Finally got around to putting a bow on my North Pole review, which means it’s time to try something new: Invokeys Black Sesames.
Jeez these are good
I think the colorway of NK Charcoal fits these quite nicely. (I have a review of that keyset, too, if you’re curious.)
I put Black Sesames on my Saturn-60 rebuild recently, and I have to say these are my absolute most favorite switches ever. I’m autistic and have some weird sensory stuff around some feels (which is what got my into making custom boards to begin with). Whatever is going on with these switches, they hit every “right” feeling for me that I’ve always been wanting from typing.
The Origami Killer
Space65 R3 in “Mecha-01”
Currently housing some TTC Ace’s,
topped with EPBT Origami.
I picked this up for an eventual full EVA-01 build with the accompanying R2 of the GMK set.
The color is stunning in person. You can see how light/shadow can really shift the colors: anywhere from a Veronica purple to an electric purple.
There are some welcomed changes from the Cybervoyager that it replaced, but they aren’t really drastic enough to justify the purchase if you already own one. The typing experience is for sure softer than the previous top mount, but it’s not as flexy as you would expect for a 1.2mm flex-cut PCB and POM plate (there is a tiny bit of deflection while typing). There is also very little space under the PCB for it to move within which greatly contributes to this. It also sounded thin without using both the plate foam and PE sheet – the good news is that it doesn’t sound full Jelly Epoch either so it’s still a bit unique. Overall I’m happy with it, just not wow’d. Once I get the keycaps though, the aesthetic value will outweigh all disappointment, lol.
This thing. Still. Previously I’d rotate my boards daily just to change it up and enjoy their uniqueness. This thing hasn’t left my desk in almost a month. I just enjoy it that much. Granted, it’s pretty far removed from its stock form but I think its staying power on my desk is the most telling. Sadly I’m a bit late to be able to put it in a Heavy Grail housing but so be it. There are maybe a few small improvements I could make like lubing the springs but those are pretty minor complaints. It’s truly a joy to type on every day.
I’m guessing this is an HHKB with MX Sliders? Or is it a Frog Mini?
The Frog Mini still stands as my favorite MX board. But your first guess is correct! It’s an HHKB Pro 3 Hybrid with semi-silenced Novatouch MX sliders and BKE Ultralight domes.
Setup a new floating desk in my lab over the weekend and my MAJA build is a perfect fit for it.
Hmm, what are the differences between this and all the beige GMK Sets out there? I think GMK KA 1953 is more on the expensive side in r/mechmarket but don’t think others are. Especially because GMK Hineybeige is running for $99…
Nothing.
The last time GMK KA 1953 (classic beige) ran was 2016.
But fundamentally there should be zero difference between KA 1953 and the GMK Classic Beige that ran recently - and is still available on space cables! - and the current group buy for GMK Hineybeige.
The premium you see on second hand markets is due to the rarity of GMK ABS key caps in the beige colorway. Basically, it’s been a while.
Meanwhile there are a multitude of options for beige offered in the arguably superior PBT format. Among them being CRP, 21kb, xmi, and many many others.
EDIT: There is also 9009, which is slightly different in that they feature icon mods, and pay homage to the Cherry G80-9009.
Wasn’t happy with the long pole linears in my Bakeneko anymore so giving Salmons/tactiles another try with CXA WoB.
(Excuse the terrible photo.)
I’m finding this board on my desk more and more lately. Something about the 55g OEM domes and hipro, the combination is fantastic.
My first ever build:
Blade65 / KTT Roses / PBT Cherry Milkshake
Loved ever single bit of the process. Prolly have to take it apart once more since I’m unhappy about how the space bar sounds.
I got the mirror polished version of the KBD67 from KBDFans a little while ago. I didn’t originally plan to put SA Abyss on here, but I wasn’t using it on any other boards so I decided to try it out, and it turns I that I love it on here. The switches are Everglide Aqua Kings. I will say that this is probably the hardest time I’ve ever had trying to photograph a board. The reflections! The fingerprints! Ahh!
I’ll have to say, it is my best sounding board by a fair margin – I’ve never used a board with a silicone insert or lots of foam before. Most of my boards are a few years old before that became common.
I ordered a set of AFSA WoB to cover my Saturn until SA 8010 shipped, thinking it would be delayed two months for a fix kit. But the vendor shipped it anyway, and it’s due here Monday, two days after these arrived. D’oh!
I like these better than I expected. I was worried they’d feel cheap or not fit well, but they feel really nice, especially considering they were all of $40. I’ll need to find a board for them to live on permanently after 8010 comes Monday.
Finally got around to using the BM60 PCB I bought a year ago in a Freebird 60. Added MK Ultra plate foam, stock JWICK T1 tactiles, and capped with NK Cherry Charcoal.
I picked up both the JWICKs and the Cherry Charcoal caps on @Deadeye’s solid endorsements and couldn’t be happier with both. I’ve steered clear clear of Cherry profile for the most part until now, preferring the extremes of flat profiles like XDA or NP and MT3. No complaints at all on the Charcoal caps. I love that they’re a very nice PBT finish and that I was able to snag them on sale at $50.
The navy finish on the Freebird 60 is flawless and looks fantastic in person, in a wide range of lighting conditions. The supplied sound dampener is ok-ish, but I don’t think it’s thick enough to really do its job well and there’s still a good bit of case ping in the corners. I need to experiment with this a bit more to improve the sound.
Edit: the RAMA MAT is nice. Size is perfect for my desk and stitching and print seem good.
I absolutely dig that you can see all the inner bits. Be careful if you have to remove any switches because plate scratches and manufacturing imperfections will be annoyingly obvious now.
Lovely. Do you like the feel of them on your fingers? Does it remind you of anything. Trying to get an idea of what it would be like.
