Keyboard Builders' Digest / Editorial
Behind the scenes #205
Behind the scenes with the KiiBOOM Meow keycap set and AM Infinity mouse reviews, plus open-source projects, keyboard art, meetups, lots of new vendors, and discounts.
Published January 26, 2026
Hey, what's up everyone!
Welcome back for another recap and behind-the-scenes write-up – with cool projects from the DIY keyboard scene, but also some promising closed-source commercial projects.
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.
Chef's choice
If you only have time for a handful of projects, check out these:
- My KiiBOOM Meow keycap and AM Infinity mouse reviews.
- MX Unsaver and Keyther – open-source projects.
- The orange Cornix (2.0?) (pre-order) and the Lucy R2 caps in the commercial section.
- The WIP column for the mikefives, Dullboy, and ntc490's board.
- And quickly scroll through the keyboard art part for inspiration.
Some posts worth sharing
- Hm. The photos turned out quite nice, but no surprise with these cute caps and colors: A combined review of the KiiBOOM Meow Pudding PC keycap set and the blue KiiBOOM Phantom 81 Lite keyboard.
- An open-source wireless split keyboard by yyevax: Xavient is available both in 36-key or 42-key configs.
- The MX Unsaver is a custom keyboard and numpad by nearestexit: inspired by the vintage IBM "Unsaver".
- MagoSaronno's split Keyther is a Cantor-derivative – halves connected by an Ethernet cable.
- The wireless Ashwing64 by Flexyjerkov is a 64-key monoblock keyboard with exposed diodes.
- A 52-key wireless split keyboard: Phanny by zackattack.
- A 36-key monoblock split based on the Yolochka: Yolochka Remastered by turtle_bazon – with PCB.
- Bonus review: A top-tier, ultralight mouse in a cool magnesium/aluminum frame: AM Infinity. While I'm wary about such light mice as I prefer some heft for better control, I ended up using this fancy mouse as my daily driver at home.
- Exul released the files of his noname wireless split.
Closed-source, WIP, commercial, etc.
- I like the new orange Cornix 2.0(?) – pre-order. Other than the new color option, only firmware changes I guess, plus improved quality control. Now sold through OZO from the UK.
- Drop-in wireless Corne PCB from Boardsource.
- mikefives – the split brother of the unibody mikefive by dynam1keNL.
- Daily58. A wireless, repair-friendly Lily58 variant by lvl3-diy.
- Hm. A cool WIP handwired board with keywell. By ntc490.
- An open-source numpad by PhudnerDev. With custom software. Still work in profress, but some files already on github.
- Robertferanec is designing a modular keyboard. STM32 MCU, CAN bus for communication.
- ScottoT9 – PCB edition of Joe's macropad that implements old-school non-predictive T9 character input. Github repo without PCB.
- And the ScottoRang, the author's latest handwired keyboard, featuring 16x16mm spaced Choc switches.
- A steno board by Leo Wang aka ApplicationTrick4391.
- Shared by Sadale and outputting Unicode, ilo nena is a dedicated board for typing Sitelen Pona glyphs of the Toki Pona language.
- FishKeeb is a handwired ScottoFly-adaptation. By Lander03xD_.
- Mantis v1.0 development update by Felix Kuehling. The crazy angled monoblock board with hex grid and caps – now with an integrated trackball or trackpad.
- Mono is a split with trackpads by Ok-March1037.
- Dullboy prototype by Blind_Heim. A wireless low-pro Choc monoblock board with offset halves.
- The ult 42 is a WIP true split by paper5963, with the author's stackable (adjustable-height) caps.
- DCF Kimera by AyzenShiro. A semi-ortholinear southpaw long boi.
- Custom split keyboard for the Reform Next. By funnes.
Tips, Typing, Keymap
- Holy moly. kle-ng can generate KiCad projects now. Shared by admwscki.
- Shield Wizard is a web-based, no-code configurator for ZMK. It generates a ZMK "user config" repository with shields for your custom keyboard design (source).
- Spacebar unwarping method by Bigsasquatch67.
- No pullup resistors or reset circuit required for trackpoint on QMK+RP2040? PR by kleshwong.
