Hi Greg, initial reports on the 'Star' mower, that I have heard, said it is a knock-off of the Model 45, but that the build quality was reflected in the price comparison with the Scotty/Rover 45. The Star is considerably cheaper. They are made somewhere in Asia.
The Protea on the other hand (as the name suggests) is manufactured in South Africa and from all reports possesses excellent build quality.
Scott Bonnar had been actively engaged in exporting their range of high quality turf care products to South Africa since the mid 1930's and so they have had first hand knowledge in mower manufacture with staff from the Thebarton factory sent to train them in 1957 and based in Johannesburg.
