Fiskars® Momentum™ Reel Mower Review: Part 1

Since attending the Garden Writers Association Symposium in late September, I've wanted to get a new Fiskars® Momentum™ Reel Mower to try out on my own lawn.

I first saw this mower from above as I entered the trade show. There it is, in the lower right hand corner of the picture. And guess who is standing there looking at it?

Yes, me. I sent out a note to a few people I knew who had attended the symposium and asked them if they had a picture showing the trade show from above and someone sent me this one. Imagine my surprise when I looked more closely and saw that I was in the picture.

I should note that I did not spend my entire time at the trade show admiring this new mower. Just part of the time. But I will admit that I did ask if I could get one to review. I told them how I tweet via Twitter when I mow. I showed them my avatar on my iPhone, the one of the lady in the white dress mowing with a reel mower. And others vouched for my character and confirmed my reputation as a gardener who mows her lawn and enjoys doing it.

Finally after a few emails back and forth, it arrived on my doorstep on Wednesday, Nov. 25th.

It's like Christmas, one month early.

So while most everyone else spent Thanksgiving morning cooking, I spent it putting this new mower together.

But I didn't spend quite all morning putting it together. To say that would be a bit of an exaggeration. It only took about 15 minutes and one wrench to put the handle together with four bolts and then attach the handle to the mower part with two cotter pins. And I didn't even have instructions since this one is a demo unit. It is obvious how to put it together and easy to do, too, with just one person and one wrench.

The mower has arrived just in time because the mowing season is sadly coming to an end here in central Indiana. I will mow tomorrow, likely the last time I mow this season, when it is supposed to be sunny and 55 F.

And I will mow with the Fiskars® Momentum™ Reel Mower.

It's ready to mow...

... and so am I.

Comments

Anonymous said…
I don't know of anyone who has wanted a garden tool so badly or one who mows so often. The two of you are gonna bond in style. It looks lightweight and easy to use. Not like the one I used back in the 50's on my grandma's lawn. Congrats to you!
Fri Nov 27, 02:08:00 PM 2009
Melanie said…
If I was looking for a mower I would get one like this. I like the fact it is quiet and uses no fossil fuels. I don't have a traditional lawn I have a clover lawn. I Whack it back once a year in mid-late Summer. I use a noisy, fossil fuel burning weed whacker. If this mower could be raised high enough to mow my clover at a height of at least 6 inches I might consider buying it. Although I've had the noisy weed whacker for for over 15 years and it still works. Maybe when it breaks irrevocably I could replace it with this.
Fri Nov 27, 02:24:00 PM 2009
Jillo said…
That's a beaut! Does it come with a blade sharpener? Can't wait for the review.
Fri Nov 27, 04:12:00 PM 2009
Mr. McGregor's Daughter said…
It looks very cool! I have an old reel mower that is past its shelf life. If this one performs as good as it looks, I might have to get one.
Fri Nov 27, 04:42:00 PM 2009
Annie in Austin said…
Good for you, Carol - you sound like the perfect person to test the Fiskars Reel mower!

But oh, how I'd love to suggest to Fiskars that since you'll be pushing a reel mower, you should dress like your icon and put it on video ;-]

Annie at the Transplantable Rose
Fri Nov 27, 04:43:00 PM 2009
Robin Ripley said…
That is a handsome mower, Carol. I'll admit, the first thing I thought when I read you were in the overview photo is "Huh, probably not a surprise!" Hah!

Let the mowing begin!

Robin
Fri Nov 27, 04:47:00 PM 2009
Cindy, My Corner of Katy said…
Carol, it doesn't surprise me to see you in that picture! You visited that mower more than once and I think you lingered a little longer with it each time. I'll look forward to hearing about its maiden voyage!
Fri Nov 27, 05:15:00 PM 2009
Barbara said…
While you were unpacking your brightly colored reel mower, I was buying one in a thrift shop - well, mine isn't exactly bright. I was so excited to find it and have given it a spin around. I'm sure mine doesn't perform at all as well as your handsome looking fiskar, but I'm excited about it anyway. Mowing without the noise and exhaust - the way it should be!
Fri Nov 27, 05:37:00 PM 2009
Helen said…
Carol, Looks very ergonomic. Enjoy your new Mow-mentum. You deserve it.
Fri Nov 27, 06:45:00 PM 2009
Kathy said…
I had fun looking through that photo for other people I know as well. As for the mower, Dee said it best.
Fri Nov 27, 07:47:00 PM 2009
Helen Yoest @ Gardening With Confidence said…
I'll be anxious to hear your results. I too love to mow and do so 2x a week in the spring and fall and usually 1x a week in the summer. Indy is flat, we are kinda hilly. Our hill is what has stopped me from looking into it. When you are mowing, can you imagine if you were going up hills?
Fri Nov 27, 08:16:00 PM 2009
Dave@The Home Garden said…
Neat! I'd love to hear how well it works. Especially for trimming aorunf shrubs, sidewalks and border areas.
Fri Nov 27, 10:16:00 PM 2009
Wendy said…
wow, it sure is a beauty!! THis is what I'd want to know - how quickly do the blades get dull? Shoud you sharpen and properly care for the blades with each and every use? WILL you sharpen and properly care for the blades with each and every use? Enjoy!!
Fri Nov 27, 11:36:00 PM 2009
Lisa at Greenbow said…
It sure is a cute little thing. I hope it works on your garden as you expect it to. I think it is just meant to be since you have a picture of yourself admiring the thing before it even gets to your garden. It must have been love at first sight.
Sat Nov 28, 04:36:00 AM 2009
Darla said…
We need before and after photos of your lawn. Waiting your review!
Sat Nov 28, 08:01:00 AM 2009
Diana said…
It is fate, Carol. And how appropo that you'd be standing there in your lovely signature green shirt, too. When I first glanced at the right corner, I knew you were the one in green! Happy mowing today - we have frost this morning and 29 -- so I suspect you might be mowing a little later on!
Sat Nov 28, 08:55:00 AM 2009
Vetsy said…
Carol I know that was exciting to receive.

I love Fiskars garden tools did not know they had a lawn mower congrats!
Sat Nov 28, 09:05:00 AM 2009
Rose said…
I would have recognized you in that photo even if you hadn't pointed it out, Carol! This mower looks like the perfect fit for you; now all you need is the dress and cap, and you're ready for a new avatar photo showing the real you:)
Sat Nov 28, 09:31:00 PM 2009
Anonymous said…
So glad you got one! Do you know when it will be in stores? Keep us posted on your progress!
Mon Dec 07, 11:32:00 AM 2009
Reel Mowers said…
Another important factor is that the Fiskars Momentum reel mower is much quieter than other reel mowers. Everyone assumes that reel mowers are quiet, but many are loud as the blades come together. The Fiskars VersaCut design keeps the noise to a minimum.
Wed Mar 09, 10:53:00 PM 2011
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