From 43 Studio comes the second iteration of the Rara switch, one of the first JWK tactile switches to hit the Western market! First ran on Drop at the start of last year, this run was previously entrusted to us and a selection of other regional vendors! One of the major improvements over the previous version is the reduction of housing wobble, which is prevalent in JWK switches. The housing material has changed slightly, with adding a polycarbonate top instead of nylon for a smoother experience. It comes stock with ThicThock DL springs, as well as shipping with his own designed PVC films on a sheet.
To help answer some potentially common questions, I will list my experiences with the V1 Rara switches that I have. They are a medium-light tactile switch, in the realm of Ergo Clears with a b-bump that begins shortly after the initial keystroke. They are quieter on the upstroke than other tactiles that they’re compared to, such as T1s and Koalas, though with the change to a PC top it will most likely be a bit clackier. I personally really enjoy them, and think you will too!
Typing Test
TTC Bluish White switches are a real sleeper hit of a tactile switch! The name of the switches isn’t particularly creative, yet the specifications are where it really shines. The first notable feature is the dust-proof stem, as seen on Kangaroo Inks and Gateron Yellow Inks, which simply aims to reduce the chance of dust falling into the switch itself and affecting performance. The other two most notable features are the double-coiled spring and the muted bottom-out.
The double-coiled spring results in an extremely satisfying press and return combined with the light spring weight (42g actuation), the top-out being described as “punchy”. There’s also a small silicone plug at the bottom of the center tube of the bottom housing which allows for the bottom-out to be muted as the stem pole makes impact, but the top-out is louder by comparison as a result.
The switch shines whether it’s stock or lubed, and if you’re really interested in trying to create a new silent switch, try lubing the top housing and see how it turns out!
Typing Test
The Naevy switch project has been years of continual research and development into tactile switches. The tactile switch market was been stagant and without any innovation and required acquisition of multiple switches to be put together – increasing over cost, plastic waste and effort.
The aim of the Naevy switch is to create a new type of tactile – affordable and good as a stock switch. The stem is an original mold owned by AEBoards and it uses a panda derivative housing (most commonly used for tactile switch modding). All funding was paid for by AEBoards without any GB money involved – they shouldered the risk on the project because they believe in what they’re providing to the community.
For the Raeds, they’ve taken what they like about the Naevies and put that into a linear version. It includes the same materials, but with a custom stem mould that is longer and smoother than the average linear.
From TKC and C³Equalz come their third switch and the first in the Snack Time family line, the Banana Split switches! They are a linear switch and feature a custom polycarbonate and nylon housing with a POM stem, and 62g gold-plated springs. Comparably to the V2 Tangerines, these have a slightly lower pitch to their keypress, and have improved stem wobble as well. These switches in particular take to lube really well, and an even coating of Krytox 205g0 can make quite a noticeable difference in the acoustics. That being said, lubing and filming the Banana Splits are not necessary as they are quite smooth stock, though there are many that prefer to lube all of their switches for a variety of reasons. Like many other JWK and Durock switches, they will benefit from films once opened to reduce housing wobble.
These are some of the higher-rated linear switches for our staff, and are featured in Brownie’s Primus build! These are a fantastic switch for both beginners and long-time enthusiasts alike.
Typing Test
Stock
(more…)Our first offering from SP Star come the SP Star Magic Girl switches! Designed to match Mintlodica‘s DSA Magic Girl keycap set, these tactile switches have a 67g bottom-out, nylon housing with a POM stem, and a more subdued medium tactile bump compared to Kiwis, T1s, etc. The stem pole has tapered slide rails, with each side being lightly lubed by the factory, slightly different to the typical oil on legs seen from other manufacturers’ factory lubing. This, combined with the materials used in the housing, result in a quieter press than other tactile switches in the same feel range, and thus may prove more beneficial for office settings!
KAM Bouquet is inspired by the muted, soft tones of dried flowers and draws inspiration from the design language of ikebana (生け花), the Japanese art of flower arrangement.
Included below is a thematic force curve graph for the Bouquet switches, courtesy of Raf from adobau labs and Pylon!
Typing Test
Vendors
Canada: You are here!
USA: Vala Supply
EU: MyKeyboard
UK: Protozoa Studio
AU: DailyClack
SEA: Zion Studios
CN: zFrontier
IMD: Rectangles
SA: Fancy CustomsGateron CJ switches, the newest switch from the manufacturer as of September 2021, are a great linear switch that have a smooth, satisying keypress and will certainly satisfy clacky linear lovers. While all-POM switches tend to run into issues of feeling leathery, Gateron’s proprietary Ink housing plastic is used effectively in the top housing to allow for a smooth actuation and to round out the clacky sound. With a 50g actuation and 60g bottom-out, you won’t need to worry about fatigue using these in a daily driver.
While Gateron CJ switches are just fine stock, they do benefit from being lubed, though any lube of choice is satisfactory. With most linear switches, we recommend Krytox 205g0 on the housing and stem, and GPL 105 or GPL 106 on the springs. Depending on the type of lube used, the acoustics will deepen slightly, so if you’re not a fan of the sound being quite as clacky, then going with a thicker lube may be the way to go!
Photos taken by the wonderful Captain.Sterling!
Typing Test
From your favourite anime about emotionally troubled teens and bunny girls, comes a set that brings a classy and polished feel. JTK Dreaming Girl provides a whimsical set inspired by the deep night sky and an enchanting pink intensity that even Mai would love. With this set you will simply never want to wake up. Just for you: a set made by weebs, for weebs.
Otakeebs has partnered up with Gateron to provide the Usagi switch and stabilizer sets! The switches feature an UHMWPE stem, Gateron’s proprietary KS8 housing mould, and a PC top, and the stabilizers have Nylon housing and a POM stem. Both have been designed with acoustics and keypress smoothness in mind!
Gateron Black Ink V2 linear switches are one of the community’s most favoured switches to date, seeing use in an enormous number of builds from the average enthusiast up to professional streamers and e-sports competitors. They sport a proprietary plastic mix not seen before in Gateron’s switches, which has helped the switch become well-known for its stock smoothness and bassy accoustics. They also have matching black springs, which have little spring ping on stock Ink switches.
Lubed, Black Ink V2s are pretty hard to beat in terms of smoothness and sound; we would recommend Krytox 205g0 on the housing and stem, with GPL 105 or GPL 106 on the springs. The Ink housing is also incredibly tight, and have found that 0.125mm TX films are some of the few types of films that will fit.
Photos taken by the wonderful Sterling & Co. Photography!
Typing Test
GMK Chaos Theory has been a long time coming, and dotnick has truly delivered! The inspiration comes from his recent interest in the topic of chaos theory and everything involved, including: parallel dimensions, multiple universes, the duality of chaos and order, and the math/physics that underpins all of this.
The Singularity switch is a linear, rainbow aluminium-plated switch with nylon housing and a POM stem. The rainbow aluminium plating on the nylon housing is completely unique to each and every switch!
Vendors
Canada: You are here!
USA: Mekibo
EU: CandyKeys
UK: ProtoTypist
AU: SwitchKeys
SEA: ILUMKB
PH: Zion Studios
SA: Fancy Customs
KR: KLC Playground
INTL: KBDFansPangHu’s Giant switch series has seen numerous material changes to its components, and now they’ve changed manufacutrer from Gateron to Tecsee! The Giant V5 linear switches continue the frosty aesthetic with a matching light blue UHMWPE stem and Nylon bottom housing, and milky UHMWPE top – boasting a super smooth linear keypress all the way through. The UHMWPE top gives the Giant V5s a satisfying, bassy upstroke so all of the thock enthusiasts will enjoy these switches!
Photos taken by the wonderful Captain.Sterling!
Typing Test
Adding to our TTC switch line are the TTC Ace linear switches! These linear switches boast an impressively smooth stock typing experience with factory lube on the legs and side parts of the stem, and this great switch feel is improved further by the 60g double-extension spring for a snappy return. With minimal stem wobble and no housing wobble, these switches are a real sleeper hit for the quality and price offered!
Photos taken by the wonderful Captain.Sterling!
Typing Test
Here are our ongoing deals - Buy two deskmats, get the third free!20% off when combining GMK Night Runner R2 base kit with matching Stellar65!Major discounts on Salvation case & parts!Keychrons & Skyloongs 40% discounted!
