Keyboard Builders' Digest / Editorial
Behind the scenes #186
Keyboard projects, reviews, quick news, in the mailbox, meetups, vendors, discounts.
Published February 18, 2025
Hey, what's up everyone!
Welcome back for another recap and behind-the-scenes write-up. PSA: I've been sick for a while, which is why there's been a hiatus in posting and why this editorial is rather stripped down. Also, the cut-off date for this issue is, I don't know, maybe two weeks ago. (Still, I've been keeping up with my bookmarking, so I'll get to more recent projects eventually.)
If you are new to kbd.news, you can read how this started out and what this is all about nowadays. If you like what you see, subscribe to the newsletter (free) and donate some bucks to keep this otherwise free and ad-free project alive.
Some posts worth sharing
- It's been on top for two weeks, but maybe some of you've missed it: January's community-favorite mechanical switches, based on real sales data provided by vendors and manufacturers.
- Review: The Lexicon by WeirdLittleKeebs is a 65% "writing keyboard" designed for wordsmiths – with a layer full of words.
- FearlessSpiff's Raveniung is a Reviung-derivative unibody split with oak plate.
- Aurora is a 65% open-source ortholinear split keyboard, shared by Musab Hassan.
- A 54-key wireless split with nice lighting: StackOverChonk by Aditya.
- The unibody split LoremIpsum36 is a no-frills Gateron LP keyboard by Penk Chen.
- Kivipallur is an ergo split keyboard with a 25 mm thumb trackball – designed by dr3san.
- ErgoSentry is the ultimate resurrection of the retired SteelSeries Merc Stealth keyboard – a group buy by CustomMK.
TIPS
- Oneofzero deskmat design contest. The winner gets $1,000 + a deskmat collab. Deadline: February 28th.
- typersguild.com has some new features: you can connect with your friends, and type a book together, or even Wikipedia articles.
- Glyphica update: stats and leaderboards.
Closed-source, WIP, etc.
- The Omni kbd is a 40% monoblock split with trackpad and double trackballs – by mass-work.
- A nice handwired one by Agreeable_Campaign86, who used this case.
- A cool WIP split dith keywell. You can track author's (moobel) progress here.
- Merlin v1. A 70-key handwired Dactyl-like split by clusterthumb.
- Thunder Punch / 电拳 by Rain2/AffectionateWin.
- Hm. Ergohaven has a premium version of the K:03? K:03 v3 Spaceship Edition – made of aviation grade anodized aluminum + hard travel case.
- Cutting board mechanical keyboard 2 – by androidbrick.
Keyboard art
- A sexy side profile of a Tohsaka65 – shot by Sterlingcophoto. And an even sexier one: Baion Synovia.
Hey, featuring a GravaStar mouse I reviewed recently!
- An acrylic case based on the CK60 – by QueGettingShitDone.
- Whale Cosmia artisan by Creasikey.
- Keyboard tatoo. Posted by JChoga.
- Keyboard clogs. Posted by alainmikli.
In the mailbox
KAP Generation keycaps
Michael of Monacokeys sent me this gorgeous keycap set.
The KAP Generation, designed by kapowaz is available as a preorder. As you can see, the set does exist physically, so ordering it is safe. ;) It looks just as cool as in the official photos. Actually, even better. Like Jamon on steroids. Or toxic Jamon with the glowing accent burning your eyes – unfortunately, I'm unable to capture the real colors.
By the way, KAP stands for Keyreative Cherry – new molds, not really a new profile. There will be ABS and PBT sets, but this KAP Generation, the very first of its kind, comes in ABS+PBT – semi-transparent ABS outer layer and PBT inner shot.
Monacokeys specializes in keycap sets for the German market, so no wonder that this versatile set is available in German and UK versions, and there's also a Nordic kit for Swedish, Norwegian, Danish, and Finnish users.
Siemens S5 PG 675
It's been a while since I stumbled upon anything worth buying, but I've always had a penchant for these luggage computers of the '80.
The Siemens S5 PG 675 was part of a PLC (Programmable Logic Controller) system – automation systems used to manage industrial machines and production lines. The unit in the photos was the programmer of the ecosystem, introduced in 1978-1979. It bears all the hallmarks of this genre: Fold-down front panel (keyboard), double 5.25" floppy drive, and portability via a robust handle – and a weight of just 20kg/44lbs! :)
The retro look may be misleading. Even though it was replaced by the S7 in 1994, since S5 systems were used worldwide in some critical factories, Siemens sold the S5 up until 2015(!). (2005 in some sources.) Spare parts were available until 2020 – almost 45 years after its launch.
Siemens SIMATIC-S5, the iconic workhorse of automation, is being put out to pasture – Siemens, 1 Oct 2020.
That said, booting up this monster in my photos, it runs a Siemens software copyrighted in 1986.
KBDcraft Israfel revisited
So I was asked if high profile keycaps like SA, MT3 or KAT interfere with the low-pro switches coming with the KBDcraft Israfel.
I share my findings in case anyone is interested:
KAT is okay, but SA and MT3 skirts touch the switch plate. SA seems just the proper height, barely touching it depending on the stem wobble. However, with MT3 you definitely hit the plate on each keystroke.
Btw, high profiles – especially SA – look quite stupid on this rather low board, and I personally like the stock low-pro caps. :)
Vendors & Discounts
Feel free to use the KBDNEWS discount code at 168 keyboard shops! And do not hesitate to report any issues.
New shops and updates to the database of keyboard vendors this past two weeks:
- New Keebz N Cables discount – 5% off (in-stock, one use per customer).
- Clackify added. Switch testers from the US. Let's find your dream switch – and save 5% with the KBDNEWS coupon code.
Meetup database
As always, this meetup database serves as both a calendar and an archive, so feel free to send me upcoming events or even ones from the recent past to make this collection as comprehensive as possible.
Upcoming meetups
- Berlin Mechanical Keyboards & Input Devices Meetup, February 24, Berlin, Germany
Recently added
- The Keyboard Meetup (GMK), June 28, Wernberg-Koeblitz, Germany
Donations
- I didn't feel well enough to go over all the donation options – from PayPal to Patreon, BuyMeACoffee to Stripe, etc. If I left your name out, I'll be sure to include it next time.
- New donation from Cem A.. Thanks!
- As always, many thanks to my awesome regular supporters and everyone who helped this project thus far.
For all the donation options check out the donation page!
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That's all for today. Thanks for checking by. As always: Keep learning and building!
Until next time,
Tamás
Published on Tue 18th Feb 2025. Featured in KBD #186.
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