Earthwise Reel Mower Review: 2026 Buyer & Maintenance Guide

Manual turf care is experiencing a renaissance among homeowners prioritizing lawn health, noise reduction, and zero-emission landscaping. The Earthwise reel mower lineup, manufactured by the American Lawn Mower Company, remains the most accessible entry point into precision cylinder mowing. However, a reel mower is not a drop-in replacement for a gas-powered rotary machine; it requires specific turf conditions, precise height management, and a distinct maintenance protocol known as backlapping. This guide breaks down the exact Earthwise models available, the agronomic science behind their cutting action, and the mechanical adjustments required to keep the bedknife and reel perfectly calibrated.

Earthwise Reel Mower Lineup: Model Comparison Matrix

Earthwise primarily offers three manual push models, differentiated by cutting width, blade count, and overall weight. Selecting the correct model depends entirely on your lawn's square footage and the density of your turfgrass.

Selection Framework: The 1715-16SW is the optimal choice for lawns up to 5,000 square feet. The 5-blade configuration provides a higher clip frequency (cuts per inch), which is vital for preventing the "washboard" effect on lower-cut grasses. The 1204-14, with only four blades, is strictly recommended for very small, flat urban patches where ultra-low cutting heights (under 1.5 inches) are maintained.

The Turf Health Advantage: Scissor-Cut vs. Rotary Impact

Standard rotary mowers cut grass via high-speed impact, essentially tearing the leaf blade. This tearing frays the vascular tissue at the tip of the grass, leading to rapid moisture loss and a whitish, hazy appearance on the lawn canopy two days after mowing. According to UMass Extension Turf Program, clean cuts are critical for minimizing turf stress and reducing susceptibility to foliar pathogens like dollar spot and brown patch.

The Earthwise reel mower utilizes a scissor-cut mechanism. As the rotating cylinder (the reel) pushes the grass blade against the stationary bottom blade (the bedknife), the tissue is sheared cleanly. This seals the plant's vascular system immediately, retaining cellular moisture and promoting a darker, denser, and healthier turf canopy. Furthermore, manual reel mowers produce zero localized emissions, aligning with the EPA's guidelines on reducing volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from small off-road engines (SOREs), which are significant contributors to ground-level ozone.

Real-World Limitations: Grass Types and Edge Cases

Earthwise reel mowers excel in specific environments but will fail catastrophically in others. Understanding these physical limitations prevents buyer's remorse and turf damage.

Grass Type Compatibility

• Bermudagrass & Zoysia (Warm-Season): Ideal. These grasses thrive at 0.5" to 1.5" heights. The Earthwise 1715-16SW glides through dense warm-season canopies, encouraging lateral stolon growth and a carpet-like finish.
• Kentucky Bluegrass & Fine Fescue (Cool-Season): Good, provided the lawn is kept under 2.5". Reel mowers struggle to lift and cut cool-season grasses once they exceed 3 inches in height.
• Tall Fescue & St. Augustine (Thick/Coarse): Poor. Tall fescue requires a 3.0"+ cut height, and St. Augustine features thick, spongy stolons that will jam the reel cylinder, causing the wheels to lock up.

Precision Maintenance: The Backlapping Protocol

Unlike rotary mowers that require you to remove the blade and use a bench grinder, reel mowers are sharpened in place using a process called backlapping. This involves applying an abrasive compound to the blades and spinning the reel in reverse to grind the reel and bedknife into perfect microscopic alignment.

Step-by-Step Backlapping Guide

1. Prep the Cylinder: Elevate the front of the mower on a sturdy workbench. Clean the reel and bedknife with a stiff nylon brush and degreaser to remove dried sap and clippings.
2. Apply Abrasive: Using a 1-inch paintbrush, apply a generous, even coat of valve grinding compound (Permatex 80037 120-grit for dull blades, or 80047 220-grit for routine maintenance) to the helical blades of the reel.
3. Reverse the Spin: Using a specialized backlapping crank (or a heavy leather work glove on your hand), spin the reel backward (counter-clockwise when facing the right side). Spin at a moderate, steady pace for 3 to 5 minutes.
4. Listen for the Hiss: As the metal surfaces mate, the harsh metallic grinding sound will transition to a smooth, uniform "shhh" or hissing sound. This indicates full contact across the entire length of the bedknife.
5. Clean and Test: Wash off all compound with a hose and a brush. Perform the "Paper Test" (see below).

The Paper Test and Bedknife Adjustment

After backlapping, test the cutting edge using a piece of standard 20 lb. printer paper. Slide the paper across the bedknife while slowly turning the reel forward. The mower should slice the paper cleanly at every point along the cylinder.

Critical Adjustment Rule: If the mower tears the paper in specific spots, do not tighten the reel against the bedknife. Metal-on-metal friction will destroy the bearings and warp the blades. Instead, use a 1/2-inch wrench to adjust the bedknife mounting screws, bringing the stationary bottom blade up to meet the reel with a microscopic clearance (roughly 0.001 inches). The reel should spin freely with zero resistance when disengaged from the grass.

Routine Upkeep: Bearings and Rust Prevention

Because Earthwise mowers rely entirely on human kinetic energy, rolling resistance must be kept to an absolute minimum. The wheel bearings and reel bearings are the primary friction points.

• Bearing Lubrication: Every 25 hours of use, apply three drops of lightweight synthetic machine oil (like 3-in-One or sewing machine oil) to the reel bearing caps and wheel axles. Never use thick greases like WD-40 Specialist White Lithium, as they attract micro-clippings and form an abrasive paste.
• Bedknife Protection: The bedknife is made of high-carbon steel and will flash-rust within 48 hours if left damp. After washing the mower, dry the bedknife with a microfiber towel and wipe it with an oily rag (using mineral oil or motor oil) before storing it in a shed.
• Wheel Traction: The Earthwise 1715-16SW uses polymer wheels with molded treads. If you find the wheels slipping on damp morning grass, lightly scuff the wheel surface with 80-grit sandpaper to expose fresh, high-friction polymer.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can the Earthwise reel mower handle twigs and acorns?

No. Reel mowers are designed strictly for turfgrass. A twig as thin as 1/8th of an inch will lodge between the reel and the bedknife, instantly halting the cylinder and potentially bending the blade spiders. You must thoroughly rake or blow the lawn to remove all debris before mowing.

How often should I backlap the blades?

For a standard 3,000 sq. ft. lawn mowed weekly during the peak spring and fall growing seasons, backlapping with 220-grit compound every 4 to 6 weeks is sufficient. If you are maintaining a low-cut Bermudagrass lawn at 0.5 inches, monthly backlapping is mandatory to prevent tearing the fine stolons.

Does the grass catcher actually work?

The optional Earthwise grass catcher bag is highly inefficient. Because the reel throws clippings forward and downward rather than upward like a rotary deck, the bag catches less than 20% of the clippings. For turf health, it is highly recommended to skip the catcher entirely and allow the fine, cleanly-sheared clippings to fall back into the canopy, where they will decompose rapidly and return nitrogen to the soil.