Though reel mowers are a traditional lawn caring tool, they are back, and with a bang. The Best reel mowers are the perfect classics for caring for your lawn to promote greener, healthier yards. It beautifies lawns by cutting each blade with scissor-like action, minimizing moisture loss, and exposure to diseases.
That is not to mention the mowers provide the eco-friendliest way to cut your grass and a smart choice for your health and budget too.
Fulfill your desire to get back to the basics and experience a simpler, more natural and peaceful lifestyle by reading our best reel mower 2019 review guide below.
Though there are plenty of reel mowers in the market, we found that the Fiskars reel mowers and the Scotts reel mowers have more uniformly positive reviews than the rest.
According to reviewers on Amazon, these mowers deliver a more powerful cut, and they are easier to push, thanks to their unique design.
See Also:
- Best Powered Reel Mower: Reel Mower Vs. Gas-Powered Mower [2020]
- Reel Mower Vs. Rotary Mower: Which Is Better for Your Lawn?
- Best Lawn Striper for Push Mower and Riding Mower: 2020 Reviews and Guide
In the article below, we shall review the top two mowers from Fiskars and Scotts, look at their salient features, compare them, before pitting them against each other.
Contents
Oldie but a Goodie
Before we review top mowers, let us first understand what a reel mower is and the benefits it has over other types of mowers.
What is a Reel Mower?
The progression of technology has brought a lot of wonderful and pragmatic things in life, from automobiles to computers. Most of these technologies have made our lives easier than ever before. Along with the steady progress of technology, it is only natural that some useless technologies fall along the wayside. [1]
Old Technology, Timeless Quality
Often, most of these forgotten technologies take up space and collect dust in the garage. However, occasionally, there comes a technology that regardless of how it advances, the original still provides the best quality.
One such technology that has stood the test of time is the reel mower. Since its invention, the reel mower has proven that though technology improves and becomes faster, and easier, sometimes less is more.
A reel mower uses a modest and straightforward operational design. It employs vertically spinning blades (north to south) to cut the grass. It uses a scissoring action to trim the grass.
Moreover, depending on the model type, a mower should have between three to eight blades.
Benefits of Using a Reel Mower
There are plenty of benefits of using this traditional form of lawn machine. Let us look at some of the reasons why this classic machine is still a favorite option among many gardening and landscaping enthusiasts.
- Ease of use: the reel mowers start when you There is no rope pulling, no key to remember, no use of fuel, nothing to adjust. In a nutshell, they are a ready-to-use tool.
Moreover, what could be easier than an extremely lightweight, easy to push, lift and store? You push, it cuts-every time.
- Superior Lawn Maintenance: Most of the modern mowers use rotary blades, which spin like the blades of a helicopter. These blades result to chopped, shredded, or torn grass and can lead to a condition known as “white tip” where the tip of the grass turns white or brown because of the shredding action.
On the other hand, reel mowers use a scissoring action to cut grass. The mower lifts and cuts individual blades, just like a pair of scissors, and this results to a crisp cut, and overall healthier looking lawn.
When it comes to quality cut, nothing beats a reel mower.
- Environmental friendly: Have you smelt your clothes after mowing with a gas-powered mower? More to that, United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) asserts that an hour of gas-powered lawn mower use can generate as much pollution as a 100-mile car trip.
A reel mower helps in promoting green energy because it does not pollute the environment in any way.
- Quiet: The drawback of using a motor-powered mower is that you must mow when your neighbors are not around to avoid disturbance. With a reel mower, however, any time is ideal for mowing. It`s incredibly silent and peaceful.
- Little to No Maintenance: The simplicity of the reel mower models means that there will be little ongoing maintenance to do. Other than occasional sharpening of the blades or a drop of oil here and there for lubrication, there is no much maintenance required.
- Cheap: Relatively speaking reel mowers are probably the most inexpensive versions compared to the electric of gas-powered mowers. Though there are some expensive models, typical models go for a fraction of what the motor-driven motor mowers demand.
- Good Workout Tool, but Annoyingly So: As expected with other manual tools, the reel mowers are an excellent exercise tool.
- Expect to Sweat a lot from the Pushing and Pulling: With this tool, you get a workout, and the yard work gets done at the same time.
