"Your Fab Five" Keyboard Contest (Winner Announced)

[lot_lizard]

So I have decided to start a little contest... Name your "fab five" (most desired) keyboards. These could be ones you already own, but that wouldnt likely win unless your HaaTa

We will let this run for a bit, and eventually have a community vote. The winner gets a restored IBM Model F AT. I am looking for ways to thin down the collection, and since I didn't participle in Secret Santa this year, it seems like the next best thing (plus I get to reduce not "trade" ). I'll update this OP later with pics, but the board is in great shape.

Please post your top FIVE keyboards using the "list" feature so it is easier to see (not a requirement). If you are having trouble with that, PM me. Not sure how long this runs, but likely would be shipped with all the MF stuff.

You are responsible for your own pics. So if you want to help others later... I suggest including some images.
______________________________________

Our leaders were nice enough to bump our poll options to 100 at least for the time being, and I was able to pair the listing down to 100 (we had more). If you were more granular in some of your original picks than the option listed (say zslane had a white space cadet and black space cadet as separate choices), you will receive votes for anything I consolidated (in the space cadet example, zslane will get 2 votes for a space cadet pick).

So for the voting, and this is on the honor system (all in fun), but I ask that you pick your TOP 10 boards. I am hoping those that would have submitted their "Fab Five" would pick those, plus 5 additional. This is not a hidden results poll, so feel free to track progress. Don't be a lame duck and ONLY vote for your original submission (otherwise this is pointless)... pick all 10 please if voting unless you REALLY only desire a subset.

Thanks again for the participation. It was a fun list to go through. Again... the 2nd OP has details if you are looking for pictures. I have a PHP script I put together that will process these results for me if you are wondering how we match it back up to the original submissions (it's tested and works).

Since this started a couple of days late, lets say the voting runs until 2017-01-03

[lot_lizard]

Details of the Nominations...

• "75%+1" Danger Zone (with magnetically detachable number pad)
  Spoiler:

  
• Acer KB-102A (Alps SKCM Blue)
• Alps Creamsicle 60% Build
  Spoiler:

  
• Alps 64 (SKCL Green)
• Alps AKB-3420
  Spoiler:

  
• Apple Extended Keyboard II
  Spoiler:

  
• Apple Extended keyboard m0115
  Spoiler:

  
• Apple //c (Alps SKCM Amber)
  Spoiler:

  
• Cherry ESA-3000-HASRO
  Spoiler:

  
• Cherry G80-0530
  Spoiler:

  
• Cherry G80-2000
  Spoiler:

  
• Cherry G80-3500
  Spoiler:

  
• Cherry G80-5000
  Spoiler:

  
• Cherry MX5000
  Spoiler:

  
• CHERRY MX 6.0 nb! (MX Brown and white LED's)
  Spoiler:

  
• Cooler Master NovaTouch TKL
  Spoiler:

  
• COTS ISO TKL Alps-compatible board
• Dactyl
  Spoiler:

  
• Data General Dasher
  Spoiler:

  
• DataHand Spider prototype
• Dolch PAC
• ErgoDox EZ
  Spoiler:

  
• F-Atomic (F with planck layout)
  Spoiler:

  
• FC660C with 30-35g domes, silenced and lubed Novatouch sliders, a PBT spacebar, GMK keycaps, a custom controller and metal case
  Spoiler:

  
• Focus FK-2001 (Black)
  Spoiler:

  
• Focus FK-2002 (Alps SKCM blue)
  Spoiler:

  
• Focus FK-555
• Fujitsu 1st generation leaf spring
• HHKB Pro BT
  Spoiler:

  
• HHKB Pro HG
  Spoiler:

  
• HHKB Pro Type-S (Hasu'd with Cookie Stickers) and a Matt3o PBT spacebar
  Spoiler:

  
• Honeywell BTRM 121C
• IBM 3270
  Spoiler:

  
• IBM 3278 (APL triple shots)
  Spoiler:

  
• IBM 3279-2C
  Spoiler:

  
• IBM 4705 F50
  Spoiler:

  
• IBM 4704 F62 (Kishsaver)
  Spoiler:

  
• IBM 4704 F77
• IBM 4704 F107
  Spoiler:

  
• IBM 5140 (SCKM Browns)
  Spoiler:

