Keyboard Builders' Digest / Editorial

Behind the scenes #213

Behind the scenes with the XVX L75 Air and MoeeTech artisan reviews, open-source and commercial projects, keyboard art, meetups, new shops and discounts, etc.

dovenyi
Published July 1, 2026

Hey, what's up everyone!

It's been a while. 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 and 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.

Yep, I have a huge backlog again. Don't bother looking for the past couple of days' projects. I keep bookmarking stuff, but I just can't bring myself to post when the temperature is above 40°C…

Some posts worth sharing

• A nice low-profile keyboard: I reviewed the XVX L75 Air – 75% wireless, featuring a sleek aluminum top case and introducing new low-pro IMD keycaps.

• I tested MoeeTech's new custom metal artisan keycap service: beginner-friendly design process, great quality, surprisingly competitive prices.

• The Haili58 is an nrf52840 based 58-key wireless split keyboard by Juho T.

• A wireless low-pro split with a nice CNC alu case: LP44 Split by juncho26.

• Yanos626 shared the STL files of his handwired Tofu Dactyl, designed via the Cosmos generator.

• A generative low-pro split with a smooth build pipeline: Temporal by curbol.A generative low-pro split with a smooth build pipeline: Temporal by curbol.

• Two row-staggered split keyboards by Yuburoll: Ilwol and Phalwol – with reversible PCBs.

• An open-source Hall-effect wireless split keyboard with keywell: YKB Skadi by YarmanKB.

• Oldie but goodie: David Barr's Demeter is a 34-key diodeless split.

• Ognjen Bjeletic's open-source Dual Blades feature Matias Alps switches – but also support MX ones.

Closed-source, WIP, etc.

• Cloudsplit36 by NightVisixn. A wireless split keyboard with the column stagger of a Corne that uses a reversible SMD PCB design. To be open sourced soon.

• Falbatech shared a Redox FT case 3D printed from recycled PET plastic bottles – shredded and turned into filament.

• An M5 Paper v1.1 writer-deck posted by take-motto-.

• A blast from the past: Lou D.'s ErgoMax is an Ergodox with F-row. Reversible version also available. A 7 year old project rediscovered by djevo8.

Commercial

• The concrete Keychron K2 HE.

• Toucan2 announced by Beekeeb (via r/emk).

• Hm. Leversteno (preodrer) by Noll Electronics is a 3D-printed lever-actuated stenography keyboard with an actuation force around 7g.

• LiberArk68 with faders. By SplitLogic.

• Not sure how to classify this, but Touchy-pad by geeksville is an open-source app that turns various cheap ($15-$30) 'aliexpress' displays into a USB HID touchpad.

Handwired

• The Adipoli by Roshan Jossy is a vertical handwired split. Made of wood. Github repo.

• Kuma 2 by trabusfu. A handwired split with 3D-printed plate featuring channels for wires and room for hotswap sockets.

• HWFW keyboard by vostoklabs. A pocketable unibody featuring hotglue insulation and handwritten legends.

3D

• SVG Keycap Generator by vostoklabs (via r/emk). Optimized for 3D printing on FDM machines, no CAD knowledge required.

• Keyball39 Space Case by Reverend Rocknroll.

• Ferris Sweep Bling MX Case by LukasStu (via r/mk).

Tips, Typing, Keymap

• New ZMK keymap editing and visualisation tool by Kit-314 (Github repo).

• Entropy is a desktop app by kissetfall_eh, a cross-platform configurator for Vial/QMK and RMK devices (r/olkb).

• SweetieMetalhead suggests that we should stop treating Shift the same way as other mods. At least in context of home-row mods.

• New Ergomech.store blog series, starting with some keyboard mapping tricks.

History/Discovery

• Safetype spotting. Photo by shaadow.

• BeeRaider – a "radial keyboard".

• Yamaha SX-100 and Victor HC-30 – MSX1 computers posted by Starwisher7.

