deskthority

And I don't mean IBM Displaywriter

Hey there. Recently got into the keyboard hobby, and I am looking for suggestions on which keyboard I should actually be hunting for, in terms of key feel, sound, age, quality, etc.

I learned how to touch type on Cherry MX Blues. I love the clicks! But the sound was way too high-pitched for me.

I got an HHKB4 Pro 2 which I still use frequently when I am working in coffee shop. I love having such a light key weighting, and I can easily type up to 100 WPM. I also love the layout--mainly control rather than cap locks. But the feel isn't nearly as refined as what I thought mechanical could be, and I missed the clicks.

I ended up getting a Model F XT, which is amazing. I got one that was in great condition: I didn't have to replace the foam or anything. Only a little bit of rust on the back plate. I love how smooth they keys are, the clicks sound like a nailgun (a plus), and the build quality is insane. Lastly, the uniform key profile allowed me to switch to workman layout. My only complaint is that the springs are too stiff. I can't type nearly as fast or as long as I can on my hhkb.

I thought ALPs might be a good fit, and I found a Focus FK-2001 that was stored with the cover, so it seemed to be in decent condition. I like the weighting, but they keys aren't nearly as smooth as the Model F. Also, the key profile doesn't allow me to switch the layout.

So is there a board that fits all my criteria?
- clicky
- smooth
- light weighting
- flexible layout
- nice build quality.

Is there a "white whale" board that checks all these boxes? I love vintage boards, but I am not opposed to any suggestions, including building my own from scratch.

For clicky/smooth/light you may want to try SMK gen2 switches. If you got the Cherry MX mount version, then you could use a flat keycap profile like DSA which would allow for different layouts.

Switches: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/3284543 ... 2e0e5gQ774
Compatible pcb: https://www.lfkeyboards.com/smk-tkl/ (or a vintage board that supports them -- their pinout is different from alps and cherry mx)

I'm a big fan of these switches. Besides the expense/inconvenience of building with out-of-production switches, the only practical downside for me is their short travel distance -- I built a 60% that was so solid it was punishing to type on if you bottomed out. But the followup board, using the pcb from LFKeyboards, had enough flex that that was no longer a problem (and it might be a non-issue for a light typist).

Wow, that sounds perfect. I will definitely try these out.

What case are you using with that pcb?

kitschmensch wrote: 11 Nov 2019, 07:02 Wow, that sounds perfect. I will definitely try these out.

What case are you using with that pcb?

I reused the case and plate from a cheap used Cooler Master QFR.

For a nicer end result, I think a lot of people like this case https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32617566709.html Here's a typing demo (not mine) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vdZ7l6CyHTo