  
• IBM 5251
  Spoiler:

  
• IBM 5556-005
  Spoiler:

  
• IBM 5576-003
  Spoiler:

  
• IBM Beamspring Desktop
  Spoiler:

  
• IBM DisplayWriter (Great White Whale)
  Spoiler:

  
• IBM Model F122
• IBM Model F AT
  Spoiler:

  
• IBM Model F XT
  Spoiler:

  
• IBM Model M SSK 1391472
  Spoiler:

  
• IBM Model M SSK Industrial
  Spoiler:

  
• IBM Model M SSK with genuine three-button Trackpoint
• IBM M15 ISO
• IBM P70 (Alps plate springs)
  Spoiler:

  
• IBM Unsaver
  Spoiler:

  
• JD45 with Bluetooth
  Spoiler:

  
• K80CS
  Spoiler:

  
• Keyboardio Model 01
  Spoiler:

  
• Kingsaver (Alps)
• KMAC Mini
  Spoiler:

  
• Korean custom with Nixdorf switches, OG Cyrillic dye-subs and a red Clack
  Spoiler:

  
• Leading Edge DC-3014
  Spoiler:

  
• LFK78
  Spoiler:

  
• Maltron 89-series layout
  Spoiler:

  
• Maltron one-hand
  Spoiler:

  
• MiniVan with Bluetooth
  Spoiler:

  
• Model MF
• Monterey K-108
  Spoiler:

  
• NEC PC-9801-98-S02 (based on in compact symmetrical
  Spoiler:

  
• Nixdorf CT11
  Spoiler:

  
• Northgate Omnikey
  Spoiler:

  
• Nuclear Data with BT
  Spoiler:

  
• Optimus Maximus board with an OLED display in each key
  Spoiler:

  
• OTD 356cl
  Spoiler:

  
• OTD DKsaver Alps
• OTD 360 Corsa
  Spoiler:

  
• RAFI Compudent
  Spoiler:

  
• SGI granite 9500900
• Siemens SICOMP
  Spoiler:

  
• Sony NWS-3250
  Spoiler:

  
• Symbolics 365407 Rev. A
  Spoiler:

  
• Symbolics Space Cadet
  Spoiler:

  
• "The Fly" keyboard (like from the movie)
• TGR Jane-CE
• Topre Original Prototype from 1981
  Spoiler:

  
• Topre 200-key board. Proper Japanese legends, coloured keys against a beige case, JIS layout
  Spoiler:

  
• Topre Realforce 10th AE 55g
  Spoiler:

  
• Topre Realforce in tenkeyless JIS layout (91 keys) with PBT HiPro keycaps, silenced sliders and uniform, probably 30g domes
  Spoiler:

  
• Topre Realforce 87U 55g uniform
  Spoiler:

  
• Topre Realforce 88UB
  Spoiler:

  
• Topre Realforce ML11K0
  Spoiler:

  
• Topre Realpoint
  Spoiler:

  
• Univac Uniscope 100 terminal
  Spoiler:

  
• VE.A with acrilic wrist rests
  Spoiler:

  
• WhiteFox
• XMIT Hall-Effect
• Z70 Mechanical Keyboard
  Spoiler:

  
• Zenith SWA 4300
  Spoiler:

  
• Zenith ZKB-2
  Spoiler:

  
• µTron (Topre)
  Spoiler:

  

[zslane]

Must these be keyboards that actually exist and be realistically obtainable? Or are we allowed to list endgame boards that either don't exist yet or rare keyboards virtually nobody could obtain today?

[lot_lizard]

Only rule... There are no rules. Community vote decides. List of "your 5" most liked wins.

EDIT: two rules... You only get one submission, and you can't be completely identical to someone before you. Feel free to edit it though. You can use combinations of others that posted before you

[mike52787]

• OTD 356cl
  Unsaver
  Original 4704 77 or 62
  OTD DKsaver Alps
  NIB Focus FK-555

[Chyros]

• NIB Zenith ZKB-2 (have been looking for one of these for a while, me and these boards just click 100%)
  USB-modded IBM 3278 (yeah, got a taste for it now xD)
  USB-modded IBM 4707 107-key (the heaviest F, I've got to check one of these out)
  1st generation Fujitsu leaf spring keyboard (extremely curious about these switches, on paper it's the best switch design I've ever seen)
  black Focus FK-2001 (I missed one of these a while ago; I couldn't afford the insane import charges. In retrospect I should've taken on a mortgage. Possibly the best-looking keyboard I've ever seen, still can't forgive myself for not buying it)

[drevyek]

This is hard. Going mostly for things I don't have yet though, and concentrating mostly on a collection I could potentially amass and use. As such, I wanted to hit a few categories: at home board, at work board, travel board, etc.

