Greetings Gentlemen!

I have an old mechanical lawnmower that i inherited, that is in working order, it just needs a good sharpening. I'm referring to the kind that has no engine and is powered by the person pushing it. The wheels turn a sort of array of slightly spiral blades. If i was less lazy i could post a pic, but those who know what i'm talking about, know what i'm talking about. Believe it or not this is what i used to cut the grass with when i was a kid - and i'm not old i'm only in my 30's... i come from a long line of cheapskates who see no need to buy a new lawn mower when you have one thats 80 years old and works just fine. It was dull when i had to use it as a kid and took multiple passes to cut the grass, and the grass had to be bone dry. The excuse my dad gave was that the man with the horse drawn cart (i'm not making this up) that would periodically come through the neighborhood to sharpen all manner of things that people wanted sharpened, including scissors and this lawnmower, hadn't come by in decades and that we possessed no appropriate tool to sharpen it with. The thing is i know they work nicely when sharp because i had a very elderly neighbor who had a similar lawn mower which he had kept in impeccable shape that cut his lawn beautifully, and which he had no problem pushing around in his 80's.

So, i think being a group of guys who are into old-timey instruments that need to be kept sharp, you would be as good a bunch as any to ask for some advice on sharpening this thing. I had found an antique sharpener for this specific purpose on ebay which was still in the box and unused (!), and communicated with the seller, but was sniped at the last minute and didn't get it. Is anyone here familiar with shapening these old things? I have files that i use to sharpen axes and regular lawn mower blades, and have thought of using them, but thought i better think it thru first in case these blades require special care or a specific angle. They are so dull its hard to tell exactly where they are supposed to be sharpened. I'd really hesitate to use a grinding wheel, which might not be able to reach the blades properly anyway.

Well that was long winded, but maybe it bought some nostalgia to some of you! Thanks for your consideration