re: New push mower... Honda or not

Most mfg that put a Honda engine on the unit will have a decent unit. Craftsman and previous Troy-Bilt front whee drive self
Propelled are fine.

Honda runs a little better as it is OHC not OHV. Which comes down to slightly tighter tolerance.

I even seen Briggs and Stratton’s OHV come in that lasted 15 yrs due to owners have here is the key taken care of their units. Change the oil and filter on a yearly basis. Once dirt gets in the unit it is not if it is when.

Blades keep them sharp you can get a cheap sharpening blade at the home improvement store. It the stone fits on a drill and then has a level.
- run stone over edges of both sides of the blade a few times not a lot again a few means less than five times
- check for level
Side that lower sharpen more to lighten the blade until level.

If you want a better more aggressive blade get an extreme or gator blade. Yellow and a little ok a lot more aggressive.

If your front whee drive slows down either belt stretched which guess what they do. Change it and keep the grass from getting around the pulley on the front.

Simple maintenance will keep a unit running along time even units with Briggs engines.