Hi Jarrad, there are several threads in the Victa archives re: blades...you will find that the circular blade is the one to go for...Click
HERE for info....this does a great job and leaves a great finish...much better than the straight blade.
You will notice that it almost pulls the machine along almost like a self-propelled one!!

To answer your question on rotation direction...you are correct; it should rotate anti-clockwise looking from the side.
