I really don’t think any able-bodied person actually needs a gas mower unless they have a giant lawn. Hell, with kids getting so damned fat these days, you’d think parents would jump at the chance to give ‘em some exercise with some hand tools.

Sharpening is a really clever process, involving the application of a sharpening compound (a paste) onto the blades, and then hand-cranking the blades in reverse for about ten minutes. When you are finished, you test the sharpness by slowing turning the blades forward and watching them slice through pieces of paper. These are incredibly simple and well-made machines that are as easy to push as most gas-powered push mowers. American’s site also has a list of numerous places where you can buy American’s mowers. There are at least a few other brands of reel mowers out there (such as Scotts), but this is the one with which I am familiar. Both Scott’s and American’s (which is sometimes sold under the Great States label) models cost less than $100 for a 16″ model (18″ and 20″ models are a bit more). It’s a great deal to buy a lawn mower that will last for many years without any expensive repairs and without the need to deal with gasoline. My family sometimes fights to see who gets to cut the grass. If I’m not careful to speak up, I never get to cut it!

Please tell me about the 15.00 sharpening kit. I think I am ready to buy a reel mower BUT I am concerned about how to keep it sharpened.