How to Sharpen a Lawnmower Blade Cheaply and Easily Using Metal Cutting Files

Touch up or fully sharpen any mower blade without a trip to the store or specialized tools.

With metal cutting files you can sharpen almost any lawnmower blade without any specialized equipment or a trip to the hardware store to have the blade sharpened.

I started to using metal cutting files to sharpen my lawnmower blades after purchasing my first mulching mower years ago. The blade on that mower had several curves meant to aid in thoroughly mulching the grass. The blade was effective too, as long as it was sharp. But sharpening a blade with multiple undulations was effectively impossible on my bench grinder. And at the time, the local hardware stores wouldn’t or couldn’t sharpen anything other than the then common straight blades.

Having a sharp mower blade gives a much better cut and makes cutting the grass a whole lot easier. But how to keep the blade sharp? Files. Metal cutting files. I know having the blade sharpened is less work. I know specialized equipment can be faster. However, I’ve found sharpening a lawnmower blade with metal cutting files to be faster than a trip to the store. Files are also more effective and versatile than cheap gadgets and far less expensive than quality power sharpening tools. Metal cutting files also take up less space and can be used for a multitude of other tasks.

In this video I show the method I use to sharpen a lawnmower blade using only two different metal cutting files. I also discuss how to use a file and how to clamp the lawnmower blade for sharpening.

Wikipedia Article on Files:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File_(tool)

Video on Making File Handles:
   • Beat Up Applewood Makes Beautiful Too...  


Tools and Equipment Used in This Video:

12” Bastard Cut File
https://www.acmetools.com/shop/tools/...

Half Round File - 10” Bastard Cut
https://www.acmetools.com/shop/tools/...

10” Second Cut Mill File
https://www.acmetools.com/shop/tools/...

Half Round File 8” Second Cut
https://www.acmetools.com/shop/tools/...

Professional Sharpie
https://www.amazon.com/Sharpie-34821P...

File Handles
https://www.acmetools.com/shop/Search...

Bessey 8” with 4” throat depth bar clamp
https://www.acmetools.com/shop/tools/...

Photographic, Video & Sound Equipment Used In Production:

Avenger C-Stand
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc...

Avenger D600 Mini Boom
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc...

Reticam Phone Mount
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc...

Manfrotto 014-14 Rapid Adapter - 5/8" Stud to 1/4-20" Thread
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc...

Small Ball Head
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search...

Rode smartLav Plus
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc...