TX switch films have been kindly supplied by TX Keyboards, a Korean-based company that provides high-quality polycarbonate films to improve the overall feeling of the switch. As the community continues to expand and switches continue to be developed, these films stay at the forefront of achieving the elusive endgame, wherever that may be.
These extremely thin polycarbonate films rest on the bottom housing of the switch during application.. When closed, they reduce the stem’s directional wobble and increase the tolerance of the two in combination while not increasing friction.
TX has slightly reworked their design by removing the bar that is towards the bottom of the film and instead has two short nubs. This simply makes it easier for the film to sit in the switch during application.
A thin variant has also been designed to fit Kailh switches, and is perfect for NovelKeys’ branded switches: Creams, Nolives, and the Dry/Silk series!
TX springs have been kindly supplied by TX Keyboards, a Korean-based company that provides high-quality springs at an affordable price. Due to the quality control extent that TX Keyboards has gone through, these springs will not have a deviation outside of -1/+1 for spring weight.
They have provided a wide variety of spring weights; the force of these spring weights is measured at bottom-out. Differently-weighted springs will feel different depending on what type of switch they are put into, and it is important to understand that it can drastically change how the switch performs.
The difference in the spring length will affect the initial force for the keypress, but does not affect the bottom-out weight. So, the 16mm springs will have a higher initial weight than the 14mm springs, but the bottom-out weight will be the same on both.
Highly effective at reducing spring ping. Our genuine GPL 105 is a high-quality lubricant used, in the keyboard community, primarily for spring lubing. Provided directly from the manufacturer for guaranteed quality assurance.
GPL 105 is a very-low-viscosity lubricant/oil that is a staple of the keyboard community for spring lubing. A couple of drops into a small ziploc bag, a good shake for a couple of minutes, and you have a fairly even spread of oil across all of your springs! This will save much time and frustration of attempting to do each spring individually.
Product Information & Usage
Non-flammable, non-silicone, high temperature stable (up to 400°F), fluorinated polymer oil.
Oil is very difficult to clean with soap and water and is resistant to many solvents. Although the oil is chemically stable and non-hazardous please wear gloves and place a protective layer of drop-plastic below any working surface. Spills are difficult to clean, and the oil will transfer from an operators hands to any surface they may touch. Please clean up any accidents with a microfiber cloth.
Combine with other general-purpose lubricant products at your own risk. Combination with other GPL-grade products may cause separation when not mixed by the manufacturer.
Ashkeebs and any affiliated persons are not responsible for any damages which occur as a result of untrained or unsupervised use. This chemical is for industrial use only.
Highly effective at reducing spring ping. Our genuine GPL 106 is a military-grade lubricant used, in the keyboard community, primarily for spring lubing as well as switch lubing. Provided directly from the manufacturer for guaranteed quality assurance.
GPL 106 is a very-low-viscosity lubricant/oil that is a staple of the keyboard community for spring lubing. A couple of drops into a small ziploc bag, a good shake for a couple of minutes, and you have a fairly even spread of oil across all of your springs! This will save much time and frustration of attempting to do each spring individually. As this has a higher viscosity than GPL 105, it is more applicable for lubing switch housings and stems too.
Product Information & Usage
Non-flammable, non-silicone, high temperature stable (up to 500°F), fluorinated polymer oil.
Oil is very difficult to clean with soap and water and is resistant to many solvents. Although the oil is chemically stable and non-hazardous please wear gloves and place a protective layer of drop-plastic below any working surface. Spills are difficult to clean, and the oil will transfer from an operators hands to any surface they may touch. Please clean up any accidents with a microfiber cloth.
Combine with other general-purpose lubricant products at your own risk. Combination with other GPL-grade products may cause separation when not mixed by the manufacturer.
Ashkeebs and any affiliated persons are not responsible for any damages which occur as a result of untrained or unsupervised use. This chemical is for industrial use only.
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.
Some of you may have seen our Ashkeebs-branded switch bags included with your switch orders, and now they’re available for order en-masse! Designed by EURApsd, the Ashkeebs Switch Bags feature a 3.5mm plastic thickness for durability, as well as a gusseted bottom to allow the bags to stand by themselves easily. Both sides of the bags are carefully designed, with the front sporting our brand colours with frosted slivers to allow switches to peek through and a cute little switch in the corner, and the back with frosted plastic and our logo over top to clearly see everything stored inside!
There are two bundles available: 10 bags for $3 USD | $3.75 CAD, and 20 bags for $5 USD | $6.50 CAD!
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!
Gateron 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!
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!
