How to Sharpen Lawn Mower Blades Without Removing?

Do you want to know how to sharpen lawn mower blades without removing them? After all, it’s an exhausting process first, to open up the mower to remove the blade, then comes the sharpening process.

Fortunately, we have three solutions which we’ll share below. 

The best solution is, to turn off the mower and lift it with a jack stand. Take a blade sharpener; you can pick any sharpening stone, file, or even drill.

Sharpen your blade until you feel that the edges are pointed and sharp. 

So what are you waiting for? It’s time to jump into the reading part to understand the guide and the ways to sharpen the lawn mower blades correctly. 

Is It Safe to Sharpen a Lawn Mower Blade Without Removing it?

Yes, it’s completely safe to sharpen a lawn mower blade without removing it as long as you’re following the right way.

For example, when you do the sharpening process, ensure that the sharpening tool doesn’t damage any other part of the mower. 

If your mower gets damaged, it’s not a surprise that you’ll have to pay a good amount to repair it.

But no worries, for your ease, we’ve selected the safest way and also suggested which method is for you. 

Also Read: Proper Angle to Sharpen Lawn Mower Blades? (2023)

Step By Step Guide to Sharpen Lawn Mower Blade In Three Different Ways 

Below we’ll share three ways to sharpen the blade without removing it from the mower. The first method is best for push or self-propelled lawn mowers.

The second and third are suggested for riding and zero-turn lawn mowers. 

Method 1 – Sharpen Push Lawn Mower Blade

Push and self-propelled lawn mowers known for their low weight and portability.

These mowers aren’t big like riding and zero-turn mowers, so you can easily lift the machine, which makes the process super easy. 

1. Turn off your push or self-propelled lawn mower. 
2. Wear gloves for safety purposes and get a file (tool) to sharpen the blade. 
3. You can tilt the lawn mower on the side to access the blade properly. Moving it won’t be difficult since it’s a small and lightweight mower. Otherwise, just open the mower chute, and you’ll see the blades. 
4. Touch the blade; you’ll notice that the blade is single-beveled. You’ve to sharpen the side that has a fine edge because that’s the side that will cut the grass. 
5. So take the file and go up and down to sharpen it better.
6. Sharpen your mower blade enough that when you touch it, you’ll feel the roughness or the fine edges. 
7. Once one side is sharpened, follow the same process for the second side. 

Also Read: How to Balance Lawn Mower Blades? 5 Easy Steps!

Method 2 – Sharpen Riding Lawn Mower Blade 

The issue with sharpening the riding or zero-turn mowers is they are heavy (super heavy). It’s impossible to lift or tilt them to one side using our hands.

The solution we’ve found to this issue is jack stands. 

Usually, people use jack stands when they change car tires because, like riding mowers, we can’t lift the car.

That’s when jack stands come in handy and solve the issue. You may have it in your home, and if not, they’re super affordable. 

1. Use jack stands and lift the riding mower or zero-turn mower from the front side. 
2. Once you lift them, you’ll be able to access the blades easily. 
3. In the above process, we’ve suggested a file (tool) here; we want you to use a drill to save time. But remember, you need a mower blade sharpener drill that you’ll add to the drill then you can sharpen the blade. 
4. Again find the side that has fine edges and start the sharpening process by using the blade. 
5. You have to follow the same process for the opposite side of the blade. 

Method 3 – Use the Tool to Sharpen Lawn Mower Blade 

If you’re one of those who think that lifting the mower with any type of tool, whether it’s a jack stand, is difficult, this method is for you.

In this method, you have to use a sharpening tool from Noracore.  

The benefits of this tool are there’s no need to use any stand or lift the mower with any other item.

This sharpening tool has a camera installed that will show you the situation of the blade on mobile while sharpening. 

1. Get the tool from any online store. 
2. Once you get your order, assemble it. 
3. Connect the camera to your mobile to get the live video. 
4. Hold the handle, turn on the blade sharpener, and sharpen the blade. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Conclusion

How to sharpen lawn mower blades without removing them from the mower? If we sum up, the answer would be, to tilt the mower on one side carefully.

Then use any blade sharpener; it can be stone, file, drill, and so on. 

Afterward, hold the sharpener, start sharpening the blade of your mower, and do this until you feel that the edges are acute.

Otherwise, you can also use the mower blade sharpening tool of Noracore; the choice is yours.