Premium heat treated bedknives deliver tournament grade durability without specialist servicing or unnecessary reel risk.
This practical guide explains height of cut, routine Backlapping VS Grinding, when to grind, and the real tradeoffs between premium heat treated steel, razor tool steel and tungsten carbide inlays.
Height of Cut
What height of cut controls:
shear quality, turf stress, ball roll on greens and how forgiving the turf is of small edge imperfections.
Lower heights demand sharper, better matched cutting units and more frequent maintenance.
Practical ranges:
- Greens — 2.5–3.5 mm (championship setups can be below 2.5 mm)
- Fairways and surrounds — 9–15 mm depending on species and playability
- General lawns and rough — 15–40 mm depending on turf type and management goals
Raise HOC during heat or drought to reduce plant stress; lower HOC for tournament preparation.
Backlapping VS Grinding
Short rule:
Backlap to hone and maintain; grind to restore geometry and remove damage.
Backlapping Routine
Purpose:
Hone reel and bedknife edges with abrasive compound while the reel spins in reverse; removes minimal metal and extends time between full grinds.
| Grit Use | |
|---|---|
| 80 | Coarse for heavy dulling |
| 120 | Medium for routine maintenance |
| 180 | Fine for finishing |
Timing:
check improvement after 2–5 minutes; if no improvement after 5–7 minutes, backlapping is no longer effective and grinding is required.
Grinding — Restorative Service
Purpose:
spin/relief grinding restores cylinder, relief angles and removes nicks, rifling or cone/tapered reels that backlapping cannot fix.
When to grind:
visible streaks or rifling across the cut, cone or taper on the cylinder, deep nicks, or when backlapping fails the paper/grass test.
After grinding:
always backlap to remove burrs and hone the new edge; re‑check reel to bedknife contact after two fairway passes. Very hard knives require diamond wheels and specialist grinders; avoid overheating and do not grind below OEM service limits.
Practical sequence:
Grind → backlap → paper test → test cut on turf → re‑check after two fairway passes.
Bedknife Materials and Metallurgy
Bedknife Comparison:
Premium heat treated bedknives deliver the best balance of wear life and toughness for most turf managers — long life without specialist servicing or unnecessary reel risk.
| Material | Wear | Toughness / Chip Risk | Service |
|---|---|---|---|
| Premium tool steel by Turf Tines | High durability retains edge | Stays sharp — low chip risk | Standard grinding & backlap, no special tools, compatible with all OEM reels |
| Razor tool steel | Very high — holds edge well | Good strength, much higher cost | Careful grinding, holds edge longer, harder on reels |
| Standard bedknife steel | Moderate — dulls sooner | Tough but wears faster | More frequent backlap, grind and replace |
| Tungsten carbide inlay | Extremely high | Brittle — chip/crack risk | Diamond grinding, specialist service |
Controlled tempering produces a hardness that balances wear resistance and toughness. Razor and tool steels are often hardened higher and hold an edge longer but cost more — Turf Tines being the exception to this. Tungsten carbide inlays deliver extreme wear life but introduce brittleness and specialist service needs.
HRC Guidance
Hardness values are indicative only. Standard bedknives are around 48–52 HRC. Turf Tines premium heat treated steels aim for a mid to high 54–56 HRC, balancing wear and toughness. Carbide is far harder at 65–81 HRC but brittle.
Tungsten Carbide Inlays — Pros and Cons
How they are made: carbide inlays are brazed or bonded into a steel carrier; carbide provides extreme hardness and wear life but is inherently brittle.
Pros:
- Dramatically longer edge life in abrasive or sand-laden conditions
- Lower downtime due to fewer changeovers — provided no obstacles are struck
Cons:
- Brittleness — risk of chipping under impact; a chipped insert can damage reels
- Requires diamond grinding and specialist handling; higher purchase cost
Recommendation:
Reserve carbide inlays for sites with consistent abrasive wear such as sand-laden surrounds or heavy topdressing on premium greens where the cost of a specialist bedknife is justified and no objects can be clipped. For most municipal, commercial and sports turf managers, premium heat treated bedknives such as the Turf Tines range deliver the best ROI and lowest reel risk.
Maintenance Schedule
Daily Check Before Shift
- Paper test — run a paper strip across the reel after warm up; a clean shear = OK
- Visual check — scan for obvious nicks, streaks or loose inserts
Weekly / Bi-weekly (High Use Units)
- Light backlap with 120 grit compound; check after 2–5 minutes, stop if no improvement after 5–7 minutes
- Record date, grit and outcome
Monthly (Moderate Use)
- Inspect cylinder geometry — look for cone, taper or rifling; schedule spin grinding if present
- Check reel to bedknife clearance using the paper method; adjust shims if needed
When to Grind — Send to Shop
- Visible rifling or streaks across the cut
- Deep nicks or chips that backlapping will not remove
- Cylinder cone, taper or uneven contact across width
- Backlapping gives no improvement after the time limits above
After Any Grind
- Backlap to remove burrs and hone
- Paper test, then test cut on turf; re-check after two fairway passes
- Log grind date, wheel type and operator notes
FAQ Backlapping VS Grinding
Backlapping vs grinding — when should I do each?
Backlap for routine honing and small dulling. Grind when you see rifling, cone reels, deep nicks, or when backlapping fails after 5–7 minutes.
How often should I backlap my reels and bedknives?
Depends on use — weekly or biweekly for high use units, monthly for lighter use. Frequent light backlapping is better than infrequent heavy sessions
.
Will tungsten carbide bedknives chip my reels?
Carbide is brittle — a chipped insert can damage reels. Use carbide only where wear justifies the tradeoff and ensure specialist grinding service is available.
What hardness HRC should my bedknife be?
There is no single number — choose a premium heat treated knife matched to your reel and operating conditions. Razor steels and tungsten carbide inlays are harder and hold an edge longer but cost more. Always follow OEM service limits.
How do I perform the paper test and set reel to bedknife clearance?
After backlapping or grinding, a clean shear across the full width indicates correct contact. Follow OEM clearance specs and adjustment procedures for your machine.
Products and Services
Premium bedknives
— Turf Tines premium heat treated bedknives — long life, low reel risk. View product range
Backlapping compounds and screws — View Product Range