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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
KF6RMW Rating: 2002-03-06
This is a wonderful paddle Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Having used various paddles over at my friend Lou's place (NQ6S, now SK) who collected keys and paddles, I fell in love with the Kent TP-1. It's relatively inexpensive, but the machining isn't made cheaply. The action is extremely smooth and just rock solid.

In fact, I love this key so much, that I purchased a second one for my FT-817 so I can have a good paddle while operating QRP CW. People of course think I'm nuts adding a 3 (or is it 5) pound paddle and essentially doubling the weight of my QRP setup, but IMO, I don't care. The paddle is worth it.
WE1X Rating: 2002-02-10
Solid..Set It and Forget It Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Over past year I've gotten back into CW...attempting to do several QSOs per night as way of keeping copy at reasonable speeds as well as developing a more steady fist.

Let me tell ya...there's nothing worse that having a key fly apart or becoming sloppy while you're in a QSO and attempting to re-build your CW confidence. Hence, time for the Bencher to take a rest.

Asked around for several weeks about a replacement. The Schurr Profi is really sweet...but at $270 what else is out there? Bob from HRO in Delaware recommended the Kent. Having known Bob for several years...why not?

This is one nice paddle. Solid. Steady. Can "fine tune" the spacing once, set it and forget it. Operation is smooth. Great feel...Great response to the fingers.

Simply, paddles that inspire confidence without breaking the bank ... or the XYL taking away your lunch money
KC9TV Rating: 2001-10-22
Great set of paddles!!! Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
I have operated with another set of paddles for some time and what a difference it has made for me. I now can send CW much better and my wrist
does not get tired. I just took the paddles out of the box adjusted the contacts to my preference and it has been smooth operating!!!!!!!!
G4UDT Rating: 2001-10-17
Solid and robust all rounder Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I've had this key for over 10 years. Got it when it was first introduced in the UK and purchased the arm upgrade when it became available. This is the key I prefer for general rough use and I am happy to throw it into a bag for use out of the shack. Its heavy and robust. Still has a smooth movement.

It has to be said that this key is ugly when compared with my other keys such as the G4ZPY paddle. Over the years it has tarnished and it is difficult to clean the brass surface with polish.
W1JA Rating: 2001-10-04
Simply the best. Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I just received my 2nd set of these wonderful paddles today, and they're as perfect as my first set, which I've had for many years and still use. (I just wanted another set for another station I'm setting up.) These paddles have a hard, precise, clicky feel, with absolutely no play or vagueness, and plenty of tactile feedback. I've tried many other paddles, including a couple of the custom "high-end" jobs (which are very nice), but I always come back to the Kent for solid, no-errors CW sending.
WQ8Q Rating: 2001-09-10
Great Paddles/Great Service Time Owned: more than 12 months.
A lot's been said here by many about the quality and feel of the Kent Paddles. I can only agree with all the positive comments. I've had a set for some time and have yet to find anything better without going to the super-expensive paddles, and I've never even had a chance to try those. But recently, my cat knocked my Kent Twin Paddles off the desk and across the room. Broke the plastic paddles and the plastic insulators and bent the screws which hold the adjusting pillars in place. I saw that I could order replacements at RA Kent's web site, but ordering from the UK wasn't an option I wanted to try. I e-mailed the US distributor, Alpha-Delta, and asked them if they carried spare parts. They not only carry a full line of parts, but when I explained my problem, Jim Burns/WB4ILP said to give him the list and he would get me the parts ASAP, and at no charge. THAT's the kind of service that makes a difference these days. That kind of service is also why I buy Ten-Tec.
W2VD Rating: 2001-08-23
Smooth... Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Wonderful key...very smooth operating, and built like a tank. It is heavy, and does not move around, even when banging away at it. You may want to try purchasing one from an English dealer. It was less expensive purchasing it from overseas, even with the additional shipping (favorable currency exchange rate).
G4AON Rating: 2001-07-01
Superb Time Owned: more than 12 months.
There's one sign of a set of good paddles, you never adjust them.

The Kent paddles fit into this category. There were earlier paddles by Kent that had slightly flexible paddles, fortunately, the later version has solid brass ones. I found it useful to "super glue" the plastic paddles to the brass levers for a more solid feel (stops the plastic paddles bending away from the brass part).

I am looking around for a less heavy paddle for portable use (this one weighs around 1.25Kg), but might just buy another and fit a lighter base!
W2EJG Rating: 2001-05-31
Outstanding ! Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Several years ago at Field Day, guy brought two sets of Kent paddles. Used them for a bit and fell in love. Finally, last year, met a guy with spare set. Transaction complete and now I own the finest paddles I've used in 50+ years. They are smoother than a baby's butt.
WB7QQR Rating: 2001-05-31
Upper mid grade iambic paddle Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Very smooth and solid. Classy looking too. No wacky magnets or high tech optics. Pure and simple quality. Ordering through Alpha Delta it took 1 week to arrive by mail. I would say these are the best paddles you can buy under $200. If I could spend more I would go for the Schurr Profi next, but for $150 I feel confident the Kent will be a top quality paddle in my shack, and a family heirloom.