[CW] What is the best telegraph key??

[David Toepfer]

The "drawer pull knob" as you describe it is a Navy knob.  It's purpose was to
pretect the fingers if they slipped from touching the arm which used to carry
higher currents or voltages (depending on whether you  are talking about spark
or tube transmitters) in days gone by.

The GHD key is not an actual Marconi 365, but has been compared very well to it
by people who have used them and lamented the fact that they could not get one.
 Actually, the price is not out of line when you start looking at the proces of
quality machine work.  It is chrome plated (brass tarnishes and pits) and has a
micrometer adjustment from one of the world leaders in such precision
instruments.  And I have never head of the mass being of any concern on this
key.

The Swedish Pump key is hardly fragile and is used and reviered by some of the
top speed straight key officionaddos.

Please, do not take tes rest personally, as it is addressed to others as well
who have replied to my post here and in email...

One can think of $350 as a fortune, and to some it is, but it is all a matter
of priorities.  You will pay as much for a fine set of paddles.  Some might
think $50 for a bottle of tequila or $150 for a bottle of whiskey or cognac is
a fortune, but I know people people who would think nothing of buyinig a fine
bottles of Patron or Chivas or Martell by the case.  It's a matter of where you
prefer to enjoy the finer things in life.  For example, when I was in Tokyo, I
payed about $120 for a Kobe Beef dinner.  This is something you will pay $300
for if you want it in the US (and it is any good).  But was it a waste?  Not on
your life.  I am nto a beef eater, but this steak was like Butta'.

Yes, there is always a point of diminishing returns.  And people have other
things to pay for like kids for example.  But I will say I have been glad to
pay more up front for things that will last longer than I will and are worth
repairing.  But if one is not willing to pay the cost of the best then it is
kind of silly to ask what is the best and then whine about the price when
someone tells you (their opinion).  Plenty of people I know own cars that cost
them $40,000 - $60,000.  I would consider this a waste.  I would rather spend
that money on Traveling with my wife.

If you just want a Straight Key to sit on the desk to take out on Straight Key
Night then you don't need the best key.  You need one you can live with for one
night a year.  If all I needed my car for was to drive it to the grocery store
once a month then I would be more than happy with beat up old Nissan Sentra
(which my sister owned actually and which we took across country and back at
80-100mph with a 400lb motorcycle in pieces in the trunk).

BTW, I do own a Triumph Legless and it has never struck me as any nicer than a
Nye Speed-X or the Lionel J-38 I just sold.  The Signal Electric R60 Wireless I
just sold had a more solid feel.  I actually have never liked the click/thunk
of the Triumph Legless on open.  I keep it because it was the first key I ever
bought and is from my first ham fest (though this sentimentality may not last
forever).  I think my Nye master key (like my Elmer Tony, WA2ZFU (SK) had which
I used on my first QSO) is nicer for a low/american-style key (so long as you
put the a 5th foot under the switch to prevent flex/slop).

kb3ipe

dt
.