How to properly sharpen blades?

[woodall1]

Could someone please tell me the PROPER way to sharpen my mower blades. I just purchased a Toro 500 20/52 and I want everything done properly. I also have a Gravely PRO 50 and we have always just used a grinder. I really dont think my careless method is proper.

[fixer67]

First you must take the blades off. Now you may say"NO SH**!" but you would not beleive the people who have tried to sharpen the blades with out taking them off. You can use any grinder , angle or bench to sharpen the blades. Balancing the blades is where most people have problems. Some people do and some do not. To balance a blade is easy. You can buy a little thing that looks like a cone that tells you or you can do as a lot of people have done for years. Just take a screwdriver and put it though the mounting hole and hold it out level. The heavy end will point down. Just grind a little off that end until both ends stay level when you hold it out.

[renda454]

You also need a little bucket of water to dip the blade in while you are grinding to keep the temper in the blade

[DEA]

should the blade have a sharp knife edge or a very slight flat edge?