I bought the higher priced replacement blades for my Craftsman 22" last
year. When I checked them this year at the beginning of the "season", I was
surprised to find them almost like new. In previous years, a blade showed a
lot of ware after one year. I have lots of trees - so I invariably hit some
pine cones every time I mow.

Also, last year my MTD need to be fixed - so I used the Craftsman the whole
year.

Greg

"Joe Zorzin" xxxx@zzzz wrote in message
...
I have a nice Craftsman lawn tractor purchased at Sears. My 3 blades are
now
getting sharpened. I decided I ought to buy a new set so I can rotate them
while having one set being sharpened.

I think Sears quoted me something like $18/blade. A local guy has a shop
for
maintenance work on lawn tractors and he said he can get the identical
blades for $11 each.

Wal-Mart has blades even cheaper. I asked the local guy if there is much
difference in quality- he said that the cheaper blades will have lower
quality steel and won't last as long or retain their sharpness.

Comments? I do believe in getting good tools and maintaining them, but I
sometimes get ripped off on prices. If the local guy is right- sure, I
want
the better blades, but he is really right?

--
Joe Zorzin