Issue #215 - Keyboard Builders' Digest
Keyboard Builders' Digest // Issue #215
Check out this week's editorial with some original content, awesome projects, tips, ideas, discount codes, etc!
Hey y'all,
Here are a few notable keyboard-related posts I thought were worth highlighting this time around:
- Curious about July’s top mechanical switches? The numbers are in, so here are the community’s current favorites based on real sales data provided by 20 vendors and manufacturers.
- Review: NocFree's strangely named "&" is a low-profile 75% split keyboard. Wireless, classic staggering, classy aluminum housing.
- The very first EC/HE dual-sensing switches: XVX Whisper 2-in-1 magnetic silent -- Topre feel via domes, now also for your Hall-effect keyboards. Yummy!
- Bonus review: The Royal Kludge RK R99 is a mechanical keyboard in the 1800 form factor. Wireless, hotswap, with huge RGB firepower.
- Open source: Hector by Rick Kross. A 38-key split Hall-effect keyboard.
- Hanthebot's Boardloaf-HE is a 36-key split keyboard with reversible PCB supporting magnetic switches.
- A diodeless split with splay: Hectrrs36, also by hanthebot.
- Oldie but goodie: Apfel's open-source Teenspirit is a 18-key monoblock ergo split keyboard.
- Created by JR, Sharkfin is an open-source configurator for keyboards built on ROYUAN hardware. Fyi, that's 900 models currently, with some popular ones from Akko, Epomaker, KiiBOOM, etc.
Save some money
There are 175 keyboard shops accepting the KBDNEWS coupon code now, offering you various discounts.
New additions:
- TacType (ceramic keycaps)
- DarkBeacon (AI-assisted gaming periphery.)
And here are all the keyboard stores in the database.
Meetups
Upcoming events from the meetup calendar:
- Minnesota Meetup, August 29, Saint Paul, MN, US
- Colorado MechMeets August 2026, August 29, Lakewood, CO, US
Recently added:
- Keeb Life 2026, September 19, Pasadena, CA, US
- Tokyo Keyboard Expo, September 23, Tokyo, Japan
Weekly keyboard art
Devil Breaker Wild Lotus II by DarkBeacon -- a one-handed magnetic gaming keyboard. Limited edition, 100 numbered units.
This issue’s supporters
splitkb.com, MoErgo Glove80, Upgrade Keyboards, BeaverKeys, Cyboard, @keebio, Jacob Mikesell, Timo, KEEBD, TALPKEYBOARD, @kaleid1990, RGBKeys, Ben M, ghsear.ch, u/motfalcon, Bob Cotton, FFKeebs, @therick0996, Christian Mladenov, Schnoor Typography, Daniel Nikolov, Caleb Rand, James McCleese, Micah Alpern, zzeneg, Spencer Dabell, Anatolii Smolianinov, Stefan S., Penk Chen, Clacky, Trey Causey, Mario S., Cloyce, Dylan Ingham, Gordon Diggs, Duncan B., HubertTheMad, Andres Sakk, barraGOUDA, Shnobble, Hating TheFruit, Ikasaya, Technofrikus, Dickiedyce, drudru, TurkeyBoards, Filip Salo, TurtleKeebs, Chase M., Davidjohn Gerena, sungo, Felix K., Joshua C., beekeeb, Derek Tam, s_p_l_o_d_e, Raphael S., Tarik K.
(You are awesome! Thanks everyone!)
