Information for the Keen Kutter Lawn Mower

Basics

• The Keen Kutter lawn mower came from Edward Campbell & Co., an American manufacturer that later changed its name to the Simmons Hardware Company in 1874. Sold via catalog to Simmons customers, the Keen Kutter was manually powered; as the user pushed the lawn mower over a lawn, the sharp metal blades would rotate, shearing the grass. There were many models made over the years that could accommodate cutting different lengths and widths.

The Keen Kutter Line

• The company began manufacturing the Keen Kutter line -- including the Keen Kutter lawn mower -- in 1870. In addition to the company's lawn mowers, there were hundreds of other items Simmons sold under the Keen Kutter name, including axes, shovels, sledge hammers, pocket knives and nails. Simmons would later sell the company to Shapleigh, which modified the company's logo in the 1960s; later owners would include Val-Test Distributors and Frost Cutlery. The last Keen Kutter items were a series of pocket knives issued in the 1990s.

Specs

• The company's 1938 gardening catalog describes its mowers as "self-sharpening," with a gear ratio of "5 1/2 to 1 or better." Components of the mower included two large rubber drive wheels, reel knives, a lower bar and a lower knife. Simmons also touts the lawn mowers' aesthetic appeal, durability and strength. The main body of the mowers was made of polished red and black chrome. The company also notes that because the tires were made of rubber, the mowers were quieter than other manufacturers' models.

Tracking Them Down

• Many antiques aficionados collect Keen Kutter lawn mowers and the related parts and accessories. You can scour antique shops, estate sales and garage sales to find a mower or spare parts for one that you already own. Another option is to search online boards or auction sites. Some people also collect vintage ads for Keen Kutter products. Depending on the condition, model and year of the mower, you can expect to spend between $50 and $100, as of publication time.