Lawn Mower Blades

[cabinetman]

I have a John Deere walk behind, that I use a 21" mulching blade. I remember the last one I bought was from the John Deere dealer, and it seemed a little high priced. Is there much of a difference in brands of blades? And, is the hole pattern fairly standard? Mine has a center hole and two opposing holes. I'm guessing that if I look for a different brand I should take the old one for a matchup, or is that not necessary?
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[docrowan]

Home Depot carries a will-fit brand of blades that will probably work. I would carry the old one to make sure of a fit. Lawnmowers blades are not rocket science, I see no reason to buy the name brand as long as the will-fit is balanced. Easy to check if you hang it by a nail at the center hole.

[dewi1219]

If the blade you have is only dull and not damaged or bent, they sell a sharpening tool at Lowe's as well. You use it in a drill and it only costs a few bucks. I was able to sharpen mine without taking it off of the mower which is a real bonus.

[smorris]

I just buy mine at Lowes, at least one a year as the boys have a penchant for running into the same pipe that hasn't moved in 10 years. I have a fine collection of pretzel blades.

[cabinetman]

Home Depot carries a will-fit brand of blades that will probably work. I would carry the old one to make sure of a fit. Lawnmowers blades are not rocket science, I see no reason to buy the name brand as long as the will-fit is balanced. Easy to check if you hang it by a nail at the center hole.

I was thinking that. Like how much better could a blade be. I've done that balance thing, and it works pretty good. I've got about 3-4 days to find a blade, so I will likely give both HD and Lowes a look.

If the blade you have is only dull and not damaged or bent, they sell a sharpening tool at Lowe's as well. You use it in a drill and it only costs a few bucks. I was able to sharpen mine without taking it off of the mower which is a real bonus.

I've got the sharpening down pretty well. This blade is waaay past resurrecting by sharpening. The cutting edge is all chipped back and it's not worth grinding it down to a formidable line to put on a new bevel.
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[shoottx]

If the blade you have is only dull and not damaged or bent, they sell a sharpening tool at Lowe's as well. You use it in a drill and it only costs a few bucks. I was able to sharpen mine without taking it off of the mower which is a real bonus.

Sharpening lawn mower blades has the same science and debate as sharpening chisels, lots of good ways, lots of gadgets, and a wealth of opinions. Miy opinion falls into either a bench grinder, but it is hard to hold the mower at the right angleor removing the blade cleaner sharpen with a grinder, dremel tool, sander, file or sharpening stones.

We always kept a spare blade, sharpen one any time and exchange, because you need a new sharp blade when you really don't have time to stop and sharpen one.

[cabinetman]

I just buy mine at Lowes, at least one a year as the boys have a penchant for running into the same pipe that hasn't moved in 10 years. I have a fine collection of pretzel blades.

I must have run into too many rocks. I cut the grass yesterday and just for grins tipped over the mower to take a look at the blade. A disaster. Not just dull, but whatever edge was there was paper thin and had chips very deep into the blade body.
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[JimD]

I haven't sharpened in a couple years. Grass doesn't seem to care. When I sharpen, I use my right angle grinder. It seems to do a much quicker job than my bench grinder or a file. I do not try to eliminate all the nicks (again the grass doesn't seem to notice) just get the edge respectable looking again. I do not file after grinding, I just check the balance and put it back on. I am grinding enough, I need to check the balance.

I also like to use an impact wrench to remove the blade. Saves trying to block it from turning. Even a cheap 1/2 impact wrench works.

I agree that non-name brand blades are OK. I rarely purchase one but I have and it was a no-name and it worked as well as the original. It may have been made the same place.

Jim

[cabinetman]

I agree that non-name brand blades are OK. I rarely purchase one but I have and it was a no-name and it worked as well as the original. It may have been made the same place.

Jim

I agree a no-name would suffice. It's just finding a compatible blade. I called several Lawnmower/supply places and was told to go to a John Deere dealer. A few said to bring in the old blade for a "match-up". I went online and there are gazillion different types of blades, but no John Deere replacements. So, instead of spending a lot of time and gas traveling around to find a "possible fit", today, it's to the dealer I go.
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