Nonetheless, these mowers are super lightweight, far lighter than your regular mower. You will love the nostalgia that comes along using this classic tool. [2]
Reviewing the Fiskars and Scotts Reel Mowers
Comparison: Fiskars Reel Mower Vs. Scotts
| Fiskars | Scotts |
|---|---|
| Reel Mower | Reel Mower |
| Walk-behind-mower | Walk-behind-mower |
| Four wheels | Four wheels |
| Five blades | Five blades |
| 1-3 inch cutting height | 1-4 inch cutting height |
| Contactless/floating blades | Contact blades |
| 51.7 pounds | 34 pounds |
| 18-inch cutting width | 20-inches cutting width |
Fiskars Staysharp Max Reel Mower
Fiskars Staysharp Max reel is the ultimate reel mower for your lawn care and grass maintenance needs. The mower, which is part of the Fiskars Staysharp line, is probably a more superior option than the Staysharp mower and Staysharp Plus mower.
The Staysharp Max mower has combined ultramodern pending-patent technologies, plus impressive ergonomics to deliver an oil and gas-free, zero-maintenance, performance oriented, and durable product that will serve you and your lawn for years to come.
Let us look at some of the superb features that this mower has to offer.
Patent-Pending VersaCut Technology
When it comes to versatility, the Staysharp is versatile at the very least. The patent-pending VersaCut technology allows you to adjust the cut height settings from 1 inch to 4 inches to provide the best-in-class cutting, even when you have missed a week of mowing.
What`s more? The simple one-touch height adjustment changes the mowing height allowing comfortable and easy control.
Patent-Pending InertiaDrive
For a generation that is accustomed to powered mowing equipment, reel mowers are tedious to push through thick grass. To overcome the challenge, Fiskars equipped the Staysharp Max with an inertia drive system.
The inertia drive system is a technology that uses the same principle as that one of a bicycle chain. The main wheels of the mower turn a chain, which in turn rotates the blades faster than the wheels by way of gear reduction.
The freewheel clutch on the mower allows the blade to continue spinning for a couple of seconds after the forward momentum stops.
This technology will deliver twice the cutting power to trim, blast through twigs, weeds, tough spots or other obstacles that would jam other reel mowers.
Exclusive Staysharp Cutting System
The patent Staysharp Cutting System is a technology that uses precision-ground, hardened steel blade to cut the grass without touching.
This “contactless” blade design is beneficial to you in several ways.
First, the design results in less resistance for the user, therefore addressing the “hard to push” concern for many users.
Most importantly, the significant reduction in friction results in less blade wear, allowing the mower to serve you for an extended period without needing to replace or even perform the costly annual blade sharpening.
In fact, depending on your use, you may never need to sharpen the blades of the Fiskars Max, according to the manufacturer.
Insert Wheel Design
The insert wheel design on the mower will provide you with the ability to perform closer cuts along the edges of your lawn and eliminate any areas of grass that get flattened, and not cut.
By the time the wheels are running over the lawn, you will have trimmed it. The inserted wheels provide you with more significant results, cleaner cuts and make your mowing cleaner and easier to control.
4-Wheels
The Staysharp Max is a strange looking mower. Rather than the traditional two-wheel mower setup, it comes with a four-wheel design. Besides the two large main wheels, it comes with two small auxiliary wheels on the front of the mower.
The two wheels are handy in keeping the mower track straighter while facilitating easy blade height adjustment.
Front Discharge
With this mower, no need to worry the grass clippings spraying on your shoes. Fiskars has placed an ingenious little chute at the top of the blade cassette, allowing you to direct your direct clippings forward of rearward-your choice.
Weight
The 5.2 pounds on the mower is the perfect balance between performance and lightness. It might look like a turn-off but allows the mower to gain momentum through tougher weeds.
Pros
- Lightweight
- Easy-to-handle
- Low maintenance
- Super-quiet
Cons
- Struggles with tall, wiry grasses
One caveat of reel mowers, including this one, is that they are not good at long, and wiry grasses. Therefore, if you are to get the best from the Fiskars StaySharp Max reel mower, you must have a date with your lawn every week before the grass grows tall.
Moreover, if you can do that, this mower will reward you with excellent cutting quality.
Scotts Reel Mower Reviews
The Scotts 2000-20 20-inch Classic Push Reel Lawn Mower is the type of mower you picture you owning. It’s built more simply than the Fiskars model we have just reviewed above, and it comes at nearly half the price. However, do not let the price fool you: it packs plenty of features and is a great performing mower.
