deskthority

I want to get an idea how far gone I am in the collection of custom keyboards and whether I need to seek professional help or buy more keyboards.

All in good fun.

Quick mental check;
Phantom
Filco
PokerX
FaceU
Ergodox
Blue Pill
2x Raptor
Mx5000
x2 G80-1800
Dolch 1800
G81-1800
AAK
Apple Standard
Filco Zero

Not including;
Unasembled Phantom I'm looking for a case for
2x GH60s due whenever that group buy finishes
sprit 75% that I'm basically writting off at this point

And now I'm depressed...

edit - HHKB and Access matrix board as well.

HHKB Pro 2 Black
GON NerD60 Black PCB Limited Edition + Old Blacks + 55g Gold Plated springs + Big heavy Alu case from QTAN+ Glaxy Class keyset
GON NerD60 Rev2 + Vintage Blacks + Alu Plate + 55g Gold Plated springs + Vortex Alu Case + Original Cherry WoB caps
SPRiT Edition faceW + Old Blacks + 55g GON springs + Stock Poker Case + Blue LED's + Charred Orange GMK combined with Skidata
NIB IBM SSK

Except for the IBM all the boards are 60% best size for me I still miss my old Poker X that I had to sell to get nice Korean stuff, my first mechanical keyboard

Aquarius CSK-2102, white complicated Alps
Cherry B 65-1712, Cherry M7
Marquardt Military Keyboard 7069.3111, Marquardt Two Finger switch
Tesoro Durandal G1N, Cherry MX Brown
FaceU 60%, Cherry MX Clear with 60g springs, current daily driver
Cherry G80-2550 HPD, Cherry MX Black
2x IBM Personal Computer AT keyboard, IBM buckling spring
IBM Space Saving Keyboard, IBM buckling spring
Access-IS POS, Cherry MX Black
KPT KPT-84 from 2014 Secret Santa
Apple M0110, Alps vintage tee mount
Cherry G80-0530, Cherry MX Black
NIB Cherry G80-0441, Cherry MX White
and some Cherry G81-XXXX with various keycaps

I need to get rid of some, but I don't know with which I could part.

You forgot your Apple adjustable HzFaq! :p

- FaceU Replica (Wyse vintage blacks, lubed, with 60g Sprit springs, in Pexon's aluminium case, bought from PlasticChair)
- Gon NerD 60 ver 2 (ergo-clears, 62g, lubed, in Tex aluminium case)
- Leopold FC660C (pad printed, stock)
- Realforce 87u 55g (white, ANSI)
- Novatouch (ANSI)
- Cooler Master QFR (used to be browns, now in the process of modding with Gateron switches)

Not as impressive as other people on here; waiting on some GMK keycaps (as well as Round 5a), and got some cheap Chinese keyboard stuff in the post (to try out)

seebart wrote: ↑You forgot your Apple adjustable HzFaq! :p

It's filed under AAK . It's in my ergo rotation, it'll get more use when I make another hasu ADB converter.

Eagerly awaiting your list .

I did forget the HHKB though and my Access-IS. And I guess the Psion although thats more of a laptop than a standalone keyboard.

Filco TKL ( in the process of switching to vintage black + 55g spring)
Filco 60% custom caps
XT + one parted out (collectable)
AT (collectable)
Model M (collectable)
SSK (collectable)
122 Key F ( USB controller)
Beamspring ( USB controller)
Northgate Omnikey Ultra T ( reinfoced PCB to make it rattle less )
Dell AT 101 + one parted out
WYSE 50
Access POS board ( game pad ( think n52te) project)
Original Black Widow
Compaq Cherry board ( one with a trackball) ( mods changed to MX Grey)
M0110
ADDS Ansi Space invader
F107
Model M silver label 102 with split num pad winkeyless

On the way

Black Space invader ( almost 101 layout)
New old stock next keybrd

I want

F62
F104
Hall Effect of some sort ( space cadet NIB!)
AEK 1
Liner alps of some sort ( to compare to modded matias)
Novatouch
Novatouch
Novatouch

Nuum wrote: ↑ Apple M0110, Alps vintage tee mount

I need to get rid of some, but I don't know with which I could part.

Sell that one and sell it to me !

Haha, if I ever could decide it would probably be some of these:

Nuum wrote: ↑Cherry G80-2550 HPD, Cherry MX Black
Cherry G80-0530, Cherry MX Black
NIB Cherry G80-0441, Cherry MX White

They are all in very good condition! The G80-0441 is probably the rarest keyboard I own, but I can't use it, since it is a XT layout and US, too. Also it has no case or cable. Similarly with the G80-0530: I simply can't justify using the keycaps on another board, since they are almost mint.

