The 'Razor' lawnmower is the first domestic product to be released in a major redesign of Victa's products. It represents a contemporary redesign of an iconic Australian product. By redesigning its mower range Victa aimed to reinvigorate its image as an innovative company leading in the lawncare industry.

The new design features an improved cutting system and a more ergonomic handle. Enhanced handling and a larger cutting diameter reduce the time and effort required by users when mowing. The mower has been designed to improve the efficiency of manufacture and assembly. The 'Razor' mower has been said to set new benchmarks for mower design, receiving an Australian Design Award in 2004 and praise from within the industry. With its unique styling this product represents a new look and marketing opportunity for a significant Australian manufacturing company.

The 'Razor' lawnmower is a contemporary example of lawn care technology. The Victa lawnmower and the system of lawns and horticulture, of which it is part, are facing some social and environmental challenges. Restrictions on water use and government policies of urban consolidation are putting pressure on the very survival of lawns. Increasing concern about air pollution has led to the emissions of small engines, including lawnmower engines, to be investigated. In 2004 the NSW Government is investigating measures to encourage the adoption of less polluting small engines by influencing manufacturers and importers to supply cleaner products and informing and influencing consumers to purchase cleaner small engines.

Victa plans to develop new two-stroke engine technology in response to emission reduction strategies being developed by the NSW Environmental Protection Authority. Thus the technology used in the 'Razor' may represent the last range of Victa mowers that do not specifically address emission reduction in their design and marketing.

The 'Razor' was designed by Blue Sky Creative in partnership with Victa Lawncare Pty Ltd. The design team consisted of: Mark Armstrong, Henri Spaile, Attila Bertok from Blue Sky Creative and Paul Tonitto, Dominic Tamas, Patrick Doyle from Victa Lawncare. Development of the design concept began in April 2002 and the 'Razor' model went into production in August 2003.

This mower was assembled at the Victa assembly line at Moorebank from components manufactured elsewhere. Approximately 90% of the components were manufactured in Australia.

This Victa Razor lawnmower was submitted by Victa to the Australian Design Awards in 2004 and was inspected during the judging process. The mower won an Australian Design Award in 2004 and was also awarded the Powerhouse Museum Selection. It was then transferred from Standards Australia to the Powerhouse Museum for display in the 2004 Australian Design Awards exhibition from July 2004 to June 2005.

Over 200 products were entered in the 2004 Australian Design Awards. The judging panel recommended 61 of these products receive an Australian Design Mark and 21 of these products for an Australian Design Award. The 21 products receiving the Australian Design Award were announced at a dinner and awards ceremony on 23rd April 2004 at Sydney Town Hall. At this ceremony the Powerhouse Museum Director announced the recipients of the fifteen Powerhouse Museum Selection awards for 2004.

Lawnmower and catcher, two-stroke petrol, Victa 'Razor', alloy / plastic / rubber, designed by Mark Armstrong, Henri Spaile, Attila Bertok from Blue Sky Creative and Paul Tonitto, Dominic Tamas, Patrick Doyle from Victa Lawncare, 2002-2003, manufactured by Victa Lawncare Pty Ltd, Moorebank, New South Wales, Australia, 2004

Blue alloy chassis and blue plastic catcher with grey and black trim. 'VICTA' is printed in black on each side of the catcher and is in grey between the front wheels. The mower is operated by a Victa VSX160 two-stroke petrol engine. The fold down 'Aerogrip' handle is ergonomically designed, and the mower has a 48cm cutting width from edge to edge. The mower has four black rubber and plastic tyres.

Designed: Blue Sky Design Group; Sydney, New South Wales; 2002 - 2003

Made: Victa Pty Ltd; Sydney, New South Wales; 2004

2005/75/1

2002 - 2003

1110 mm

520 mm