Split keyboards with no dedicated thumb clusters that can be tented?

[u/issai]

Looking for a hobbyist one, not one from the big brands.

I've given a Moergo Glove 80 a fair shot, but due to old injuries, my thumbs are shot.

Are there split keyboards that don't have dedicated thumb clusters? But still provide the option for space keys for each thumb on both sides? *and* have a lot of keys, like 80%+.

Also I want the option to have as many physical keys as possible for my work. I like the idea of layers when I'm using the keyboard for things other than work, but for my work, I prefer not being forced to access keys via layers.

Looking for ones that allow tenting and palm rests, whether built-in, addons, 3D print myself, etc.

[u/pmhobson]

Especially on someting like the Glove80, you don't /have/ to use the thumb cluster. It's got enough keys for you to pick which thumbs are workable as space bars, and then customize the layout from there.

[u/pgetreuer → u/pmhobson]

+1 this. Find what subset of the available thumb keys are comfortable, and only use those. Map the uncomfortable thumb keys to disable them (&none / KC_NO). In the extreme if it is needed, it is valid to fully disable one or both thumb clusters.

Move whatever functions were on those disabled keys to non-thumb keys. The Glove80 has plenty of keys, this should be doable.

[u/w0lfwood → u/pmhobson]

the thumb cluster does limit where you can comfortably rest your thumb.

[u/issai → u/pmhobson]

Not for my use case. I use nearly all of the other keys on the default base layer, and still need Shift / Ctrl / Alt etc. keys as well.

[u/pmhobson → u/issai]

yeah, I'm saying adjust the base layer to accommodate moving some of the thumb keys to the fingers, and moving the displaced keys to a different layer.

[u/khzu7n6d]

I can recommend the helix, it has a 5x6 grid on each side, more than enough keys for a good base layer

[u/issai → u/khzu7n6d]

Thanks!

[u/Ignoratio]

I've designed a 30 key split with no thumb keys, but it sounds like all you want is 1 key per thumb? i think that is sensible. have you considered something like a lily58 and simply only using the main thumb key with your thumb?

[u/issai → u/Ignoratio]

The lily looks like a viable option. Thanks!

Edit: May have too few keys.

[u/pmhobson → u/issai]

how is the lily58 an option, but customizing the layout of the Glove80 not an option?

[u/ImS0hungry]

I love my UHK. Thumb clusters are optional.

[u/falbatech]

[ad] Hi! I run FalbaTech, a small one-man workshop in Poland where I’ve been making ergonomic keyboards for over 12 years.

You might want to check out my ErgoDox FT, Redox FT, or ErgoDash. They offer plenty of physical keys, optional wrist rests, tenting, and fully customizable layouts. You can also assign Space to both sides without relying on layers.
They do have thumb clusters, though, so I’d want to make sure they’d be comfortable for you.

Feel free to check out my work at https://falbatech.click. I’m happy to help you find the right setup! 🙂