[CW] FA: Original Mint N2DAN MERCURY KEY

[Pedro J. Santa]

I was lucky to purchase one Mercury (SN 275) directly from Steve N2DAN
before he died unexpectedly.  I think the cost, seven years ago, of those
hand-built on order (and there was a long waiting list, it's just that Steve
wanted to place the first one of them here in KP4/3-Land when I called him)
was close to $300 .  I made the substantial investment (without consulting
my XYL) after thorough research and review of testimonials from various
sources.  I do not regret that decision one bit.

I own a good number of keys, including some "premium"--high prized iambics.
None of the others even comes close to this "Dream Key"--the original
Mercury-- when it comes to feel, weight, precision, speed and that
trigger-like, smooth, predictable feeling perfect for QRQ that none of the
others attain.   I would compare it with a high-end sports car.  Those who
have owned/driven one should know what I refer to.  The Mercuryt is also
"indestructible", i.e., built like a tank and should survive many future
generations of heavy users.  It is the key I use 90% of the time and it's
given me the kind of operating pleasure that sets it apart from the rest and
can't just be described in words.

I would not sell my Mercury, period-- at least not at this stage of my life
(perhaps if I develop a condition that disables me from handling paddles, I
would consider an offer in an amount not below five figures, yes, you copied
this correctly; otherwise I'll store it under glass to reminiscence!  If I
didn't own one original Mercury already, if mine had been dropped
accidentaly from the boat or stolen and/or if there were any conceivable
need for a spare (and there isn't) I would avail myself of the "buy now"
option in this auction without any hesitation.  Chances are I would be able
to resell it for profit after a couple of years if I wanted that. (Oh, oh,
well, let me think.... Is my XYL around? I think not.  Should I act
surreptitiously with her again regarding my purchase of a Mercury? Mmmmm....
I think not!)

Mind you, I do not know the seller nor have any kind of relationship with
him, OK?  That's how I feel about the original Mercury. I'm fortunate that
because one of them sits on my operating desk I don't have to dream, except
when I have these dream-like trances  while using the real thing, and that
makes any further dreams unnecessary.

73 Pedro KP3X..

P.D. It is claimed that only another paddle compares to the legendary
original Mercury, and that is the Hensley: another jewel which its machinist
builder suddenly ceased to offer, right when my order was pending production
(although he's still alive, I think).  You can't  find one of those nowadays
for less than $1,000, as we all saw here in this reflector recently, and
then the owner retracted when he realized that his comments could easily
result in his prized posession being grabbed away from him that "cheap" with
an instant acceptance.  That was simply hilarious! I also note that Steve's
widow sold the patent/design to Bencher, but I haven't tried one of those
non-originals and can't attest to how they perform, even though they're
claimed to be built to the same rigorous standards and specs used for the
"real McCoys".

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Gene Buckle" <geneb@deltasoft.com>
To: <cw@mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Tuesday, May 27, 2003 6:55 PM
Subject: Re: [CW] FA: Original Mint N2DAN MERCURY KEY


> On Tue, 27 May 2003, Lawrence Makoski wrote:
>
> >  Nice key!
> > And if I put a bid in for this, my wife would kill me!
> >
>
> Ok, I give.  What makes this 8 year old key so special?  Limited run or
> something?
>
> g.
>
>
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