The Kailh Calligraphy and XCJZ Chocolate Ball Bearing switches are both standard MX mechanical switches of the linear breed. They both feature standard stem shape, 50 g bottom-out force, however, they come with different top housing (LCP (lyquid crystal polymer) vs PC), bottom housing (LCP (lyquid crystal polymer) vs POM), stem material (MF (melamine formaldehyde) vs POM), spring (20 mm single-stage extended KOS vs 18 mm), actuation (42 g vs 38 g), pre-travel (2 mm vs 1.60 mm), total travel (3.80 mm vs 3.50 mm). That said, they are mostly different. Let's check out this side-by-side specs rundawn with details, availability -- and even current prices -- to figure out which one fits you the best!
The Kailh Calligraphy is a linear standard MX mechanical switch with LCP (lyquid crystal polymer) top housing, LCP (lyquid crystal polymer) bottom housing, and MF (melamine formaldehyde) stem (standard shape). It features a 20 mm single-stage extended KOS spring. The 42g actuation occurs at 2mm. The 50g bottom-out occurs at 3.80mm. Extra: Light diffuser. Factory lubing? Yes! Designed by Kailh. Manufactured by Kailh. | The XCJZ Chocolate Ball Bearing is a linear standard MX mechanical switch with PC top housing, POM bottom housing, and POM stem (standard shape). It features a 18 mm spring. The 38g actuation occurs at 1.60mm. The 50g bottom-out occurs at 3.50mm. Light diffuser, ball bearings in the stem. Factory lubing? Yes! Designed by XCJZ. Manufactured by Tonekey. |
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| Name | Kailh Calligraphy | XCJZ Chocolate Ball Bearing |
|---|---|---|
| Type | linear | linear |
| Footprint | 5-pin | 5-pin |
| Top housing | LCP (lyquid crystal polymer) | PC |
| Bottom housing | LCP (lyquid crystal polymer) | POM |
| Stem material | MF (melamine formaldehyde) | POM |
| Stem shape | standard | standard |
| Spring | 20 mm single-stage extended KOS | 18 mm |
| Actuation | 42 g | 38 g |
| Bottom-out | 50 g | 50 g |
| Pre-travel | 2 mm | 1.60 mm |
| Total travel | 3.80 mm | 3.50 mm |
| Lube | Factory lubing? Yes! | Factory lubing? Yes! |
| Designer | Kailh | XCJZ |
| Manufacturer | Kailh | Tonekey |
By tracking prices and in-stock status of 30+ well-known keyboard stores worldwide, we can state that the Kailh Calligraphy is much more widely available, but the XCJZ Chocolate Ball Bearing is also available in stores.
Clicking the links below take you to some notable keyboard shops offering Kailh Calligraphy and XCJZ Chocolate Ball Bearing switches. When accepted, the prices indicated already include the discount - use the KBDNEWS coupon code at checkout to claim your saving!
Prices, discounts, and stock status are checked regularly; however, changes since the last update cannot be ruled out. Everything here is for informational purposes only. Check the product pages for the latest prices!
Comments on Kailh Calligraphy switches | Comments on XCJZ Chocolate Ball Bearing switches |
The Calligraphy switch is definitely one of the most unique switches of 2025. Kailh went above and beyond, creating customized stem and housing molds just for the MF and LCP materials used to manufacture this switch. The results are nice. Calligraphy switches have a clean, loud, full, and clacky sound profile. These switches don't have any ticking or spring noise, not even a bit. Factory lubing is on point which makes them super smooth. Furthermore, they come with a satisfying scratchy and grainy feeling. They probably have the best non-Cherry scratch there is. Even better than Kailh BCP which was known for having the pleasing scratchy feeling – Unikeys. | The Chocolate Ball Bearing Switch features a new integrated ball bearing design, with four embedded bearings in the stem that glide along internal grooves in the top and bottom housing, delivering a smoother more consistent linear travel – SerpentKeys. |