I might as well just vote for >10 before I start my list! Does depend on the definition of modified etc. I suppose. Simply counting mechs, well, brace yourselves, here go again:

IBM

Beamspring

• 3276 German layout, from the Rustmaster of Dresden
• 3276 English layout, from Cindy instead and waiting Xwhatsit

Model F

• 62 key 4704 Kishsaver
• XT (my first mech!)
• Another XT waiting for conversion to an XTant
• AT, modded with a Teensy, USB socket, and an ANSI TKL-like layout (typing on it right now)

Model M

• NIB SSK a keeper for the future
• Blue label Lexmark SSK one of my main keyboards day to day
• Grey label SSK waiting for attention and hopefully a Colossus Bluetooth controller!
• 102 key terminal, French Candian ISO?
• 122 key terminal
• Model M2 that actually still works
• Another one that might, but has a smashed spacebar. (This AT likely did it when they shipped!)

Topre

• HHKB Pro 2 Type-S white with dyesubs, with the carry case and a spare set of caps
• Realforce TKL ANSI US, white 55g (waiting new in its box… have patience!)
• CM NovaTouch TKL, ANSI (well it's Topre on the PCB)
• Prototype CM NovaTouch ISO

Alps

• SGI Granite with cream Alps (but not the PS/2 version… needs converting)
• Zenith with green Alps

Apple

• M0110 the original 1984 Macintosh keyboard
• NIB Apple Extended II with white Alps
• Mint Apple Extended II with cream Alps and a solid cover
• Apple Adjustable Keyboard, one dodgy switch
• Apple Extended Keyboard, the original version, haven't got it yet but sounds like ditto!

Cherry

• Nope!

Customs

• 60% stainless steel "Shiny Fox" custom made by me with lots of help from Matteo, MX greens + one MX lock
• HyperMicro prototype 40% custom by 7bit, with MX whites and Suka's 3D printed case
• Wireless OneHand by PJE and Kile, with MX blacks

Miscellaneous

• NMB RT-102 with black space invaders in ISO and sweet dyesubs
• Monterey K110 with clicky Monterey switches, in its original box
• Chicony KB-5191 with Mitsumi switches
• Acer 6312 with semimechanical Acer switches but a nice set of Alps mount PBT caps
• Zenith Supersport SX 386 keyboard with Alps integrated dome switches and pristine Alps mount doubleshots
• A nice wee Access-IS matrix point of sale keyboard with doubleshots and MX blacks
• A Tipro I've modded into oblivion
• Oh, and a Honeywell Micro Switch Hall Effect keyboard that kicked off 7bit's insane Round 5 group buy.

End of list… that I can remember. If I'd just slapped them all in here without fancy formatting, the shock and awe wouldn't be quite as effective! Besides, I know there's people around here who could put me in my place.

I don't have that many:
2TU
JD40
Code Clear
HHKB Pro 2
RealForce 55g

@Muirium: Didn't realise that you got a 55g RF! I think I have the exact same one
Looking forward to hearing what you think, I really like mine, but am addicted to the smaller form factor of all my other keyboards (use my Leopold far more often). The 55g does feel nicer though, and I was very close to doing a dome swap between the RF and my Leopold; but never got around to it.

No Cherry Mu? None? I'm shocked! No list from me now since I'm mobile.

After something like six months into mechanical keyboards:

2x SSK (one NIB)
FC660C
KBT Pure (Alu case incoming)
Commodore PC-5 (Cherry G80-0499)
AZERTY model F XT (hell yeah)
4x AZERTY model M
AZERTY model M2
4x AZERTY AEKII
4x G81-1274SPF
G81-1000HDF
Old Nixdorf with blacks (not clear tops)
Yellowed Digital terminal with blacks (and a super black!)
POS Pennine with MX browns
M0117 (that might leave me soon? )
Cherry MX 3.0

Pretty happy with what I got, though most of those where impulsive buys and that I'm not using (and will most likely never use), so I might do a big sales thread soon.

pjmelon wrote: ↑[…] and whether I need to seek professional help or buy more keyboards […]

Probably both

Not going to post a list of my stuff, which is almost exclusively Cherry. And Tipro, of course

Aw. I'm looking forward to seeing if Photekq or (gasp) Webwit cares to share the depths of their stash! Those two make my collection look pocket sized.


@Seebart: Correct, no Cherry boards as yet. I've a couple of good excuses. First up there's all the Cherry guys around here (hi!) who are both more knowledgeable and better funded than me whenever good ones show up. (It'd help if I had their focus, of course.) Second, the only Cherry I really like the look of and whose form factor fits my style is the MX 5000. Good luck with that…


@Stablised: The Realforce has a story all right. It's waiting for me when I'm over to California in a few weeks. I expect to really like it, of course. But it's up against fierce competition with my HHKB Type-S, which is my travel board and will be flying with me so I can get something done on the long flight. Fortunately I bought a second set of HHKB caps, so I won't have to put up with those domed Windows keys! But yeah, I do expect a serious case of swings and roundabouts between the two boards, for feel. I'll write all about it, inevitably!

As for form factors: these old IBMs of mine — and crucially a different workspace where I stand and use a trackpad now — have gotten me used to great beastly boards. The AT I'm on at the moment doesn't even feel particularly large! Really helps that it's quite symmetrical, though. TKLs are the biggest common layout that I'm cosy with. Thank goodness Topre makes those! They're a prize among IBMs and, like I said to Seebart, one of those troublesome things between me and Cherry.

