I'm an old lady with moderate strength. I wanted to take the blade off my mower to sharpen it. I couldn't budge it. I decided, I may be trying to turn the bolt the wrong way. Can anyone tell me which way to turn the bolt to get the blade off?

Righty tighty, lefty loosy.

Left is loosen and is counterclockwise.

This sticky: https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/tools-power-equipment/frequently-asked-questions-answered-our-experts-235047.html

The very first item concerns blade removal.

I'll re-iterate a couple of points:
1. remove spark plug wire.

2. Find a piece of wood to wedge between the blade and some protruding screw or whatever.

3. get a SIX POINT SOCKET, not twelve. See Uses For Six-Point And 12-Point Sockets | Reader's Digest (http://www.rd.com/19608/article19608.html)

4. Use a breaker bar: http://www.google.com/products/catalog?client=firefox-a&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&channel=s&hl=en&q=3/8+breaker+bar&um=1&ie=UTF-8&cid=8851014834767521252&ei=tpkdTOO2IIP-8AaZyeXJDA&sa=X&oi=product_catalog_result&ct=result&resnum=1&ved=0CA8Q8wIwAA#

When you get it off, clean the screw with a wire brush and apply some Anti-Seize compound when you re-install. Amazon.com: Permatex 81343 Anti-Seize Lubricant 133: Automotive (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0002UEOLO/ref=pd_lpo_k2_dp_sr_2?ie=UTF8&cloe_id=7321f10f-6ba0-4cfe-bfb2-4e885c59b501&attrMsgId=LPWidget-A2&pf_rd_p=486539851&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe-1&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=B000AAJTXY&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=1D2S4VV7EZAJCVX3XA5N)

Available at auto-stores in tubes and tubs.

Next time will be very easy.

Thanks so much KISS. I knew that little ditty about lefty loosy thingy, but the other info was great. I was thinking that that rule might not apply in this particular instance, because when the blade turns while the mower is running, it might come off. LOL Of course, I have no idea which way the blade turns either.

There is a sharp edge and a dull edge of the blade. Three guesses and the first two don't count, as to what side cuts.

From there, you can determine the blade rotation. :D

Well, I'll be... what an easy way to tell. Thanks for the heads up. Yep, keep it simple, very good idea.