REEL MOWER FALKENSTEIN

Why a reel mower cuts differently

A rotary mower uses a blade that passes through the grass at high speed and cuts the blades. The result is not a clean cut, but a frayed break. It dries out, turns brownish within a few days, and provides an open entry point for fungal spores. At a cutting height of four centimeters, this is barely noticeable. At eight millimeters, every single blade is visible.

The reel mower works on a completely different principle: the rotating reel guides the blade of grass against a stationary bedknife, and the two cutting edges separate it like scissors. The result is a smooth cut that heals quickly, loses little moisture, and does not bleach out. This is precisely why every golf green in the world is mowed with reel technology – and why it is the only technology that makes a deep cut meaningful.

The non-contact cut

Classic reel mowers cut with light contact between the reel and the bedknife. This works, but it costs material: the cutting edges rub against each other, become dull, and need frequent adjustment. The Falkenstein Pro, on the other hand, works without contact. The reel and the bedknife are set to an precisely adjusted gap – close enough to cleanly separate the blade of grass without the cutting edges touching. We call this the Tournament Cut.

This is made possible by the relief grinding of the handcrafted reel: each blade is ground so that material recedes behind the cutting edge, leaving only a minimal edge. This precision requires a construction that does not twist under load – a frame that yields with every push would change the gap and negate the advantage. That's why 5 mm steel and that's why 47 kg.

The reward: a cut that remains precise for years because nothing wears out that doesn't touch. And a device that handles itself gently with its materials.

No cassette system – a conscious decision

Other manufacturers offer interchangeable cassettes: mow today, dethatch tomorrow, with the same basic unit. That's convenient, and we seriously considered it. We decided against it because a non-contact cut requires a permanent, millimeter-precise adjustment between the reel and the bedknife – and precisely this adjustment cannot be maintained for years by a system that is regularly disassembled and reassembled. In addition, there is the gearing: the Falkenstein's is deliberately chosen to be very high to achieve a maximum cutting frequency. A drive that is also suitable for dethatching would be a compromise in both directions.

Our philosophy is a different tool for every task. For aeration, there is the Rewukil – and its grass catcher fits the Falkenstein.

The technology in detail

The reel is handcrafted by us and runs on a 25 mm thick reel shaft in dust-protected ball bearings – the dimensions come from the professional sector and are the reason why the reel does not wear out even after years. It is driven by a precision chain drive with specially hardened gears, designed for exactly the speed range that this mower needs.

The split stainless steel rear roller measures 255 mm in diameter. It is split because of the differential function: when turning, each half rotates at a different speed, instead of dragging across the lawn and tearing up the sod. The freewheel when pulling back ensures that the reel does not run backward. The drive shaft is also made of stainless steel.

And the 47 kg are not a side effect of the massive construction, but intentional. Weight on the roller means that the blades are laid in the direction of travel – that is the physics behind the stripe pattern. Light mowers leave pale stripes; the Falkenstein draws them clearly.

A tool you don't replace

Every Falkenstein Pro is handcrafted in our workshop in Bramsche. As a manufacturer, we permanently stock all spare parts. You can keep the mower sharp yourself at home: backlapping once a year is usually sufficient; about every three years we recommend a professional machine grind that restores the original precision. We offer this service ourselves.

Our aspiration behind this is simple: we want this mower to be found in a shed in a hundred years and still work. Just like the old hand reel mowers that people remember from the past. This is our answer to the throwaway mentality – we build not for a season, but for generations.

Falkenstein Pro or Falkenstein Light?

The Pro is not an upgraded Light, but a differently designed device. It cuts from 4 to 25 mm and is thus built for deep cutting – for areas that are moving towards a golf green. The Falkenstein Light covers typical cutting heights in home gardens with 14 to 35 mm, weighs 30 kg, and is therefore easier to handle.

The honest recommendation: If you keep your lawn at 20 to 30 mm and are looking for a device for a gardener's life, the Light is the right tool. If you work below 15 mm or want to, there's no getting around the precision and weight of the Pro.

Frequent questions about the Falkenstein Pro

What cutting heights are possible with the Falkenstein Pro?

The Falkenstein Pro cuts from 4 to 25 mm and is therefore designed for deep cutting. The cutting height can be continuously adjusted.

What does non-contact cut mean?

The reel and the bedknife do not touch each other when cutting, but are set to an precisely adjusted gap. The blade is cleanly separated without the cutting edges rubbing against each other – this protects the material and keeps the cut precise for years. This is made possible by the relief grinding of the handcrafted reel.

Why does the Falkenstein Pro weigh 47 kg?

The weight is intentional. It provides the contact pressure of the rear roller, which lays the blades of grass in the direction of travel and creates a clear stripe pattern. At the same time, the non-contact cut requires a torsionally rigid construction – a light frame would deform under load and change the gap setting.

Why does a reel mower cut better than a rotary mower?

The reel mower separates the blade of grass according to the scissor principle between the reel and the bedknife and leaves a smooth cut. A rotary mower cuts off the blade of grass, creating a frayed break that dries out, turns brownish, and provides an entry point for fungi. At low cutting heights, the difference is clearly visible.

Can I sharpen the Falkenstein Pro myself?

Yes. Backlapping can be done at home and is usually sufficient once a year. About every three years, we also recommend a professional machine grind that restores the original precision – we offer this service ourselves as a manufacturer.

Is there an interchangeable cassette system for the Falkenstein Pro?

No, deliberately not. A non-contact cut requires a permanent, millimeter-precise adjustment of the reel and bedknife that an interchangeable system cannot maintain for years. In addition, the Falkenstein's gearing is specifically designed for maximum cutting frequency. For dethatching, we offer our own device, the Rewukil, whose grass catcher is compatible with the Falkenstein.

How long does delivery take?

Every Falkenstein Pro is handcrafted to order in our workshop. For standard colors, the production time is around three weeks; for a custom RAL color, it's about six weeks.

What are the differences between Falkenstein Pro and Falkenstein Light?

The Pro cuts from 4 to 25 mm, weighs 47 kg, and is designed for deep cutting. The Light covers typical cutting heights in home gardens with 14 to 35 mm and is easier to handle at 30 kg. The Pro is not an upgraded Light, but an independently designed device.