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You can
write your own review of the Bencher RJ-1 Handkey.
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NC2F
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Rating: 4/5
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Aug 3, 2009 15:40
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Good solid straight key for the masses
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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This was my only straight key for many years and I wouldn't hesitate recommending it to anyone. Admittedly, I did find myself spending extra time with it to get that "just right" feel and spacing.
I recently had the chance to spend more time with the Vibroplex Straight Key and decided to order one in the unique red being called the "Know Code Key". The adjustment for the Vibroplex I found to be a bit more precise, but I am not going to split hairs as they both work well for straight key night, etc...
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N1YE
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Rating: 5/5
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Dec 30, 2008 08:34
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Spring Mod turned ok key into great key!
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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Time has passed since I wrote my initial review of this key. After reading about what other hams had said about the spring, I replaced the spring in mine. The spring is not chromed and it is not as pretty as the one that came in the key, but...then, its just a spring. Works like a charm! It brought the adjustments back into the range that I was use to and now I really like this key. Try it if you like. :)
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W4AIN
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Rating: 5/5
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Oct 19, 2008 14:21
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Super Key
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I have been using an RJ-1 for several years (8+) and absolutely love the action on this key. Great looks, great performance. This key is very well-built and a pleasure to use. I don't have the 'fist fatigue' with this key as I do with many other hand keys I have used. Very good response at low speed (5-10wpm) and even better at high speed (25-35 wpm).
Bencher has a permanent spot in my shack!
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N7RV
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Rating: 3/5
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Jun 22, 2008 13:54
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Questionable Quality Control
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I have owned this key since new for more than 10 years now. Unbeknownst to me a large burr remained inside one of the pivot blocks during manufacture. One day it finally let go and solidly jammed the pivot, requiring disassembly of the key. There sure is a lot of slop in the fit of those pivot parts.
I also discovered that the base is not particlarly well balanced for my fist. The front side of this RJ-1 will occasionally pitch down during use. To its credit it does look pretty sitting on the shelf. However, I long ago returned to using the venerable J-38 at 1/4th the cost of the Bencher RJ-1.
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W4BGN
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Rating: 5/5
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Jun 15, 2008 12:38
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NICE...
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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I had some adjusting issues with this key. The arm would not return fully after adjusting the spring all the way to the tightest setting. I used another stiffer spring that I cut in half and now the key returns properly.
I like a tight key, but that's just me.
The quality of this key is amazing...the chrome and machining are superb!!!
Definately would recommend this key, but if you like a tight key, better get yourself another spring as the one that Bencher supplies is a loose and easy spring...73
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IK8VWA
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Rating: 4/5
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Oct 29, 2007 15:55
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Very good key but...
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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Thanks to the "super euro" I was finally able to get this key from an American dealer, www.morsex.com. The RJ-1 is a beauty to see, built with excellent materials and a pleasure to operate with. Unfortunately there are some flaws: the rubber feet are not perfectly aligned and it's not possible to adjust their height, so the key wobbles and I have been forced to add a layer of paper under one of the feet. It's a pity, considering that this key is such a beauty...All things considered, I recommend it.
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KC9LCS
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Rating: 5/5
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Jul 4, 2007 20:41
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Great First Key
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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I am just learning CW now so I am not experienced. I really like this key. Very simple, easy to adjust, and a great price. I don't have the knowledge or experience that the other reviewers of this key have, so maybe I will change my mind when I move up to a different key or paddle.
Time will tell!!!
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W8ZNX
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Rating: 2/5
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Jun 22, 2007 13:59
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clunky pile
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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ok
so im very picky
about telegraph keys
had a RJ-1 for a few years
never took a shine to it
do not care for the looks
or the feel
its better than a J-38
but
almost any key
is better than a J-38
Mac dit dit
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NC3S
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Rating: 4/5
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Aug 13, 2005 19:34
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Still Good
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Time owned: 6 to 12 months
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Still a good product after about 9 months. Solid feel and everything is tight. I'm approaching 40 years using straignt keys and impressed with the performance of this key. You'll do well with this key. I bought mine new, so I am sure it has never been mistreaded or worse yet tampered with. It is interesting to compare a key such as this that has rubber feet compared to one that would be screwed down to a desk. The screw down type straight key is always more tolerant of a heavy fist (typical of a new comer)than a model with feet. But as one that is still perfecting a fist (probably never to be perfect) I find it comfortable to use and allows me to use it for hours at a time without fatique.
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KE4MOB
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Rating: 3/5
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Jan 27, 2005 12:55
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Just OK
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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This key is very pretty and has a lot of "eye appeal". The chrome/black combination looks great sitting on the desk. My key was purchased used, but is in excellent condition as far as I can tell.
Unfortunately, I wish Bencher had paid a little more the the mechanical details. The key displays side-to-side as well as vertical slop in the mechanism. The vertical slop is to the point where when the key is properly adjusted for a close gap, you can place your thumb on the back end of the lever and hold it down and still send code while tapping on the knob. Apparently, the pivot journals are bored out a tiny bit oversize. This contributes to the "clacky" sound this key makes as the pivots slightly move up and down in the sockets. This behavior also occurs in my RJ-2.
I think Bencher was forced to use the stiff springs to give the feeling of some sort of control over the wobbles. Speaking of wobbles, the rubber feet on mine was not uniform, and the key slightly teeter-tottered until I adjusted the compression on the feet by tightening and loosening the screws holding the feet on.
I don't like the allen head adjustments, and wish the base was a little longer.
This key would have been good as a prototype, but on a production key I would have liked to see the pivot ends coned and the stanchions bored and tapped, and the pivots held in place with set screws like on the J-38 and Vibroplexes...or maybe even ball bearings like on the Ameco K-4.
Like I said, this key is beautiful to look at. Unfortunately, it's 200% better looking than my Speed-X, but performs 30% worse. It will sit in my collection right next to the RJ-2. The Speed-X will remain tied to the rig.
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