First, it comes with a clever design, with an impressive wide cutting area of 20 inches, and has well-set blades. The blades, plus the ergonomic and thick handle provides you with a tool that makes grass cutting and yard maintenance simple.
Let us look at some of the outstanding features of this mower:
20-inch Cutting Width
The greatest attribute of the Scotts 2000-20 20-inch Classic mower probably lies in its name: the 20-inch cutting width.
The twenty-inch cutting blade is wider than what is available on the clear majority of manual reel mowers in the market. In fact, the blade size alone is only comparable to the width of many high-grade mower`s cutting decks.
The greater mowing width translates to fewer passes when cutting a lawn, consequently reducing the time you need to spend on yard chores.
5 Heat-tempered Steel Blades
The mower comes with five heat-treated steel blades in a ball-bearing assembly. The steel blades are set in different angles to reduce friction, improving the quality of the cut, while achieving contact with the cutting bar.
The benefit of using this blade on the mower is that it results in a neat cutting and consistency of the lawn cutting, and this is regardless of how tall the grass is.
Furthermore, the heat-treated steel boosts the durability and longevity of the blades.
5-spider Ball Bearing Assembly
The mounting of the cutting reel on the mower on a convenient 5-spider ball bearing assembly helps you to get the reel spinning quickly, without needing pushing the mower too hard.
This innovative technology means that you can get the mower to get to convenient speeds for slicing through the blades of grass cleanly, rather than chewing them and leaving your lawn looking ragged.
Height Adjustment
Like the Fiskars, this lawn mower also comes with a height adjustment that gives you the choice of cutting the lawn from anywhere between 1 inches to 3 inches.
What`s more? The height adjustment on this lawn mower has a capability of achieving nine settings.
To use the mower, use the level to pick your preferred height and let the mower do the rest.
Dual Wheel Tracking
Though the dual-tracking radial wheels on this mower are in a more traditional position, outside the mower rather than inside as with StaySharp, they boost the maneuverability of the mower.
The dual wheel unique design helps in promoting more maneuverability even on rough terrain or in dense grass.
Maneuverability aside, the 10-inch composite main wheels with radial tires help in promoting greater traction, while the additional six-inch rear wheels are essential in eliminating drag and promoting easy pushing of the mower over any terrain.
Unlike the latter, this mower is less challenging to use on sloping lawns.
Lightweight and Compact
This mower weighs at 36 pounds, less than 20 pounds compared to the Staysharp. The 36lbs weight, along with the 5-spider reel mounting and the dual wheel tracking system makes the mower an easy-to-use option, even to the inexperienced landscapers.
Though it has a wide cutting deck, with a 20-inch cutting width, the mower still comes with a compact design, with modest dimensions of 28 by 18 by 10 inches.
The modest dimensions mean that the mower can easily maneuver in tight spots and that you will not have much trouble finding storage space when you are not using it.
Nine Height Option
In addition to the height adjustment that ranges from 1 to 3 inches, the Scotts 2000-20 has a full complement of height options.
The height adjustment options are necessary for providing your lawn with a healthy cut every time.
Moreover, when it comes to adjusting the height of the cutting reel, it`s easier than you think: the quick snap adjusters allow you to change from one slot to the other and lock it securely. Therefore, you do not have to worry about out of place in the middle of a job.
Pros:
- Lightweight
- Quiet
- Affordable
- Large cutting width
- Time-saving
Cons:
- Not ideal for large grasses
- The cutting system needs constant sharpening
- Difficult to edge near fences or walls
The Scotts Reel Mower is the perfect mower for your lawn needs. It comes with a compact, modest, and intuitive yet straightforward design. Accompanying the low-profile are performance and pragmatic features that will do gardening or landscaping more fun, and easier.
Which One Is Right for You?
Both mowers are reel mower, and they are all entitled to the benefits of reel mowers that we discussed at the introduction.
However, a reel mower is not just a reel mower: some features and add-ons separate between these tools.
Moreover, when it comes to our case, the Fiskars Reel Mower beats the Scotts hands down. It`s a more superior option performance wise.
For a start, the Fiskars model comes with plenty of features and not just features, but patent-pending technologies. That is to mean that the Fiskars mower is not your ordinary mower, but a mower that will treat you to a unique experience.
It`s worth noting that all these new technologies on the Fiskars are not just about aesthetics but rather performance-oriented and pragmatic at the very least.
