Best Lawn Mower Blade Sharpener 2023? From $9 to $1200-6 Sharpeners Compared! Let's find out!
6 Lawn Mower Blade Sharpeners: RGB 950, Yellow Hornet, All American, tool rest with bench grinder, Arnold Drill Attachment Sharpener and hand file. Sharpeners compared for sharpening speed on mildly dull and on blunt 3/16 flat iron. Sharpeners also compared for accuracy at achieving a 30 degree blade angle. Finally, sharpeners compared for performance sharpening a mulching blade.
I purchased all of the blade sharpeners and supplies used to test the sharpeners to ensure an fair review. So, thank you for supporting the channel.
➡ Thank you for supporting the channel through memberships:
/ @projectfarm
➡ Thank you very much for supporting the channel through Patreon: / projectfarm
➡ An easy way to find past videos along with products tested: bit.ly/2FCrBpk A big thanks to Jim for putting this together.
➡ Merch: project-farm.com
➡ Click here if you'd like to subscribe: / @projectfarm
➡ As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
➡ Products Tested In This Video (in no particular order):
All American: amzn.to/46fSmbi
RGB 950: amzn.to/43Ss79g
Yellow Hornet: amzn.to/3CAf7sR
Tool Rest: amzn.to/3CAVe4S
Mercer Industries File: amzn.to/3CGWeo5
Universal File Holder: amzn.to/448Kw15
Arnold Drill Attachment: Available at Home Depot
Videography Equipment:
Sony DSC-RX10 III Cyber-shot Digital Still Camera: amzn.to/2YdXvPw
Canon 70D Camera: amzn.to/31b5Gy0
Azden Microphone: amzn.to/34d3DLE
Go Pro Bundle: amzn.to/3Ca0ZVN
This video is only for entertainment purposes. If you rely on the information portrayed in this video, you assume the responsibility for the results. Project Farm LLC
After 7 years of watching yt, this channel is the most consistent channel I've ever witnessed, never a disappointment.
@@ProjectFarmplease , do bathtubs different paint test and best & worst. With which one handles water
@ProjectFarmp lease , do bathtubs different paint test and best & worst. With which one handles water
Bc" Boring white old man"
Totally agree.
@@ProjectFarm I have been using different Wood Hardening liquids but it would be awesome to see you compare them. It would be nice to see how wood fillers compare also. Not sure how you would keep things fair but you are a very smart and ingenious so I have faith you can. I hope to see it some day.
I bought an All American after your last blade sharpener video, I've not regretted it for a moment. That thing is lightning-fast, and super easy to use. I'd recommend it to anyone who needs to sharpen more than just a couple blades a year. You'll be *all* your neighbors' best friend come sharpening time. xD
I'm going to convince my neighbour he needs one....
Good to hear! Thanks for sharing.
I did the same thing. I used my zero turn for 3 months before I used the All American. I was very impressed how well it sharpened the 3 blades and so quickly. Made a big difference in the cut quality and the grass blades for chopped up more on my mulching blades. Do not regret buying this....
I also got the All American setup based on the last sharpener video you did. I went to harbor freight with the threaded pins that came with the sharpener and bought the cheapest grinder they sold that a pin threads into. I leave the flap sanding wheel on that grinder and it is dedicated to blades.
I'm curious, why spend all that money? A new blade is $20 and there's a video on making a nice a jig for a bench grinder to accomplish the same. If I owned a landscaping company I would definitely invest in one. Or maybe if I owned an acreage and had to mow 4+ acres all the time. I just have a normal yard though
This Gentleman is a National Treasure! I’m in my 80’s and have seen many comparisons on every type of tool imaginable and none has even come close to this man’s expertise in assisting us DIYers! Thank you Sir!!
Thanks and you are welcome!
I use a hard disc on my All American Sharpener. It is super quick and more accurate than a flap disc. The resulting edge is absolutely beautiful like it was cut on a milling machine.
Thanks for the feedback.
What grit should you use for the hard disc?
@alanbarriga77 , I use a fine disc since hard discs remove material very quickly. The actual grit number is not critical. If a coarse disc is all you have, use very light force on it.
I find my self inexplicably drawn to these videos despite not having any need for them. I find most interesting the testing methods, showing you dont need absolute measurments and tests to compare products if you give your testing methods some thought. Awesome job as usual!
Ditto
Thanks! Thanks for watching!
Same lol.
Yeah, it's like when I watch Ventrac videos. I'd love to have one, but it would be overkill for my 2 acres.
I need them ALL! And very thankful... not the fact I need to sharpen 3 blades... again...
That all American would be great for the golf course. We sharpen blades constantly, and a consistent sharpening is key to after cut appearance. Which we usually can’t get with an angle grinder alone. Sometimes we even use a right angle die grinder with a roloc style disc and that doesn’t do any better with keeping the angle consistent.
Great point!
