Fiskars Push Mower - 17" Cut Width Manual Reel Mower with No Motor - Grass Cutter with Steel Blades that Stay Sharp - Eco-Friendly Cordless Grass Trimmer for Lawn Care Review

Overview

The Fiskars Push Mower is a 17-inch manual reel mower that ditches the motor entirely, relying on your own walking power to spin its steel blades. Designed for homeowners with small to medium lawns who want a zero-emission, whisper-quiet cutting experience, it’s essentially a precision tool for grass, not a brute-force machine. This mower is best for those who enjoy the ritual of mowing and want a clean, scissor-like cut without the noise, fumes, or maintenance of gas or electric alternatives.

Who Should Buy This

• Homeowners with small lawns (under 1/4 acre): If your yard is a postage stamp—say, 2,000 to 5,000 square feet—this mower is a perfect fit. You’ll finish in 20 minutes without breaking a sweat, and you won’t waste time untangling extension cords or mixing gas.
• Eco-conscious gardeners: You hate the smell of gas, the drone of a motor, and the carbon footprint of power equipment. This mower runs on nothing but elbow grease and sunshine, making it ideal for anyone trying to shrink their lawn care impact.
• Noise-sensitive neighbors (or you): If you mow early mornings, late evenings, or live in a tight subdivision where every engine roar echoes, this reel mower is virtually silent. The only sound is the snip-snip-snip of blades cutting grass—calming, not annoying.
• Low-maintenance lawn enthusiasts: You don’t want to deal with oil changes, spark plugs, or battery charging. This mower requires zero fuel, zero electricity, and only occasional blade sharpening (which Fiskars makes easy with a included sharpening kit).

Key Features Breakdown

• 17-Inch Cutting Width: This is on the narrower end for reel mowers. While it means more passes to cover a lawn, it also makes the mower lighter and easier to maneuver around flower beds, trees, and tight corners. For a small yard, it’s a trade-off that favors precision over speed.
• Manual Reel (No Motor): The blades spin via a gear system connected to the wheels. No battery, no gas, no cord. This means you’re in total control—you can stop instantly, there’s no startup lag, and you’ll never run out of “fuel” mid-mow (unless you get tired).
• Steel Blades (Stay Sharp): Fiskars uses a patented “Stay Sharp” blade system that self-sharpens as you mow—each blade edge hones against the other during use. In practice, this keeps the cut clean for longer between sharpenings. You’ll still need to touch them up every season, but it’s far less frequent than traditional reel mowers.
• Eco-Friendly Cordless Grass Trimmer: This is marketing language for “it’s a manual mower.” But it’s accurate—zero emissions, zero noise pollution, and the only waste is grass clippings (which you can leave as mulch).
• Adjustable Cutting Height: You can set the height from 1 to 2.5 inches via a simple lever. This is critical for reel mowers, which struggle with tall grass. Keep your lawn at 2 inches or lower for best results—anything taller and you’ll be pushing hard or missing clumps.
• Lightweight Design: At about 22 pounds, this mower is easy to lift, carry, and store. It folds flat for hanging on a garage wall or tucking into a shed corner.

Pros

1. Silent operation: You can mow at 6 AM without waking the house or the neighbors. It’s practically meditative.
2. Zero maintenance headaches: No gas, no oil, no spark plugs, no battery degradation. Clean it off, store it dry, and it’s ready next season.
3. Precision cut: Reel mowers slice the grass like scissors, leaving a clean tip that heals faster and looks greener than the torn ends from rotary blades.
4. Light and easy to push: On flat, even ground, this mower glides. The weight is low, and the wheels roll smoothly. Great for smaller yards or users who don’t want a workout.
5. Built-in sharpening system: The self-sharpening blades genuinely extend the time between manual honing. You’ll get a full season of good cuts before needing the included sharpening kit.
6. Compact storage: It folds nearly flat, so it takes up minimal garage or shed space—perfect for apartment dwellers with a small lawn.

Cons

1. Struggles with tall or thick grass: If you let your lawn get above 3 inches, this mower will clog, skip, or require multiple passes. It’s a trimmer, not a bushwhacker. You must mow frequently (every 4-5 days in peak growth).
2. Not for uneven or bumpy lawns: Reel mowers need a smooth surface. Bumps, dips, or thick weeds will cause the blades to scalp or miss patches. If your yard is lumpy, this isn’t your mower.
3. Narrow cutting width: At 17 inches, you’ll make more passes compared to a 20- or 21-inch push mower. On a 3,000 sq ft lawn, expect an extra 10-15 minutes.
4. No bagging option (stock): It doesn’t come with a grass catcher. You can buy a separate Fiskars bag, but out of the box, you’re mulching or raking clippings. Some users find this inconvenient for long grass.

Bottom Line

The Fiskars Push Mower is a fantastic choice for the right person: someone with a small, flat, consistently mowed lawn who values quiet, clean, and eco-friendly operation over raw power. It delivers a beautiful cut, requires almost zero maintenance, and costs nothing to run. But it’s not a do-it-all machine—if your yard is large, uneven, or prone to overgrowth, you’ll be frustrated. For the 1/4-acre-and-under crowd who treat mowing as a peaceful chore rather than a battle, this is the best reel mower you can buy. Highly recommended for its niche.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How often do I need to sharpen the blades? A: The self-sharpening system keeps them working well for a full season of regular mowing (about 20-30 uses). After that, use the included sharpening kit—it takes 10 minutes and extends blade life for years. If you hit rocks or sticks, sharpen sooner.

Q: Can this mower handle thick St. Augustine or Bermuda grass? A: Bermuda, yes—it’s fine-bladed and low-growing. St. Augustine is tougher due to its thick stems. It will cut it if the lawn is short (under 2 inches) and healthy, but you’ll need to push harder. For