Keyboard Builders' Digest / Projects

Baikal

Vostok Labs' Baikal is a beginner-friendly, handwired, wireless Corne build with step-by-step instructions.

KBD.news
Published December 3, 2025

Baikal, released by Vostok Labs, is basically a handwired Corne. What makes it interesting is the great documentation, aimed at beginners. The goal with this project is to make the first split keyboard journey way less painful: simple parts, step-by-step instructions – anyone with basic soldering and a 3D printer can do it.

When I started building keyboards, I had to do a ton of research and watch a lot of YouTube tutorials, so I wanted to make something anyone with basic soldering skills and a 3D printer can build without overthinking it – vostoklabs.

Specs

• 42 keys
• Choc or MX switches
• handwired
• Pro Micro NRF52840 controller (Nice!Nano V2 clone)
• ZMK firmware, ZMK Studio support

Resources

• https://github.com/vostoklabs/Baikal-Handwired-Split-Corne-Keyboard
• https://makerworld.com/models/2057480
• https://github.com/vostoklabs/Baikal-Handwired-Split-Corne-Keyboard/blob/main/media/Baikal%20build%20instructions.pdf

Published on Wed 3rd Dec 2025. Featured in KBD #203 (source).

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