Even the most powerful lawn mower is only as good as its blades. Whether you're aiming for a crisp, uniform finish or simply want to avoid tearing up your turf, sharp, well-maintained lawn mower blades are key. When blades wear down, they can stress your mower, damage your grass, and cost you time and effort in the process.
Knowing when to replace your mower blades can make all the difference to your lawn’s health and your mowing experience. While regular sharpening helps extend a blade’s life, there comes a point when replacement is the smarter move.
So, how can you tell when it’s time? Here are five clear warning signs that your blades are past their prime.
1. Your Lawn Looks Ragged After Mowing
If your lawn suddenly looks a little rough around the edges after mowing, with frayed grass tips, uneven patches, or a generally scruffy finish, your lawn mower blade may be to blame.
Dull blades don’t slice through grass cleanly. Instead, they tear at it. This ragged cut not only looks messy, but it also makes your lawn more vulnerable to browning, disease, and poor regrowth.
Keep an eye out for blades of grass with shredded ends or patches where the mower seems to have skimmed unevenly. If your mower’s doing more harm than good to the lawn’s appearance, chances are the mower blade has dulled or lost its edge.
High-quality replacements like EGO’s lawn mower blades are engineered for a cleaner cut. Designed with balance and precision in mind, they help maintain a sharp, consistent mowing edge - which means less stress on your grass and a far better-looking finish every time.
2. Mowing Takes Longer and Feels Harder Than Usual
When your mower starts feeling like hard work, it's often because dull blades are making the engine work overtime. You might notice the motor sounds more strained than usual, or that your battery seems to drain faster than it used to.
Dull mower blades create more resistance as they struggle to cut through grass. This puts extra strain on the motor and can slow you right down. What used to be a quick 20-minute job suddenly takes half an hour, and you're having to go over the same patches multiple times to get a decent cut.
If you've got a self-propelled lawn mower, you might also notice it's not moving as smoothly as before. The extra drag from inefficient cutting can affect the whole machine's performance.
When your mower's working harder but achieving less, it's usually time for fresh blades. A sharp blade cuts through grass with minimal resistance, making the whole job quicker and easier on both you and your mower.
3. You Notice Chips, Dents, or Warping on the Mower Blade
It’s worth giving your lawn mower blades a visual check every now and then, especially if you’ve hit a rogue stick, stone, or bit of debris mid-mow. Chips, cracks, nicks, or bends in the blade can seriously compromise cutting performance and even pose a safety risk if left unchecked.
Some minor wear can be fixed with sharpening, but physical damage is another story. A blade that’s cracked, warped, or missing chunks won’t cut evenly and could throw your mower off balance. In some cases, continuing to mow with a damaged blade can even lead to vibration issues or extra strain on the motor.
When in doubt, it’s safer (and more efficient) to replace. EGO's mower blades are built from durable materials and engineered for high performance, but like any blade, it can only take so much. If yours shows signs of real damage, a fresh one ensures you're mowing safely - and getting the clean cut your lawn deserves.
Pro Tip: Before inspecting your blade, make sure the mower's completely switched off and the battery is removed.
4. Your Mower Starts Shaking or Making Weird Noises
If your mower suddenly feels like it’s shaking more than usual or starts making odd sounds mid-cut, don’t ignore it. Your mower blades could be the culprit. Unusual vibration or rattling is often a sign that the blade has become unbalanced due to wear, damage, or incorrect installation.
Even a small chip or bend can throw off the blade’s balance, which in turn affects how smoothly your mower runs. Not only is this uncomfortable to use, but it can also place unnecessary stress on the motor and shorten the life of the machine.
Noise changes are another red flag. A damaged lawn mower blade might produce a clunking or grinding sound, especially when starting up or tackling tougher patches of grass.
Replacing the blade with a well-balanced, precision-manufactured option - like those in EGO’s range - helps restore smooth, quiet operation. They're engineered to reduce vibration and keep your mower running efficiently
5. Your Grass Is Browning or Growing Unevenly
A healthy lawn starts with a clean cut. If your grass is looking worse for wear despite regular mowing - browning at the tips, growing unevenly, or struggling to bounce back - your lawn mower blades might be the hidden issue.
When blades dull, they stop slicing cleanly and begin tearing instead. That torn grass is more vulnerable to moisture loss, disease, and pests. Over time, you might notice patches where the lawn seems thinner or more stressed, even with proper watering and care.
This kind of damage isn’t always immediate, but it builds up. Repeated mowing with a dull or damaged mower blade can gradually weaken the entire lawn, leading to a dull finish and a patchy, unhealthy look.
If your usual lawn care routine isn’t delivering the same lush results, it’s worth checking the blade. A sharp, balanced blade supports a cleaner cut and a stronger, more resilient lawn.
How to Keep Your New Mower Blades in Top Shape
Staying on top of blade care helps protect your lawn and keeps your mower performing at its best. Here are a few simple habits that make a big difference:
- Inspect regularly: Check your blades after every few mows, especially if you’ve hit anything harder than grass. Look for nicks, bends, or dull edges.
- Clean after mowing: Remove grass clippings and built-up debris after each use. A stiff brush or damp cloth usually does the trick.
- Sharpen when needed: Most blades benefit from sharpening every 20–25 hours of use, or at the start of each mowing season. If sharpening no longer restores performance, it’s time to replace.
- Handle with care: Always disconnect the battery before removing or inspecting a blade. Use gloves and a secure grip to avoid injury.
- Store blades properly: If you're swapping blades seasonally or storing a spare, keep them in a dry place to prevent rust.
- Stick to a seasonal schedule: Sharpen at the beginning of the season, check mid-season, and inspect for wear again before winter storage.
A little maintenance goes a long way, and keeps your mower cutting cleanly, efficiently, and safely throughout the year.
Know When to Replace Your Lawn Mower Blades
Your lawn mower blades play a bigger role than you might think. From cutting performance to lawn health and mower efficiency, they’re at the heart of every good mow. Recognising the warning signs - ragged cuts, extra effort, physical damage, strange vibrations, or a struggling lawn - can save you time, money, and hassle in the long run.
Staying proactive about blade care means fewer headaches and a healthier, better-looking lawn. And when it’s time to replace, choosing a high-quality, well-balanced blade ensures you get the clean, efficient cut your mower was designed to deliver.
We recommend checking your blades every few mows, giving them a quick sharpen as needed, and replacing them before wear starts affecting your lawn.
EGO’s range of mower blades are designed for performance, precision, and a perfect fit - so you can get back to cutting cleanly, quickly, and confidently.