Fiskars (18") 5-Blade StaySharp Max Push Reel Mower

I am totally impressed with this mower. It is truly the high tech of manual push lawn mowers. Several times during mowing I adjusted the height to what each area's grass needed. The adjustment is so easy. That's why. It's just one lever.

Important is to have the blades in adjustment. This may take up to an hour the first time following the instructions. But once I know what to do, I think it is at most 10 minutes. The blades need to be just close enough to cut strips of printer paper. However, the blades must not touch. Because the blades do not touch, there is no friction, so the lawnmower is pushed with little force.

A key feature is the momentum in the heavier than normal blades. The momentum feature allows you to spin up the blades and hold over a tall grass stalk to take it down. I never saw any other manual mower that can take down the grass stalks as well as the Fiskars. The power mowers do not leave the grass stalks because of the powered rotary blade. But all manual mowers, even the Fiskars, do leave grass stalks. And special effort is needed to get manual mowers to take down the stalks. Regular grass blades are no problem. But rev up the Fiskars's momentum blades, push down on the handle to raise the blades over the stalk, then go back and forth while letting down the spinning blades, and the stalks come right down. Its the momenum that keeps the blades spinning longer than other manual mowers. The blades not touching also keeps them spinning longer.

If you mow the lawn often enough, then the manual mowers also will not leave the stalks. The Fiskars works better here than other manual mowers, as well, because the Fiskars cuts grass as high as 6 inches tall. I think this is taller than other manual mowers can handle.

I think that a Fiscars mower can cut grass just as fast as a power mower, except that the Fiskars is 18" wide, whereas a power mower is usually much wider. So, you need more laps to cut the same lawn with a Fiscars.

I was surprised that I could not buy it directly from mowersdirect.com. Mowersdirect.com referred me to Home Depot. Then my Home Depot purchase went well.

I am totally impressed with this mower. It is truly the high tech of manual push lawn mowers. Several times during mowing I adjusted the height to what each area's grass needed. The adjustment is so easy. That's why. It's just one lever.

Important is to have the blades in adjustment. This may take up to an hour the first time following the instructions. But once I know what to do, I think it is at most 10 minutes. The blades need to be just close enough to cut strips of printer paper.... more

Works fine for mowing areas my ZTR won't fit in. My wife uses it and enjoys it. Don't let the grass get too high or it won't cut it. More adjustment on the handle positioning would be appreciated. We have had it for a couple of years with no issues.

Purchased mine 2 years ago for $250 and it works great. I have made back all the money I spent on the mower with the savings I've made from the gas I would have used on a gas mower. I have a corner lot and I finish mowing, edging and blowing in 1-1/2 hours. This mower works best when the grass is less than 6 inches high but if you mow everyday week in the summer and once every two weeks in the fall you don't have to worry about any missed blades of grass. I love this mower because of its simplicity which prevents trips to the a mechanic like my old gas mower. Also I like how quick it is which allows me to hear any kids or pets that might be in the yard with me. It is a lot safer around kids too because you can hear them coming and stop quickly.

Purchased mine 2 years ago for $250 and it works great. I have made back all the money I spent on the mower with the savings I've made from the gas I would have used on a gas mower. I have a corner lot and I finish mowing, edging and blowing in 1-1/2 hours. This mower works best when the grass is less than 6 inches high but if you mow everyday week in the summer and once every two weeks in the fall you don't have to worry about any missed blades of grass. I love this mower because of its... more

Do not buy.