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Say Goodbye to Dull Blades: Watch This Video to Learn How to Sharpen Your Mower Blade

By: Author John Cunningham. Published: 2020/10/14 at 9:28 am

This video covers blade sharpening both on and off the mower. We’ll also cover removing blade removal, sharpening, balancing the blade, and finally, torquing the blade bolt.

Over View

You’ll find useful resources on this page, tips, and links to tools, parts, and supplies required to complete your repair. A blunt blade will cause a ton of grass problems, but the most noticeable is lawn damage. Old blades tear the grass instead of cutting clean; torn grass leads to excessive moisture loss and yellowing of the lawn. In addition, a blunt blade causes you and the mower to work harder.

A blade should be sharpened at least once per season, and in this video, we’ll do just that. We’ll sharpen the blade on the mower and off, and you’ll understand when you can do both.

Before working on your mower, be sure to remove the plug wire to prevent accidental starting; see “Repair Safety Video.”

Tools & Parts

To nail this procedure, you may need the following tools, parts, and supplies.

Blade Sharpening Tools

Easy-to-use blade sharpening kit that fits a cordless drill includes a blade balance tool. Picture links to Amazon.com.

Metal File Set

Neat selection of files perfect for many uses, blade sharpening included. Comes in a handy carry case that’s great for keeping them together; it saves me a ton of time when I’m searching for the correct size file. Picture links to Amazon.com.

Toro Mower Blade

Blade suits 22″ Toro Recycler; check your model and part numbers before ordering.

Honda Twin Blades

Common twin blades to suit Honda mowers, but do check your model as the blade length varies. Picture links to Amazon.com.

WD40

This is the first tool on the list for a good reason: WD solves a ton of problems. I won’t work without it, because I can’t. Picture links to Amazon.com.

Blade Holding Tool

Very useful blade-holding tool used to hold the blade steady while the blade bolt is loosened and tightened. Picture links to Amazon.com.

Ratchet Tool Set

Before we can do anything, we’ll need tools. I’ve selected this set as I own some Craftsman tools, and while I have worn some out, they did do a lot of work. So, I expect this set will last the occasional user quite a long time. This set carries metric and standard sockets, which is important because some mowers will have both types of fastener sizes. The set includes spark plug sockets. Picture links to Amazon.com.

Impact Wrench

I love DeWalt; they make quality tools. This heavy-duty but lightweight 1/2-inch impact wrench makes short work of stubborn bolts like flywheel nuts and rusty blade fasteners. Up to 700 ft. lbs. of torque on tap, I keep one in the trunk of our family car, which makes a flat almost enjoyable. Picture links to Amazon.com.

Drill/Screw Gun

I use a DeWalt screw gun (also a drill) in the workshop to speed up the process of removing engine covers, carburetor bolts, Armature bolts, etc. It’s a brushless motor and as tough as nails; I drove over it a few times – still works great! Batteries are interchangeable so if you have a DeWalt product already, you won’t need the battery. Picture links to Amazon.com.

Torque Wrench

Teng 1/2 Torque wrench is a fantastic tool. I use it every day, and mine are still going strong. A torque wrench is advised for tightening components such as flywheel nuts and blades. The torque spec of these components is very important. Picture links to Amazon.com. If you are buying a torque wrench, check out my review of Teng torque wrench here, it’s the brand I use.

About the Author

John Cunningham is a Red Seal Qualified automotive technician with over twenty-five years of experience working on all types of equipment, grass machinery, ATVs, Dirt bikes, cars, and trucks. When not writing how-to articles, he may be found in his happy place – Restoring classic machinery.

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