Keyboard Builders' Digest / Editorial
Behind the scenes #208
Behind the scenes with lots of reviews (Jiffy75, Redragon, Whalebone, Kemove), open-source and commercial projects, keyboard art, meetups, new shops and discounts, etc.
Published March 20, 2026
Hey, what's up everyone!
Welcome back for another recap and behind-the-scenes write-up – with some cool projects from the DIY keyboard scene, but also 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
- Reviews: Jiffy75 (Kickstarter), Redragon Behemoth K724 Pro, Whalebone KDS-3 stand, Kemove P10-V1 switch puller.
- Open hardware: Paw 34, Effiddy, Black Pearl, ThumbsUp! V12.
- Art: Fish catching toy artisan.
Some posts worth sharing
- The Jiffy75 (SP75) is a low-profile prebuilt-split keyboard by Jezail Funder Studio. With wooden accents and wrist rest.
- I tested Whalebone's best-selling product, the KDS-3 keyboard stand. Well-designed, elegant, affordable.
- Redragon's tri-mode wireless Behemoth K724 Pro is a 75% keyboard with display and rotary knob.
- Kemove came up with the new four-claw P10-V1 switch puller. My new favorite tool of this kind.
- Another 34-key split, with a twist though. The modular Paw 34 by James Crosswell.
- Simon Schödler's Effiddy is a declarative split keyboard, inspired by the Totem.
- A fancy 3D-printed 20% ergo split with trackball: Black Pearl by Christian Czepluch.
- A steno/chording keyboard with mouse switches: ThumbsUp! V12 Omron by ak66666.
- Konstantin Goncharuk's 65% Splinter is a split keyboard with horizontal staggering – wired or wireless.
- A left-hand game controller with joystick – on throttle rails. 3R Free Controller by Roel Rijkes.
Closed-source, WIP, commercial, etc.
- GeaconPolaris. A WIP split with index finger trackball. Posted by Outside-Bluejay.
- GeaconSolstice, a GRIN-layout split from tepo.
- Knordex is a wireless split by SfBattleBeagle. Resin printed, repo later.
- Zonkey. A wireless split by Optimal_Zone.
- A cute handwired symmetrical split by juniper-dog.
- Joe Scotto's handwired monoblock split Scotto55.
- A handwired split by grease-core.
- Chunky ortho prototype by AvailableReporter559.
- DASIC repo updated with hotswap PCB, news 4 degree case, build guides.
- Kambala is an ULP PG1316 split by aroum2.
- A custom Dactyl-like with inlayed keycaps, and obviously handwired. By SkyProfessional8805. With 3D model.
Tips, Typing, Keymap, 3D
- Stephan Rumswinkel cross-platform KeyPeek provides a live on-screen overlay of your keyboard. The overlay updates instantly when layers change, so the view always matches your firmware state. Supports QMK, Vial, and ZMK keyboards. A small firmware module is required to stream layer state events.
- Magnetic mouse pad – to solve the precision vs pronation paradox. By Active_Mind. Also at orbcontrol.com.
- Letter Drill is another typing tool, this wan helps drill specific letters and characters. Pick letters to practice, basically. By inimical. I don't know if I hate this or showing only 3 upcoming letters may actually aid some aspects of typing.
Keyboard art
- An artisan keycap series inspired by the nostalgic fish catching toy many of us grew up with. Deenamo.store offered you a 10% discount with the KBDNEWS coupon code.
- Japanese joinery meets keyboards. Committed by cogukeys.
- Crystalline porcelain keycaps by Clayonkey.
- A build with the silly Black Big Legend Keycaps. Posted by androidbrick.
- Totem Organic Shadowscape build by electroPlasmic.
- The fullsize Touchstone keyboard with some cool bottom designs. Posted by CannonKeys.
- "We let 80+ college students design a keyboard". Posted by CentralComputerHQ.
Diderot effect (aka accessories)
- The "real" cutting mat deskmat. A 80x30 cm deskmat-sized cutting mat from Work Louder.
- HHKB case by fingerling-broccoli.
In the mailbox
I made good progress with working through my backlog, but there are still a lot of boards collecting dust on my desk waiting to be covered.
Meanwhile, the Kemove P10-V1 switch pullers have arrived (already tested), and another KiiBOOM plus some IQUNIX boards shipped and on their way.
Dareu Cool68, KiiBOOM Phantom 98, Epomaker Glyph waiting for review. Maybe MoErgo's Go60 as well.
Donations
- New donors, yay! Thank you Katharine M. and Guilherme M.!
- 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.
Upcoming meetups
- Colorado MechMeets March 2026 meetup, March 21, Erie, CO, US
Recently added
- Colorado MechMeets April 2026 Meetup, April 19, Denver, CO, US
Vendor news & Discounts
First and foremost, feel free to use the KBDNEWS discount code at 194 keyboard shops worldwide! And do not hesitate to report any issues! :)
New shops and updates to the database of keyboard vendors:
- Deenamo.store added. This is the home of the funny fish artisans, offering you a 10% discount with the KBDNEWS coupon code now.
- ThereminGoat.com's 6th birthday.
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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 Fri 20th Mar 2026. Featured in KBD #208.
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