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18 in. Cut Path Reel Mower, Hand Push

Product Reviews

Craftsman 18 in. Cut Path Reel Mower, Hand Push

Features a 1 to 3 in. [LG_CuttingHeight] range with five alloy steel blades. Easy to use with quick-snap height adjusters and quad wheel tracking. Reel is assembled with shielded [TT_BallBearings].

Average Customer Rating: 4.23 out of 5 4.2 out of 5
65 of 75 (87%) customers would recommend this product to a friend.

Customer Reviews for Craftsman 18 in. Cut Path Reel Mower, Hand Push

Rating 4 out of 5 4 5
excellent mower, August 3, 2009
By Nicoj122 from Philadelphia, PA

"i bought this mower about a month ago and have used it several times already. it works best when you mow frequently, as it sometimes wont cut grass that is too long (because it pushes the longer grass under the reel and just rolls over it). as others have stated, this mower will not cut tall weeds, for the same reason it wont cut really tall grass. i think this happens with all reel mowers. once you get the hang of it you can certainly cut the tall weeds by rolling over them and then backing up until the weed pops into the reel, then go forward and chop chop. if not for this i would have given it 5 stars.
That said, this mower is way better than using a string trimmer, which is what i was using on my tiny lawn. i love that you don't have to plug it in or replace string. if i had a big lawn i would probably want an electric mower, but i don't, so this is perfect for me.
This mower is also very sturdy and looks like it will last for years.
"


Review 2 for Craftsman 18 in. Cut Path Reel Mower, Hand Push

Rating 1 out of 5 1 5
Returning this mower, July 25, 2009
By DisappointedInMesaAZ from Arizona

"I really wanted to get a good reel mower for the small plot of grass I planted this spring, instead of getting an electric or gas mower. This one appeared to have decent ratings, so I bought one...and waited for my Fescue to grow.

Used it once and will be returning it today because it simply does not cut well. It won't cut a single tall weed...even though the weeds it was confronted with aren't thick or any harder to cut than a blade of grass. It barely cuts the grass...and leaves many blades uncut.

*sigh* So much for getting a mower that used human energy instead of electricity or gas.
"


3 of 6 people found this review helpful.

Review 3 for Craftsman 18 in. Cut Path Reel Mower, Hand Push

Rating 5 out of 5 5 5
Why did I wait so long....., June 24, 2009
By ReelHappy from Dayton, OH

"I just got and used the Craftsman 18 in. Reel Mower today, and I've got to say I should not have waited to get one. I had it together in about 15 minutes after I got home, and was cutting right away. Lighter than my old powered mower, no fumes, and what a great cut on my lawn. Even my 8 year old son was able to push it through the lawn with no trouble. My lawn was around 5 inches, and I cut it down to 3 with no problem. As others have mentioned, there is a little learning curve because you have to overlap your cut path, and the dandelions managed to escape the blades, but this made cutting my lawn a pleasure again. It took a little longer to cut my yard, and there was some work with the weed trimmer after mowing, but nothing that didn't bring simple pleasure to the experience of working outside. I can tell you honestly that I don't see myself ever going back to a gas mower again, and this unit was a fantastic deal for the money. They had another less expensive 16 inch model on display at my local Sears, but the height adjustment was not as easy as this one, and the extra 2 inches in cut path size was worth the $20 difference (on sale) in my opinion. Great mower, and the only remorse I have about my past mowers is that I wish I had bought one of these sooner so I would still have all the maintenance and gas money I have wasted over the years on powered mowers. My yard already looks more manicured than ever after one cut, and I'm sure it will just get better with time."

8 of 8 people found this review helpful.

Review 4 for Craftsman 18 in. Cut Path Reel Mower, Hand Push

Rating 5 out of 5 5 5
Just what I wanted, June 21, 2009
By urbanows from Littleton, CO

"I had been intrigued by reel push mowers since I was a kid and now that we bought a house with a small yard I had an opportunity to try one. Based on reviews I looked at the Scotts Classic and Craftsman. The Scotts seemed clunky while the Craftsman runs like a well tuned bike."

