# Mowing the lawn with a Weed Eater?

**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mowing-the-lawn-with-a-weed-eater/1020046
**Category:** In My Humble Opinion
**Created:** [June 23, 2025, 6:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mowing-the-lawn-with-a-weed-eater/1020046 "2025-06-23T18:38:06Z")
**Posts on this page:** 2
**Page:** 3

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### Author: ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)
#### Post date: [July 13, 2025, 3:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mowing-the-lawn-with-a-weed-eater/1020046/41 "2025-07-13T15:43:36Z")

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My dad used a reel mower when we lived on base housing. The yard was very small.

The advantage is no fuel is required and it’s always ready to work.

A reel mower will eventually get dull. But a file will sharpen them. You wouldn’t cut tall grass with a reel mower. That wasn’t a problem on base. Regulations required regular mowing.

My parents eventually bought a house with a big yard. They bought a power mower from Sears.

> **[Scotts Scott's 16 in. Manual Walk Behind Push Reel Lawn Mower 415-16S - The...](https://www.homedepot.com/p/Scotts-Scott-s-16-in-Manual-Walk-Behind-Push-Reel-Lawn-Mower-415-16S/100540960)**
>
> Scotts - 16 in. Reel Mower - Easy to push with a lightweight design and 10 in. wheels with radial tread tires, this mower is designed to provide flexible performance and includes a flared, cushioned handle

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### Author: ![scabpicker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scabpicker/32/8268_2.png) [@scabpicker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scabpicker)
#### Post date: [July 13, 2025, 3:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mowing-the-lawn-with-a-weed-eater/1020046/42 "2025-07-13T15:58:28Z")

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> [@aceplace57](#):
>
> You wouldn’t cut tall grass with a reel mower.

I have a reel mower. Yeah, you _can_ cut taller grass with one, but you’re going to have to mow it more than once. I still use it pretty often if I haven’t missed a week or two of mowing. On the plus side there is no deck to get clogged up with grass, so it mows a wet lawn just fine (heck, I’ve mowed in the rain using mine). Also, it’s about as simple to work on and repair as a kid’s bike. My yard is about 3/4 an acre, so it’s good exercise.

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