- 3D-printed Agar Mini case by salavatme.
- Parametric Silakka54 tenting platform in CadQuery. By Sandra_Anderson/GreenKeebz.
- Height adjustable keycap by paper5963.
History/Discovery
- DYTCOM K-261 with MX-compatible Taiwan Jet Axis switches. Photos by humanplayer2. From the '90s, according to ThereminGoat.
- I love this chunky briefcase: Compaq SLT / 286. Posted by Negative-Hearing.
Keyboard art
- WorkerJunior1429 put a keyboard on a keyboard. An artisan inspired by vintage typewriters. Handmade resin with focus on proportions and detail.
- Lucy R2 keycap set pre-order – I like the playful number row with the transparent ABS.
- A shipwreck-esque keyboard by NoMusic6682.
- Vendigo PCB art. (A Sweep style experiment by leifflat.)
- Stacked acrylic bLAEde by Calumwri posted by alrahm.
- Wood: flamed maple housing. Photo by SpockIsMyHomeboy.
- Saturn by Rain2.
- Envy65 bottom – shot by Sterlingandcophoto.
- Crocheted case for defineintlonglong's Piantor Pro 36.
- Haha, noimaginasian's notebook keyboard is actually a MelGeek Pixel with some transparent silicone tubing.
- Pureya – photos by Slashin28.
Diderot effect (aka accessories)
- Valentine's switch earrings from Clackify.
- Artisan keycap display box with built-in lights. From C9labs.
- NomadBase – sofa-friendly keyboard cases/lapboards by PrintStation.
In the mailbox
Jiffy 75
Wow, a Jiffy 75. No product page yet, as I was informed, Jazeil Funder Studio is preparing the Kickstarter campaign.
As with the Elytra, the product is ready for mass production or even delivery? I'm not sure. What I'm sure about is that this is a kick-ass split if you insist on the classic horizontal staggering. Charming walnut(?) palm rests, amazing hard-shell carry case, and the usual high-quality milled low-pro aluminum chassis from JZF.
Jeez, these silent Kailh Deep Sea MINI Pink Island Choc V2s are very pleasant to type on. Not completely silent, but they make the sound a lot deeper, even without the walnut tray.
You asked about the caps after the Elytra, now these are even more akin to the Apple caps: italic legends, in the bottom left corner. I'm pretty sure they will be available separately as well.
Epomaker care package
I was genuinely surprised by a parcel coming from Epomaker. A care package with non-keyboard related goodies, probably sent before Christmas but only arriving in mid-January.
An Epomaker coaster, a nice coin, and a cute mini china set for drinking tea? Or something else. Idk.
Donations
- No new donors this time, but 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!
Meetup database
The 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.
Recently added
- SFxMK Winter Swap & Meet, February 14, San Francisco, US
Meetup galleries
- Colorado meetup entry updated. Photos by RiskyAlpha.
- There was a meetup in Saigon. Some photos posted by weswtchsgn.
Vendor news & Discounts
Feel free to use the KBDNEWS discount code at 191 keyboard shops worldwide! And do not hesitate to report any issues! :)
New shops and updates to the database of keyboard vendors this past two weeks:
- Contura Keyboards is the shop of Russell Dame (aka DepressedCabbage/GurApprehensive), creator of the Hephaestes38, who offered you a 5% discount (KBDNEWS coupon code).
- Whalebone (US) offers some nice 3D-printed keyboard stands.
- Keycapsule, a French studio with limited runs of keyboards/keycaps/deskmats/cables, was added.
- ElimKeys – it was high time to add this site after the Elytra review.
- lvl3.diy (IN) sells the Lily58-based Home58 – a wireless split with AAA batteries.
- Neo Macro (IN).
- CBKBD marked as sus. Background story.
- For history's sake: RandomPersonOnZeWeb's Qlavier's GB Scams post.
Developments
- Nut much. I've managed to integrate another shop in the switch database/offers section, but that was it regarding developments in the first weeks of 2026 I guess.
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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 Mon 26th Jan 2026. Featured in KBD #205.
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