6 of 6 people found this review helpful.

Review 5 for Craftsman 18 in. Cut Path Reel Mower, Hand Push

Rating 5 out of 5 5 5
real nice reel mower, June 2, 2009
By Moelawn from Rochester,NH

"First, it was easy to assemble. It's lightweight, so it's easy to push. The height adjustment is simple. And it gives the lawn a manicured look. No more smelly gas, hard to start, noisy mowers for me. I actually look forward to mowing. My lawn is 8,000 sq ft. And I'm a female, age 63."

17 of 17 people found this review helpful.

Review 6 for Craftsman 18 in. Cut Path Reel Mower, Hand Push

Rating 4 out of 5 4 5
Not bad but could be better, May 17, 2009
By greggory from Pittsburgh

"Fairly easy to assemble by 1 person in approx. 30-45 minutes. Easy to push. It does not catch every blade of grass which requires some do-overs. It took me a little longer to mow my lawn using this mower as opposed to my power mower. If you are looking to save time, this mower is not for you. If you have a "city" yard, (small yard) this will work out fine. It is also fine if you don't mind a few stray grass blades sticking up afterwards. No electrical parts, so I don't worry much about need for repair like my oven, refrigerator and power mower I have purchased in the past from Sears."

10 of 10 people found this review helpful.

Review 7 for Craftsman 18 in. Cut Path Reel Mower, Hand Push

Rating 2 out of 5 2 5
reel power, May 15, 2009
By veetori from KS

"I have used my reel mower about four times since I finally got one. The intructions were not very clear, so I had to do some online investigating. After I finally got it together and mowed my first time, I was fairly satisfied with my mower's ability. Not hard to push at all -as I thought it would be! However, after only two mowings, one blade was hanging up on the cutter bar and leaving a very noticeable line which I had to recut. So, before the next mowing, I attempted to adjust the blade(s) and only ended up making it much worse. My front yard looked like I not even cut it. So, before mowing the back yard, I attempted to undo what I had "fixed" the day before. It was somewhat better, but still looks VERY ragged. I cannot seem to find any really good online help to fix it. I am afriad when my son or son-in-law see my yard, it will certainly be a "I told you so" moment!"

4 of 4 people found this review helpful.

Review 8 for Craftsman 18 in. Cut Path Reel Mower, Hand Push

Rating 5 out of 5 5 5
Going Green in NYC, May 11, 2009
By CageFighterNYC from Elmont, NY

"After much debate on having to own a gas powered mower I decided on this. My yard is about 75' x 100' - and I used this with pride. I even tried it on at 11:45 pm at night and because it was so quiet no one came out and threw a fruit at me.
I would recommend this to semi-strong and able adults - children would love it, but will get tired. I am a mixed martial arts fighter and I hardly broke a sweat. Recommended for afternoon workout drills if you feel like running! This is an awesome cardio. I thought it would not do well with tall grass but it did the job. Some imperfections but I can live with it.

Easy to assemble - took me 10 minutes tops. The blades are sharp. The only cons are the fact that some weeds just cannot be cut with this.

I am off to Sears again for a weed wacker! you will need one for the edges.
"


7 of 7 people found this review helpful.

Review 9 for Craftsman 18 in. Cut Path Reel Mower, Hand Push

Rating 4 out of 5 4 5
Great first day, May 10, 2009
By Anonymous from Milton, MA

"Got my mower home and couldn't wait to put it together. Installation a trifle clumsy - useless instructions with tiny diagram, and frankly the 5-part handle could have been 2 sturdy pieces instead. Pretty much impossible to tighten the nuts without scratching the black paint on the handle pieces.

All that said, once assembled, the mower is a dream to use. Hardly any more effort than my old Lawnboy, and so quiet you can hear the birds singing as you mow. My 8 and 10 year-olds can both push it, and the cut is sharp.