• Unsaver
  Spoiler:

  The layout is fabulous, has great symmetry with the nav-cluster and the left hand F keys. Just so much going for it. Plus, the C-BS switches are kings for me. Perfectly crisp, tactile, and smooth. Loud (in a good way) switchres, so very much a home/don't-care-office board. Not sure who to thank for this photo, but I love it so much. (DT awards?)
• IBM P70
  Spoiler:

  Alps Plate Springs (though I'd want to re-case it in something a bit less... bendy). I love 2-stage switches, and Plate Spring is exactly what I want. @Webwit
• IBM 5140
  Spoiler:

  SKCM Browns for that tactility (need to try them alongside my Oranges an creamsicles). Plus, they have the great IBM Dye-Subs. Rounding it out is the very usable layout that would be great to board up on its own. Would be amazing for a travel board, if properly handled. @Copter
• Topre Realforce 10th AE 55g
  Spoiler:

  I tried one out at a meet up and just fell deeply for it. The action is just magnificent. I loved how crisp the bump it, and how clean the travel feels- especially post-actuation. I wanted to include a silent work board, as most of these would get me murdered The build quality of the RF pushes it above the HHKB for me, which felt a bit light in comparison. A perfect open-office board. @matt3o
• 60% Alps Creamsicle Build
  Spoiler:

  This is a board I (mostly) already have. I wanted a board I could bring along with me, so noise is a big concern, as is size. I also wanted something I could endlessly customize, and really love typing on.
  Solution: Cream sliders, Orange leaves. Variable weighted springs (40g/45g/50g), with linear modifiers. SGI Granite PBT dyesubs as alphas, because I <3 PBT.
  

Honourable Mention:

Spoiler:

FSSK Internal, inside a Model M case, with a trackball in the numpad location.

[emdude]

In no particular order:

• IBM Model F122 6110344
  I own this but it is one of my favorite keyboards in part because of its lovely blue sublegends.
  Spoiler:

  
• Unicomp Space Saving Keyboard
  Because if they do it, I'll eat a shoe.
  Spoiler:

  
• IBM Model M50
  I was kinda disappointed Unicomp never actually put this out during their Black Friday sale, would have been very tempted to pick one of these up. Also, more fun legends!
  Spoiler:

  
• ... !!!
  
  Spoiler:

  
• IBM 5576-003
  Wouldn't mind trying Brother buckling springs one day.
  Spoiler:

  

[drevyek]

IBM Model M50
I was kinda disappointed Unicomp never actually put this out during their Black Friday sale, would have been very tempted to pick one of these up. Also, more fun legends!

Spoiler:

Love the M50. Unicomp may not have any left in stock. It may also be that they don't know whether they do or not

[Hak Foo]

• Northgate Omnikey 101. The tank-like build quality and straight ANSI layout makes it the prince of ALPS boards. I'd probably sacrilege it by putting in new Matias switches for consistent feel
• GH-122. There aren't a lot of bigger boards without surprise compromises. The big G80s are PCB-mount and bend under my typing, and the Tipros use odd sized modifiers.
• Ortek MCK-143. Same deal, but with Alps.
• Early Multistation board. I love my 'Pingmaster' (Japanese 4704-compatible with T-alps and gorgeous sphericals) but this could be a more workable layout.
• EnduraPro. The trackpoint may not be up to modern Thinkpad standards, but at least it's USB and can be had with that nifty 103 layout/

[Slom]

• Symbolics 365407 Rev. A
  
  image by webit
  
  This is my endgame keyboard. I used to be quite interested in the scheme programmming language, using it for
  my recreational programming. Also using fringe/research programming languages often means the first available
  editor support is for emacs. So lisp and emacs ... that would be the only true keyboard for that combination
  
  The "newer" 365407s which have space-invader switches look (in my opinion) better than the older micro-switch version. Also Rev. A, because that one apparently has spherical keycaps.
  
