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Reviews For: Kent Twin Paddle Key

Category: Keys & Paddles

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Review Summary For : Kent Twin Paddle Key
Reviews: 133MSRP: 149.95
Description:
RA Kent Dual Paddle Keyer
Product is in production
More Info: http://
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
141334.8
OE5CSP Rating: 2023-02-27
Reliable and affordable Time Owned: more than 12 months.
My first paddle was an MFJ, but when I got my K2 I got tired of switching the paddle between my rigs. I was looking for a new one and I decided to go for the Kent because of the reviews here on eham and because it was affordable.After several years I can say that it is reliable.The reason I rate it a 4 is, that the feeling is a bit rough and the space between the paddles is too wide for my personal taste.
I was offered to purchase a used Schurr paddle after I had bought the Kent.The Schurr is my favourite one now and I sold the Kent.
K5MH Rating: 2022-09-16
It Might Become a Classic Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
After deciding to retire my classic Brown Brothers BTL-A paddle, I searched reviews for a comparable modern paddle. I found a contender: the Kent TP1B. Its “feel” is similar to that of the BTL-A, it’s precise, and it’s enjoyable to use. Moreover, the Kent paddle offers a heavier base than the BTL-A and independent spring adjustments for the two levers. The TP1B is not a Brown Brothers classic, but it may become a classic in its own right.
G4VRR Rating: 2022-08-10
Solid Key Time Owned: more than 12 months.
The Kent products are all good. Mine (I have the staight key with the hen's-teeth American arm too) date from the 1980s. It feels solid and well engineered and never needs any adjustment. Sadly I believe that production is offshore these days? I note that the latest keys appear to have beefed-up actuating arms and that can only be a good thing. Mine are shorter and fabricated from sheet, and together with the oh so slightly flexible plastic finger pads, it's easy to see where improvements have (and could still) be effected. It doesn't stand comparison with my Begali, but an honest person would agree that on a level playing field with similar anodised aluminium finger pads and the newer actuating arms it most certainly would. Others have noted the tendency for the brass to develope a patina? Well who knew! I would like to see the sharp corners and edges to be de-burred a little but overall even as it stands it's a solid four stars. Indeed, I have just for the first time in around 35 years dismantled, polished and reassembled both of my Kents, and I gave them both just an imperceptible break edge on all corners. Since I now have the Begali there's no way I would purchase one again, but if starting out again I'd still go for the Kent every time to maximise "bang for ya buck"! Sure you can hemorrage the big bucks on a superbly finished key- I did, but to be honest the Kent will serve you pretty much just as well, and leave enough change for a narrow filter ...

Addendum: I purchased some anodised aluminium finger pieces from BamaTech in Germany that were designed specifically for this Kent key. Whilst the key still has the actuating arms fabricated from brass sheet, the aluminium finger pieces transformed the key into what you can expect from a (low end) Begali. Whilst it is really due to the BamaTech addition, I still feel that with these finger pieces and for the money the Kent key can't be beaten, so it has to go up from four to five stars. Caveat- if you go down the same route, be sure to buy the correct finger pieces because BamaTech sell a design for the newer machined actuating arms as well.
ZL1BBW Rating: 2022-02-03
Nice n Steady = GREAT Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Bought a Kent twin paddle key as a kit, it was a treat purchase for me.

The delivery was SLOW very slow, but a couple of emails to kent eventually produced the tracking number and key arrived shortly after.

Assembly was a breeze, dining room table, about 10 mins during morning coffee break.

It is smooth and nice to operate, a very steady sort of key, got it hooked up to the WKUSB keyer and it sounds nice, will take a bit of adjustment over the months to get 100% but its not hard to adjust to suit anyone.

Really pleased that I purchased this item.

Well had this one desk for nearly 7 years now, and its still rock steady, cannot remember when I last adjusted it. Looking a bit dusty and more like a used key than an object de arte. Pleased yep, actually ecstatic with it.
KD1JT Rating: 2022-02-02
Nice build Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
Solid feel, quick and smooth ball bearing action. Easy to adjust, Stays in place on my desk (if I don't try to treat it like a bug!). My finger pieces are smoothly finished, no burrs or rough spots. I very happy with it. I've owned Vibrokeyers, Brass Racers, Benchers and several other keys for iambic keying, and this rates above those (at least IMO).
K4EQ Rating: 2022-02-02
Good paddle but . . . . Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I recently purchased the Kent iambic paddle to use with my QRP Station which is next to my main operating desk. It arrived quickly from DX Engineering (what doesn't) and, after making paddle spacing and tension adjustments to my liking, I immediately plugged it into my KX2 to give it a try. Nice! Following are my thoughts on it now after a couple of dozen contacts.

The Positive: I found it to have a great feel. The tension and contact spacing and easy to adjust and stay in place once adjusted. Of course, I haven't yet given it the long-term test on that. Also, it's a fine looking paddle and stays in place while sending.

The Negative: Why would anyone build such a fine-looking, efficient paddle and then put cheap, rough finger pieces on it? The edges are rough and not nearly rounded enough--at least for my liking. I'm hoping to find someone who can make some quality finger pieces for me.

It's a well-built paddle that does the job, but those finger pieces certainly need some help.
K5NT Rating: 2020-05-15
A great iambic paddle made better! Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I have owned my TP-1 for many years, and I love it. My only complaint has been a little "softness" in the action caused by the fact that the plastic paddles are screwed to the brass arms a little over one inch back from the ends of the arms, allowing the paddles to flex a bit in use. There is now a TP1-B, and from the photos on a seller's website I can see that there is now a third mounting screw holding the plastic paddles in place, which would solve the problem. I fixed my old model by cutting shims from a 3x5 card and inserting them as far back as they would go between the back of the paddles and the brass arms. Problem solved, and no disassembly required. The shims don't show, but I took no chances by using a black marker on them before insertion. The feel of this already fine instrument is now much better.
N5ID Rating: 2020-04-26
Excellent Paddle Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I love this paddle, I go back and forth between my Schurr and the Kent. Best bang for the buck!!!
K4TK Rating: 2020-01-07
a great CW paddle for the money Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Great quality and a joy to use. Someone on the air recommended I try one, and I have not been disappointed. Like it better than my Bencher. I'd love to try some of the more expensive brands (think Begali), but for the money, I'm pleased.
W4RAR Rating: 2019-05-02
Best paddle I've used Time Owned: more than 12 months.
The Kent has the Best feel of any paddle I've tried and I've tried a few including Bengali 2 different models,Bencher,Palm,Magnakeyer,K8RA P-4. I know its a feel thing what feels good to one doesn't feel that great to someone else but for my keying style a little on the harderside you can't beat the kent and its reasonably priced compard to other paddles on the market if I was gonna only have one key this would be the one.