Im a big fan of using a belt sander which gives me perfect results, but it takes a notable amount of time compared to that all american
You sir are a national treasure to us do it yourself folks (and even the pros wait for your very professional review...) the reviews you make are priceless to your subscribers. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
Thanks and you are welcome!
@@ProjectFarm Please, for the love of God, test battery powered fans. It's in the mid 90's here in Georgia. We're all sweating more than we can drink. El Nino is coming, so it's only going to get hotter nationwide. We all just want to which brand has the best battery life, which puts out the most CFM per amp hour, which is the overall best value, how many decibles, etc. I trust you more than I trust the marketing teams at Ryobi, DeWalt, Makita, etc. This product test is relevant and will generate views. El Nino will bring heat and storms, both of which will knock out power. Without power, people don't have air conditioning and will resort to battery fans. We lost power for 9 hours here in Macon, GA on Sunday with the storms. We were all sweltering in the heat. Job sites are borderline unbearable in the sun. It's also relevant for camping, beach vacations, and every other place and time where having a fan would be nice. Heck, they're even nice to have when working on the car or mowing the lawn. This product test will help everyone. Use your science and engineering to point us in the right direction. We need you on this one!
We use an All American Sharpener for our lawn care company on anywhere from 6 to 21 blades per week depending on season and growth conditions. In my experience the 35* setting yields a QOC as good as the 30* while holding the edge longer and surviving impacts with small sticks, etc especially during leaf season. My blades last much longer compared to freehand with a vice and grinder/flappy disc I did before. They balance easier, and QOC is consistent from beginning to end of life on our blades. I also save a TON of time compared to before.
Do you use new blades straight out of the box, or do you sharpen new blades?
@@gfbemc0256 I run new blades straight out of the box.
Thanks for the feedback!
Hi Was just thinking that AAS is the only one of these that can be given to an apprentice to work with or selected operators Rgb might be great for someone who is making swords and knifes Yellow and rgb would be better if the bladerest would have support or quide for the edge to work against
Thanks for sharing your professional experience. I will try 35 degrees!
The All American is an impressive piece of kit. Guiding the grinder opposed to the blade appears to give the best confidence. I'm not a fan of taking the blade to a wheel that looked rather unforgiving, mainly due to the lack of adjustability. All American for me... and I'm an Aussie ;) Cheers mate 👍
Thanks for the feedback.
Hi Victorian Aussie here, I bought an All American a couple of years ago, has been great very happy with it
I worked at a lawn mower shop and we used the RGB 712. We left the blade against the grinding wheel as we pushed and pulled it. That made the sharpening process go a lot faster. Petition to test blade balancers! We used a Mag 1000 and loved it!
Thanks for sharing.
RBG
@@alkandavuter Good catch! I totally missed that!
@@BCS_guy even @ProjectFarm missed that detail 😄
@@BCS_guy thanks
One thing I love about the cheap stone-on-a-drill unit is if you lift the front of the mower safely, you can do a mid-season touch up on the blades while stillattached to the spindles.
Thanks for the feedback.
If you have access to the blades, it takes about 15 seconds to take the off or put them on with a cordless impact wrench. You can then do the job properly!
How many lb-ft/Nm do I need to remove blades or tensioners or anything else on the deck? THX!@@michaelzdanis3979
@@michaelzdanis3979 not everyone has a cordless impact wrench or a torque wrench. I'll take mine off once a season but I'm not messing with it more than that lol
Been mowing for years, many of them professionally. I clamp blade in vise or to bench and use a right angle grinder and spray plenty of water while grinding, as long as you stay 30°~35° your fine, 30 for normal yards 35° If yard has any twigs, pine cones, acorns etc. and will help with chipping, just my experience. Do not put any pressure, let the tool weight do the work and DO NOT overheat blade with any power tool method. Fast and effective. $285 for the all American...yikes, glad I learned to free hand with right angle grinder.
Fantastic review as always. Would love to see you test boot waterproof coatings, shoe grease, saddle soap etc.
Thank you for the video idea!
I am all for it.good idea
I third this, test waterproofing products against Ultra Ever Dry
And scotch Guard!
Saddle soap is soap... Not polish. Not waterproofing.
As a non-engineer, I'm always fascinated by the ingenious methods you use to test your results.
Thanks!
I'm an engineer and I find his testing to be very well done.
I just did mine with a $13 blade sharpening attachment kit for a rotary/Dremel tool and it worked great! Blade was very smooth and razor sharp. That kit also includes attachments for straight, multi blade and chain saws. I found it easier when I put the tool in a vice and held the blade to run it through.
I would've liked to see the Dremel/rotozip/ryobi sharpener in comparison
Thanks for sharing.
Thanks for the suggestion.
I've been using the Dremel attachment for a few years now. I really like it. It's a good angle, super easy, super quick to give it a quick touch up every few cuts (I'm obsessive)
@brichardson7884 Which one did you get specifically? The all american would definitely be my choice out of all the ones he tested, but 300 dollars for what it is seems like a rip-off.