  Funny thing: Up until a few years ago, this were still sold by symbolics for very reasonable prices. A fact that I unfortunately learned too late
• G80-0530
  

  

  DSCN0561_small.JPG (698.65 KiB) Viewed 10312 times

  this was the first time I really wanted a specific Keyboard (as opposed to just a certain switch)
  so many special/unique things I like about this one ...
  • the overall AT-style layout (vertical F-rows, seperate numberblock, no nav cluster)
  • the giant space key
  • the missing bottom row mods
  • control where it really should be
  • the way they cut an allready almost ISO-Enter to make it look like a BAE
  • the AWESOME red leds under the windowed keys
• Model F AT
  
  image by ramnes
  
  Theres something really appealing about the general AT-layout for me. Its horizontally way more symetric than a Model-M. And the numpad area is so much cleaner than on the XT.
  
  Ergonomics-wise its extend to the right should be close to a TKL. And its deepth is smaller due to the missing F-Keys on the top. Sometime I put my mouse between me and the keyboard, and having more space at the top of the keyboard really helps here. I also like the way this makes the keyboard look wider than it really is.
• Alps AKB-3420
  
  image by snuci
  
  I vintage 60%* . I allready have a 60% microswitch keyboard with a similar case-style ... they would look nice next to each other. Also note the strange equal-staggering.
  
  * +-10%
• KMAC Mini
  http://imgur.com/K7xxR
  
  The first custom board I ever saw. I really love this kind of case, and the vertical F-keys of course

[Ir0n]

The "white whale" beamspring.

I want a beamspring board and this one has a layout very much like the AT so I'd already be use to it.
I actually like how it looks better than the others..

Spoiler:

Leading Edge DC-3014

Need to try blue alps! I love clicky switches and these are always talked about.. I'd take any board with them, but I may as well go for the the ol leading edge.

Spoiler:

Apple Extended keyboard m0115

This isn't hard to get at all, but I want some orange alps! I've read they are nice when you click mod them.

Spoiler:

IBM Model F 4704 107

Why? because massive keyboards are cool.

Spoiler:

IBM model F 4704 50 key

The amount of macros I'd put on this.. This thing would just be amazing to have on my desk.
I bet it would make a nice game pad as well.. (I couldn't find a good image!)

Spoiler:

[pansku]

My list in no particular order except for the number 1 :

1. IBM 5251 Beamspring with finnish layout



I know that such thing exists because I missed it this year

And the rest:

IBM 4704 Kishsaver 62-key

I'm waiting for the Ellipsesaver, but one day I wish to own the real deal

Acer KB-102A Alps SKCM Blue

Blue Alps on an ISO-layout

Space cadet Keyboard

I want something with Honeywell Hall Effects and find no other one with those switches as desirable

And last but not least an Alps 64 fitted with SKCL Green

To top of the dream collection I need a 60% keyboard with linears for gaming, and greens seem a perfect choice. Caps of choice would be black on white ABS doubleshots.

In a list format:

• IBM 5251
• 62-key Kishsaver
• Acer KB-102A
• Space cadet keyboard
• Alps 64 with SKCL Green

Some of the keyboards are achievable, others not. Still I aim to have a beamer and blue Alps in my collection by the end of 2017.

[marijan]

Ok, after realising that the rules of contest require others to actually like my selection, and seeing how I have zero experience (owing to the fact that I still own zero mechanical keyboards), I am forced to shamelessly steal from other peoples posts, thus securing at least a diminished chance of getting such a nice keyboard

• - IBM model 3278
  Spoiler:

  It's beamspring. It's old school. It's gorgeous. It just hits all the right switches for me.
  - IBM Model M Industrial
  Spoiler:

  I know that model F's are supposed to be better than M's but I really love the colour scheme on Industrial M. Also, this would actually fit on my desk so that's a bonus.
  - IBM 4704 Kishsaver
  Spoiler:

  All the good stuff of true model F with small footprint more compatible with the current workspace layout. This is what my ideal daily keyboard could look like
  - Data General Dasher D2 terminal keyboard
  Spoiler:

  I know nothing about this keyboard apart that it's gorgeous. And I'll probably never see it outside of a museum. But man, do I love those colours. I actually joined the MD buy for Dasher keycaps without having a keyboard to put them on
  - The Knight Keyboard
  Spoiler:

  This is the father of the Space Cadet keyboard. Another board I would have never known about if not for this giveaway which forced me to explore ahead and get hooked on keyboards months before receiving the first one (XMIT Hall Effect Bamboo, so happy for it)

[Orpheo]

1- Dolch PAC 586 ISO French (got it!)

