[CW] FA: Original Mint N2DAN MERCURY KEY

[Gene Buckle]

NOW I get it. :)

g.


On Tue, 27 May 2003, Pedro J. Santa wrote:

> 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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>