As always you do a fantastic job. I’m with you, I have the All American sharpener and love it. I run the Marbain steel blades for my lawn care business. They are tough, and I can literally run a whole season on one set of blades sharpening every 2 weeks with little time sharpening with the All American. Thank you for all you do with your channel, you have helped me immensely!!
Thanks and you are welcome! Thanks for sharing.
When buying sharpeners, it's a good idea to remember that all stones are ablative, so anything that has a "set it and forget it" jig is actually selling you a ton of headache. As the stone wears away, your geometry changes.
Thanks for the feedback.
I’ve been using a hand file for years and enjoy the time and patience it takes to get a consistent edge. Maintaining your blade so it doesn’t get too dull is also helpful.
I totally agree! It's also rewarding too.
I file three 20" blades with a file. It doesn't take that long and I can knock the burr off the back much easier than with a grinder.
Agreed, it's a self reward and pride that you get by spending time, makes me smile every time I mow
Plus, master putting on an edge with a file, and you can sharpen just about any edge, any where. Very little noise, good results and the only power requirement is calories.
Frequent maintenance of the blade will absolutely make the process easier and much faster. (you'll get better results on your lawn too). I prefer the file and use a combo of a flat and a round file for mulching blades.
Perfect video for me! I'm constantly sharpening lawn mower blades. Thank you for another fantastic testing video!
Thanks and you are welcome!
Been waiting for this one. Watched the last one when I started cutting grass for a company, and now I’m ready to buy one for myself! Appreciate all the help you’ve given over the years, that you don’t even know you have, or get credit for.
Thanks! Thanks for sharing.
Sharpened a lot of blades over the years and it’s hard to beat a simple nail into a vertical surface for a cheap and accurate blade balancer. Just put it on horizontally and if a side starts to fall it needs material removed. When balanced the blade will stay horizontal. I always liked hand grinding as it was fast and with practice you can get a good edge; though as I’ve gotten older a blade in a vise and an angle grinder does just as good and feels a bit safer. The bench grinder did make it easier though to keep a bucket of water near by to ensure the blade didn’t get too hot; hard to dip a blade when it’s in a vise.
Nail on the wall is actually not very good as a blade balancer . It work in a pinch for rough balancing . The nail is a lot SMALLER than the lawn mower blade mounting hole . As the result the nail is NOT at the center of the blade . The blade offset location due to the nail . Would mean an small unbalance would Not be detected by the nail in the wall balancer
Thanks for sharing.
It has been proven in several videos, a nail is not very accurate, but better than nothing.
@@sofjanmustopoh7232: May not be the “best” way but it works; been using this method for more than 6 decades and haven’t had any major vibrations or even minor ones. You can measure a lot of things good enough with a tape measure, sure you can measure things more accurately with a caliper or micrometer but at a point you get to demolishing returns of accuracy, especially when you’re dealing with something as coarse cutting as a mower blade. That said people can pay for whatever they choose and if you want to go that way go ahead. But a smooth nail at the center of a blade will work well enough and costs nothing as most people will have a nail sitting around.
It's that time of the week again where we learn stuff we never knew we needed to know 👍
Thank you!
I'm in the lawn care business. I've been using the All American sharpener for the past 3 years to sharpen the blades on my commercial mowers. I agree with everything you said about the All American. I believe it is one of the best investments you can make to keep good edges on your blades and do so in a short amount of time. As usual, thanks for the great comparison video! Also, I grease my sprockets every week when I sharpen my blades. I use the Red N Tacky after watching your grease review and am extremely pleased with it. I haven't had a sprocket bearing that I use this grease on fail in the last 3 years. I started using both products at basically the same time.
Thanks for sharing.
I found your channel last week. I've been binge watching every episode lol. Your channel is AWESOME!! Thank you!! The All American Sharpener is far and away the BEST sharpener I've used yet. I had the original model for straight blades for my Simplicity Broadmoor. I'm now going to upgrade to the All American 5005 so i can do mulching blades. Thank you again for great content!!!
Thanks and you are welcome!
After watching the previous video on blade sharpeners i went to my scrap metal pile and build a sharpener like the all-American and have really been pleased with the easy of use and the consistency it provides.
Thanks for sharing!
Show off 🤣
Good comparison as usual! Personally, I've been using an angle grinder with a flap disc on blades in a vise. Like sharpening a knife. Takes getting used to for proper angle but after a while they are perfect. Always check balance too as mentioned! It's much easier to fix an imbalanced blade then change a mandrel out! ;-)
Thanks! Thanks for sharing.
I do the same, using 40 grit flap disk and free handling the angle grinder. Very fast and easy to use.
There is no better method. Grass, sticks, stumps and rocks don't care if your blade edge is 20-45 Degrees. Resharpening will be needed regardless to get rid of chips. I like to shoot for30-40 degrees as any small rocks or branches hit will create smaller dings and make the blades last longer. You don't even need a vise. Vice grips and a piece of angle iron bolted to any suraface works perfect for sharpening even mulching blades. Flips the blade over to sharpen both edged and a single blade can be sharpened in 2 minutes with a flapper wheel.
