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| Reviews Summary for Kent Straight Key |
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Reviews: 27
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Average rating: 4.7/5
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MSRP: $129.95
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Description: http://www.kent-engineers.com
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Product is in production.
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More info: http://
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KD7XH
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Rating: 5/5
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Dec 21, 2011 09:46
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Great--but nosiey
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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This is nice key with precise adjustments that do not move. The key operates good using ether the American or British way of sending. I guess that Kent outsourced the manufacturing to Germany as the address is in that country. It is well built with quality parts and attention to detail is good. I would recommend this key to anyone.
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W3CRR
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Rating: 5/5
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Jul 13, 2011 19:58
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Highly recommended
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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My dream may still be to someday own a genuine Marconi PS No213, but I am very pleased, indeed, with my new Kent. I bought it as a kit and am glad I did. Assembly was intuitive and fun -- about an hour's pleasant "labor" -- and the result is a wonderfully balanced and enjoyable-to-operate Morse key. I didn't think anything (other than the fantasized about Marconi) could be as smooth in its action as my beloved Bunnell Navy Flameproof, but I was wrong. The Kent is just as nice and non-fatiguing to use and MUCH more attractive. I recommend this English jewel highly.
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W2DI
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Rating: 5/5
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Jun 3, 2010 09:45
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First impression: Excellent!
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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I am not a cw expert by any stretch of the imagination. But having a qrp rig and with conditions less than great, I thought I would mix in some cw and get 'back to basics.'
I could never master a paddle; iambic or single lever. I always send an extra dit or dash, even at slow speeds. So I gave up on electronic keying and went back to a straight key.
I've used an Ameco straight key and it is ok, but somewhat stiff and tiring.
Then I got the Kent SK-1 (not a kit), and I am just so impressed with this key, I actually want to get on and work cw!!
It is smooth and true. The workmanship, from the brushed brass mechanism, to the heavy wood base, to the 'pool table' underside surface and rubber (screwed not glued) feet, is superb.
And, the plastic knob isn't bad either. Last time I looked, Vibroplex and other mid-range keys used plastic knobs and paddles.
I can't speak for others or their experiences, but this key, IMHO, is not junk by any means. To the contrary; for the price ($120 assembled), I think this is a really fine key and makes cw sending very comfortable and enjoyable.
(BTW, I found no problem sending with my arm resting on the table)
Thanks for reading my opinion. The best to all!
Joe -- W2DI
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N2UGB
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Rating: 5/5
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Mar 21, 2009 18:09
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One of my favorites
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I've had a Kent for many years and have always liked it. One of the least tiring straight keys I own. I purchased it as a kit and assembled it without any problem. Very high-quality components. I have mine with the recessed portion on the bottom, not top, preferring the action and look of it in that configuration.
Sending at medium speed is quite effortless.
A classic key with a retro look and contemporary performance.
Don't forget to polish base occasionaly to prevent the wood from drying out.
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AA1UY
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Rating: 5/5
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Mar 21, 2009 17:30
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One you'll want to keep.
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I bought one of these, in kit form, direct from the R. A. Kent Engineers web site and they sent it to the U.S.A. quickly. Being an English company, the keys and paddles are priced in U.K. Pounds, but your credit card company will take care of the currency exchange for you (for a small fee of course).
When it arrived, everything was present and correct and it went together quickly and easily. Well engineered, solid brass top parts on a weighted, real wood base, which, on the underside, has a metal plate covered in billiard-table-green felt. It stands squarely on four solid, rubber, screw-on feet.
In use, it's a little more work than say, an "American Key" due to its heft, and, being solid brass and wood, it makes a bit of a racket too. That said though, it does the job very well and is just beautiful to look at; a real link to the past.
Probably not suitable for high speed work, but then, what straight key really is? No, if you want to QRQ, use a bug or an electronic keyer; the guy on the receiving end will thank you for it.
R. A. Kent Engineers make a good variety of beautiful, functional, high quality morse keys and paddles and if you enjoy using morse code, you should check them out before paying the big bucks for the shiny "designer" keys and paddles.