Keyboard art

• DesktopTribe VINTEM75. A premium 75% kit with a signature rotary knob. Photo by Cicada-Tang.

• Fnctl.co Burly 65 posted by enomooshiki.

• Tiraaamisu keyboard by ataruno_key, who painted it to look like tiramisu using modeling paste and acrylic paints. Two types of paste were used to create different textures: one rough and one smooth.

• KOSANJI is a 2kg marble keyboard case teased by AlternativeSale7574.

• Keyboard panel woven of Ethernet cable. By Mrs_Fancy_Pants.

I couldn't bring myself to throw away an old Ethernet cable, so I turned it into a keyboard panel instead – Mrs_Fancy_Pants.

• Rain2's curved keyboard case, and the majestic Nibelungenlied40 – a book-shaped 40% split keyboard in two volumes.

• Minerva LX - Tycho Edition. Posted by mekanist.

Diderot effect (aka accessories)

• Luminkey Split Palm Rest. CNC aluminum with modular top plate system for e.g. carbon fiber inserts.

• 26-key stress relief half-keyboards sold in China. Posted by LocalOrageUser.

• Ghostpad is a pressure-sensitive mousepad prototype by cmajmus. With a 4x4 grid for macros.

In the mailbox

The already reviewed XVX L75 Air came along with some Whisper switches: magnetic, silent, 2-in-1 EC / HE switches. Domes on HE boards? I'll give this a try soon.

• Nocfree &
• Royal Kludge RK-R99 - 1800-is layout, keycaps with spherical dishes.
• And I'm working on a new MoeeTech Glitter65 L01 review (at the bottom of the pile).

Donations

• No new donations this time.
• Two long-time donors have gone.
• 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

• Keyboard Meetup Osaka #2, July 4, Osaka, Japan

Recently added

• 2026 Canadian Mechanical Keyboard Meetup, July 11, Toronto, Canada
• 2026 Madison Mechanical Keyboard Meetup, July 19, Madison, WI, US
• PDXKBC Keyboard Meet, July 26, Portland, OR, US
• Colorado MechMeets July 2026 meetup, July 26, Erie, CO, US
• Alabama Mechanical Keyboard Meetup, October 3, Huntsville, AL, US

• SharktasticA representing IBM at Bristol keyboard meetup.

Vendor news & Discounts

First and foremost, feel free to use the KBDNEWS discount code at 174 keyboard shops worldwide!

New shops and updates to the database of keyboard vendors:

• 10% discount at Ergomech.store (coupon: KBDNEWS) – on top of existing discounts! For selected keyboards, maximum $50.
• King Cables - Custom cables from Bulgaria. Ivailo offered you a 15% discount! (Coupon: KBDNEWS)
• Desktop Tribe (China) added. Makers of the VINTEM75 with the sick encoder knob.
• Fellow redditor SuccessfulYou8810 stumbled upon "The Laboratory by RF" in Singapore, and shared some photos.

• HHKB 30th anniversary. Congrats!
• Ex-(Mass)Drop folks at Apos are bringing back some classic keycap sets and keyboards.

As some of you may know, a few of us have been doing this awhile and worked for a place called (Mass)Drop once upon a time. We never wanted to step on any toes in the past, but since Drop officially announced they’re shutting down we’ve received some messages from old friends looking for a new place to make cool stuff. […] We’re going to bring back some oldies, update some classics, and give people the chance to make new gems. DSA Astrolokeys, Preonic rev4, GMK CYL Hyperfuse Origins, DSS Dolch, SA Retro, and plenty more on the way. Maybe you’ve got something rattling around in that ol’ noggin of yours that you want to make? Shoot us a message and let's cook(am I doing that right? I don't think I'm doing that right. I’m so old…) – aposaudio.

Developments

• Switch database backend: Improved helper scripts to identify inconsistencies, removed products from shops, etc.
• Database cleanup: A lot of long-gone products removed.

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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 Wed 1st Jul 2026. Featured in KBD #213.

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