2- Skidata mit trackball ISO French (does it exist?!)

3- Olivetti KBD2812 w/MX black doubleshot ISO French (does it exist?!)

4- Triumph Adler ISO French (does it exist?!)

5- Peacock with cherry dyesub and colored secondary legends ISO French (I only have OG dyesub ISO Belgian)

I love the original Cherry and would like to mix and match with various colored mods, Desko, BSP, GMK, and various sized aluminium and wood cases... Those would be my endgame!

[derzemel]

1. Cherry G80-5000

2. Topre Realforce 10th AE 55g

3. TGR Jane-CE

4. IBM 3279 Beamspring

5. Unsaver

I have several others I would love to have, like the Mopar SSK, but the ones above are my main wish-list

[002]

select top(5) * from grail_list
order by wantyness asc

IBM 5576-003
Always had a soft spot for the 003 but they are so prohibitively expensive these days...

Spoiler:

5576-003.jpg (54.77 KiB) Viewed 10742 times

Topre Realpoint
They appeared as prototypes in a PDF catalog in late 2000. Would love to take one apart.

Spoiler:

realpoint.png (662.64 KiB) Viewed 10742 times

Topre Realforce ML11K0
Just a beautiful keyboard. The only problem is that it has lasered caps. I'd love to own one in immaculate condition just to look at it.

Spoiler:

Sony NWS-3250
Always wanted one of these -- AFAIK this is the only keyboard that Topre made as part of a portable / laptop. It's also using Topre's conductive dome switch tech as opposed to capacitive.

Spoiler:

The Original Topre Prototype from 1981
Say no more...I'd never get this through legal channels but hopefully I'm going to Japan next year to pull off the heist.

Spoiler:

[seebart]

Nice idea lot_lizard;

Alright here are my top five, I combine keyboard love, switch feel and productivity as a daily driver:

1. Bolt modded IBM 1391472

Spoiler:

owLD3JX.jpg (812.36 KiB) Viewed 10714 times

2. Focus FK-2002 Alps SKCM blue

Spoiler:

800px-Focus_FK-2002_front_view.jpg (62.44 KiB) Viewed 10714 times

3. Topre Realforce 87U 55g uniform

Spoiler:

IMGP4242.JPG (966.67 KiB) Viewed 10714 times

4. IBM 3270

Spoiler:

IMGP1999.JPG (951.94 KiB) Viewed 10714 times

5. IBM XT Model F

Spoiler:

IMGP4243.JPG (974.46 KiB) Viewed 10714 times

I know this is limited to five ... but in terms of pure keyboard love this will never be topped for personal reasons:

Spoiler:

* IBM 3277 typewriter keyboard

IMGP7548 (1).JPG (963.89 KiB) Viewed 10714 times

wiki/IBM_3277_typewriter_keyboard

Being the noob that I am (still waiting for my first mechanical keyboard to arrive from MD), I am going for the looks mostly.

Trust me marijan those three last keyboards look nice but are not the "cream of the crop" in terms of switch feel although the 1st generation Fujitsu Leaf Spring switches have potential.

[gcardinal]

CHERRY MX 6.0 nb! w/ MX Brown and white LED's

Spoiler:

original.png (3.02 MiB) Viewed 10708 times

Siemens SICOMP keyboard

Spoiler:

20160120_132022.jpg (290.29 KiB) Viewed 10708 times

Topre Realforce 88UB

Spoiler:

topre_88ub.jpg (48.3 KiB) Viewed 10708 times

HHKB Professional BT

Spoiler:

s-l1600.jpg (19.92 KiB) Viewed 10708 times

Cooler Master NovaTouch TKL ISO

Spoiler:

novatouch_keyboard_large_1.jpg (104.51 KiB) Viewed 10708 times

[Khers]

• IBM 4704 62 key a.k.a Kishsaver
  Spoiler:

  Photo courtesy of 002.
• IBM 3279 Colour Display Terminal Keyboard
  Spoiler:

  Photo courtesy of orihalcon.
• PFU Fujitsu HHKB Pro HG
  Spoiler:

  
• OTD 360 Corsa
  Spoiler:

  Photo courtesy of photekq.
• IBM 1391472 Space Saving Keyboard
  Spoiler:

  Photo courtesy of Madhias.

