Sharpen Lawn Mower Blades With A Pocket Sized Tool That's Easy To Store

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Mower blades require regular sharpening, and doing so properly is one of the best ways to keep your grass healthy and your lawn looking great. There are many ways to sharpen your lawn mower blades, though. Not all of them, like the ever-popular grinding wheel, are easily portable, which isn't helpful when you're not at your workbench. A portable blade sharpener is one solution, but it's still not exactly pocket-friendly. If you want a smaller tool to keep your mower blades sharp — perhaps one you can slip into a pocket — consider a sharpening puck.

A sharpening puck is similar to a traditional whetstone, offering a gritty, abrasive surface for honing the dull edge of a blade. But instead of a rectangular shape, this aptly named tool has a round design with beveled edges. It's designed to sit comfortably in your hand and is useful for sharpening many gardening tools. That means you can even use it to keep your lawn mower blades sharp. Here's how to use one.

Compared to a bench grinder or set of files, a sharpening puck is a small investment. The Lansky Puck is a popular example from a highly regarded brand known for its sharpening tools. It features a dual-grit design: one side has a coarse 140-grit surface for shaping blade edges, while the other side offers a 280-grit "medium" surface. Another option is the NedFoss Axe/Hatchet Sharpening Puck. This sharpening stone also features a dual-surface design (one of a puck sharpener's main advantages), is available in three grit combos with sharpening surfaces ranging from 150- to 600-grit, and comes with a handy carrying case.

Although designed for curved blades like axes and scythes, sharpening pucks are also useful for touching up mower blades. They're simple to use, but the technique differs from that of a traditional whetstone or rasp file. When your lawn mower blades are showing signs that they need sharpening, disconnect the spark plug wire or remove the battery to power down the machine, then remove the blades. Apply a few drops of honing oil to the puck's surface, grip the stone firmly, and move it in a circular motion along the blade's edge.

Start with the coarser side to shape the dull edge before finishing the blade with the finer side, holding the puck at a steady angle for consistent sharpening. Finally, be sure to balance your mower blades properly when you reinstall them. This, along with proper sharpening, will ensure that your mower runs smoothly and cuts grass cleanly. Keeping your mower blades sharp is essential for maintaining a lush, healthy lawn, and a sharpening puck is a handy (and pocket-friendly) way to do it.