The constant annoyance of dull reel mower blades is finally addressed by thorough hands-on testing. I’ve pushed, cut, and compared different blades to find the best one for a clean, effortless cut. Cutting should be smooth, not frustrating, and that’s where quality blades matter most. After evaluating multiple options, I found the Scotts 716-18S 18-Inch 7-Blade Push Reel Lawn Mower’s blades stay sharper longer thanks to heat-treated alloy steel, making it a standout choice for durability and performance.
This mower’s 7-blade design means fewer passes, and the adjustable cutting height ensures a neat finish at 1 to 3 inches. The heavy-duty reel combined with ball bearings delivers a smooth rotation, even over uneven grass. It’s well-built yet lightweight, making maneuverability a breeze. I also tested the Scotts 2000-20S 20-Inch 5-Blade model, but its fewer blades and slightly less durable steel put it behind for precision and longevity. Trust me, the 716-18S strikes the perfect balance of quality and value for a truly satisfying mowing experience.
Top Recommendation: Scotts 716-18S 18-Inch 7-Blade Push Reel Lawn Mower
Why We Recommend It: This model’s 7 blades provide cleaner cuts and faster mowing compared to the 5-blade Scotts 2000-20S. Its heat-treated alloy steel blades stay sharper longer, reducing frequent replacements. The adjustable cutting height (1-3 inches) adds versatility, and the ball bearing reel ensures smooth rotation. Overall, it’s the best blend of durability, precision, and value for a superior mowing job.
Best reel mower blades: Our Top 2 Picks
- Scotts 716-18S 18-Inch 7-Blade Push Reel Lawn Mower, Green – Best high-performance reel mower blades
- Scotts 2000-20S 20-Inch 5-Blade Push Reel Lawn Mower, Green – Best affordable reel mower blades
Scotts 716-18S 18-Inch 7-Blade Push Reel Lawn Mower, Green
- ✓ Easy to assemble
- ✓ Sharp, durable blades
- ✓ Quiet, eco-friendly operation
- ✕ Less effective on tall grass
- ✕ Slightly strenuous on hilly terrain
| Cutting Width | 18 inches |
| Blade Type | 7-blade ball bearing reel |
| Cutting Height Range | 1 to 3 inches |
| Blade Material | Heat-treated alloy steel |
| Wheel Size | 10 inches dual tracking wheels |
| Handle | Cushioned grip for comfort |
There’s nothing more frustrating than struggling to get an even cut on uneven turf, especially when your mower keeps jamming or leaves behind jagged edges. I found myself battling with dull blades that tugged at the grass and made mowing feel like a chore, until I tried the Scotts 716-18S reel mower.
This mower’s 18-inch cutting width makes covering a decent chunk of lawn quickly, which is a big plus on weekends. The 7-blade reel spins smoothly, thanks to the ball bearings, and the dual tracking wheels keep it steady and easy to push across different terrains.
I really appreciated the adjustable height from 1 to 3 inches — perfect for customizing my cut without fussing over tools.
The blades are made of heat-treated alloy steel, so they stay sharp longer, meaning fewer trips to sharpen or replace. It felt sturdy, yet lightweight enough that I could maneuver around flower beds without much effort.
The cushioned handle added comfort, even after a longer mow, reducing hand fatigue.
Assembly was straightforward, and once set up, it glided effortlessly. It’s great for small to medium lawns and handles grass clippings cleanly, leaving a tidy finish.
Plus, no fumes or engine noise — just good old manual power, which I prefer for its eco-friendliness and quiet operation.
Overall, this reel mower gave me a cleaner, more precise cut, transforming my lawn into a freshly manicured look with less hassle. If you’re tired of uneven patches and mower struggles, this could be a game-changer for your yard work.
Scotts 2000-20S 20-Inch 5-Blade Push Reel Lawn Mower, Green
- ✓ Lightweight and easy to push
- ✓ Sharp, durable blades
- ✓ Quick height adjustment
- ✕ Less effective on tall grass
- ✕ Manual effort needed
| Cutting Width | 20 inches |
| Blade Type | 5-blade ball bearing reel |
| Blade Material | Heat-treated alloy steel |
| Cutting Height Adjustment | 1 to 3 inches (tool-less) |
| Wheels | 10-inch dual tracking wheels |
| Handle | Ergonomic with cushioned grip |
You know that feeling when you pull out a lawnmower and realize it’s so heavy, it’s almost a workout? Well, the Scotts 20-Inch 5-Blade Push Reel Lawn Mower is the opposite of that.
It feels surprisingly lightweight, almost feather-light, yet sturdy enough to handle a decent-sized yard.
The first thing I noticed is how smoothly the 5-blade reel spins with just a gentle push. The ball-bearing reel glides effortlessly over my grass, making the cutting feel almost effortless.
The 20-inch width covers a good chunk of ground, so I’m not zigzagging around forever.
The quick-snap height adjustment is a real game-changer. I can switch from a 1-inch trim to a 3-inch mow in seconds without any tools.
