My daily driver has ultimately become that god-awful Model-M that you generously gave to me. It’s probably blasphemous to say this, but I like it more than the new Model-F. And my Topre. Ok, maybe not ‘better’ than the Topre, but every much equal as a pure joy to type on. My Unicomp keyboard on the other hand will never see use again as long as this keyboard remains functioning. Honestly I think you are crazy not to like this keyboard, but that’s just me.
At the moment I have Kailh Box Browns in it. But I have Kailh silent Box Browns on the way from … China.
I’m glad that Model M found a good home and that you are enjoying it. I can’t for the life of me understand what anyone sees in those gawdawful things, but to each their own.
I’ve never typed on a Kailh box brown, are they anything like that awful scraping feel that is the Cherry alternative?
As for the Model M, it is just my vision of the ideal keyboard. Maybe it is cause I grew up with it, but it just has the ideal key weight, a satisfying click, and is just crisp and to the point. If you find any more, send them my way!
I found an old keyboard at work that I would also like to add to my collection, but I don’t know how to identify it (and I am no longer working in that department so I can’t get model numbers). It is some sort of 80’s board with what looked like green rubber domes, but im not sure cause I didn’t want to get caught mutilating the lab’s work keyboard. It has a somewhat lighter keypress, but has a really nice tight crisp feel to it and a smooth bottom-out. I should probably ask around on Geekhack or something to see if I can get somebody to identify it, but I imagine that it is hopelessly obscure.
These box browns aren’t scratchy at all, really. And the tactility is quite crisp…maybe too crisp. Apparently over time these switches become clicky. I’m hoping the silent version of these switches won’t have these tendencies (and be quieter to boot).
A photo of that keyboard would help a lot in identifying it, of course. A future project…
I “grew up” with Model M keyboards too. I used to type on one every day as part of my job in the mid-80s. I hated it then and I still hate them today. I hate the noise, I hate the feel, I hate the cylindrical keycaps, and I hate the bland beige aesthetics.
Spent the morning lubing some NK Creams. First time lubing and I didn’t realize how long it actually takes. Keeb should be here and ready to build by the weekend though
There isn’t much difference in feel, IMO, between the 3.6mm travel of box whites and the 4.0mm travel of MX blues. They have the same actuation force, but the box whites have a more robust click leaf, making the click sound more pronounced and the tactility crisper.
@zslane Just wanted to thank you for starting this thread. I’ve read it several times and had no idea that keyboards could be so involved. The next time I purchase a keyboard it will prove to be a different experience as I will be considering options that I never have before.
Unfortunately, yea. The heavier case makes the click sound different, but it also feels different. Sturdier key-feel and more snappy. I have no need to use the Unicomp (used to my my daily driver) when I have something that is in every way just that much better.
Interesting! I have been using my Unicomp as a daily driver at work for a couple of years now and I like it. Now I feel like I should go prowl eBay for a real model M.
Sadly, my wife said the Unicomp was not allowed into the home office now that we’re both working from home. Too noisy.