[lot_lizard]

Really nice lists... honestly.

When I was coming up with what I wanted to pair down, I decided to ask myself this question... What are your "n number of faves"?!?... I struggled for a variety of reasons. Then it dawned on me that this paints a pretty good picture of who I was as a keyboard nerd, and what I deemed valuable and "needed". Many people share the same endgame board, but when asked for 5, I expected us to be all over the map. As an example, I would have a Topre in my list (which probably surprises most) because I do have a need to be quieter occasionally when I type (plus it just feels sexy).

Fun exercise regardless, and I know the AT will have a more active/loved home somewhere than a spare in one of my bins. Identical spares are silly. This particular one came from the haul of XT's I picked up on my own earlier for the MF project. It was the one of the lot not harvested for switches and cleaned up nicely. The top plate was sandblasted, zinc primed, and painted back to flat black. It's in nice shape.

[seebart]

OK but forgot your own list man! This isn't DTA where the OP can't join in on the action!

[lot_lizard]

OK but forgot your own list man! This isn't DTA where the OP can't join in the action!

haha.... true (my list won't be votable because I want to GUARANTEE this leaves the house). In no particular order really (love them all for various reasons):

• IBM 3279-2C
  Personally think it is the most beautiful board ever produced, of the greatest switch ever produced, and still sits in a "compact" form factor. I have a white glass top desk, and this is the perfect board for it (best feet on glass as well)
  Spoiler:

  

  IMG_0063.JPG (1.27 MiB) Viewed 10612 times

• IBM SSK and Full Size Industrial M's (soon to be F's)
  Only one of these would have made the list before our MF venture. There are rare occasions (like tax time), I need a 10-key. Before the MF, the Unsaver would have been in one of their spots.
  Spoiler:

  
• Kuato's IBM 3278
  Rare I would restore anything other than to factory, but he hit a complete home run. Metal front flap instead of plastic, silver powdered shell, red assembly, key remapping, and APL triple shots
  Spoiler:

  
• HHKB Pro HG with Wajima lacquer
  No, I don't own one before you ask , and I haven't ever seen in person, but can only assume it is stunning. As a daily driver I would prefer stock caps... but I don't need to be "quiet" very often
  Spoiler:

  

[zslane]

1. Symbolics Space Cadet in white case
2. Symbolics Space Cadet in black case
3. Data General Dasher D200
4. Honeywell BTRM 121C
5. AEKII

[Berp123]

Xbox Chatpad

[lot_lizard]

Xbox Chatpad

Winner!!!! Contest over. Just send me your address via a PM

[Berp123]

I am honored that I won, I knew my response was the best. I would like to thank the academy, and you for the keyboard.

[seebart]

39161249.jpg (61.25 KiB) Viewed 10553 times

[Wodan]

Okay I took some pics and tried go for keyboards that I own ... one exception

#1 - The reason people talk to me at all: My Beamer

Spoiler:

#2 - My Happy Little Topre (HHKB Pro2, Type-S, Hasu'd, cookies stickers, just the right amount of fancy on the caps)

Spoiler:

#3 - My best buck (Model F XT all refurbished, layout see caps)

Spoiler:

Wish this was an AT

#4 - The poor man's MX5000 (VE.A with acrilic wrist rests, Vintage MX Blacks, SAD caps)

Spoiler:

#5 - The Unobtanium Keyboard (Nixdorf CT11) not mine!

Spoiler:

Pictures and keyboard belong to seebart

No Alps in here ... just ... couldn't really pick one that has it all. So hard to find an Alps keyboard where it all comes together. Layout, build quality, size, keycaps, ghosting/matrix ... Maybe once I finally manage to build a Hasu-60% ...

[webwit]

Could name a few IBM items I don't have, like an Unsaver, an Industrial Model F with buckling springs instead of OAK switches, and some other rare Model F and beam spring specimen. But I'll let those pass for a Knight keyboard and SAIL keyboard.