Tag Archives: fiskars

Going Reviews: Fiskars StaySharp Max Reel Mower – The Healthiest Way to Mow!

Fiskars Reel Mower, Review, Healthy, mowing, yardwork

How much do you depend on gas? Not too long ago, it was used mostly for various modes of transportation; planes, trains, and automobiles. Our grandparents’ generation didn’t have gas-powered blades to cut their lawn, nope; they used manual push mowers!

Hmmm, and come to think of it, people weren’t as concerned about obesity back then…..interesting. Well, push mowers haven’t left, they only improved, and I think I’ve had the pleasure of using the best.

I loathe using gas power to do something as simple as cutting grass. So, when I saw the Fiskars StaySharp Max Reel Mower, I knew I had to have it to prepare for the weekly battle against growing grass. No, hippie, not that kind!

No thanks!
No thanks!

I mentioned in a previous post how excited I was when I wrote Fiskars asking if they’d send one for my review and they graciously agreed!

Setup was fast and easy; even Avery enjoyed helping me get it together!

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In another post, I wrote about my first experience with the Fiskars Reel Mower while wearing my daughter, Avery, in an Onya Baby Outback carrier.

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I think Onya’s carrier and Fiskars’ reel mower is a perfect combo for the active parent; even the color schemes match! Even after a mowing when it just rained, I can happily say I enjoy reel mowing! I wore Avery every time and she even fell asleep within a few minutes. So now I’m saving gas, exercising, mowing the lawn, and getting Avery to take a nap; perfect!

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Here’s a quick video of the Fiskars in action with me wearing Avery:

It helps that, unlike other reel mowers, Fiskars StaySharp Max uses super durable steel blades that cut grass without touching each other. This makes the mower very quiet (even enough for naptime) and means no annual sharpening of the blades like many reel mowers.

Fiskars Reel Mower, Review, Healthy, mowing, yardwork

If you’re concerned about it being too difficult to push, Fiskars has you covered. Along with the blades not touching, they have the only reel mower with adjustable blade height to change depending on how tall your grass is.

Here are the key features that Fiskars provides on their website:

  • The smart design of our eco-friendly reel mower offers a cleaner cut without the hassles of gasoline, oil, battery charging, electrical cords or loud engine noise
  • Received Popular Mechanics 2010 Green Design Award and recommended by Consumer Reports over other reel mowers among other accolades
  • A combination of advanced technologies make the StaySharp™ Max Reel Mower 60% easier to push than other reel mowers
  • Patent-pending InertiaDrive™ Reel delivers twice the cutting power to blast through twigs, weeds and tough spots that would jam other reel mowers
  • Exclusive StaySharp™ Cutting System uses precision-ground, hardened steel blades to cut grass without touching, greatly reducing friction and blade wear for long-lasting performance without costly annual blade sharpening
  • Patent-pending VersaCut™ Technology offers cut height settings from 1″–4″ to provide best-in-class cutting, even when you’ve missed a week of mowing, plus one-touch height adjustment for comfortable use
  • Inset wheel design allows the blades to extend across the full width of the mower to eliminate uncut strips under the wheels and edge closer to foundations, fences and borders than other reel mowers
  • Unique grass discharge chute throws clippings forward cleanly, away from your feet
  • Cuts all grass types, even tough southern varieties like St. Augustine, Zoysia, Bahia and Bermuda
  • 18″ cut width
  • Limited three-year warranty

With the 18 inch cutting width (very good for a reel mower!), I am able to mow our front and back yard in 30 to 40 minutes as long there are no obstructions. Yes, this is while wearing my baby, so it could be even faster. But I don’t mind, just a longer nap and more exercise, right?

Compared to a gas mower, the reel mower doesn’t cut the grass as cleanly, but it’s not far behind. Our lawn still looks good when I’m done and I happy with its performance.

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I used to hate having a gas mower and fighting to get it started for the first time before every mow, and the maintenance can be time consuming and costly. Plus, the noise, ugh, I despised walking behind the gas-guzzler as it droned everything out around me.

Now, I can actually talk to Going Mom while mowing and really enjoy it more than I ever thought I would. But, everything has a negative side…..

  • The inset wheel design does allow for greater overall cutting width and to get close to edges on borders and fences, but if the surface is sloped near these edges, it can be frustrating. When trying to mow along our slightly sloped fence line, the mower keeps gravitating into the fence and I have to readjust. This occurs with gas mowers too, but since they are heavier, it’s not as often.
  • The mower spits grass out of the front and away from you, but with any wind around, that grass might end up in your face. It’s not always, but something that can be annoying, especially when wearing your baby! Of course, Fiskars offers a Grass Catcher which solves this problem. I haven’t tried it, but might get one soon.
  • It just won’t cut some patches of grass. I will go over and over the patch, but it doesn’t seem to do the job. This is usually weeds and doesn’t happen often though.
  • Beware of mulch and other small, hard objects! Any mulch around our trees and garden that finds its way into the yard has the ability to stop the mower, and you, in its tracks. If you’re going fast enough, you might power through it, but just try and clean your yard from obstructions before starting.

Issues aside, I am happy with the Fiskars StaySharp Max Reel mower and would recommend one to anyone with a yard smaller than an acre. If that’s you, and you want a “greener” way to care for your lawn while getting a great workout too, then look no further than Fiskars. For just $199 and free shipping on Amazon, it’s cheaper than most gas mowers and you’ll never have to fill it up or add oil….EVER!

Yard complete and Avery asleep.
Yard complete and Avery asleep.

I know I’ll be getting some good use with our Fiskars Reel Mower and look out for post in the near future on how to create a high intensity workout while mowing with Fiskars!

Do you or have you used a reel mower?

If so, what kind and how does it compare to the Fiskars StaySharp Max?

Disclosure: Fiskars sent me their StaySharp Max Reel Mower to review free of charge, but I was not compensated otherwise. All thoughts and opinions and strictly my own.

Going Strong: A Babywearing, Reel Mowing Workout during Naptime

One of the best things a parent can do with their baby is wear them as soon as possible after they are born. Dads especially need this to help make up for our non-childbearing bodies. Don’t get me wrong, though, I’m not complaining!!

I can finally wear her on my back in the Onya!!
I can finally wear her on my back in the Onya!! Time to mow!!

Besides the numerous benefits babywearing touts when it comes to bonding, it’s also a great way to engage in weight bearing exercise. Once your baby is old enough and has good neck control, you can take your babywearing experience up a notch. Like, for instance, using a reel mower to mow the lawn and wear your baby.

I’ve posted about using the Fiskars reel mower while babywearing in the past, and wanted to give an update now that I can wear Avery on my back. This is way more comfortable than wearing her in the front, and enables me to move a little faster than before.

I recorded this about a month ago, but forgot to post until now. Since we’re getting over a long weekend with a very cranky, teething baby, I lack the ability to write a lot for Monday. So, in place of a wordy post, I give you a video of how to make the most of your time and get a good workout while mowing the lawn and have your baby napping.

By the way, I have no clue how she actually sleeps as I run back and forth across the lawn, but then sit and scream in a peaceful, dark room with a comfy crib. #BabiesAreThe8thWorldWonder

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EP5Wmum0O7c&w=560&h=315]

If you are lucky enough to have your baby actually napping in their nursery, then you can enjoy mowing the lawn HIIT style!

Being active with kids of all ages is extremely important to their overall health and wellness. When we lead by example, our children want to do as we do (usually), and even when they’re only months old, they are absorbing everything. The same applies to making healthy food choices and avoiding fast food that contributes nothing nutritious.

I know I’ve said it all before and will continue saying it often because the health of our families should always be top priority. Every trip I make to the grocery store, I see so many parents filling their carts with packaged junk that either their kids begged for or that is just a convenient option.

Sorry for the rant, I need to dedicate a full post to my thoughts on this, but it would be long! Maybe a series?

Do you have any creative ways to exercise while accomplishing other tasks?

What are your thoughts on maintaining a healthy lifestyle and leading by example?

How I Plan on Wearing My Baby in the Heat

Do you live where there’s hardly a transition from Winter to Summer? Sure, there’s the season we call Spring, but here in Texas, it seems likes it’s either cold and miserable or just plain hot.

Yes, I’m exaggerating a little, there are some nice days, but Texas heat turns on rather quickly around here. It doesn’t help when humidity is thrown into the mix; ugh.

But I am a lover of the heat and will take drenching my clothes in sweat over shivering in layers of clothes any day. Go for a run early in the morning? Not me, I prefer early afternoon with the sun beaming down on me.

I know my performance would be better in cooler weather, but I love the drained feeling after a hot workout. That said, I need to be more mindful now that I have a baby to bring along wherever I go.

Lately, I have been running with Avery in our B.O.B. stroller and using a weather shield because I thought she’d get too much dirt blown in her face. Well, Going Mom set me straight and told me how you shouldn’t use the weather shield in great than 65 degree weather; it’s only for precipitation anyway.

Yes dad, you're stupid.

Admitting mistakes is not my strong point, but I’m admitting it now, I’m a doofus for subjecting our beautiful girl to the shield. Next run, I’m make sure it’s open to the fresh air! Sorry, Avery, and thank you, Kelley, for showing me the light!

Good job, Daddy, way to admit your stupidity! I love you!
Good job, Daddy, way to admit your stupidity! I love you!

Since I’ll also be wearing Avery when we are outside, I need to have a plan to keep her cool and comfortable. Thankfully, Onya Baby has a very simple solution to keep your baby cool when wearing them in hot weather.

All you need is a baby carrier with front pockets (such as, say….the Onya Outback!) and a freezer/ice pack. I’m sure you know what’s next, just put the ice pack in the front pocket of your carrier and now you’ll have a one cool baby!

I did this when wearing Avery in the Onya while reel mowing with our Fiskars mower on a hot day and she kept cool and calm the whole time. Actually, she took a nap like she has before!

So, it’s that easy, use one or two cold packs when wearing your baby under the scorching sun and keep them safe! Onya Baby wrote a post on their blog about using the ice pack and included these additional tips:

– Dress yourself and your baby in loose, lightweight, natural fiber clothing
– Carry an umbrella to provide portable shade for both yourself and your baby

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– Place a lightweight cloth or flat diaper between yourself and your baby
– Remove your baby periodically from your carrier to allow both of you to cool off
– Check your baby often by touch and sight to be sure he’s not overheating.

Click here for Onya’s original post.

I’ve used an umbrella several times and it works great, but if it’s windy outside, it can be a hassle. That’s when I recommend and giant brimmed hat with a neck strap!

Babywearing with big hat

Overall, be mindful of the weather when bringing your baby outside. I admit to being slightly stubborn/ignorant of this and have my lovely wife to thank for snapping me out of it. Again, thank you, Kelley!

Do you have to deal with heat where you live?

Any tips of you own on keeping baby safe in the sun?