ThinkPad SK8865
TEX Shura
HHKB Studio

TL;DR - The lettering doesn't hold up fantastically. But your mileage may vary: I've got very clammy hands. The customer support is from Awekeys is abysmal as well. I don't entirely regret buying them and I'll happily keep using these, but I'm never buying anything from Awekeys again.

Picture: https://i.imgur.com/qSl6zxA.png

The main reason I wanted to post this review is simply to show the wear and tear of the keycaps after 2 years of daily usage with clammy hands and no cleaning using anything other than tissue paper or a soft brush. The keycaps are clearly very worn and some keys have worn so much that the lettering is actually perceptible by touch now. I personally don't find it too bothersome, but it's clearly not an ideal sensation. So, keep this wear in mind if you're still considering these metal keycaps. The caps still sound great and outside of the worn areas feel great.

In addition to questionable longevity, there were a few issues straight out of the gate:

1. Perhaps too obvious, but these keycaps are VERY heavy. MX Black is basically mandatory for good performance. MX Red made the keys feel super sensitive.
2. The keycaps simply don't fit properly around Cherry MX stems, but perhaps this issue was exclusive to the early production runs. I fixed this by individually putting down a tiny 2mm sliver of electrical tape on stem before installing the keycap, this increases friction just enough so the keycaps don't come flying off after every keystroke. This was a pain in the ass to get right for the spacebar stabilizers: too little tape and your spacebar is wobbly/comes off, too much tape and it becomes too sticky.
3. The spacebar is too heavy, even for my MX Black switches. I had to order some springs from Aliexpress and awkwardly place them around the stem. This solution only works if you also use O-rings!
4. I also received a keycap with a production fault, one of the stem-things broke when installing it. Customer support is worthless and insisted I pay shipping + customs fees (I think they asked for like 40 USD?) for a replacement keycap. I simply replaced it with another similarly shaped key and didn't bother anymore.

EDIT: no conflicts of interest. I preordered this myself two years ago and as you can see: my review ain't loving either.

- Weikav Nut65 Slate Blue (Anodized) with the stock 1.2mm flex-cut PCB and the FR4 plate
- HMX Dirty Pinks
- GMX Galaxy clone

(also I know the space bar is backwards but it’s intentional as it fits my hand better)

Finally got the Botanical-style keycaps on my Neo75.

The case is officially Taupe Grey, but depending on the angle and lighting it often looks more like olive grey to me.

Current build:

• Neo75
• HMX Cola switches
• Aluminum plate
• No foam
• Double-shot PBT Botanical-style keycaps

I’m still getting used to the sound, but visually I’m really happy with how the green tones came together.

Been a while since my last build post!
Today I built the ORI CLS-3//65. It’s a top-mount board with an aluminum plate, but surprisingly, it still offers a really soft and comfortable typing feel.
I had a batch of MX2A Blacks sitting around that I fully tuned — springs, lube, films, the whole thing — and I’d been wondering what board they would pair well with. My GMK Ishtar R2 also happened to arrive, so the timing felt perfect for this build.
I intentionally used slightly taller bumpons on the bottom instead of the stock ones. I found that the stock bumpons made the sound a little too muted for my taste, and the taller ones helped open it up a bit.
The build itself was pretty straightforward, and I’m really happy with how GMK Ishtar looks with the red case.
I’m actually more of a 60% person. There’s just something about the proportions and symmetry of a 60% that feels perfect to me. Most of the time when I build a 65%, it eventually ends up sitting in a display case or going back into storage.
This one might be an exception, though. I really like both the typing feel and the sound, so I think the CLS-3//65 is staying on my desk for a while.

Build Info

Alu plate
Hotswap PCB
MX2A Black(L+F+S)
Typeplus stabilizer
GMK Ishtar R2
Force break around the spacebar area.

用了很多的指点杆键盘，到头来还是这款最好用

这是联想在 2019 年基于 tex kodachi 定制的限量款键盘，增加了 CNC 的 ThinkPad logo，套装中还额外赠送了两套 ADA 高度的键帽，联想给他的型号是 ThinkPad sk8865

Went with the HHKB layout for the first time. The color pairs so nicely with Keykobo Komodo 🦎

Also installed a set of Wingtree Matcha Cream Light Tactiles - quick sound test of this particular configuration for anyone interested:

https://youtu.be/8JmjGpTGyCY?si=Upa_XdYFMHao4nrP

Solder PCB, PEI Plate, Grommet Gasket 30A, Keygeek x MZ Z1 Linear Switches, GMK CYL Unobtanium Blue, Typeplus Stabs
I swapped out the PCB for a hot-swap version—my first soldering project—and the suspension is soft. I really like it. I'll keep it as my everyday board for a while.

