The MKC Zinc Gold Tone Keyset is a must-have for me when it comes to mechanical keyboards. The set is $50 and contains only 37 keys. However, it was worth the cost. The keys' first benefit is their appearance. They arrive individually wrapped so there are no marks or scratches on the keys. These keys shine and reflect light, making them very attractive when compared to any plastic keyboards. This makes the keys feel much better than their plastic counterparts. They can feel a little cold when first touched, but it is not uncomfortable. They feel smoother than the plastic keys, which are often slightly textured. Despite the lack of texture, your fingers won't slip all over the keys. It's still very easy to use. These keys offer a physical and aesthetic benefit. The keys are slightly heavier than the plastic keys, making it easier for the spring to compress and easier to use. Although the effect is minimal, it is still noticeable. It is important to mention that these keys have been with me for more than a year without any signs of corrosion. The coating could wear away and affect the appearance of keys. However, this was only the case with older models. I have seen newer versions and it is much better. Although metal keycaps are not easy to find, they are usually readily available.
Although I've mentioned the customization mechanical keyboards allow, I have not been able to go into detail about what you can do. A popular choice is to purchase complete key sets that match the theme or design of the entire board. However, artisan keycaps are becoming more popular. Many artists are skilled in crafting custom keycaps. These keys are usually just one or two keys. These keys can have a high value because they are handmade and made in small quantities. These single keycaps can sell for more than $200 on eBay. Although they don't come at a huge price, the average price of a single keycap is $25. These keys are becoming more popular, even though the cost of one artisan key may be comparable to the cost for a complete set. As artists gain more experience, the designs become more complex. They were almost all single-colored sculpted keys at the time of the invention of artisan keys. Many artisan keys can now be multicolored and have multiple parts. Jelly Keys is a new artist who quickly gained popularity. He creates unique keys by embedding gems and plants in the resin during casting. While artisan keys are a more expensive option, they can spice up your keyboard by only changing one keycap.
I have spoken before about custom boards, and boards that are smaller then you might think possible. The Planck is one of the most well-known custom "miniature” mechanical keyboards. It is a 40 percent keyboard. It does not have a number pad, arrow keys or function keys. Although it may seem like the keyboard is not usable because it has "missing" keys, it is actually quite easy to use. There are three layers of keys. You can access them by holding down the no key, the upper or lower key. Each key can have three options. For example, hold down the upper key and press "q" to access the number 1. Although it takes some time to get used to, it is very fast and takes up half the space of a regular keyboard. Ortholinear keyboards have another advantage. Instead of keys being in an offset row, they are all in a straight line. This aspect can be a little difficult to get used to but it can improve your typing speed. It is a small custom board that costs around $120 due to its size. It is usually sold as a "kit", where you will be expected to assemble it. However, it is also available pre-assembled.
