Please help me decide what are the best blades?

[Popper]

I run two encore WB's, and I have a question because of some manuals I read. Encore's standard blades are great, I bent one and bought some other brand at a dealers, and I think they are lower in quality.

I then bought what my dealer called hi lifts, and they do create more lift. But they are much thicker and heavier that the standard Encore blades. I wonder if heavier blades harm my blade tip speed and the quality of the cut. Any responses would be very apreciated... Thanks!

[Sammy]

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I tried the replacement blades from Stens.
They only lasted about 1/3 that the OEM's do.[!]

Only use OEM now. []

[FeartheDeere]

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Sammy, what does OEM stand for?

[andersc1]

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OEM stands for "Original Equipment Manufacturer". You see that abreviation on everything from lawn mower blades to computer software.

Curtis

[louslawns]

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I have a 48" wb i use gator blades they work great for mulching and stay sharp for 2-3 day before they need resharpening

[louslawns]

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oh yeah i sharpen my blades alot like twice a week lol

[dancom]

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gator blades are the best. but don't buy cheap ones. You can get parts off of www.j-thomas.com but the gator blades they sell don't last as long. get them from your dealer.

[Zack.]

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If you are buying "Gator" blades online they will be identical to the ones purchased at your dealer. The Gator Magnums last longer than standard Gator or Gator high-lifts, as they are a thicker blade.

[dancom]

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Zack
these baldes are not the same that you get from your dealer if you hold them up to each other they are noticeably differnt. they do not hold an edge well and they bend easy. you have obiously never ordered any from the web site i listed.

[Zack.]

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Mr. dumbcom, perhaps you are comparing Gator Mags to reg. Gators. They are different blades, with the Magnums being thicker. Any "Gator Blade", be it reg, hi-lift, or Mag, you order online will be the same as the "Gator Blade" you get from your dealer. There are, of course knock-offs which may be of lesser quality.

[dancom]

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Zack or muffin head
the point i was making is to be careful what you order online. not all sites are clear on what you are getting. j-thomas.com sells cheap blades i would not recomend them. and unlike you i have used the blades they sell so i know what i am talking about