Many thanks to Len (W8VQ) who writes:

I have been working CW a bit in my upstairs QRP station. Last night, 40 meters was alive. Lots of POTA and general QSOs and a few SKCC. I used my new straight key. I thought you’d enjoy a critique.

I used the new key for two SKCC QSOs and three POTA hunter contacts. Here it is between my mini straight key and mini Iambic. Those are small keys, as the ruler shows;

It absolutely works, and I suspect by the way it is designed and manufactured, it will work well beyond my years. It would be excellent for travel as there is little you could do to damage it or throw it out of adjustment, short of using it to play catch.

It does not provide you with any sort of positive CLICK feedback when keying. A vintage Kent Morse Op like myself finds this a negative when keying. I like that positive click (or TAP if you prefer that description) on contact while using a straight key. This key is more of a touch-key because of the design.

If you look at the “Spring”, it’s a manufactured pseudo torsion disc spring that functions both as a spring and a stanchion for the key knob. It’s made to be both supportive and slightly flexible.

There is not enough flexibility in that spring nor space between contacts to give you enough smooth travel to get a positive click. You can get a click if you back the bottom contact screw all the way out, but it’s minimal and you have to hit the key harder than normal to get that minimal click. The spring is strong by design. This key is designed to give you more of a “Touch-Contact” that you hear via sidetone rather than feel via tactile feedback.

Some ops said that you best leave it at the factory setting, but I played with the contact set-screw in the bottom and I think I adjusted it a bit better for my fist. It comes factory adjusted with a very light touch, almost feathery. I now have it on a medium-to-light touch. There is just no “Click” or “Tap”.

Is it the best key (as one op stated in the reviews) I ever used? No.

Is it a cool and unique key that works well? Yes, as long as you don’t expect that mechanical click-on-contact that I like in a straight key for “Pounding Brass”.

There will be no brass pounding with this particular key. But I’m glad I added it to my collection. The fit, finish and manufacture is very well done, IMO. Especially for the price. And it’s unique. I may add it to my POTA kit instead of any other straight key.

Click here to check it out on AliExpress.

-Len

What a unique key! Thank you, Len, for the mini review!