Manager


Manager - NA4M
Manager Notes

Reviews For: W1SFR FAT BOY Torsion Bar, model TBF

Category: Keys & Paddles

eMail Subscription

Registered users are allowed to subscribe to specific review topics and receive eMail notifications when new reviews are posted.
Review Summary For : W1SFR FAT BOY Torsion Bar, model TBF
Reviews: 6MSRP: 195
Description:
Now by popular demand, W1SFR has introduced his FAT BOY
Torsion Bar Sideswiper (a.k.a. Cootie) key/ Paddle
highlighted by a soft-brushed, polished half inch thick
Brass Base on the familiar 3" x 3" footprint also found on
the predecessor TBCP product as described in a separate
eHam listing. This key, his model TBF sports the familiar
touch, feel, and smooth action found on the TBCP and his
heralded model TBKII (also with its own eHam listing). As
with the other models, it exhibits Steve's unique hand
rubbed exotic wood finger pieces with genuine Mother-of-
Pearl inlay in each.

Comes with a connector cable terminated in a 3.5mm mini-
stereo plug. Also included is a stereo to mono mini
adapter for easy adaptation to your rig's requirements.
Product is in production
More Info: http://w1sfr.com
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
0065
M0SDB Rating: 2022-06-26
A true work of art Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I needed a paddle to start the CWOPS Academy with and had looked at a fair few when I stumbled across Steve W1SFR's website.

His keys appealed to me because they looked a little different with them being torsion bars. They also looked like quality pieces and added to the fact they work as a straight key cootie also so I thought I would pick one up.

From order to delivery in the UK was just a handful of weeks and boy was it worth the wait. The key turned up just after Christmas and it has exceeded my expectations; just beautifully made and a really engineering work of art. Steve really is a true craftsman.

Having now used the key a fair bit in the Academy classes and my first on-air QSOs I am delighted with my choice - just an absolute pleasure to use. The paddle has a really nice 'weight' to it and the torsion bar centres it perfectly without the need or trying to adjust spring tension etc. Just set the gap (usually a fraction of a millimetre). and away you go.

The metal leaves that Steve has added for the contacts are a really nice touch too. Damps the action making it almost silent but without taking out any of the feel. Really very clever.

If you're after a single lever paddle then I strongly suggest putting this high on your short list.

I can see one of his full straight keys in my future too :)
K3EY Rating: 2020-04-20
BLACK MAGIC Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Having owned most high-end keys/paddles over the years and being a Key aficionado, well to say I was impressed with this Key is an understatement. First thing I did was sell my Schurr Profi Original which I believed would always be with me. If I don't use stuff I don't keep stuff. This Fat Boy is really 3 in 1. It can be used as a single lever paddle, or a cootie via of mono adapter which Steve provides, and it also can be used as a straight Key. I like my Keys with a slight bit of flex to the feel yet precise action. With this Fat Boy I can send 15 to 35 WPM without missing a beat. I was so impressed I ordered Steve's Green Machine, see his web site for details and picture. I am sure these will be the last Keys I purchase since I already owned many Keys including the legendary WBLV22. Steve hit a home run with his design, cost and function. I was a journeyman machinist for many years and can tell you Steve's work is as good as any I have come across.
K7QBW Rating: 2019-05-06
Smooth, Flawless keying Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I received my new key in the mail other day, much faster than expected. Nicely packaged, good communications from Steve the owner. I ordered this key to use in the RV as my Frattini sideswiper takes up too much room on the dining table to keep the xyl happy with the setup. My first impression is wow, what a quality piece of work for the price. And the operation is smooth, flawless and doesn't miss a beat perfect contact every time. Very light touch and I'm a side swiper diehard and use to slapping the Frattini around and this key stays put. I did try it as a paddle and it's as nice as the begali simplex to operate. I did notice that the base is now stainless steel instead of brass. Steve upgraded the base and it is pleasing to look at on the bench. Overall, I rate this key in operation and performance with the begali and Frattini and you can't beat the price. If you're looking for a top quality key with a good price point look no further.
K3ESE Rating: 2018-11-05
wonderful key!!! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I really never knew about sideswipers, or cooties, until I returned to the hobby after a multi-year hiatus, and became involved with the SKCC, using a straight key for all my contacts. Reading about all the keys out there, when I found W1SFR's torsion-bar keys, I was fascinated by this application of simple technology.

I acquired a TBCP, and took some time to learn how to work a cootie. It's not too difficult, but it takes some practice. I soon realized that sending Morse code with a cootie was one of the most fun parts of my hobby, bizarre as that may seem. I decided to trade up from the TBCP to the TBFB (also known as the FAT BOY, note: there's a typo up top: it's TBFB, not just TBF.)

Besides being a beautiful, well-made key, the action of sending code on this is smooth and easy, with a strip of metal on the sides of the crossbar that provides a "soft landing" for each element.

After a month of working with these cooties, I can send decent code at up to 25 wpm, though I usually hang out at 18-20 wpm. When I have QSOs with non-straight-key using ops at higher speeds, I feel no need to switch to a keyer and paddles, which was the best indication that this is the key for me.
W4RQ Rating: 2018-11-03
Comfortable and Classy Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
The Fat Boy model of W1SFR’s TBSP Cootie arrived a month ago and resides next to my Begali Sculpture Swing Cootie, both are operational at my operating position.
Why? Because after a month of daily useage, constantly comparing the two keys I still cannot decide which is my favorite, the expensive Begali which is truly the Rolls Royce of keys, or the TBSP Fat Boy costing 1/3 the price of the Begali. Both are extremely comfortable to use, and both stay put while in use.
The Begali with its almost infinite adjustability can accommodate just about any fist, soft, or heavy while the Fat Boy does prefer a lighter touch. Both are aesthetically pleasing. The Begali is a masterful piece of work of course, but the Fat Boy with its polished brass and mother of pearl Dot, is a very well crafted key, and Steve supplies an 1/8” stereo to mono adapter so the Fat Boy can be used either as a Cootie or a Single Paddle key for your rig’s electronic keying.
K5MP Rating: 2018-11-02
Compares to other Cooties offered at twice the price Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Recent acquisition of this key rounds out my inventory of all three of Steve's Torsion Bar cootie/paddle keys, and this one easily exceeds all expectations. While it has all the same touch and feel characteristics of the TBCP and TBKII, it is obvious Steve has added his special touch to give this one that special appeal which includes the added mass and weight of the brass base, and the enhanced eye appeal of not only the polished brass treatment but the beautiful hand-rubbed Brazilian Rose Wood finger pieces with the Mother-of-Pearl inlay in each. With this added new member in my cootie key inventory, I actually feel proud to relegate my also-attractive and smooth TBCP to my Go Kit where it nicely complements my KX3 and Chameleon mag loop antenna for those frequent trips to the beach or to the local park when the urge for "portable operation" happens to strike.... I recommend all three of Steve's Torsion Bar cootie/paddle keys.