American Lawn Mower Co. SK-2 Reel Lawn Mower Hand Sharpener for Great States, American Lawn Mower, Scotts, and Earthwise Reels

I bought an old time hand push mower about 3 years ago. Though I have definitely found it to be inferior to a power mower in its ability to pass over many a tall blade of grass or weed, its superiority in its ease of use and dependability has sold me on them for life. I would never use a power mower again. (Not with my size lawn anyway).The rotary blades on the hand mower do not sharpen, nor do they cut the same way as the single blade design of a power mower. While power mowers can be easily sharpened at an angle with just a file if necessary, the rotary blades of the hand mower are sharpened flat across the face of the blade. Something very difficult to do by hand even if you had the mower completely disassembled. This very simple three piece system consists of a brush, a crank handle, and a small container of grinding compound. The instructions that come with the kit are pretty simple without a lot of detail, but describe it well enough for you to get the job done. Personally, I found the hardest part of the whole job at the very beginning. Removing the small "C" clamp that holds the wheel on. Though the instructions simply stated that one should pry off the C ring by merely "sticking a regular slotted screw driver into the opening" of it, for me there was nothing at all "merely" about it. No amount of prying, twisting, pushing or swearing allowed me to get a grip on the C clamp with just a screwdriver, or even two of them. All I ended up doing for 15 minutes was chase it around the axle. I finally got it off by concluding that I would sacrifice it by ruining it with needle nose pliers, and then putting on a new one. (As it turned out, I easily reshaped the original clamp and reinstalled it). After removing the clamp the wheel slips right off and you have to remove the gear wheel that assures the forward action of the blades when it motion. It is not attached in any way and just lifts off. But one word of warning here. Neither the directions or any other reviewer at the time of this writing mentions that the gear wheel directs its forward motion by the wheel slipping over a little "key" or steel sliver that slides into a slot on the gear shaft. The key is loose after removal of the gear wheel and can easily fall out and be lost while moving the mower around during the sharpening process. Make sure you either keep an eye on it in the shaft, or remove it to a safe place. The actual sharpening process is quite easy, just time consuming. You spread the compound onto the blades with the little brush supplied and then turn the mower back wards with the crank provided. You will get tired, but you can rest and restart. Give it a good ten minutes. The more you crank the better the sharpening job. Oh and the crank does not slip over the entire shaft, it is snug and has to be wiggled on. You may want to tap it with a light hammer or screwdriver so you don't have to keep stopping and pushing it back on during the spinning process. When you're done, the reassembly is very easy, (don't forget the little key if you removed it), and after cleaning up the excess compound, your mower will cut like its a brand new model. It really did make quite a difference for me and I highly recommend this simple kit that will perform the job easily. Push mower blades stay sharp a lot longer than power blades so a sharpening job every other season, or even every three should be enough. Under that schedule, this kit should last you through many years of your mowers use. Highly recommended....

If you’re looking to keep your reel mower in top condition, the American Lawn Mower Co. SK-2 Reel Lawn Mower Hand Sharpener is an excellent investment. It’s designed for use with Great States, American Lawn Mower, Scotts, and Earthwise reel mowers, and it really helps maintain the mower’s cutting efficiency. After using this sharpener, I noticed a significant improvement in the mower’s performance and the quality of my lawn cut.Pros:• Easy to use: The sharpener is straightforward to operate, even for those who are new to lawn mower maintenance.• Improves mower performance: It quickly restores the cutting edge of the mower blades, making the mowing process smoother and more efficient.• Affordable maintenance solution: Instead of taking the mower to a professional sharpening service, this tool provides a cost-effective way to maintain your mower at home.• Durable build: The sharpener is well-constructed and designed to withstand frequent use, making it a long-term addition to your toolset.Cons:• Requires manual effort: The sharpening process takes some elbow grease, so it might not be ideal for those who prefer more automated tools.• Works best with certain models: While it’s compatible with a wide range of reel mowers, it’s important to ensure your mower is one of the supported models before purchasing.Overall, the American Lawn Mower Co. SK-2 Reel Lawn Mower Hand Sharpener is a fantastic tool for keeping your reel mower in great shape. It’s easy to use, affordable, and effective, making it an essential tool for lawn care enthusiasts who prefer maintaining their equipment at home.

Easy to use after using the push mower. How well does it work? Time will tell.

it really doesn't remove any metal i guess if the mower was new and used it a few times a year it would work well but its not worth the money if the mower has been used aot.

Worked like a charm on my Troy Built 18" reel mower. The handle luckily fit because the blade shaft is too wide for my 1/2" chuck drill.

This works