The KTT Vanilla Ice Cream and Kailh Calligraphy switches are both standard MX mechanical switches of the linear breed. They both feature standard stem shape, however, they come with different top housing (proprietary KTT blend vs LCP (lyquid crystal polymer)), bottom housing (POK vs LCP (lyquid crystal polymer)), stem material (POK vs MF (melamine formaldehyde)), spring (18 mm stainless steel vs 20 mm single-stage extended KOS), actuation (43 g vs 42 g), bottom-out force (48 g vs 50 g), pre-travel (1.90 mm vs 2 mm), total travel (3.50 mm vs 3.80 mm). That said, they are very 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 KTT Vanilla Ice Cream is a linear standard MX mechanical switch with proprietary KTT blend top housing, POK bottom housing, and POK stem (standard shape). It features a 18 mm stainless steel spring. The 43g actuation occurs at 1.90mm. The 48g bottom-out occurs at 3.50mm. Factory lubing? Yes! Designed by KTT. | 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. |
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| Name | KTT Vanilla Ice Cream | Kailh Calligraphy |
|---|---|---|
| Type | linear | linear |
| Footprint | 5-pin | 5-pin |
| Top housing | proprietary KTT blend | LCP (lyquid crystal polymer) |
| Bottom housing | POK | LCP (lyquid crystal polymer) |
| Stem material | POK | MF (melamine formaldehyde) |
| Stem shape | standard | standard |
| Spring | 18 mm stainless steel | 20 mm single-stage extended KOS |
| Actuation | 43 g | 42 g |
| Bottom-out | 48 g | 50 g |
| Pre-travel | 1.90 mm | 2 mm |
| Total travel | 3.50 mm | 3.80 mm |
| Lube | Factory lubing? Yes! | Factory lubing? Yes! |
| Designer | KTT | Kailh |
| Manufacturer | - | Kailh |
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 KTT Vanilla Ice Cream is also available in stores.
Clicking the links below take you to some notable keyboard shops offering KTT Vanilla Ice Cream and Kailh Calligraphy 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!
KTT Vanilla Ice Cream force curve | Kailh Calligraphy force curve |
| No Kailh Calligraphy force curve available. |
Comments on KTT Vanilla Ice Cream switches | Comments on Kailh Calligraphy switches |
No comments on KTT Vanilla Ice Cream 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. |
