How Much Does Lawn Mower Blade Sharpening Cost?

Last Updated on June 11, 2024
Written by CPA Alec Pow | Content Reviewed by CFA Alexander Popinker

Keeping your lawn mower blades sharpened to a razor-fine edge is absolutely crucial for maintaining a lush, healthy lawn and achieving that quintessential crisp, precision cut grass. But with a myriad of options available ranging from DIY sharpening methods to professional sharpening services, how much should you realistically expect to invest in keeping your mower blades optimally honed?

This detailed guide delves into typical blade sharpening costs, compares DIY to professional service options, provides tips for maximizing value, and teaches preventative blade care principles that extend useful lifespan dramatically.

How Much Does Lawn Mower Blade Sharpening Cost?

The overall costs for lawn mower blade sharpening range from $20 for DIY up to $100 for premium professional service, depending on blade quantity, size, and degree of wear. Regularly sharpening your mower blades by a professional or properly yourself will keep your grass looking its best and equipment running efficiently.

DIY Sharpening Costs

• Grinding wheel kit or handheld sharpener – $20 to $60
• Individual blade – 10 to 30 minutes labor time
• Total for 2-3 blade standard mower – $20 to $80

Professional Sharpening Shop Fees

• Individual blade service – $10 to $30 per blade
• Complete mower blade sharpening – $40 to $90
• Additional rush fees, pick-up/delivery, etc. – $0 to $25
• Regional pricing differences of +/- 25%

Professional services provide convenience while DIY offers potential savings but requires investing in tools and learning proper techniques.

According to Airtasker, the cost of lawn mower blade sharpening can vary depending on the type of mower. For standard mowers, the cost ranges from $12 to $30, while for zero-turn mowers, it ranges from $12 to $31, and for riding mowers, it ranges from $10 to $40.

They also mention that the overall cost of sharpening a lawn mower’s blades, including mower material, length, and blade type, ranges from $50 to $70.

Bertels Sales & Service offers lawn mower blade sharpening services in Dorsey, Illinois. They charge $7.00 per blade for standalone blades that have already been removed from the mower. For mowers with multiple blades, the cost is $41.50 for 3 blades, $35.00 for 2 blades, and $20.00 for 1 blade.

Eagle Power Turf & Tractor, located in Doylestown and West Chester, Pennsylvania, charges $11 to sharpen regular mower blades. They emphasize the importance of maintaining sharp mower blades to ensure an attractive, well-kept lawn and recommend sharpening the blades at least yearly, preferably at the start of the grass-mowing season.

In a forum discussion on The Lawn Forum, a user mentioned that the going rate for sharpening mower blades in their area is $15 per blade, and it is cheaper to buy new blades instead.

Another forum discussion on RedFlagDeals suggests that the cost of lawn mower blade sharpening can range from $20 to $40, and recommends checking with local hardware stores for this service.

Properly Sharpened Mower Blades Matter

Maintaining properly honed mower blades is important because razor-sharp blades:

• Produce clean, even cuts instead of shredding or tearing grass blades
• Require less engine power and use less fuel to mow efficiently
• Finely mulch grass clippings into micronutrients that naturally fertilize the lawn
• Help prevent lawn disease by cutting cleanly without bruising turf
• Yield neatly manicured lawn aesthetics that enhance curb appeal

Additionally, consistent blade sharpening can significantly extend the usable lifespan of quality mower blades dramatically before needing replacement.

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Factors Influencing Sharpening Costs

Mower Type and Blade Specifications – Reel mowers, rotary mowers, zero-turn riders, and push mowers require different blade types, sizes, bevel angles, and sharpening approaches. Prices adjust accordingly.

Number of Cutting Blades – Mowers with multiple blades naturally require additional time, effort, and grinding wheels to sharpen completely.

Degree of Wear and Damage – Heavily worn, neglected blades with nicks and gouges demand far more extensive sharpening efforts to rehab or risk replacement if too far gone.

DIY Versus Professional Service – DIY sharpening saves money upfront but requires proper tools, skill, understanding of blade angles, and a balancing procedure. Professionals have specialized equipment and expertise.

Regional Location – Pricing varies based on local labor costs, demand, and competitive market conditions. Urban areas tend to be higher.

DIY Lawn Mower Blade Sharpening

With quality grinding equipment, secured workspace, and proper methods, sharpening standard mower blades at home is quite achievable:

Recommended Sharpening Tools

• Compact angle grinder or handheld sharpening kit – $40 to $120
• Diamond sharpening stone, fine file, or replacement grinding wheels – $10 to $40
• Protective eyewear, gloves, and face shield – $10 to $30
• Mower blade balancing kit – $15 to $30
• Blender and paint for balancing – $20 to $50
• Total Investment Range – $100 to $250

DIY Sharpening Step-By-Step Process

• Remove blades from the mower deck using proper tools
• Thoroughly clean blades to remove all grass, sap, and debris
• Securely clamp blade flat in a sturdy vise padded to prevent marks
• Reference bevel angles and use grinder to reshape cutting edges along length
• Test blade balance and make subtle adjustments by removing metal as needed
• Reinstall newly sharpened blades onto mower deck per manual
• Mow an inconspicuous area and inspect cut quality before tackling the whole lawn

Lawn Mower Blade Sharpening Options

Local Brick-and-Mortar Shop Services

• Offer drop off and pick up convenience
• Cost effective for occasional seasonal sharpening
• Supports small independent businesses in your community

Mobile On-Site Sharpening

• Provides time savings with at-home service
• Useful for zero-turn mowers hard to transport due to weight
• More limited availability in some regions

Mail-In Prepackaged Sharpening Kits

• Utilize USPS pre-paid shipping label kits for blade delivery
• Convenient for rural property owners far from shops
• Risk of postal mishandling or damage in transit

Vet shop reviews, licenses, insurance coverage, and request neighborhood referrals to identify the most reputable local small engine repair shops before choosing.

Saving Money on Blade Sharpening

• Learn to DIY sharpen using quality grinding tools
• Invest in quality grinding tools to DIY sharpen blades routinely
• Purchase replacement blades in bulk quantities to get volume discounts
• Sharpen at least twice annually before extensive wear and damage occurs
• Ask shops about bundling blade sharpening together with routine tune-ups
• Time sharpening service calls during the less busy fall and winter off-seasons to garner discounts
• Request loyalty discounts if using the same vendor consistently

With smart planning, diligent maintenance, and shopping around, keeping mower blades sharply honed can fit most lawn care budgets.

Proper Blade Care

• Remove and clean blades thoroughly after each mowing session to prevent sap, dirt, and grass buildup which accelerates wear and rusting
• Avoid striking solid objects like rocks, sprinkler heads, and landscape edging which can nick, bend, or warp blades
• Store the mower indoors during the off-season to reduce moisture exposure promoting rust damage
• Inspect blades periodically for leading edge wear, cracks, and excess thinning which indicate replacement time is nearing
• Sharpen blades at least twice annually, or every 25-50 hours of mowing, to maintain peak cutting performance all season long

Taking time to properly care for mower blades saves money over their lifespan by extending useful life dramatically before needing costly replacement.

Replacing Your Lawn Mower Blades

• When excessively worn, bent, cracked, or missing chunks of metal
• Thick clumps of compacted grass constantly stick to the blades while mowing
• The cut quality and lawn aesthetics deteriorate despite sharpening
• The mower requires significantly more physical effort to push
• Blades cannot be balanced properly even after repeated sharpening

Catching declining blade issues early through careful inspections saves money by avoiding extensive grass and mower damage.

Final Words

Keeping lawn mower blades professionally sharpened on a regular basis is crucial for maintaining beautiful, healthy grass and efficient mowing performance. Consistently sharp blades produce precision cuts, require less engine work, and minimize lawn damage through clean shearing of each blade.

Proper preventative blade care such as routine cleaning, inspections for wear, and off-season storage also dramatically extend the lifespan of quality mower blades before needing replacement.

While costs can add up over time, the lawn aesthetics and equipment longevity dividends of diligent blade maintenance are well worth the investment for homeowners who take pride in their landscape. Prioritizing good sharpening and blade care practices ultimately saves money in the long run while yielding a pristine lawn.

Frequently Asked Questions

When to sharpen lawn mower blades?

The best times are early spring before the main mowing season begins and late fall before winter storage. This ensures sharp blades for peak growing seasons. Sharpening every 25-50 mowing hours maintains quality cuts all year long.

Is it worth replacing a lawn mower blade?

In many cases, it is better to just replace heavily worn or damaged mower blades rather than attempting to sharpen them. However, blades that are maintained and sharpened regularly can often last 5+ years before needing replacement. Proper care is key.

What grit is best for sharpening mower blades?

A 100-300 grit grinding wheel or sharpening stone is ideal for honing lawn mower blades. Coarse stones in the 50-150 grit range are best for removing nicks and damage, while finer 400+ grit is better for final polishing and finishing of the cutting-edge bevels.