Sure, it chokes on sticks - I'll have to be better about picking up first - but what a sense of redemption from the noise and stink of the old mower. One day and I'm hooked.
"


8 of 8 people found this review helpful.

Review 10 for Craftsman 18 in. Cut Path Reel Mower, Hand Push

Rating 5 out of 5 5 5
Great Product For The $$, May 10, 2009
By bassplayuh from Floral Park, NY

"I wanted something simple, with no issues of storing fuel, parts tune ups etc. This little beauty fits the bill perfectly. I am only mowing about 600 sq ft but it glides easily over most of the lawn. As stated in other reviews, it does not handle sticks or twigs well. Just back it off a step or two and you're on your way. High grass requires a few passes, but nothing annoying. Set up is easy and quick. Mower seems to be very well made. I am very happy with it."

3 of 3 people found this review helpful.

Review 11 for Craftsman 18 in. Cut Path Reel Mower, Hand Push

Rating 3 out of 5 3 5
Not Bad. Not great., May 10, 2009
By Anonymous from Portland, OR

"This mower seems fairly sturdy and well-built. In order for it to really do a nice job, however, I've found that I have to go over my lawn a few different directions, a few times - so it's a lot of extra work. Our grass is thick and healthy, so it might be hard to cut through - I don't know. With that said, pushing the mower is not that difficult. My problem with this mower is it's inability to cut the grass evenly and correctly the first go around - it constantly is unable to cut sturdier or thicker clumps of grass. Perhaps this mower would work better simply as a trimmer, barely cutting off any grass. If your lawn is thick, healthy, and a little longer than usual, this mower doesn't work well."

2 of 2 people found this review helpful.

Review 12 for Craftsman 18 in. Cut Path Reel Mower, Hand Push

Rating 5 out of 5 5 5
Great all things considered, May 9, 2009
By BnBR from Argenta AR

"We have a standard sized urban lot(50'X 140')with a craftsman house. When we got this mower 2 years ago I could not mow due to an injury. I watched others in our family fight this mower and complain about it. They declared it to be unfit. The mower was treated brutally.
Observing brother in law and the step sons mow, I saw that they lacked the sensitivity to understand this mower's ability. If this mower were an animal it would be a sheep. It requires a gentle touch.
Now that I can mow again I will not allow them to touch my mower or mow my lawn. With the right touch this mower, over time, will lead one to have a beautiful, manicured lawn by accommodating it's needs (like you would a good wife).
We can keep it in the basement without stinking up the house with gas fumes.
"


4 of 4 people found this review helpful.

Review 13 for Craftsman 18 in. Cut Path Reel Mower, Hand Push

Rating 4 out of 5 4 5
As promised, April 24, 2009
By elferous from 41018

"I've used the mower about 5-6 times so far, and am very happy with it! Contrary to what some people say, it is much easier to use than a standard motorized push mower...
The only minor issue I have, is dealing with nettles and small sticks in the yard - whenever the mower hits one, it "sticks". But, you simply pull the mower back, move the blade an inch with your foot, and away you go again. I highly recommend this mower to anyone who currently uses a push-style motorized mower.
"


10 of 10 people found this review helpful.

Review 14 for Craftsman 18 in. Cut Path Reel Mower, Hand Push

Rating 5 out of 5 5 5
Great mower and Price!!, April 4, 2009
By Torenthal

"I was wanting to try something new for my lawn, and read on a website that reel type mowers are great for bermuda grass. I had a craftsman push mower and it worked fine, but i wanted a quieter mower and something i did not have to run to the gas station for to start. The Craftsman Reel mower is wonderful and not really that much harder to push than a rotary mower. The lawn looks great and iam getting the look of a golf course lawn."

9 of 9 people found this review helpful.

