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| Reviews Summary for Kent Vail Lever Correspondent |
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Reviews: 1
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Average rating: 4.0/5
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MSRP: $125
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Description: Fully functional brass reproduction identical to the first "real mechanism" hand key Alfred Vail made for Samuel Morse in his 1844 telegraph demonstration. The original is on loan to the Smithsonian Institute.
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Product is in production.
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More info: http://www.kent-engineers.com/vailkeyinfo.htm
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write your own review of the Kent Vail Lever Correspondent.
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K6LQ
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Rating: 4/5
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Jan 7, 2005 08:35
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Much more agile than it looks!
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Time owned: 6 to 12 months
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No fancy bearings, micrometers or precious metals on this key. What you see is what you get. KENT Engineers, thank you very much, has machined a simple, honest 1800s classic to honor S. Morse and A. Vail. The solid, pin & pivot fulcrum works suprisingly well, with less play than expected. The straight, one piece metal lever communicates with the fingers instantly and directly. No screwed-on exotic woods, fossil invertebrates or sabertooth tusk fingerpieces to "color" the feel on this bad-boy. I did have to apply a "little" lubricant to lessen the friction and quiet the "sqeaky" leaf spring. Now....it was ready for SKN - was I? I have been sending morse for nearly 40 years and have used over 50 different straight keys. Result - after 4 SKN QSOs totaling about 45 minutes of 15 - 20 WPM sending, I can say that I was no worse for wear than had I been using one of my more modern straight keys. The Vail was easy to adjust, maintained its contact separation, and was light on its feet. There are even 2 screws underneath the base to connect to the line/jack, preserving its topside "uncluttered" appearance. Overall, I rate it a 4 - not bad for a 160 year old design - and a whole lot of fun too! It will now join in the regular rotation of keys in the shack.
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