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Reviews For: Kent KT-1 Professional straight key

Category: Keys & Paddles

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Review Summary For : Kent KT-1 Professional straight key
Reviews: 17MSRP: 135
Description:
This is Robert Kent's Professional model on a heavy metal base. This key is NOT distributed by Alpha Delta in the U.S., but available direct from Kent
Product is in production
More Info: http://www.kent-engineers.com/morseKEYindex.htm
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
00174.9
N4EEB Rating: 2020-12-26
Excellent! Exceeds my expectations. Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
I was a CW only novice for several hears after becoming licensed in 1978. I used an old J38 before transitioning to a paddle. It's been years since I considered owning a straight key, but I wanted something to use in SKN, so I started searching. I have used and borrowed some $300-$500 straight keys over the last few years, so I didn't have high expectations with purchasing what I initially thought was an "entry level" straight key. I was in love with this key the first time I put it on the air. It's truly a brass bounder's delight. If you like to pound and slap around a key, this is the one for you. Excellent workmanship, polish, feel, and a solid, pleasing on-the-air experience. This is my go to casual QSO key now over the paddle. It's so much fun. This key is every bit on par with the "expensive" keys. You won't regret your purchase. 5- stars.
G4PNF Rating: 2018-12-25
Absolutely brilliant Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I have had a Kent KT-1 for about 10 years. It is definitely my favourite straight key and I have owned and tried quite a few other types. It must not be confused with the similar looking version by Kent which is on a wooden base (which I also owned). The KT-1 has a totally different feel/sound and different dynamic in use. I think this is due to the extremely solid/heavy steel base which gives a wonderful solid but lively feel to the action. I think there is just a little rebound/bounce that comes off the contacts hitting each other backed by that hard steel and if you get the spacing and tension set right you can take advantage of it. I can send more even and faster CW (especially series of "dits") than with any other straight key I have tried.
I did have a rather strange problem with it though. I had been using it with my Icom IC-7400 rig for several years (no problem) but when I changed to a Kenwood TS-590s I found that the CW generated had a horrible scratchy and almost chirpy quality. Other keys plugged into the rig were fine so it had to be something to do with the Kent KT-1. I reckoned that the slight bounce I so liked in the action was causing problems with the keying of the rig. I tried putting a single small capacitor across the contacts (0.022MF) to dampen any transients and the problem was sorted at a stroke! I later added a 100K resistor in series with the capacitor to minimise any possible discharge erosion there might be over time.
About 7 years on I am still using the key and the TS-590 has been replaced by an IC-7300. I still keep the capacitor in circuit but I suspect it is no longer necessary and was just an idiosyncrasy of the TS-590 with this particular key.
It is a superb high quality key and although I like to try others from time to time I keep returning to the KT-1.
W1BR Rating: 2018-12-02
Nice key for a fair price Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I am also not a hot shot CW operator, although I also own several other straight keys besides the Kent KT-1, including a Begali Blade.

To be quite honest, the Kent KT-1 is more comfortable to this operator as compared to the Begali Blade. That is because every amateur's fist is different, and every key has a different feel that is best matched to preferences and skill of the operator.

The Kent mechanism is machined brass. It arrives with no fancy nickel or chrome plating, which would likely double the price. The downside is that finger oils will cause the brass to eventually tarnish and darken. My Kent KP-1 paddle is the same. None-the-less, purists can polish and clean the brass, and use a protective coating of wax to preserve the appearance. Patina or not, the key operates the same. Mr. Kent will provide details on his recommendations for cleaning and as to what wax to use.

The base is very heavy and it does not move! I have tried using both American and British keying styles and the knob height is a good compromise for both styles. The knob is comfortable; more so that my Begali Blade, which is most definitely orientated towards the British keying method. By contrast, my Navy CMI-26003A flame proof key most definitely fits the American arm on the desk keying styles. I find for myself that the Kent KT-1 is more middle road.

Contact and spacing adjustments are done via top thumbscrews. The adjustment hold their settings. Although I would prefer to see a much finer thread size used to allow for more precise changes.

Keying is sharp, crisp and accurate. The key does make a clicking sound. Some more expensive keys offer better tactical feel, are more quiet and "feedback" via leaf spring arrangements that are adjustable--but you will pay dearly for the added blitz.

The is currently available direct from Kent, or it can be conveniently ordered from DX Engineering. The price range and quality of this key elevate it from a four closer to a five, and I choose to give it the benefit of the better score. Too many poorer examples are rated a five.

In summary, this is a workhorse key. It delivers. It is a good intermediate, beginners or a key for seasoned operators. Again, all keys have different feels and there are different keying styles. Find the key that mates best with your needs.
AA7LX Rating: 2016-11-17
Impressive! Excellent! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I was impressed upon opening the box! I was blown away! Best Brass Key I've used! Paid 174.95 dollars from DX Engineering. 1st Class Key and 1st Class workmanship. Heavy and solid with Steel base. Excellent--buy it!
KZ4B Rating: 2016-09-17
Great looks, feel, and value! Time Owned: more than 12 months.
We are admittedly more of a key collector--than a hot-shot cw operator. None-the-less we still have our opinions. As such we own almost one of every key marketed by Kent in the last twenty years or so. We even got lucky and were able to purchase one of the twenty numbered/limited edition "heavy brass-based keys" at the Dayton Hamvention for sale by Kent around Y2K. This Key has the "feel" of the KT-1 with a beautiful signed/numbered brass base.

The wooden-based "standard" key is not a bad looker--but we find the heavy solid brass and steel base keys felt better to us without the annoying reverberation you get with the wooden base. (If you can't monitor your keying with a side-tone--you may actually like the reverberation as a substitute.)
PA1RF Rating: 2014-04-21
Fantastic! Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Many years ago, when I passed my morse exam, I got one as a present from my lovely wife Ria. It is really a juwel and working with the Kent straight key is just fun!
K3WAS Rating: 2013-11-28
Wow Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Just got one for my birthday! I am floored. What a great feel and performance! I love it!
KA3NXN Rating: 2011-11-29
Fantastic 15 years and going! Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I purchased mine back in the mid 90's and fell in love with it from the day it arrived. It's nice and heavy and the bearings make it really smooth.
M0WDE Rating: 2011-05-21
Superb Key Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I converted my Kent low-line key (wooden base) to the KT-1 with the assistance of the Kent conversion kit as the KT-1 uses the same lever and bearing assembly. It has very much improved the "feel" of the key which is very smooth and well balanced.
26JLH Rating: 2010-06-10
good key made well Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
very good one of the best, i am a novice at cw but i know good when i see it, and this is no crap.built to last till you peg out and then it can be put in your coffin with you if you like..
jeff........m6-glh england uk....