Thank you. This is exactly what I’ve been looking for.
I’ve asked the question “what’s the closest switch to buckling spring” several times over the years, and I’ve gotten responses ranging from “there is nothing, but” to suggestions from people who’ve clearly never typed on a Model M. Or F.
A big issue I see is the belief - by even switch makers - that buckling spring meant a deep, close to bottom actuation. “Typist” switches all seem to be like this.
It’s good to have the perspective of a buckling spring fan.
Oh cool, glad it helped. I don’t know the current key models but if you want to get even closer, try to find something with the same mechanism but a slightly heavier spring. Or swap the springs yourself if you’re dedicated.
It still won’t be perfect. When buckling springs actuate they pull the key downward a tiny bit (not to the bottom), and when they de-actuate they push the key back upward with a small force. That satisfying bouncy feeling just can’t be replicated by linear springs. But the Kailhs come the closest IMO to matching the actuation force, press and release timing, and tactile clicky feeling.
There is also Unicom and ModelFKeyboards.com for true buckling springs, but those are all expensive and ugly IMO.
Another former Model M user here. Take a look at the Kailh Box Navy’s too. After killing my second Model M (not sure how, the boards just died), I dug deep into the force curves and it seemed like a better match even than the Holy Pandas. Kitted out a 40% ortho keyboard with the box blues and was quite pleased with the results.
Since then I managed to get a new Model F Kishsaver on deep sale, but living situation changed and haven’t been able to touch either of them in over half a year.
Thank you. This is exactly what I’ve been looking for.
I’ve asked the question “what’s the closest switch to buckling spring” several times over the years, and I’ve gotten responses ranging from “there is nothing, but” to suggestions from people who’ve clearly never typed on a Model M. Or F.
A big issue I see is the belief - by even switch makers - that buckling spring meant a deep, close to bottom actuation. “Typist” switches all seem to be like this.
It’s good to have the perspective of a buckling spring fan.
Oh cool, glad it helped. I don’t know the current key models but if you want to get even closer, try to find something with the same mechanism but a slightly heavier spring. Or swap the springs yourself if you’re dedicated.
It still won’t be perfect. When buckling springs actuate they pull the key downward a tiny bit (not to the bottom), and when they de-actuate they push the key back upward with a small force. That satisfying bouncy feeling just can’t be replicated by linear springs. But the Kailhs come the closest IMO to matching the actuation force, press and release timing, and tactile clicky feeling.
There is also Unicom and ModelFKeyboards.com for true buckling springs, but those are all expensive and ugly IMO.
Thanks. Yeah, all of the current new models are all row-staggered and non-ergo. I just can’t do that anymore b/c RSI.
Another former Model M user here. Take a look at the Kailh Box Navy’s too. After killing my second Model M (not sure how, the boards just died), I dug deep into the force curves and it seemed like a better match even than the Holy Pandas. Kitted out a 40% ortho keyboard with the box blues and was quite pleased with the results.
Since then I managed to get a new Model F Kishsaver on deep sale, but living situation changed and haven’t been able to touch either of them in over half a year.
Excellent, thanks for the recommendation!