I purchased a new Toro Super Recycler this year and I have been very happy with it. There were 4 different models to choose between, the base model, the blade clutch model, the Honda powered unit and the electric start version.
I went with the base model as I discovered that the extra "fan blades" used to improve mulching are not included with the blade clutch model as there is no room. The Honda powered version didn't seem to have anything over the Toro engine, so that one was out. The electric start was perhaps nice, but..... If I can't pull the cord, would I still be capable of mowing the lawn?!?!?
Anyway, when I purchased the mower at my local Toro dealer, I elected to buy an extra blade so I can just swap them when one gets dull and not have to sharpen it right then and there. Looking carefully at the new blade as well as the one on the Super Recycler, I discovered that these are ever so carefully twisted when manufactured so the edge is not perfectly straight, but rather twists slightly. It is a subtle twist and you need to look at a new blade carefully as once the edge is ground straight, you would likely not notice. I also noticed that the tips of the blade drop slightly towards the outside, very much like gull wings on the down stroke (and I'm guessing it's done to reduce drag on the tops of the cut grass, allowing the engine to keep it's revs up, even in heavy grass).
I suspect many have just ground these blades straight and never noticed, but if you are as obsessive about your tools as I am, the delicate twist can be maintained using a fixture on a narrow belt sander and probably a bench grinder. I will try and take a photo tomorrow. It's nothing more than a piece of plywood with a "nub" on it that guides the back side of the blade, but the nub has to be offset to one side in order to make things work smoothly. It's easier to show in a picture than to try to explain with words.
I went with the base model as I discovered that the extra "fan blades" used to improve mulching are not included with the blade clutch model as there is no room. The Honda powered version didn't seem to have anything over the Toro engine, so that one was out. The electric start was perhaps nice, but..... If I can't pull the cord, would I still be capable of mowing the lawn?!?!?
Anyway, when I purchased the mower at my local Toro dealer, I elected to buy an extra blade so I can just swap them when one gets dull and not have to sharpen it right then and there. Looking carefully at the new blade as well as the one on the Super Recycler, I discovered that these are ever so carefully twisted when manufactured so the edge is not perfectly straight, but rather twists slightly. It is a subtle twist and you need to look at a new blade carefully as once the edge is ground straight, you would likely not notice. I also noticed that the tips of the blade drop slightly towards the outside, very much like gull wings on the down stroke (and I'm guessing it's done to reduce drag on the tops of the cut grass, allowing the engine to keep it's revs up, even in heavy grass).
I suspect many have just ground these blades straight and never noticed, but if you are as obsessive about your tools as I am, the delicate twist can be maintained using a fixture on a narrow belt sander and probably a bench grinder. I will try and take a photo tomorrow. It's nothing more than a piece of plywood with a "nub" on it that guides the back side of the blade, but the nub has to be offset to one side in order to make things work smoothly. It's easier to show in a picture than to try to explain with words.