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AE6PN
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Rating: 5/5
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Mar 19, 2009 23:56
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good key
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I used 3 kent straight key in the passed 10 years.
they all work very good.
I like heavy feel of key.
no other problem.
I belive it worth $100
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VE3ES
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Rating: 0/5
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Jul 26, 2008 07:46
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Piece of junk
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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Sorry. The one that I got from Kent was a piece of junk. Bought it at the Dayton Hamvention a number of years ago as a kit. It sat unopened for several months until I had time to put it together. Several pieces were missing. Not pleased but I contacted Kent and they sent out the required pieces. Unfortunately, they were for the wrong product. I contacted them again and as we were getting close to the next Dayton Hamvention they said to bring it there and they would exchange it. I did. Got another piece of junk with missing pieces. Found that out while at Dayton. Took it back, they replaced it again and once more, a single piece missing. They mailed that piece to me after Dayton. Wrong size. A year or so later I found a busted up key at a local swap. Bought it for the part. Finally got the key working. Piece of junk. My 30+ year old Ameco key that I first practised on was far better. Next Dayton I bought a new Vibroplex straight key. No problems since. Where's the Kent? Buried at the bottom of my parts bin. Have I mentioned piece of junk?
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KC5CQD
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Rating: 5/5
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Jul 1, 2007 23:19
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Great Key but.......
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Time owned: 3 to 6 months
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This is a well built piece of machinery. No side-to-side play whatsoever. The adjustment screws are all finely threaded so as to give minute settings. It's a lot of brass mounted to a beautiful piece of wood. But....
This key is worthless if you're dead-set on the American way of brass pounding. I.e., resting the forearm on a flat surface and using the wrist to manipulate the key. That won't work with this key. You HAVE to use the "English/British" method of sending code in order to appreciate this key to its fullest.
The English method is quite simple. Pull the key to the front edge of your operating surface, suspend your arm in mid-air with only your shoulder as a support and manipulate the key with your wrist, forearm and shoulder all at the same time. Sounds ridiculous but let me tell you, it works perfectly with this key. This straight key is quite large and feels very substantial in your hand.
Definitely a keeper.
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M0CUQ
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Rating: 5/5
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Feb 11, 2007 11:22
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A joy to use
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I belive that my Kent key was one of the first built when I purchased it as a kit in January 1987. Well 20 years (and a few keys later) I still have it. It is solidly constructed and definitely has stood the test of time. I find the direction of the spring in straight keys to be of great importance. If the spring is at the front, pushing up, any slack in the bearing will be felt and this has been a reason for me to ditch many straight keys. The kent key has the spring in the correct place, at the back pulling down on the bearing. The overall feel is solid and friendly. It holds a fine gap and the silver contacts rarely give a problem (I draw a sheet of paper through from time to time to keep them clean). I do not know what the current knob is like but mine was supplied with plastic one which, although functional, was not really in keepng with the high quality of the rest of the instrument. I changed it for a bakalite one from a damaged military key.
I do not think I will ever part with this key, and when my fingers get muddled on the paddle the kent straight always comes to the rescue!
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KD1E
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Rating: 5/5
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Nov 7, 2006 14:49
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Smooth & precise.
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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I've been wanting to try one for a while and finally picked one up. Nice key. The motion is absolutely one dimensional. Up down with no side to side play. And it moves very smoothly and precicely up and down. Both adjusting screws are fine threaded so minute adjustments are easy on this key. I can set the gap very small and the tension very light for fast sending with full weight dots.
The base has one down side. As a partially hollow wooden thing it acts like a musical instrument and resonates rather loudly when operating the key. Yep, this one is a clacker, but I like it anyway.
In comparing it to other keys, it is head & shoulders above my Speed-X key, Nye Master key and my surprisingly good Chinese key. It is not quite up to the level of the Junker the difference doesn't emerge until you've lived with both for a while, its that close. The Junker is more of a machining marvel with fabulous adjustability and repeatability while the Kent has the upper hand on looks with slightly less mechanical quality. BTW, I believe the Junker is cheaper and is a better buy but you'll have to retro fit your own navy knob to it. The Kent comes with a fabulous knob right from the start. This knob fits me and my European style sending just about perfectly!
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