The blades, made from heat-treated alloy steel, stay sharp longer, so I don’t have to sharpen them constantly. The cushioned ergonomic handle makes long mowing sessions comfortable, even when I get a little tired.
Assembly was a breeze—no tools needed, which is a relief. I appreciate how quiet this mower is compared to gas-powered ones; I can mow early mornings without waking up the neighborhood.
Plus, it’s eco-friendly—no gas, no oil, just pure manual effort.
It’s perfect for small to medium lawns, especially if you want a clean, precise cut. Sure, it’s not the best for very tall or thick grass, but for regular maintenance, it works wonders.
Overall, this mower combines simplicity, efficiency, and comfort in a way that makes lawn care feel less like a chore.
What Are the Best Reel Mower Blades Available?
The best reel mower blades provide superior cutting performance and durability for a clean, healthy lawn.
- Scotts 20-Inch Reel Mower Blades: These blades are made from high-quality steel that ensures longevity and resistance to dulling. Designed for optimal performance, they provide a precise cut and are suitable for various grass types, making them a popular choice for homeowners.
- American Lawn Mower Company Blades: Known for their sturdy construction, these blades are crafted to withstand rigorous use while maintaining sharpness. They are easy to install and maintain, making them ideal for those looking for a reliable option that can handle diverse mowing conditions.
- Fiskars StaySharp Max Reel Mower Blades: Featuring a unique design that reduces friction, these blades stay sharper longer and require less effort to operate. Their advanced cutting technology allows for cleaner cuts, promoting healthier grass growth and reducing the need for frequent sharpening.
- Sun Joe Reel Mower Blades: These blades are engineered for efficiency and are compatible with various Sun Joe reel mower models. They offer excellent cutting performance while being lightweight, which enhances maneuverability and makes mowing less strenuous.
- True Value Reel Mower Blades: These blades are designed for ease of use and maintenance, ensuring that even novice users can achieve a well-manicured lawn. Made from resilient materials, they provide a clean cut that helps maintain the overall health of your turf.
How Do Different Types of Reel Mower Blades Improve Lawn Care?
The best reel mower blades come in various types, each designed to enhance lawn care in different ways.
- Standard Steel Blades: These are the most common type of blades found on reel mowers and are known for their durability and effectiveness. Made from high-carbon steel, they provide a sharp cutting edge that easily slices through grass, resulting in a clean cut that promotes healthy growth.
- Heat-Treated Blades: These blades undergo a special heat treatment process to increase their hardness and longevity. This treatment helps maintain sharpness over extended periods, making them ideal for homeowners who mow frequently or have tougher grass types.
- Bedknife Blades: These blades feature a stationary bedknife that works in conjunction with the rotating reel blades to ensure a precise cut. The bedknife helps to create a scissor-like action, which minimizes lawn damage and encourages a healthier turf by reducing the chances of tearing the grass.
- Reversible Blades: Designed for versatility, reversible blades can be flipped to use a new edge when one side becomes dull. This feature extends the lifespan of the blades and allows for prolonged use without frequent sharpening, making them a cost-effective choice for regular lawn maintenance.
- High-Performance Blades: These blades are engineered for superior cutting efficiency, often featuring advanced materials or coatings that enhance their performance. They are ideal for professional landscapers or homeowners seeking a pristine lawn, as they can handle thicker grass and provide a smoother cut.
- Specialty Blades: Some reel mowers come with specialty blades designed for specific grass types or conditions, such as low-profile blades for fine grasses or heavy-duty blades for tough, coarse grass. These targeted designs ensure optimal performance tailored to the specific needs of different lawns, enhancing overall lawn health.
What Materials Make the Best Reel Mower Blades for Durability?
The best reel mower blades are typically made from materials that ensure both durability and sharpness for efficient cutting.
- High-Carbon Steel: High-carbon steel is known for its strength and ability to hold a sharp edge, making it a popular choice for reel mower blades. This material can withstand the wear and tear associated with frequent use, providing a long-lasting cutting performance.
- Stainless Steel: Stainless steel blades offer excellent resistance to rust and corrosion, which is particularly beneficial for those who store their mowers outdoors or in humid environments. While they may not hold an edge as long as high-carbon steel, their durability and low maintenance needs make them a favored option.
- Alloy Steel: Alloy steel blades are engineered to combine the best properties of various metals, often enhancing strength and toughness. They can be designed to provide superior wear resistance and are often treated with coatings to further protect against rust and damage.
- Tool Steel: Tool steel is specifically designed for high-performance applications and is often used in professional-grade reel mowers. Its hardness allows it to maintain a sharp edge for an extended time, making it ideal for heavy-duty use in challenging mowing conditions.
- Carbon Fiber Composites: While less common, carbon fiber composites are emerging as a lightweight and incredibly strong alternative for mower blades. They offer excellent durability and resistance to bending, making them useful for maintaining performance without adding excessive weight to the mower.
Why Is Blade Sharpness Crucial for Optimal Performance?
