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Learning and discussion Key switches
1

For any of you who have tried buckling-spring switches please give a really specific description on how they feel like if you want to :wink:

2

One word descriptor that comes to mind for how I would describe the Model M’s buckling-spring structure is “stifling”. I personally LOVE my Model M and the tactility/clicky-ness it gives is what I would call stifling but in a good way.

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So at the simplest level, they’re medium-heavy clickies. That does not, however, do them justice. The tactile event feels substantial but not burdensome. The click, tactile event, and actuation are perfectly aligned. Bottom-out is firm but not harsh. The keycaps are durable and pleasant. The backplate makes for a good sculpt. It’s all integrated into boards that are tanks and will not move around. It’s truly an excellent “switch” for typing.

Of course, even with their functional keycaps, they’re not quite a complete switch, and the foot needs to actuate either the capacitive pad (Model F) or the membrane (Model M). That does make maintenance a bit more of a holistic endeavor than it would be on a board with self-contained switches. Also, the stabilizer technology is inherently a bit prone to friction, but build quality mostly makes up for that. Key wobble is towards the bottom of what would be considered acceptable today, and on many boards it’s straight up bad for the 1.5u and 1.75u keys, which actually rotate a bit.

Then there is the sound. It is loud. It is unapologetically pingy, and not in that “hold it up to my ear in a quiet room” stuff some people like to complain about these days. No, this is a big ol spring, and the sumbitch collapses on itself and bangs into the side of a hard plastic barrel. It is metallic. I like the way it blends with the plastic snap of the foot and the crunch of the bottom-out and return. It’s harmonious cacophony. I will say I find the spacebars to be a little hollow, but it’s barely a problem.

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4

That is a damn good description of using buckling spring switches, I concur!

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5

That was a fun read! Haven’t used these boards since probably the mid 90s, but felt like I was there again. :slightly_smiling_face:

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