Me too Ron I love the feel of my Authenic Junker straight key, next behind is a J38 mounted on phonelic board. I have a Kent straight key that's mounted on the walnut base, sounds like you chopping

Ron that UTK ( unidentified telegraph key) is a Nye Viking I believe. Randy_KB4QQJ

Chip, You have the best of both types. Those two are classics and top of the linesenders. One Pump type (Flameproof) and one conventional. Randy_KB4QQJ

GE - Looks like I am late to the game. I agree with Terry - great thread! I have 2 Vibroplex keys and 1 unidentifiable key. First Vibroplex is chrome straight key. Second one is a side-swiper that

Hi Wayne/Paul, Eliminating Bugs and Sideswipers this iswhat's active on my desk at all times and are my favorites inorder. Pump keys: Marconi AS300A (Only threeknown. John G0RDO has the other

While I haven't used a wide range of keys, I do enjoy both my Navy Flameproof and a Junkers DBGM from the German army. Both are smooth and positive. My first key was a Chinese army key. All nice and

I can weigh in on this as well. I am an avid straight key user, and I have a moderate collection of keys. My all time favorite is the Begali Spark. There is nothing I have ever used previously that

Hi, This is too simple. My favorite key is the one I have. It's a J-38 - actually a J-38 knockoff. I've had it since the early 70s. I don't have any others. I do abuse a Vibroplex bug by using the

My favorite straight key is a Johnson Speed-X with a Navy knob on a very heavy base. Second favorite is a Brown Brothers CTL-A (combo paddle and straight key. Also in the running is a J-38. I

Back in the summer 0f 1979 I had a brand new Novice ticket , was building an HW-8 as my rig and went to the local ham radio store here in St Louis for a key. I bought a Speed-X Oval base key (I

With the "arm on the table" technique, the wrist is not supposed to do any bending, the entire forearm should do the motion. At least that is the way I was taught - glass arm may still be a

As to the "glass arm," or "glass fist," have you tried the European technique of lifting your entire arm off of the table? Move the key to the edge of the table. This way, the arm does the work, NOT

Great thread, looks like we all have a favorite or two. My stable consists of two old Benchers, a Begali Simplex, some touch paddles, most are noted are on this page

My favorite key is a J-38. My favorite paddle for use is my Brown Brothers. My favorite collection piece is my Vibroplex Lightning Bug I purchased new in 1954 as a kid. My least favorite paddle is

My favorite paddle is a March R-3A. Its heavy, doesn't move around with my side-swiper motion and the magnetic action is smooth. Now, if my sending these days were as smooth, things would be just

The only "straight key" I've ever had and used is also a WW2 J-38 bought 1955. I used it a lot and even wore a groove in the knob. Not used now and only use the unmentionables... Chuck Carpenter,

I have several paddles and straight keys on the desk and several more in a drawer. By far my favorite paddle is a home brew single paddle bought a couple years ago at Ozarkcon. It is milled from a bar

The Begali Spark has a heavy arm on it, making character formation easy for me. The palm mini seems to work great for my go bag and needs no adjustment. The Adventure attaches to my KX3 easily and

My favorite paddle is my Begali magnetic classic. Portable paddle is palm mini or Begali Adventure. Straight key is Speed X with navy knob or Begali Spark Sent from Yahoo Mail on Android

OK Wayne, I have several favorites. The main bug that I use is actually one made by Ted McElroy's secondary company, the Telegraph Apparatus Company which he formed to produce Civilian keys during