That's all I have done too and it has worked well. Sharp, balanced, close enough to the right angle....I doubt there's much difference between a 27 degree and 30 degree sharpening...That said I would buy the All American in this video if it cost around $100. No thanks at the actual price though. I do 40 grit if there's a big missing chunk and 120 grit to finish up flap disk.
I use a 60 grit , open cut 4 1/2 inch grinding wheel. I set the blade to be a little lower than elbow height. Do not grind out the nicks. It removes to much blade.
Your reviews are spot on ! Thank you.
My previous comment seems to have disappeared. I have used a four and a half inch angle grinder for years. I normally have a cut off disc on it, but recently I have been using a flap disc.. Apple the starting rope until the piston feels it is at TDC. I flip the mower on its side and remove the mulching blade with a 12 volt Milwaukee impact wrench. This takes less than a minute. Sharpening is done visually and is completed in a couple of minutes. The quality of the sharpening is sufficient for the quality of our lawn. Thank you for another wonderful video.
You are welcome! Thanks for sharing!
lots of respect for how well you use a file and how simple and effective and cheap it can be. thanks again and keep up the great work!
Thank you very much!
I’m more than happy using my $9 blade sharpener. I think $1200 for blade sharpening my $200 lawnmower is just a lil too much 😂 I’ll check out the Arnold sharpener tho .
I would consider the 1200 one a professional level tool, like if you ran a shop... It gives a perfect "flat" result which i'd expect if I paid to have a blade sharpened, vs doing it myself with a grinder.
Thanks for the feedback.
Wish my mower was worth 200 bucks. I have a nine dollar mower with homemade blades 😂
@@Hammerback972 haha, my rider was free, and my push mower was free. Only the finest will do.
I really enjoy your videos. Your testing equipment and gauges are impressive. It hurts me inside when sometimes the equipment being tested is destroyed at times during the testing (probably hurts you most since it's your own money used to purchase it!) But the tests are fair and hopefully help lots of people! I learn a lot about things I might never buy, but sometimes these things are good to learn about! You never know when this knowledge might come in handy!
I bought the All-American model that is preset to 30 degrees and it works great. And I bought it after watching your previous review that tested the same model. Thanks for all the awesome and valuable videos you put out for us!!
Thanks and you are welcome! Thanks for sharing.
Just had my blades sharpened, cost $8 a bade. My Honda mower has 2 blades so it cost me $16. Always thought about getting a sharpener and this video will help with that decision. As always, AWESOME work. Thank you!
you could buy yourself a pair of glove, muff and glasses and sharpen most of any "rought" tools with a hand grinder worth 20$ coupled with a flap disk or asphalt stone.
Thank you very much!
@@Francois_Dupontyeah, it's very easy to freehand with an angle grinder.
If you shop around you can find a pair of genuine Honda blades for under $20. I never bother sharpening mine, but just replace them instead. Same thing with brake rotors, repl rather than turn on a lathe.
@@KreemieNewgattquality of cut is part of the equation. Maybe you don't care about that personally or maybe you only mow the lawn only to get it done but as a professional with over 47 years in the field I can tell you that staying sharp is paramount if a customer is involved. We cut our weedless lawns 30 times a year.
I use a mill file on my mulching blades (mounted in a vice); 3-4 passes and done. I sharpen them weekly. Takes longer remove and reinstall the blades than it does to sharpen them. Your blades were way more dull than they should ever get, which is why it took so long - your grass will look better, too. No special setup, no dedicated space, and no expensive jig needed.
Thanks for sharing.
I really enjoy your videos! I used to use a hand file, but recently switched to a powered hand grinder. Literally 30 sec per blade on my mulching mower blades. Worth every penny I spent on my cordless hand grinder and the 60 grit sharpening disc. Since I mow 1x/week (almost year-round since I live in FL), I don't need to sharpen that often.
Thanks! Thanks for the feedback.
Another fantastic video Todd! Personally what causes damage to the 2 blades I use is sticks and branches that are run over. That considered a nice file is the go to option. However if someone needs to maintain a few dozen blades on a golf course, sod farm, or local public works the more expensive sharpeners can be worth the investment. As a second comment I have a few video suggestions. Comparisons for the following categories: pruning shears, shrub shears, lopping shears, and maybe some handheld saws. All are items that can be utilized in maintaining ornamental plants, shrubs, and trees.
Thanks! Thanks for the suggestions.
I just use my 90degree angle grinder with a 60-80 grit screw on sanding disk. Works great, and is very easy. Another but slower method is my Worksharp knife sharpening system. A little slower, but helps with the multi angle mulching blades. Never had any balancing problems with either method.
Thanks for the feedback.
