Which modern switch feels the most like the IBM Model M switches?

Learning and discussion Key switches
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Which modern switch feels the most like the IBM Model M switches?

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Honestly there really is no modern equivalent IME. You can get new Model Ms from Unicomp & new Model Fs from ModelFkeyboards, although they both use the same design as the OG buckling spring switches (Capacitive actuation for the Fs & membrane actuation for the Ms). Also Unicomp’s Model Ms are not nearly as nice as OG IBM made ones. They carry forward all the cost cutting measures IBM & Lexmark made to the Model M through the years. From all I have heard Eclipse’s new Model Fs are very well made & carry a quality close to what the originals were. They are also available in a bunch of layouts official Model Fs never came in. IMHO a new Model F or a Unicomp Model M would be your best bet to get a modern buckling spring experience.

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I think this is a touch overstated. I think the value proposition on later, used Model M’s is really good. I have a 2014 GE Medical Unicomp, from before the new molds, and it’s fine. If it pales in comparison, it is still a good board. The new ones are supposed to be a bit nicer still, with a lot of things tightened up and native USB, plus it’s really the only reasonably priced way to get a buckling spring TKL.

So for MX, for me nothing SOUNDS like them at all. For feel, no MX are particularly close, but I am team clicky and I have boards with Box Navy, Box Jade, Box White, Gateron KS-3 Blue, Gateron Green, Outemu (and god knows who else’s) Blue, and Outemu Green with Dustproof stems. Of those, the last ones, the cheap AF dustproof Outemu green feels closest, but it’s not going really scratch that itch. The weight is not far off though, and the particular click jacket rattle is just a bit closer than the others or the clickbar from the Kailhs, which is honestly still what I’d recommend if you want a refined but reasonably priced clicky MX board.

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Yeah I probably should’ve tempered that statement by adding the fact I do not think Unicomps are bad or anything. Just from my personal experience with them I feel there is a pretty noticeable quality difference between early Model Ms, late Model Ms, & Unicomp/Lexmark Model Ms.

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Prefacing this with the fact that none of these are like buckling springs, here are a few novel clickies that are fun to try:

  • Cream Clickies; basically linear with a crisp metallic click coming from a disc not unlike safety caps on jars and bottles; genuinely zero tactility

  • Zeal Clickiez; chunkiest, most tactile clicks I know of in the MX footprint thanks to a clicking leaf spring, somewhat like Alps but smaller; housings interfere with some caps in either direction

  • Gateron Melodics; sort of a lite version of the above, these also use a leaf but it’s a tiny one that doesn’t need a different outer housing shape to accommodate it - sharp and snappy but with a heavier tactility than the average clicky

  • NK Sherbets (revised version); a click-bar switch like BOXes, but with more pre-travel and thus a somewhat different feel. Very crisp like other click-bar switches

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My daily driver on my work machine is an original Model F AT, so I’ve looked into this a lot. As much as I love the older keyboards, something that offers a more flexible design would be really nice.

I spent a lot of time looking at force-curves, and the closest on paper is the Kailh Box Navy. It tends to feel heavy, however. In most keyboards I prefer the lighter touch of the Box Jade, which has a similar curve, but requires less force. Both are kind of a softer version of the buckling spring. The feel is similar, but with the edges rounded off. That’s not always a good thing, but it’s the best I’ve found so far.

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The fact that I haven’t tried any of these :joy: