Mower blade sharpening tips

[PRev]

I had to buy new blades for my woods mower. I use it for mowing trails and some invasive removal (stems 2" diameter), and cutting up downed brush. The new blades do not have a sharpened edge - the cutting edge is about 1/8" thick. I've always used a sharpened edge. I haven't tried the new blades yet. One guy said the non-sharpened works for woody material. I don't want to have to change the blades for different tasks. But I that's recommended I will. I've run this tractor since 1971. I'd like your opinions on this.

[Eugene]

I purchased new Woods blades this past winter. I did not sharpen them.

I mow what is essentially pasture. The unsharpened blades do a good job. If I were mowing lawn, I probably would sharpen the blades.

[Larry B]

Unsharp blades will cut most anything. If you cut a lawn the unsharp blades will rip the grass blades and not cut them. This will cause the ends to turn whitish and the lawn will look grey/white for a few days after you mow. If you cut a lawn with sharp blades the grass will stay green. This is why lawn services put on sharp blades every day. I would sharpen them at a 45 degree angle.

[PRev]

Wow, fast replies and helpful. I plan to try on the new unsharpened blades and run it through some of the rougher trail and trail edge mowing. See what it does. If I need "pretty", I can put the other sharpened pair on. From the posts, I need to be exact about my model # and year. I still have the original manual: surely it in there or on the tractor somewhere.