I've had the All American for several years now. I like it a lot. It's bolted to a short piece of 2x4 wood block that I can easily clamp down with my Jawhorse vise stand under my car port. Using my battery powered Milwaukee grinder makes the system cordless and portable. I also use the Oregon magnetic balancer (also have the Mag 1000) which I believe is a real bearing saver on my mower decks. Love the whole set up. I hold a blade sharpening "party" a couple of times a year for my sons and a couple of neighbors. 🙂
Thanks for sharing.
Good test. I used my new 4" belt sander from Harbor Freight to sharpen my blades and it worked very well and did not take long at all. A bit difficult to use on mulching blades but is doable. I did sharpen two standard blades which was easier and did a good job.
I use your tests to help decide, and it is the truest most honest reviews ever. Your the Clark Howard of reviews neither accept sponsors or is there any bios. Just what ever it is. What got me hooked was your battery reviews between cheapest like Amazon to the top brands. You have not ever disappointed! Lithium battery’s are starting to be recommended like alkaline batteries were in the past. Maybe someday you would consider doing a test on a range of them. Thank you for all the trouble you go through for us! So much detail!!
Thanks and you are welcome! Thanks for the suggestion.
5" Makita grinder with a 60 or 80 grit flap wheel. Just free hand it, works perfect for me. I should get one of those balancers though just to be sure, although I've never felt an imbalance yet.
They were hard to find for a while! When I finally did, it was about $7. Definitely makes a difference on older or "abused" blades.... 😎✌️
Great feedback! Thank you
Thank you for using a file handle! I actually knew a guy that shoved a file tang into his wrist. Two hour drive off a mountaintop to the closest medical facilities. If he'd nicked his radial artery, we'd have had to use a tourniquet. Even without that complication it wasn't a fun trip.
Thanks for sharing.
I have a Work Sharp Knife &. Tool sharpener, Ken Onion edition, with all the attachments and extra belts. I have maybe $300 in it all in. I use it to sharpen everything in the house. With the mower blade attachment I can sharpen both sides of my mulching blades to scary sharp in about 15 minutes. It often takes me longer to get the blades off my lawn tractor deck than it does to sharpen the blades. Highly recommended and versatile tool. I love your channel!!!!!
Thanks! Thanks for sharing.
I think by the time you get the blades off and on the mower, the sharpening time isn't quite so important. None of the motorized equipment seemed to really take a long time. Personally, I tend to try to balance "cost vs benefit" when buying stuff. Based on that, I'm probably going to look closer at the Yellow Hornet, since I can likely stick a Pittsburgh/Chicago Electric (Harbor Freight) grinder in it and still get decent enough results. I don't use a bagger/mulcher, so I don't need to worry about the curved blades. By the way, did any of the sharpeners have an easy way to screw/bolt them to a workbench?
That was amazing! And I am *SUCH* a butcher when it comes to sharpening the blades on my Deere LA115. I "free-hand" it with an angle grinder and a flapper disc. But in my defense, the blades *are* mulching blades. Thanks for the eye-opening review!! 👍
Thanks and you are welcome!
You might try dremel tool with grinding wheel and finish with file.
@@johnmckee7937 I use what I have... LOL And it works fine, it's just not the prettiest job. But being out of sight under the mower deck, nobody knows but me! And the lawn looks fine.
@@johnmckee7937 No way lol.
Same here. Free hand with an angle grinder. When I'm really lazy I do it on the mower.
Your tests are thorough and straight to the point. Thanks for all the time and effort you put into them. I've got a lot of light fixtures with transparent glass or exposed bulbs, and I have yet to find an LED "filament" bulb that lasts. I'd love it if you'd put some to the test, especially in varying temperatures to simulate changing seasons.
Thanks and you are welcome! Thanks for the suggestion.
Have had the All-American sharpener for two sezsons so far and it works very well. Couldn't be easier to use. Very consistent repeatable results. Very happy with the decision to purchase this american made piece of equipment.
Thanks for the feedback.
I recently bought that Arnold kit just for the blade balancer but decided to try it on an old blade I had laying around. I used an old Craftsman corded drill rated at 3000 rpms and it worked much better than in a cordless. Still wasn't great but it was serviceable.
Thanks for the feedback.
I actually bought the All American about a year ago and you're right. It's fast! lol It also does a way better job than I could do by hand. Not much more I could ask for.
Thanks for sharing.
Another amazing video! Thank you. I use a bench grinder and you said it, it doesnt leave a consistent angle. I may switch to the wheel or hand grinder
I use a 60 grit flap disc freehand with the blade clamped in a vice as long as I don't force it it's worked great.
Great feedback! Thanks!
Just got my first ride on lawn mower and this video will def come in handy later. As always thank you for the amazing videos!
Glad to help!
Very timely and valuable! I appreciate your tests, they save me extensive research and money. 👍🏻
Thanks so much!