Let's see..

2x NIB G81-3116SDU (1 soon-to-be-ex) (2)
NIB G81-3081SAF (soon-to-be-ex) (3)
NIB G80-1220HAU (4)
NIB G80-3000HRMUS (seller hasn't shipped ) (5)
NIB G81-3221HAX (seller hasn't shipped ) (6)
Used in box G80-2100HDF (7)
G80-2000HAD (8)
NCR 3007 with 3000SFD PCB and UK ISO dyesubs (9)
NCR 3077 with Leeku-3000 PCB, Nixdorf blacks (replaced with regular tops), and ANSI doubleshots + Desko RGBs (10)
SUN 3219 with Leeku-3000 PCB, old browns, WoB doubleshots (11)
Goupil G81-3061 (PCB-less) (12)
G81-3015HAR mint (13)
G81-3054HAQ mint (14)
G81-3100SAU used (15)
G80-5000HAMPO with UK ISO doubleshots (16)
G80-3000HFMGB (no keycaps) (17)
G80-1501HAD (no keycaps) (18)
360c with 62g clears and Nixdorf tops, OTD RA keycaps (19)
The Cheat (unassembled) (20)
IBM F107 (mid-restoration) (21)
IBM 3278 (mid-restoration) (22)
NIB SSK (23)
NIB 1390131 (24)
Mtek 104 (25)
Goupil 1000 casing (seller hasn't shipped ) (26)

So, counting keyboards that haven't left my hands just yet, keyboards that should be coming into my hands soon, and casings that haven't been filled.. 26 keyboards. I like to think that I have a fairly rare collection though. I don't have much stuff that's easy to get your hands on, and I didn't overpay for (much) of it

Impressive. Either you're indeed pickier than I thought, or you're doing a better job than me of *not* holding onto all of them!

Photekq, don't you mean

not photekq wrote:G81-3000SAT (NIB, seller hasn't shipped)

I would have had 60, but I gave a couple away. I only have one Cherry (Wyse) and one rubber dome (MacBook Pro). No Topre.

HHKB Pro 2
HHKB Pro 2 Type-S (not arrived yet)
RealForce 87USB
IBM Model F 5291 Terminal Keyboard
2 x IBM Model M Enhanced Keyboards (1390131 and 1391411)
2 x IBM Model M SSK (1391472 and 1392934 (NIB))
Apple Extended Keyboard 2
ErgoDox
Ducky Shine 2
KBT Poker 2

The last two are hardly collectibles though

Not going to post a list of my stuff either. I think if I make the definition of "collectible" strong enough, I could manage to get below 10 ... well almost ... I don't go for collectible much, I'm more driven by curiosity for new switch types and key feels.

Next up: "How many keycaps do you own?"

Don't! That list could go on forever.


@Khers: Ah, the Shine and Poker are alright. Everything always comes down to where you draw the line. I prefer the thread title: "How many keyboards do you own?" All I have to add is the couple built into my laptops and that Apple Bluetooth keyboard I was using before I got into all this.


@Mr_A500: What's the deal with you and Topre then? Tried it and don't like them, or is this good old fashioned prejudice principle! I guess it could be price, you've got that boat to feed after all…

scottc wrote: ↑Photekq, don't you mean

not photekq wrote:G81-3000SAT (NIB, seller hasn't shipped)

Oops! Forgot about those!

Make it 28 then.

Muirium wrote: ↑@Mr_A500: What's the deal with you and Topre then? Tried it and don't like them, or is this good old fashioned prejudice principle! I guess it could be price, you've got that boat to feed after all…

I never had a chance to try one and when I look at the price, I'd rather spend that on another beam spring.

The boat has been fed. Thankfully, it's not one of those boats that keeps eating cash. (no dock/maintenance/fuel or other fees)

you are indeed a cherry picker photekq! But my golden rule is quality over quantity, which is practically impossible to follow with the super rare stuff.

12, (I think). I will have to count again, then list when I get home. Edit last mental count is 13

IBM Terminal M
Unicomp M
IBM 4704 107 key
2x NMB space Invader black
Chicony 5981 monteray blues
Zenith Datasystem, yellow alps + 2 green alps.
Dell AT101W
random Ga alps clone board
Futaba Board
Solidtek white alps
IBM M2
IBM 3178



random RD keyboards that don't count.

Oh, I guess it's time to take inventory!

The Modern-ish
Filco MJ2 TKL
Filco MJ2 104-key
Cherry G80-3000LPCEU
FaceU replica
Dell AT101W
K110

The Vintage
Apple M0110
Cherry G80-1000HFD
IBM Model M 1393285 (Greek)
IBM SSK

The Unassembled
GON NerD 60
Phantom

The POS
4 Tipros
Access IS

All in all 17.Custom/collectible I guess 6???

seebart wrote: ↑you are indeed a cherry picker photekq! But my golden rule is quality over quantity, which is practically impossible to follow with the super rare stuff.

Yes, that's my rule too. I don't buy anything that isn't either collectible or nice to use. It just so happens that, even while following that rule, the quantity can get a little high..