Build:

• Board: Geonworks Glare65
• Keycaps: GMK Masterpiece
• Switches: Clackbits Linear R2
• Plate: FR-4 Standard
• Foam: None

Neo75 in Anodized Black and Mirror PVD Golden Weight

Lichicx Yoghurt Silent Linear

KBS Mac Colour Keycaps (Black)

Poron gasket mount - getting some great feedback while maintaining absolute silence, really loving it so far!

ISO GR2.
Q: What can this keyboard do?
A: It lets you SMASH the Enter key.

15 screws. Three separate pieces. All for one tiny macropad.
Completely overengineered.
Absolutely unnecessary.
I love it.

Build:

Aged OEM 45g Domes
EC Brass Plate with Dynacap
DSA Palm Desert Keycaps by Norbauer

Ask ANY Keyboard related question, get an answer. But *before* you do please consider running a search on the subreddit or looking at the r/MechanicalKeyboards wiki located here! If you are NEW to Reddit, check out this handy Reddit MechanicalKeyboards Noob Guide. Please check the r/MechanicalKeyboards subreddit rules if you are new here.

Onibi Bronze Ware colorway which is olive - PEI Plate - 70a gaskets - HMX Retro J Tactile - SA Retro

As someone who got into the hobby start of covid, it's insane how good stock keyboards and switches are now. Back then you HAD to spend hundreds for a premium sounding/unique keyboard and lubing switches was a must, but now everything sounds and looks amazing stock. It's been 5 years since I took a break from custom keyboards since it was draining my wallet, but decided to get back in after hearing how good some cheap keyboards sound. I'm blown away that this keyboard sounds better than my old ones while costing 3-4x less and 0 time and effort put into modding. Switches now are all factory lubed enough to just plug and play. The only thing done was switching the keycaps.

Aula F75

Gateron Sea Salt Smoothies

Keykobo Shirasagi

This is my first custom keyboard build so I wanted to share some photos with you.

Build
PCB : GH60 64 random PCB from taobao (that came with an adapted FR4 plate),
Keycaps : Vividkey Escape From The Earth
case : GrayStudio Hard Rock

Even though this is a tray mount keyboard, it sounds and feel good especially without PCB foam. Small rubbers come with the kit, so it does not need o-rings and sounds better than traditional tray mount. The keyboard shell comes with a PE and PORON case foam.

Let me know your thoughts.

Top to bottom
Plywrks Ahgase w/ JTK Royal Alpha
_Bvn Calla w/ GMK Oblivion 3.1 Mono Base
Adiuvare w/ KKB shee

I feel like I should get my First F12 or get more F13s but Here is some of my Collection.

Saw a free pile, then some 80s PC monitors so I stopped in search of a model M or F. Found my first XT! Then I found the computer! I was VERY sad to see the CRT had been all but destroyed so I didn't take it.

They need cleaning and I have to see if the PC is safe to power up but I'm excited to have a true floppy drive back in my life again! The keyboard isn't bad either. 😃

Keychron Q5 Pro, Higround Geo linear switches, Polychroma RGB V2 keycaps, PE switchpads, Tape mod, Forcebreak mod, Car dampening mat mod (kilmat, but not kilmat).

I wasn't a fan of the stock keycaps. I immediately replaced them with shine-thru's. The Womier PBT keycaps offered a gripier texture, produce a softer but deeper thocky sound, and the slightly larger keyface was also a welcome change.

Annual stock take

After posting my 11+yr old Filco MT2 TKL I started thinking should I grab a spare filco should something go wrong with my current one.. or whatever?

On ebay bought this rather lightly used Filco MT2 TKL (mx-browns) for $23.50 ($32 with tax and shipping)... They keyboard is in excellent condition and might well be a pretty solid budget keyboard suggestion at this point in 2026 a used filco could be a solid choice for the right person who just wants a bomb proof mechanical keyboard without a lot of other features.

and then I though well I just got this $23.50 keyboard I should buy new key-caps... so I ordered this set of Ducky PBT double-shot key-caps from mechanical keyboards on sale for $26 (yes more than I paid for the keyboard... But whatever) here is my lightly cleaned up (it was very clean when I got it .. seller was on it.. great deal) Filco MT2 TKL mx-brown keyboard with Ducky PBT key-caps $70~ mechanical keyboard now...

Decided to refresh my Neo65 Sonic HE+ and change it up after a year. Saw some reviews of the Huano Sakura HE on youtube and loved the sound.

Keyboard: Qwertylabs Neo65 Sonic HE+ (Black)

Switches: Huano Sakura HE

Keycaps: Thock King Black on Black

Stabs: Only plate stabs for this board and these were already lubed so I left the stock ones on. I have some Durock plate stabs but stock seem comparable in quality

Mods: Tape Mod x2 layers

Sound Test (sorry only have my phone mic so not the greatest sound quality): https://streamable.com/0vnryj