American Lawn Mower Company 1815-18 18-Inch 5-Blade Push Reel Lawn Mower, 18-Inch, 5-Blade, Black

I feel like I’ve been lied to my whole life. This mower is amazing and the years has never looked better. It’s easy, satisfying to use, and feels like something that will actually last. The clippings fade into the lawn. Bagging really isn’t necessary and I’m fussy about that - the clippings are different than conventional mower waste, little blades. I assumed I would regret not replacing my battery mower but it couldn’t be farther from the truth. I feel like this better option was always there and people assumed it doesn’t work or is hard to use. I doubt I’ll ever need to buy another because this is built like a tank, but I would do this again in a heartbeat.

I’m really impressed with this mower! Assembly was quick and easy, and the build feels solid. Adjusting the blade height is simple and very precise. It’s lightweight and effortless to push — even my 12-year-old daughter was able to mow the lawn with no problem at all.The cut is clean, and mowing has actually become an enjoyable activity for us. Highly recommend this mower if you’re looking for something reliable, easy to use, and even a little fun!

This was a backyard game saver ! I have a very hilly and tiered backyard with rock retaining walls- virtually impossible to get a lawnmower up and down and after moving into my house I could not figure out how to keep the grass trimmed acceptably and my shoulders rebelled against continuously using the Weed whacker. Then I found this magical, lightweight beast. It’s not perfect- I have not been able to use it pushing it because it catches on every teeny tiny twig. However, the trick is to pull it backwards and bypass the weird level rolling thing. I still haven’t been able to figure out if it’s adjustable or not but if it is it’s beyond my capabilities. Just tilt it up and pull it backwards and it trims everything. This truly has been one of my favorite purchases this summer. It’s also been effective for small patches of grass that needed trimmed in the dead of summer when the majority of the grass has died down. Much easier to pull out my nifty push mower on those small spots then get out the lawnmower. 4 stars because I can’t push it without it getting stuck on every tiny twig.

I've been using a traditional gas rotary mower for years and had heard good things about reel mowers. There's a lot of options, and I tried out a Scotts 16" Elite Reel Mower first from a local store before upgrading to this 18-Inch 5-Blade Reel American Lawn Mower, and overall, I am pleased with it so far. Assembling the mower fairly easy using the provided instructions and it didn't take long before I was ready to start cutting.One of the standout features of this (and any reel mower) is its clean cutting ability, sort of like a pair of scissors. The five-blade reel spin as you walk and push the grass up against the cutting bed to give a consistent cut, every time. The speed of the reel is dependent on how fast you are walking, so a good moderate pace is required. I tend to do some perimeter cuts first, then go back and forth (switching from 'horizontal' to 'vertical' or 'diagonal' every few times to switch up the pattern. The cut quality is truly superior to that of traditional rotary mowers.However, there are a few considerations to keep in mind. The mower may struggle to catch all the grass if some blades are bent down or if the grass is too long. With this, its recommended cutting the grass more frequently, going in opposite directions, and overlapping each pass. While this may reduce the effective cutting width from 18 inches to around 12-14 inches, it ensures a thorough and even cut. It actually takes around the same amount of time to cut the ~4000 sq foot I cut with this than with the rotary gas mower and that is comparing a 21" cut to this. Perhaps its because its lighter, I can walk faster, and turning is easier too?For maintenance and accessories - Maintaining the sharpness of the blades is important for optimal performance, and although I haven't had the need to sharpen them yet, there are sharpening kits available. Additionally, the option to purchase a bagger is available, but personally, I prefer leaving the clippings on the lawn as natural fertilizer. Just be sure to pick up any twigs or anything else the blades may catch on during use, as you'll come to a complete stop as it jams into the cutting bed. At least with a reel mower you don't have to keep your hand on the push-bar, so you can easily stop to pick something up. I even look around to 'de-weed' the lawn in that area as I come across things. Sometimes I'll carry or attach a small bag to the unit to store the twigs or anything else I pickup so I can throw it out when done.Also, it's worth noting that the mower throws the clippings backward, so wearing long pants and shoes is key to avoid getting them on your legs. Though I'm sure it would work with some additional leg-power, this mower works best on flat lawns without too many weeds, as it may struggle with uneven terrain as it's self-powered and the weed stems can also stop the blade reel in its tracks if they are too thick.One other thing, is that you won't really get the traditional 'stripes' of a rotatry mower. I've seen others modify the reel mower to drag a lead / pvc pipe with sand in it, but personally I don't bother. As long as the grass looks trimmed and neat, I'm happy.You also can't beat the workout it provides - I get a solid ~30 minutes of mowing every few days and you work up quite a sweat.Overall, I wanted to try reel mowing for the season and the 18-Inch 5-Blade Reel American Lawn Mower is a solid choice that fit my needs. While it may require some additional effort one of the standout things is since its nearly quiet, you can mow at any time, and even when its wet - two things a gas powered mower just can't (or shouldn't) do. Really - you can't bet the cut quality and that's why I'm doing this, for a healthier lawn.

Does NOT cut at half inch as advertised in the product description. Getting my yard ready for a fall overseeding and wanted to cut grass short before dethatching. Set mower at lowest setting expecting a half inch cut but was a little surprised to see it cut at twice that height. Otherwise a god unit, cuts nice stays sharp, but was really wanting something that could cut short

It is a cool mechanical device, and it makes for a more pleasant time outside on the lawn (without the noise of a gas motor). Also takes up a lot less space than a gas or electric mower. Sticks will jam it up, and you maw want to weed wack some of the taller plants first.