Come And Meet My New Friend...

Hi folks...I've been looking for a new lawn mower for quite a while...the old electric Qualcast has seen better days...more into chewing the grass than cutting it...so it was time to hit the internet and do some research. It wasn't going well to be honest until I had a "hold on a minute" moment...how could it have slipped my mind that there's a company out there who have been making cutting tools of the highest quality for over 350 years and have now added a MOWER to their range of garden tools...I can't believe it took me so long to put 2 and 2 together so let me introduce you to the newest member of my Cutting Tool Family...the Fiskars Stay Sharp Momentum Reel Mower...modern technology's version of the old fashioned hand push mower...

I've been itching to put this boy through his paces and share my thoughts with you but the weather just wouldn't play ball until a little window of opportunity presented itself on Saturday when that elusive orb in the sky put in an appearance...the only problem was after a week of rain...the ground was sodden and the grass...well I was thinking I might need a combine harvester instead of a mower...

so nothing ventured...nothing gained...let's go for it and before you know I had the box unpacked...specs on...instructions at the ready to assemble the handle...

easy peasy with the spanner provided...a piece of cake even for this instructions challenged individual...

the ergonomic handle is quick and easy to fit and remove...is height adjustable and padded for comfort.

so with the grass catcher in place...

and the height of cut adjusted...

we're ready for action. I have to confess I was sceptical...this was the ultimate road test...how would it cope with this waterlogged overgrown  piece of greenery but halfway through...so far so good...it's making short work (excuse the pun) of everything in it's path...

and within 20 minutes of unpacking the box...I'm AMAZED and IMPRESSED...the job's a good un...

Over the years...this lawn has been a football pitch...tennis court and puppy digging up area but will never be mistaken for a bowling green...it's got more than it's fair share of lumps and bumps and I'd given up hope of ever having the Wimbledon stripes look but with my new best friend...watch this space. Now I know what you're thinking...I work with Fiskars so I'm probably a bit biased....yes...probably a little bit but I'm ditching my Fiskars hat and sharing with you honestly what I liked and didn't about this serious piece of gardening kit.

1. It's definitely a considered purchase...not the cheapest push mower on the market but when you read the more bad than good reviews the cheaper models get...it seems you get what you pay for and this mower is quality through and through from it's hardened steel blades with precision grounded edges to the sturdy handle. I did a little price research on the internet and found the best price HERE with free delivery.

2. It is a heavy machine to carry around and I admit I found it a bit cumbersome to get from the garage to the garden but there's a solution...if you remove the handle first and use the handy carry handle it's much easier...

10 seconds to refit the handle and you're good to go. And despite it's weight...once it's on the grass it seems to go into lightweight mode and is a dream to push. 

3. And it's quiet...mowing your lawn at 6 in the morning or 9 at night is not going to disturb the neighbours unlike the weekly Sunday morning rude awakening I get from the inconsiderate man and his decibel busting petrol contraption across the street.

4. In this day and age of saving electricity and fossil fuels...it's 5 star environmentally friendly...the only fuel needed is provided by you in the form of a gentle push power workout...no need to check the circuit breaker is on...no unwinding and winding up again of lengthy cables and no making sure the cable is always out of the way of the blades.

5. I did have a bit of a problem with the grass catcher initially...it kept dropping off but I soon worked out that if you go at a slow steady pace...take it nice and easy and it's happy to stay put.

5. The blades are easy to clean...a quick wipe down with a rag and my new best friend is back in the garage ready for the next time.

Hubby's not yet convinced...he's still in the electric mower camp but not for long if I have my way...his idea of the ideal mower will be heading to the skip tomorrow and I've pencilled him on to the grass cutting "Fiskars Mower" rota for the next month or two and I'm confident he'll too be joining the "how did we ever manage without it" camp.

See you all tomorrow

Hugs Kath xxx