Iambic Keyer and Technique. CW Morse Code key

The speed is 185 ch/minute (40 wpm), but it's just a demo to show what is possible with the iambic technique (of course, it's not a limit for some people out there). I don't think it's a practical speed for everyday, however, iambic is quite comfortable with much less speed.

There are 4 dual-lever paddles on the video. You can use all of them to make 185 ch/minute, because it's hands that make it, - not paddles. However, there are such criteria like comfort to use, durability, design and style.

MFJ-564 (Bencher has the same kind of a paddle).

"Made-in-China-quality paddle".
The contact arms and thin plastic plates are springy. When you make a touch, your finger makes additional motion. It's very uncomfortable, imprecise and loose. And the whole design is poorly thought-out. The screws don't hold, so they need adjustment constantly and you need a screwdriver for it.
Because of the low price, it's usually the first paddle that beginners buy. Don't make this mistake; otherwise you can start hating CW before you master it. You do not want to spend even 30 Euro to be frustrated right away.


Schurr Profi II.
It was designed by Gerhard Schurr. Today these paddles are made by the Schurr's successor Uli Scheunemann (it's his copy on the video).

The paddle has a distinguished elegant style, which is a trademark now. It's even used in advertisings. The paddle has only 3 adjustment elements: two large knobs for contact spacing and one for spring tension. At the first glance it looks strange, but this simplicity is possible because the paddle is perfectly balanced. The contact screws are so tight and so precise that you can adjust it to a minimal, almost non-existent contact spacing and the paddle will work as a touch-sensitive paddle. So, you don't hear the clicks at all, and the contacts do not stick. Virtually, the key never needs to be readjusted. The key has 1,5 kilo in weight and it's is very stable on a table. The cable goes inside the lacquered brass base, but it's replaceable of course. Overall, the paddle is a masterpiece of engineering and it's my choice.


Begali Signature. Expensive toy, but to me it was a bitter experience. I have heard only favorable comments about this key and decided to buy a copy. The mechanism overall was very inaccurate and carelessly made. The contact arms were loose. You could move them up and down and even from the contacts! This was the reason of a strong contact bounce. While operating, your fingers felt spurious responses: tinkling, jingling etc. It seems like the inner parts were made with a very high tolerance. Also, because of this inaccuracy I had to make wide spacing, otherwise the contacts stuck unpredictable.

But it is a very beautiful paddle with magnets instead of springs for the return force and the optional gold-plated contacts. The finish and style are superb.
Moreover, the money back service (I've returned it back to Begali) was personally oriented and accurate. So, you can try it out, maybe my copy was an exception. And if you are not satisfied, the money back service of the manufacturer is irreproachable.

KENT. Also, a well known paddle. It's worth buying a kit of it - costs 10 euro less and even a child can assamble it during 15 minutes.

The bearing block with the contact arms is sturdy made, no looseness at all. It weighs 1,4 kilo, enough for a good stability . The spacing is controlled by the contact screws with the locking nuts and it allows a soft touch. The spacing between the paddles is too wide for me, but this can be a matter of habit. Overall, the paddle is a reliable workhorse. If we take the price/quality relationship, this paddle is probably the winner here. If I didn't have the Schurr, I would use this one.