Bob Dunn in his well-known Australian Fishing Reels Book (1994), describes Ken Bennett’s attempts to use the Surfmaster Brand for his own newly created reel. He was unable to do this and had to find an alternative branding name. Dunn states: “…he decided on the name Graeme after his son. Bennett was a qualified toolmaker and a keen angler who had worked his way up to supervisor with the Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation before starting his own business at Manly in Sydney.

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His first reel, the GRAEME SENIOR, was produced in 1946, inspired by the American Pfleuger NORKA. It featured a level wind - the first Australian reel to do so - which met with only limited success. Many anglers, not liking the mobility of the level wind during casting, removed the mechanism altogether to maximise casting distance.  An optional star drag was added in 1949” (Dunn, 1994; p. 45).  Dunn further confirmed that during that year Bennett developed the GRAEME TAKEAPART model, in which the star drag was optional. Later Bennet also produced the TAKEAPART SUPERIOR model with an expanded line capacity. On Page 48 of his book, Dunn states: “The second important development in Australian multipliers in the late 1940s was the manufacture of the first bait caster. Here Ken Bennett led the way with the GRAEME JUNIOR. Described almost 30 years later by Vic McCristal as a reel ahead of its time, it was, like its big brother the SENIOR, the first Australian multiplier to feature a level wind. Lacking a free spool mechanism, it must have been difficult to cast the lighter lures, which is probably why Bennett promoted the JUNIOR more as a lightweight surf or boat reel rather than a bait caster”(Dunn, 1994; p. 48). According to Dunn, the SENIOR became the SUPREME in 1952, and it featured a counter-balanced torpedo handle; and a light duralium spool, with spool bosses to eliminate the problem of distortion from tightly wound nylon line. Dunn emphasises further that Bennett trusted the quality of his duralium spools. In an advertisement, Bennett is seen standing on his 191/2 stone frame spool to demonstrate its strength (Dunn; 1994, p47). Dunn writes: “That other ‘bogey’ of the multiplying reel - backlash - provided more opportunity in 1954 for Ken Bennett’s flamboyant advertising when he introduced the SUPREME 200 with its ant-backlash dial regulator, although patented by Bennett in 1954, was later challenged by American reel maker Pfleuger, and Bennett was forced to pay a royalty on its use. The regulator offered a substantial improvement on the previously available mechanisms in that it avoided any contact with the line, operating instead as a mechanical ‘thumb’ by applying tension on the end of the spool. The addition of quick-take apart screws and a stationary level wind in 1956 accompanied the arrival of the SUPREME 200A and 300A” (Dunn, 1994; p.46).“Next came the DOLPHIN series. First introduced in 1954 as a heavy-duty light game reel, it offered all the usual GRAEME features of star drag, anti-backlash, free spool, plus heavy 2.5:1 gearing, harness lugs, and increased line capacity.

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Later, in 1958, the DOLPHIN 400A and 500A series incorporated a new starless drag which met with only mixed success.” Dunn writes: “The rivalry between Ken Bennett and Bob Conagan (Surfmaster maker) was ongoing and fairly intense, as one particular incident, recalled by Bennett before his death, serves to illustrate. In 1957 Bennett heard that Conagan had a falling out with one of the major sporting goods wholesalers, Grimleys. Bennett promptly made up a SURFMASTER lookalike with black end plates coupled with a unique and very striking gold anodised spool. He branded it SPORTSMASTER after the Grimley's own house brand. When Bennett took his prototype in to show the Grimleys executives they were so impressed that they immediately ordered 500“ (Dunn, 1994; p.47).

 

Below is a compilation displaying 26 different Graeme fishing reels with detailed images and specifications including three different  Big Game Reel models, produced by Bennett Engineering Pty Ltd.