Technology, though not patent, such as the insert-wheels on the Fiskars, overcomes the issue of accessing spots near walls or fences, which is a significant drawback of the Scott.
Also, the floating or rather contactless blade design of the Fiskars overcomes the challenge of regular sharpening, bluntness, and regular replacement of blades, which the Scott has.
In a nutshell, the Fiskars Staysharp Max Reel Mower is a superior model, and I would recommend that you go for it.
How to Assemble/Adjust Fiskars & Scotts Reel Mower?
When buying a mower, many clients want to know how complicated or hard it is to set one up correctly.
In the section below, we look at how you can assemble/adjust your mower fast.
In most cases, the base unit comes fully assembled, so you do not have to worry about putting the gears together, or anything like that.
During the assembling, they only construction required is putting the handle together and putting it on. Depending on the model, the handle comes with 5-7 joints with double screws and two earrings that hold the handle to the base.
Assembling the handle is quite a straightforward task that does not necessitate any knowledge or expertise. You are only required to match the screws to the holes. Fortunately, the screws and holes are standard for each model, so you will not have a hard time setting it up.
The primary challenge comes to changing the settings on the mowers, say drop it down from the factory default 2 to 3 inches or to go even lower.
Adjusting the Factory Setting
Some of the tools you will need include;
- A socket wrench
- An adjustable wrench
- Flathead screwdrivers
- Pliers
- Loosen and adjust each end of the roller shaft to the same height. Most units have an adjustment nut at the end of the roller shaft.
- Turn the reel to check for contact with the cutter bar. As needed, adjust the reel to touch with no stopping by the cutter bar.
- Insert a strip of paper between the reel and the cutter bar, then rotate the reel to verify that it cuts evenly.
Adjust as needed. In most cases, adjustments are at each end of the cutter bar.
Reel Mowing Tips
Whether you are a seasoned expert or new to lawn care, our collection of 10 expert tips should help you.
- Mow not more than 1/3 of your grass per session to encourage healthy grass growth
- Mow according to the size of your lawn rather than using time.i.e. weekly/monthly
- Do not mow when the grass is wet
- Do not mow during the day. Mow during early morning or late evening
- Reel mowers cut best between a height of 1-3/4 to 2-1/2 inches depending on the mower you select
- Before mowing your yard, remove all the sticks, and any debris
- Reel mowers are portable and lightweight. Hang them in your garage to save space.
- Mow at the highest setting to block out weeds like crabgrass.
- Leave your clippings on your lawn after mowing. They easily compose providing nutrient to your grass
- Reel mowers have difficulty cutting long and wiry grass such as dandelion. Therefore, practice organic weed control and mow before they reach their full height.
Care and Maintenance
There are a couple of things that you can do for your reel mower to ensure that it stays in a top condition.
Let us look at some of the steadfast rules for caring and maintenance.
- Clean it after mowing. You can use a brush to wipe the excess grass and any debris on the mower
- Clean the blade using a paper towel and WD-40
- Lubricate the mower’s wheel drive gear assembly
- Store it away from the rain
FAQs:
Q: How often do reel mowers need sharpening?
A: The frequency of sharpening depends on an array of factors such as frequency of use, exposure to moisture, the condition of lawn and maintenance.
Q: How hard are reel mowers to push?
A: Though some mowers are difficult to push than other, most of them are generally easy to push
Q: How does one sharpen a reel mower?
A: Reel mowers sharpen by “backslapping.” Backslapping entails applying a sharpening compound to the blade, before cranking the reel backward using a crank handle.
Q: Where can I use my reel mower?
A: Reel mowers are versatile, and you can use one virtually anywhere where the quality lawn is necessary. are handy on yards, football pitches, bowling greens, baseball diamonds, parks, show gardens, private gardens.
Conclusion:
Mowing has never been easy as it is today. Experience a nostalgic mowing experience with the best reel mowers. The reel mowers are the real deal when it comes to quality lawns. If you want to manicure your lawn and have it look like the professionals did the job, then you need to add either of the two mentioned to enhance your yard tool collection.
Some times money is not always the answer. You need to read this guide thoroughly to get a real understanding about reel mowers. Next, make your order from Amazon for the best prices, the best product, and the best customer service, including warranties.
We hope that our comprehensive guide above shall allow you to make more informed decisions in your search of the best reel mowers 2019.
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