As always - great analysis. 80 Grit flap disk on a battery angle grinder with the blade held in the other hand resting on the edge of a garbage can when I want it good and sharp and balance it. Most of the time I just pull the spark plug wire, flip the mower on it's side, and grind it attached. Blade gets a new edge 2-3x season. Thing I like about the All American is it looks like it could be used to sharpen a lot of other things with a little modification to the jig. Yellow hornet needs adjustments and feat to bolt it down. As for files - should use whatever came out on top for your file test. Nothing says you can't use your own results.
Thanks! Thanks for sharing.
Waits patently for the Sunday review. I commented this on your last video yesterday, but I’ll put it here as well. I was surprised to discover you’d not compared various corded/cordless hedge trimmers. I think this could round out your outdoor equipment section nicely.
My biggest concern is that there won't be adquate interest in the topic. I'd really like to review them.
@@ProjectFarm😄 I think your audience is now so solid you could test ballpoint pens and still draw a crowd! 😎✌️
@@gus473 Agreed!
Now that it's grilling season, you should do a roundup of the best grill cleaning brushes! After a season I am hesitant to use my metal brush because I fear any of the bristles falling off!
Thank you for sharing!
I stopped using mine. Too many people ending in the hospital from ingesting metal bristles. The wood paddle is good enough and isn't going to kill me.
The best brush by far is no brush. Use a wood paddle
Look into the grill rescue. I love mine
@@francoiscaen3182 an alternative method I use for cleaning my metal grill grates is heavy duty aluminum foil. Doesn't take much, gets most of the gunk off and no harmful metal/bristles to worry about. If you have a lot of carbon/food buildup, I'll spray/soak them with vinegar prior then use the foil to remove/clean it. For porcelain coated grates, I use vinegar and baking soda soaking solution cleaning it with a soft scrub pad.
Another superb video my friend! I feel like your entire subscriber base owes you a debt of gratitude, you keep us professional!
Thanks so much!
I have the RGB 712 and it works great. I like the fact it’s dedicated to only blade sharpening and I don’t need any other tools.
Nice sharpener!
Always fantastic tests . Thank you for making my Sunday better as usual Todd !
My pleasure! Thanks for the positive comment! That's what keep me going!
When it comes to grind time I think its important to also consider setup time. Some of the grinders were "fast" but took a good few minutes to get set up so overall not as quick as the ready to go ones.
Thanks for the feedback.
Whoa whoa whoa sir... there can be only one of us
Thank you for all the work you do!
My pleasure!
Weird request but can you test fishing line? There are a few on KZhead but none have the quality tests that you will come up with. As always thanks for keeping us entertained!
Thank you for the video idea!
Video idea for ya: compare the differences between sharpening/honing weekly vs waiting for the blades to get really dull. Variables to test could be cutting speed (how fadt you can cut a section), amount of bogging on tall thick grass, health of grass and the cut (cutting with a dull blade can be damaging to the grass, that white tip being just one possible symptom), amount of material removed each time, amount of sharpenings the blade went through before it was used up, total amount of time that was spent removing, installing, and sharpening over the life of the blade, what the total life of the blade in time was (such as did sharpening a lil bit more often use uo the blade faster or slower over a year and which blade could be used for longer time wise), and whatever else others can think of
Thanks for the suggestion.
The best sharpener is one that you use. I balanced and sharpened mine on a grinder last year. I ordered the 3 dollar stone you put on the drill and it worked quite well with the blade on the mower. I could see what part of the angle I was grinding and I adjusted the angle to match the blade angle. It took a few minutes and I was very happy with it. Nice and sharp in comparison to how it was
Thanks for sharing.
I bought a copy of the all American on Amazon for about 60.00 and it works perfectly, since I don’t have many blades to sharpen and not mowing commercially I couldn’t justify the 285.00 price tag.
Thanks for the feedback.
Which one was it? Looks like there are quite a few clones.
@@JDSikkema They don’t sell it anymore under the name I have but there are a lot of them listed under different names but it’s the same thing. I wanted one with a metal tightening handle not the plastic. I mounted it on a board that I clamp in my jawhorse and move it outside and it works great. Make sure you clean the edges of the blade so it clamps properly.
I cut grass every day as a lawncare worker. I really enjoyed this video. I think it would have been neat to see the BESS test on each blade before and after sharpening, and maybe having the blade run through water for 10 minutes or something like that. It'll dull the blades faster than grass, so it would work for video time purposes, to simulate the amount of wear each products blade. Which product do you think you would recommend for commercial use?
BESS test?
*_I did Lawn care for years and a new blade 15 dollars or less depending on where you go. I have zero time for this silliness, and any real wear the blade hasn't got enough meat to sharpen them or to thin to even think.of doing this._*
+1 for the BESS test, not sure why he didn't do that because he does that for all videos with knives and knife sharpeners in them
@@Thelongmanable It's almost as if you can throw your old blades into a pile and refurb them all in an hour during downtime, yours or the newhires. No point throwing away good blades.
@@Thelongmanable47 years plus and still going. Sharpening blades on a regular basis is what most professionals do. We have stacks of blades that we do at a time.
