American Lawn Mower Company Reel Mower Sharpening Kit #SK-1

A lot of the negative reviews about the reel mowers here on Amazon.com probably come from people who haven't adjusted their machines correctly. My mower is working better than ever after making just a few simple adjustments.


Do it yourself and do a superior job   December 15, 2004
skst (Arlington Hts., IL USA)
88 out of 88 found this review helpful

If you have a reel mower, you need to sharpen the blades every couple of years, depending on how much you use it (just like with a power mower). If you used to have a power mower, you might be tempted to try to find someone to do it for you. Although I heard of someone in my area who *might* be able to do it, I decided to try this kit first.

The directions are straight-forward and clearly described in the manual. In short: turn the mower upside-down, use the brush to "paint" the compound (a thick goop) along the end of each blade, pop off a wheel, slip on the crank, and have your son turn it for a couple of minutes. (If you don't have children, you'll have to do it yourself.) Finally clean off the compound and re-assemble the mower. You should be able to complete this chore in 30-45 minutes. (The alternative is to pack it up, drive it to someone else, and come home; then later drive over, pick it up, and drive it home again. Oh yeah, and you'd have to pay for it too.)

The manual also describes how to adjust the blades for the optimal cut, which is something you need to do occasionally. I use strips of newspaper to ensure an even cut along the entire width of the reel.

I estimate there's enough compound in this kit for about six or eight sharpenings, which means it could last up to ten years--quite a deal compared to paying someone else to do this simple chore--and you'll have the satisifaction of knowing you did a great job.


Push It Backward!!!   April 8, 2007
M. Fitz (Naperville, IL USA)
18 out of 18 found this review helpful

There isn't much to say about this product. It sharpens, and works well on my American lawn mower. However, the directions are flawed. If you READ THE MOWER MANUAL (not the manual in the sharpening kit), it will tell you to do the following:
1. Remove BOTH wheels
2. Remove and switch ratchet gears from L to R and vice versa
3. Flip over pawls
4. Apply Compound
5. PUSH MOWER BACKWARDS!!!!! (for about 5 minutes, or until sharpening goo changes color. Mine turns grey)

The instructions in the sharpening kit tell you to use the stupid crank, which takes forever. If you just push the mower backwards, the blades get sharpened in about 5 minutes. Then you just switch the ratchet gears back and re-flip-over the pawls (and put the wheels back on). My only complaint is that they didn't SAY that. However, I give it 5 stars anyway, because if you use it how you SHOULD, it is very easy, and makes the cutting quality much better.


Just what I've been looking for.   May 4, 2006
R. Birr (Minnesota)
16 out of 16 found this review helpful

My mower needed sharpening but the cost was prohibitive, I was told about $60. That was more than half the cost of the mower itself. I finally found this kit and after reading some reviews ordered it. The instructions were good (they include a section on adjusting the blades) and the whole thing took less than 15 minutes. Now it's like I have a new mower, one pass and that's all it takes.


Use a drill to spin the reel.   April 25, 2007
G (USA)
14 out of 14 found this review helpful

This kit works great, but if you want to speed the process use a drill with a 1/2" chuck. Just tighten the chuck over the wheel axle that the crank goes on, and run it at a medium speed. This makes it a quick and easy job to get razor sharp blades.