Sunday, Dec. 15, 2013 — As you might have guessed by now, I suddenly have time on my hands and a desire to write about keys. I am working on a masters degree and this past Friday completed my finals week projects and turned them in. My daughter is home now from her college and after busting tail in our respective fields of study all semester, we’re both a little 
lost without a test, project or deadline staring us in the eye. Suddenly I can take a little time and do something I want to do? What a novel idea.
I was cruising eBay earlier today, and my impulse key buying habit got the best of me — a seller listed a Kent iambic paddle for $60! While I already own one set, I couldn’t pass up a bargain — they are truly sweet paddles to operate, and one of my favorites (as my regular readers may already know, my list of “favorites” seems to get longer with each key I meet, lol!).
Anyway, I couldn’t pass up the bargain. I have been wanting a nice key to use here in my library station, the Kent would be a good choice.
GO-DEVIL OOGIE WOOGIE. While cruising eBay after snatching the Kent iambic I ran across an old bug that had me salivating … a beautiful 1930s Go-Devil bug manufactured by A. H. Emery of Poughkeepsie, N.Y. There are two versions of the Go-Devil, the early kind like the one pictured, and the later one in the 1950s that used aluminum for parts of its hardware rather than brass or cast iron.
This particular Go-Devil is notable because of its condition; it has apparently been gentle reconditioned to like-new condition. It looks out-of-the-box fabulous! Not over done, no over cleaned, but certainly back-to-brand new status. I know this ignites the “to clean or not to clean” debate, but if my bugs could all look this nice, I’ll support the “to clean” side.
Of course, not all keys can be returned to this level of condition. Since the Go-Devil (the early one) doesn’t have a lot of nickel or chrome plating, there’s not much to go wrong there. 
The only part of the key that is obviously not original is the yellow vinyl damper “cover.” On my two Go-Devils, a curved rod serves as a damper without any sore of cover. The vinyl would do a good job quieting the key’s operationg, and might be something to consider on my keys since it is an easily removable “mod.”
Take a moment and check out the pics of this key if you haven’t already seen them on eBay. It really is a spectacular key, and it will make a wonderful addition to anyone’s key collection. And before you ask, no, I’m not going to buy it. I can swing the Kent purchase, 
but the Go-Devil is too big a ding on my tight Christmas budget. I already have two of them …. oh hell, who am I kidding?? Duplicate keys never stopped me before! If I bought that Go-Devil I would sell my other two, no need to keep them with such a perfect specimen in the collection.
The formating for the photo thumbnails in my last post didn’t work out so well, so live and learn. Next ones will be setup a little differently!
73 de KY4Z …. SK . . . dit dit