Love to watch your videos, thank you for the thorough, objective testing every single time! Would love to have you compare the different wood filler/putty/repair products for exterior repairs. Thanks!
You are welcome! Thanks for the suggestion.
Bought the all American after watching this video, super excited for it to show up. Also, All American mentioned you in the comments on their video and how appreciative they are if your excellent review and hard work. Keep it up 💪 Thank you!
Awesome! Thank you!
Great video. I think I would use a vise and my grinder with flap disks. As long as you can get the angle right it should be fine.
Thanks! Thanks for the feedback.
All American has been terrific for me. I can C-clamp it to my loader bucket and sharpen outside to avoid any mess in my shop. Also folds up into a very small mass for storage.
Thanks for sharing.
Thanks for this clever suggestion! I hate getting metal bits all over the garage, and even with a mask, they tend to get in the airway.
Seriously Dude, anytime I need to research a tool or process you have a video. Truly amazing channel! The "All American" seemed the best to me but also just made a good grinding technique dumb proof by holding the grinder for you at the correct angle. Since I grew up with having to do it with a file, I think I'll try the grinder free hand first. The tip about the correct wheel to get is also a huge help. Thanks again!
Thanks!
Working in a hardware store while in high school, I sharpened hundreds of blades with a bench grinder and it was by far the best and easiest method. Even more important is a high quality blade balancer, not just the chinsy one you showed in the video.
Same! I worked at a lawn mower repair shop and I learned a lot about sharpening blades. If I had to buy one item (sharpener or balancer) I would buy a good balancer. I can get the blades sharp with an angle grinder (hopefully the angle would be close). But I would be confident that the balance would be spot-on.
Thanks for sharing.
Great video. Will for sure investing in the All American. Would really like to see you test different brands if files. Nichols used to be the way to go but I see a lot of people say how it just isn't what it used to be.
Thanks! Thanks for the suggestion.
This video like many others can double as a “how to” video. Some valid points, tips and tricks. The learning curve statement should be in everyone’s mind when they buy a new tool so as to temper one’s expectations. It takes a bit of time to get proficient at a skill, and making a quality cutting edge on any tool is without a doubt a skill. The way he used that file…100% skill. Really good job on this video, like every video. Awesome channel
Thanks and you are welcome!
I do fleet maintenance for a landscaping company. I use the all American. I sharpen hundreds if blades a week. It is consistent and easy to use. I got the simple 2 position one. I have it mounted to a harbor freight bauer run out stand to keep it mobile.
Thanks for sharing.
Good video, as usual. I do have some comments though. In the Simplicity manual, they recommend using a hand file specifically so that the blades don't heat up and lose their temper, which causes them to dull and chip easier. I usually use a hand file or a belt sander, which on some mulching blades don't work real good. If you want them really sharp, take a knife steel and knock the burr off on the underside of the blade. If u do it right they will shave.
Thanks! Thanks for sharing.
Whether I need or use a product in your vids doesn't matter. I watch them to learn. You have real-world testing that seems to be missing otherwise and it is wonderful to see your testing. The All-American is my favorite.
Thanks!
Really wanted to see the $12 Dremel adapter. I've used it hundreds of times over the years on customer machines.
Also would be good interesting to test Dremel's chainsaw sharpening bits!
Sorry I missed it. Added to my list for the future
I own the All American model 5002 for straight blades and can attest to the ease of use and the consistent sharpening of all my mower blades. This tool takes the guess work out of getting the correct angle and sharpens your mower blades in a very quick manner allowing you to get on to more important things. Highly recommended plus it's made in the USA!!
Thanks for sharing.
As always this was a 0:16 great job. I love your videos. I have been sharpening a long more blades for a long time. I use a cordless 4 and 1/2-in grinder. Most of the time there is a cutoff disc on it.
Thank you very much! Thanks for sharing.
Thanks for all of the great tests and reviews. I have a suggestion for you to test. Fireproof/waterproof document bags. There's no standard for rating them like safes. So, testing an assortment may show some interesting results. Keep up the good work and best wishes.
You are welcome! Thanks for the suggestion.
Do you end up keeping many of the products you test, or do you sell them on (atleast the ones that haven't been destroyed during testing)? If so, what's the most expensive one you've kept hold of? Do companies ever follow up with you to improve their products or ask you to test prototypes? Would love to see a FAQ video!
In a past video (or two), he's mentioned that he donates a lot of them on. At least, those that survive.
Thank you for your videos, please keep up the great work! Idea for testing, are impact torque sticks accurate? If so, which brand is more durable and accurate.
I have a rigid oscillating belt sander. I put on a 220 belt and hold the mulching blade at the proper angle and sharpen the blade in about 30 - 60 seconds.
