of the

machine first well if you tip on that

that's one way to do it I prefer to do

this first of all if I'm ever working on

a lawnmower underneath of it pull the

plug on

it so I undo the spark plug just for

safety that way the motor doesn't ever

kick in and turn around when I'm working

on the blade and the second thing I like

to do is to just tilt it on its back now

the thing that is is that unless you

have a bag of concrete or something to

put on here there's no way to hold it up

there and work on it so all I did was on

this post I put a little eye hook and

bent it and I just leave it there so

when I'm working on my lawnmower since I

sharpen the blade a lot I just tilt it

stick it underneath there see it's just

a little eye hook underneath there and I

take the lawnmower Slide the handle

underneath of it and it hold it

secure one of the problems is getting

the off here is now that I have the

spark plug unhooked is trying to hold

this and you're you have to put your

your wrench on

here and if it's a on there really tight

when you're trying to take it off there

and you're holding on this thing it's it

can be a real pain a lot of times it'll

say maybe stick a piece of wood

underneath there and jam the wood up

against here but let me show you much

easier

away it's this thing right here and I'll

leave a link to this underneath in the

description and all this does so

simple it goes on the blade here it has

a screw on

here you put it near the

blade and just screw it to hold it up

against the housing of the

lawnmower and once once it's tied on

there then it stops the blade from

moving around so you can use your

wrench and do it one-handed but much

easier what I do since I sharpen the

blades a lot I just use an impact wrench

so much

easier just put underneath it

here takes it off that's it now when you

take your blade off you want to or

remember which side went up so either

take a picture of it or most of them

underneath them will have lettering

under here says this side up or this

side down so when you sharpen the blade

some people say all you need just as a

regular file you can use that well I

understand it you could do that but I

use a grinder and I use this type of a

it's like a paddle sander and it's just

sanding uh paper this is this is a 60

grit and the main thing you have to do

is you just want to maintain the same

angle on here when you go ahead and you

grind it now you can put it in a Vie if

you want to but you really don't have to

uh cuz it's so easy to do by itself and

let me show you how to do it right and

how to do it wrong so when you're

grinding if you start grinding on it and

it takes too much off of one side like

[Applause]

this you see how it's just doing this

outside edge you've got it tilted too

much at an angle like this you need to

keep it flat so you keep the same angle

if you're doing too much on the top

here like this you've got it to flat you

got to keep it straight so it just takes

a little bit it doesn't it's not that

hard you see how it's going straight

across there and now that's all it takes

it's nice and

sharp so you see how it's all the way

across

the same width as it was now the side of

it is sharp you don't want to sharpen

the bottom because you want to keep that

flat now if you look at the angle on it

you can see that it's the same angle the

same 30° angle but it's a

nice sharpened Edge there uh one thing

you don't want to do you don't want to

hold it on this or a bench grinder some

people use that I don't pref I don't

like bench grinders I prefer this the

reason I like this is because it doesn't

get as hot when you're grinding on this

if you're getting it to where it's

getting red cherry red you're holding it

too long and you're getting it too hot

you don't want to do that cuz what it

does it changes The Temper of the blade

and it's relable to chip easier okay so

now we've got both sides sharpened and

you can see how it's nice and even going

across there on both sides okay let's go

ahead and start mowing some

grass okay so after we sharpen the blade

I went ahead and check the balance on it

and it's right on the money so we're

doing good there if you're enjoying this

content please subscribe to my channel

and also hit the Bell notification that

way every time I upload a new video

you'll be notified and you can watch cuz

it may be just a video that you need to

see for a project you're working on or

one you'll be working on in the future

please leave a comment and I'll leave a

link to all the different products and

tools I've used in this video in the

description so I cut three different

sections of grass and I cut four rows in

each section so I wanted to see what the

results were I let it set for 2 days cuz

I wanted to see exactly how it's going

to look after a couple days cuz we know

that the dull blade is going to turn

brown because that's what it does I

wanted to see mainly the difference

between a brand new blade unsharpened

and a brand new blade sharpened to see

if the manufacturer was right that

there's no need to sharpen a new blade

so take a look at the results on this

shot here you're going to

see grass

blades from the dull blade this is a

blade that's very dull and obviously it

looks like it's RI the top of it it's

turned brown it can cause uh disease in

fungus they say and now on the second

shot here this is the new unsharpened

blade it's better than the blade I'll

take that for granted but there's still

Terr marks looks like the top of it is

torn and it's not a nice clean cut now

take a look at what the sharpened blade

a brand new blade that was

sharpened wow what a

difference the tops of it are clean and

they're cut and even after a couple days

they still are in good shape and the

grass is much greener than what it

looked like by the dull blade and even

greener than the brand new blade that's

not sharpened so is the manufacturer did

they tell me right I don't think so as

far as I'm concerned I will always

sharpen new blades a sharp blade does

make a difference now will it dull

faster sure it will but you know what

it's so easy to sharpen it and just

touch it up go ahead and just sharpen

the thing when you see it starting to

get dull now obviously they were right

about one thing that a sharp blade will

not stay as sharp as the new one that

has that flat Edge on it for obvious

reasons but after I've cut two or three

times I can cut my grass two or three

times as long as I haven't hit Twigs or

branches or rocks or roots or whatever

and you might say well how often do I

need to sharpen it whenever it needs to

be sharpened just take off the spark

plug wire reach underneath there and see

if you have any Nicks or if your Blade's

getting dull touch it up real quick just

like I showed you and you'll have a nice

Clean Cut Lawn that'll stay Greener

longer and also it won't be susceptible

to fungus and disease like it would when

the grass is torn off sharpen the blade

that's what I will always do and I think

if you start doing that you're going to

notice that your grass will stay Greener

longer so I hope this video has helped

you and let me know how your grass is

turning out if you'd like to support

this channel consider pressing to buy me

a coffee and I really appreciate your

support well I hope this has helped you

out and you take care and God bless