HOW TO

TOOLS & MATERIALS

– Work gloves – Scraper – Safety glasses – Socket wrench – Vise – Bastard-cut mill file *BobVila.com and its partners may earn a commission if you purchase a product through one of our links.

STEP 1

Disconnect the spark plug (on a gas mower) or battery (on an electric mower). Disconnect the spark plug (on a gas mower) or battery (on an electric mower). Learn more

STEP 2

Remove the lawn mower blade by loosening the mounting nut with a socket wrench. Remove the lawn mower blade by loosening the mounting nut with a socket wrench.

STEP 3

Clean the blade with a scraper. Clean the blade with a scraper.

STEP 4

Run a bastard-cut mill file along the cutting edge, using a one-way down stroke. Run a bastard-cut mill file along the cutting edge, using a one-way down stroke. Learn more

STEP 5

Check the blade’s balance by hanging it on a wall. If the blade tilts to one side, remove more material from that side. Check the blade’s balance by hanging it on a wall. If the blade tilts to one side, remove more material from that side.

STEP 6

Reinstall the blade in the lawn mower. Then flip the mower over and reconnect the spark-plug wire or power source. Reinstall the blade in the lawn mower. Then flip the mower over and reconnect the spark-plug wire or power source. Learn more

More on

[{"selector":"#anim-57ab239e-f86d-4dc7-9ead-71a7b87040a7","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(1)","scale(1.5)","scale(0.95)","scale(1)"],"offset":[0,0.33,0.66,1]},"delay":0,"duration":1450,"easing":"ease-in-out","fill":"both","iterations":1}] [{"selector":"#anim-6a5e9d47-3ba8-4cd5-93c7-41d51821d822","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(1)","scale(1.5)","scale(0.95)","scale(1)"],"offset":[0,0.33,0.66,1]},"delay":0,"duration":1450,"easing":"ease-in-out","fill":"both","iterations":1}] [{"selector":"#anim-119fb718-8a59-493b-9af6-2d776485e56a","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(1)","scale(1.5)","scale(0.95)","scale(1)"],"offset":[0,0.33,0.66,1]},"delay":0,"duration":1450,"easing":"ease-in-out","fill":"both","iterations":1}] [{"selector":"#anim-2d29715e-1cde-40f4-81dd-8e0a4e503b0f","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(1)","scale(1.5)","scale(0.95)","scale(1)"],"offset":[0,0.33,0.66,1]},"delay":0,"duration":1450,"easing":"ease-in-out","fill":"both","iterations":1}] Sign up to receive the best tips and tricks, the latest news and giveaways, and the most inspiring home improvement ideas from Bob Vila, America's Handyman since 1979. Subscribe Now 14 Mowing Mistakes Everyone Makes We Tested the DeWalt Lawn Mower Is It Worth It?

HOW TO

HOW TO

Sharpen Lawn Mower Blades

Sharpen Lawn Mower Blades

TOOLS & MATERIALS

TOOLS & MATERIALS

STEP 1

STEP 1

STEP 2

STEP 2

STEP 3

STEP 3

STEP 4

STEP 4

STEP 5

STEP 5

STEP 6

STEP 6

More on

Get the Newsletter