Highlight of my week! Only creator I have adverts allowed for
Thank you very much! It helps sustain the channel
I'm going to be honest, I'd either use a fine file or a belt grinder Btw I'd love too see a review for different brands of 2x48/72 grinding belts
The way I beat em up, I hit em with an angle grinder without removing them. I sharpen at least monthly and usually replace yearly lol The belt grinder is an approach I never considered, I'll have to try removing and using that for sure for the blades on my brushhog. May be able to fit it up there without removing too haha
Thank you for the video idea!
I'm a flat file guy, but I got to admit that the guys building custom $300+ knives usually sharpen them on a belt sander. My Father uses a 2" belt sander for his riding mowers blades and it works well.
@@WisconsinEric my neighbor has a sweet Ameribrade brand belt sander for knives and such. I've used it for a couple other minor things and boy is that thing SWEET
@@goosenotmaverick1156 god, i want one of those so badly. I built one myself and it works, but it ain't great
About 12 hours ago I found myself in Home Depot trying to figure out what I should buy to sharpen my lawn mower blade, I quickly gave up not sure what was best and decided my blade isn't THAT dull, fast forward to this morning and here we have the answer I needed.
Great to hear!
I mentioned on another video that I'm trying to sharpen dull swords. I picked up the drill attachment to try out. Are you supposed to wet it first like a whet stone or is it supposed to be used dry?
Thanks for the suggestion.
Dash cams next 😎
Thank you for the video idea!
One test you didn't do is to see how long the edge lasts. Abrasive wheels soften the blades so the blunten quickly. For almost every blade a file is the slowest method of sharpening but holds its edge way longer. This also applies to cold chisels and centre punches
Thanks for the constructive feedback.
My mower is a battery powered Ryobi. Part of the post-mowing process for me is to tilt the mower onto its side and to sharpen the (mulching) blade in place with a file. The blade is never removed for balancing, and after three summers of doing this there's no perceptible vibration. Removing a blade is now in my rear view mirror, to be done only when replacing the blade. As little metal as a file removes, replacing appears to be "never."
Thanks for sharing.
Interesting video, I only maintain 3 mowers and 2 lawns non commercially. So I typically only sharpen the blades once per season unlike a company would do weekly. They cut as many lawns a week as I mow my yard in a whole season so sharpening is kinda just my spring maintenance. Unless I bugger up a blade hitting something or it starts performing poorly during the season I won't bother. I either free hand an angle grinder with a hard disk, bench grinder, 1x30 belt sander, or a file. Kinda just depends on what tool is easiest to get to with the mess always in my home shop. I have used my little vertical manual mill and a custom jig too on a blade that was very badly damaged and should have been replaced but I didn't feel like running to the store.
Thanks! Thanks for sharing.
Does no one realize how fast blades dull? You’re not trying to get a razor knife edge. Half an acre will obliterate that edge
And even faster if you hit a mole,or gopher mound!
No
I keep blades on and sharp for about three acres worth of grass.
And I sharpen them with an angle grinder
Ask the the rainfall😊
Great comparison video! As someone who saves pennies and stretches blades more than many, I interpret material removal as an indicator of blade longevity over sharpening performance. Your graphs provide me with a lot of great information. Thanks very much :) Edit: To viewers who find a file worth their time and budget, a handle can also be fashioned for cheap from wood! Many KZhead videos (e.g. @mymechanicsinsights ) demonstrate this process.
Thanks! Thanks for the feedback.
I don't even use these tools or do lawn mowing and I found this video utterly fascinating. Excellent demonstrations!!
Thanks so much!
I alway look to see if hou have done a review on a subject i am interested in. So many KZheadrs go on and on about everything under the sun and don't get to the point like you do. All the information one needs to make a informed decision is to watch your videos. Thanks for what you do !
You are welcome!
I love my All American for doing my multi-angle mulching blades. I just do the 2 main angles and don't bother sharpening the short transition area.
Thanks for sharing.
I discovered 80 grit sandpaper and a power sander take about 28 seconds total to clean up the edge of a mildly dull blade. Anything more and I'd probably want some kind of a jig to guarantee the best angle. And a grinder or grinding wheel for a drill. (I just took my blade off the mower cuz it hasnt even been looked at in almost 5 years. Edge was OK, dull but not damaged.)
Thanks for sharing.
Your videos are consistently the best way to compare and choose whatever device or tool is being tested. The tests are fair and let you know what problems are faced when using each item under test. This information is very helpful as are the comparative graphs you use to show performance parameters. If the viewer can’t figure out after watching, that is a problem you can’t solve. Please continue your quest for real performance. Anyone who wants real legitimate tests can count on you to deliver honesty and integrity in testing with your videos. I defy anyone to question your motives or purpose. You are by far the fairest tester I have come across.
Thanks!
Great Video! I Live out in the Country, so we don't have the Golf Course Look. I just buy new Mulching blades every other Year. I always say that I am going to take the old blades and sharpen them, but after two seasons of cutting, the blades are no longer the length they need to be, so I get A Mohawk cut in the Lawn. Looking Forward to more Videos!
Thanks! Thanks for the feedback.