Oliver’s of Knebworth 12’ 2-piece Special.
A fabulous and very rare Oliver’s rod.
£1,500.00
This model is the 12’ 2-piece at the end of the list of split cane rods in the Oliver’s catalogue. The price then was a whopping £25. This was pre-decimalisation. See page 23 of the catalogue in the accompanying illustrations.
It was built for barbel fishing, in my judgement, for which it will be superb. It will also handle traditional carp tackle with reel lines up to 12 lbs BS with aplomb. Two piece twelve footers of this quality and pedigree are almost unheard of. Actually, I’ve not come across another one.
The action is very progressive and quite brisk, starting with a surprisingly fine tip and ending with ample power in the lower half of the butt section. The rod is by no means heavy and it has excellent balance and feel. This is a great achievement on Ted Oliver’s part.
It has the distinctive black-on-red SPECIAL transfer found only on earlier Oliver’s rods, along with the usual transfers guaranteeing hand built split cane. The overall quality and looks of the rod are absolutely outstanding. This is a rod from the very best period of Oliver’s production.
Specification.
12’ long in two pieces, built from hand split, flame tempered hand planed Tonkin bamboo. The sections are straight and steely.
The clean, 28” long Flor grade cork handle has a Hardy LRH-style aluminium butt cap and rubber button. The handle top is a pleasing trumpet shape. The aluminium reel bands are Oliver’s own make.
The snug fitting ferrule is reinforced nickel sliver with a blued and lacquered finish. It has a hand-turned ebony stopper.
The rings are hard chrome plated stainless steel bridge pattern with a generous Amberfin butt ring and an agate-lined nickel silver tip ring.
Whippings are claret silk for the rings and ferrule with lovely half inch spaced old gold intermediates.
The varnish finish is flawless marine grade gloss.
The bag is a new made to measure replacement.
We refurbished this rod very sensitively rod in 2024 (its finish was in need of refreshing) and it hasn’t been used since. Overall condition is mint. It’s one of the most striking looking and impressive Oliver’s rods I’ve ever come across. I used to visit Ted Oliver and his wife in their shop in Knebworth while I was still working for Hardy’s and then at their home. I know his work very well indeed and this rod is testament to his innate skill and attention to detail.