Review 15 for Craftsman 18 in. Cut Path Reel Mower, Hand Push

Rating 5 out of 5 5 5
Great choice, November 19, 2008
By Anonymous from Jackson, MS

"Perfect mower to take care of small yard. Glad it is easy to use b/c I purchased floor model sans instructions, user guide. Works well on flat and sloped areas. Still have to edge around deck and fence, but this reel mower efficiently takes care of lawn around swimming pool."

4 of 4 people found this review helpful.

Review 16 for Craftsman 18 in. Cut Path Reel Mower, Hand Push

Rating 5 out of 5 5 5
Neat little mower., October 30, 2008
By jilllikespink from Baton Rouge, LA

"I put together the mower right after picking it up from Sears. By the time I had put it together, it was 10pm and I was very eager to use it. Beause it is so quiet and lightweight, I was able to go outside at 10pm and mow my small lawn. I thought it would be more difficult to use than it actually was because of discouraging reviews that I had read on various sites about reel mowers. Don't be discouraged! It is so lightweight, you don't need gasoline, and you can hose it off to clean it before bringing it indoors for storage. I love this mower!"

13 of 13 people found this review helpful.

Review 17 for Craftsman 18 in. Cut Path Reel Mower, Hand Push

Rating 3 out of 5 3 5
Nice but average, October 16, 2008
By Me52241 from 52241

"This mower is great when the grass is thick and green. The even, low cut looks wonderful. But as my grass gets thinner in the Fall, this mower misses a fair amount of the tall thin blades. Double mowing does not help. I do not miss enhaling the exhaust of my previous mower. I enjoy the work out and the final result."

8 of 8 people found this review helpful.

Review 18 for Craftsman 18 in. Cut Path Reel Mower, Hand Push

Rating 4 out of 5 4 5
Craftsman Reel Mower, October 8, 2008
By TestTrack from Massachusetts

"Very happy with purchase. Product is excellent, although some might have unrealistic expectations for the technology (scissor-action reel mowing). Without the suction of a power rotary mower to stand every grassblade up so its top can be slashed off, you'll need to pass over your lawn a couple of times if the sight of a few missed blades of grass bothers you. But the mower's portability, quietness, and "instant start" easily offset the drawback. And it certainly doesn't scalp your lawn anywhere. Blade adjustment is a big factor in its performance, and is not so much a complicated task as it is a sensitive one. It takes a little practice to adjust the mower so it can cleanly slice a sheet of paper along the entire length of the cutter bar, the point where the mower works the best and is least likely to require multiple passes. Slightly tighter than this and the mower will barely move. Slightly looser than this and you'll leave too many untrimmed grass blades. Overall, using the mower is easy, healthy, and surprisingly rewarding...despite a little bit of imperfection in the results."

13 of 13 people found this review helpful.

Review 19 for Craftsman 18 in. Cut Path Reel Mower, Hand Push

Rating 4 out of 5 4 5
Good for a smaller lawn., October 3, 2008
By Lizzy878 from Bronx, NY

"I really like the mower. I have a small yard and it works out much better then a gas push mower or electrical mower. It cuts the lawn very well but I still need to weed wack the sides some since the mower can't get into smaller corners where my fence is. I definitely reccomend it if you have a smaller yard because it's very quite, good for the environment and gets the job done. The only thing you need to be careful about though is that it didn't come with directions on how to put it together so I had to figure it out on my own which took some time initially."

1 of 1 people found this review helpful.

Review 20 for Craftsman 18 in. Cut Path Reel Mower, Hand Push

Rating 1 out of 5 1 5
Push Hard, September 26, 2008
By 123mow from San Diego

"Bought this for my small, flat area in the front and back yard. Bermuda has taken over, so it is very thick and dense. Thank god for my strong, fit husband because when I tried it, forget it. There was no way this would work for me. It took my husband about 1 hour to mow what our electric mower took 15 minutes tops. The lawn did look very nice afterward but it took a lot of muscle and going over it 3 times. We talked about it and since I mow quiet often we decided to take it back and bought an electric mower to replace our old one. We did have to pay 15% restocking fee for the return."

7 of 8 people found this review helpful.
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