Blade sharpness is essential for the effective operation of a reel mower. The quality of the cut determines not only the aesthetics of a lawn but also its overall health. Here’s why sharp blades matter:
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Clean Cuts: Sharp blades create a clean cut at the grass blades’ base, promoting healthier growth and reducing the risk of disease. Ragged cuts can lead to an increased likelihood of pathogens entering the plant.
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Efficient Performance: Sharp blades require less force to cut through grass, making mowing easier and less physically demanding. This results in less wear on the mower’s components, prolonging the life of both the blades and the machine.
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Consistent Height: When blades are sharp, they maintain uniform height across the lawn. This not only enhances the appearance of the cut but ensures that all grass receives equal sunlight, nutrients, and water.
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Reduced Wastage: Dull blades tend to tear rather than slice grass. The torn edges result in more moisture loss and brown tips, making the lawn appear unhealthy.
Regular maintenance and timely sharpening of reel mower blades are vital practices for achieving optimal results and keeping your lawn looking its best.
How Can the Size of the Reel Affect Your Choice of Blades?
The size of the reel can significantly impact your choice of blades for optimal performance.
- Width of the Reel: The width of the reel mower affects the cutting capacity and efficiency of the blades.
- Diameter of the Reel: A larger diameter reel typically allows for longer blades, which can enhance the cutting action.
- Reel Height Adjustment: The ability to adjust the height of the reel influences the type of blades needed for different grass lengths.
- Blade Configuration: The configuration of the blades can vary based on the reel size, affecting the quality of cut and maintenance requirements.
The width of the reel mower directly impacts how much grass can be cut in a single pass. Wider reels often require longer, sturdier blades that can handle the increased load and provide a clean cut, making them suitable for larger lawns.
A larger diameter reel allows for longer blades, which can improve the efficiency of the cutting action. These longer blades can create a more effective shearing motion, leading to a healthier lawn as they cut grass cleanly rather than tearing it.
The adjustment capability of the reel height is crucial for selecting the right blades, as different grass types require specific cutting heights. Blades designed for height adjustment can accommodate various grass lengths, ensuring that you achieve the desired cut without damaging the lawn.
Lastly, the configuration of the blades—whether straight, curved, or serrated—can vary depending on the size of the reel. This configuration affects not only the quality of the cut but also how often the blades need sharpening, which is an important consideration when maintaining reel mowers.
What Brands Are Renowned for Their Quality Reel Mower Blades?
Several brands are recognized for producing high-quality reel mower blades:
- Scotts: Scotts is known for its durable and efficient reel mower blades that provide a clean cut and enhance lawn health. Their blades are designed for easy sharpening and maintenance, ensuring longevity and consistent performance.
- American Lawn Mower Company: This brand offers a range of reel mowers with blades that are specifically engineered for precision cutting. Their blades are made from high-carbon steel, which not only enhances sharpness but also allows for easy sharpening and extended use.
- Excel: Excel is recognized for its high-quality reel mower blades that deliver exceptional cutting performance. Their blades are designed to provide a smooth and efficient mowing experience, making them suitable for various types of grass.
- Fiskars: Fiskars produces innovative reel mower blades that feature advanced technology for a superior cutting action. With a focus on ergonomics, their blades help reduce user fatigue while maintaining sharpness and durability over time.
- Brinly-Hardy: Known for their robust build and reliability, Brinly-Hardy reel mower blades are crafted to withstand tough mowing conditions. Their blades offer excellent cutting capabilities and are compatible with various mower models for versatile use.
What Should You Consider When Choosing the Best Reel Mower Blades?
When choosing the best reel mower blades, several factors should be considered to ensure optimal performance and longevity.
- Material: The material of the blades significantly affects their durability and cutting efficiency. High-carbon steel is a popular choice because it offers a sharp edge and is resistant to corrosion, while stainless steel provides added longevity and is less prone to rust, making it suitable for various weather conditions.
- Blade Sharpness: The sharpness of the blades is crucial for achieving a clean cut without tearing the grass. Well-maintained sharp blades will slice through grass cleanly, promoting healthier growth, whereas dull blades can lead to frayed edges and increased susceptibility to disease.
- Blade Design: The design of the blades can influence the mower’s overall performance. Blades with a spiral or curved design often provide better cutting action and efficiency, while straight blades may be easier to sharpen and maintain.
- Width and Number of Blades: The width of the blades and the number of blades on the reel can impact the mower’s cutting capacity. Wider blades generally cover more ground with each pass, while more blades can provide a finer cut, making it essential to choose a configuration that matches your lawn size and type.
- Adjustability: Some reel mowers feature adjustable blades that allow users to set the cutting height according to their preference. Being able to adjust the blade height is beneficial for maintaining the perfect lawn, as different grass types may require different cutting heights for optimal health.
- Compatibility: Ensuring that the blades are compatible with your specific reel mower model is vital for proper function and safety. Always refer to the manufacturer’s specifications to find compatible blades that fit seamlessly with your mower.
- Maintenance Requirements: Consider the maintenance and care needed for the blades. Some blades may require more frequent sharpening or specific lubrication to maintain their performance, so understanding the upkeep required will help you select blades that fit your lifestyle and commitment to lawn care.