You guys got some good looking reel mowers! This is a Great States 17 inch 5 blade from the mid 1960's. It belonged to my Grandmother and was a basic homeowner model. It was greased and sharpened years ago then laid aside. I need to take it apart and clean and lube everything again. Still cut's great. All the pawls and springs are free. You want that good clickity clack sound from both wheels when you roll them backwards.
Had to keep your yard raked to use a push reel. They worked best by forward and backward motion. They would give you a real workout! The grass can't be tall either. If you had a good flat yard and good grass, they couldn't be beat for that manicured look.
The old timers kept all the wood treated with kerosene or linseed oil. Kinda of a trick to sharpen one of these and get it right. All the blades need to be square at same diameter and the cutter bar needs a good straight level surface.
You can adjust the angle of the cutter bar but everything needs to straight. You can test the cut with two plies of notebook paper noticing how it cuts all the way across the cutter bar. It should cut it with no sweat and cut straight all the way across. But watch your fingers! Thanks!!!