Does anyone know how well a "reel mower" cuts grass?

Question

It's one of those push mowers without a motor(the old fashioned kind). I know they still make them and they are pretty expensive but I don't know how hard they are to push or how well they cut grass.

Answer 1

Properly sharpened, they work like a charm!  I remember our one neighbor (older gentleman) wouldn't use anything but a reel mower and he always had one of the nicest yards in the neighborhood!

Answer 2

My husband much prefers the reel mower we picked up at Goodwill for $10. So not really expensive if you look around. He feels that he gets a great workout and that it is much more environmentally friendly and relaxing. No gas fumes, no noise. It cuts a bit higher than our gas mower and doesn't pick up leaves so we tend to bring out the gas one in the fall. Oh, there is also a belief that leaving the grass a bit taller conserves water, shades the grass and keeps the lawn greener. Hope that answers your question.

Answer 3

Dear Sheri:

You say you are an employee of Hooters' so based on that I would have to imagine you are well fit. So; the success you will have when operating a manual push mower depends largely on your physical ability. You don't necessarily have to push aggressively however you need to be consistent in motion.  With regard to cost, not knowing where you live, you might want to investigate in to weekend auction's or try Greg's list for your purchase.  Or consider taking a weekend ride in the country to visit some farms and or ranches. More  often then not they may have one old push mower stored in a back room or behind a building just for you.  If so; and you are not mechanically inclined take it to a mower shop to have the blades sharpened, include some lubricant, kick the wheels and mow yourself into the great shape I assume that your are in today.

Best wishes,

Answer 4

reel mowers of the best cut because they use a scissor like action vs a rotary mower ( deck mower) that uses an impact cut. reel mowers have a blade on the bottom that is called a bed knife. it is stationary and does not move ( think of it as one side of scissors that doesn't move). the other blades spin around and pin the grass between the bed knife and the blade. this action cuts the grass like scissors would. rotary mowers use high speeds and blades that spin around at high rpms to basically whack the grass. this actually wounds the grass if the blades aren't sharp. reel mowers are generally safer than rotary mowers due to the fact that they run at slower speeds and don't shoot rocks and golf balls out like missles

Answer 5

I used to have one to cut a very small area. It was great. Just keep the blades sharp. Easy to push.

Answer 6

I scoff at my neighbors who offer to lend me their power mowers!  Reel mowers are really handy; you can mow the lawn early in the morning, while it's still cool outside, and you don't have to worry about waking the neighbors.