:smile:A 48" deck 3 blader. Bought 2004 still original blades. They have been sharpened about 3-4 times per year. I take them off and first clean them in a vise to remove the dried layer of grass. For this I use a duller wood chisel. Next free hand with a common "grey" grinder wheel on an 8" grinder , 60 grit. First knock down the thick "secondary" area of the blade. Usually two passes on this . Next tilt blade to put on the cutting or "primary," usually two passes. Then I gently make one more pass on the primary with a finer grit wheel. . You should feel a "wire" on the back side. Take a mill file and stroke flat accross the back to remove the wire.
This technique is not for the novice and probably seems scary as you work blind,guard removed , facing the back of the blade, the blade held at about 45degrees accross the wheel as you sharpen. Keep moving to avoid overheating. I have not had to rebalance. The blades have been resharpened to the point of changing their lift configuration, but they still fill the 3 hoppers. I priced these blades this week at Sears. $25 each.
