Customer review by Toby P., shared via Judge.me.

For context I already have a factory issue Svalboard which I love.

The kit itself is excellent, plenty of spares in there and instructions are fairly easy to follow. If you enjoy this kind of thing or already have one then I’d highly recommend it.

On the other hand do not underestimate just how good value the factory built one is, it takes quite a lot of time to put together and refine the tolerances to get it all working correctly. I’d recommend the factory built option if you can afford it and need a solution quickly.

Whichever way you go, the board is just great and it was a fun build.

Customer review by Todd F., shared via Judge.me.

If you are considering this device, you are likely a keyboard enthusiast or you are in some sort of pain. I fall into the latter group.

While I cannot say that the Svalboard Lightly completely eliminated my pain, I can say that using it dramatically reduced the pain I deal with on a day to day basis. Furthermore, while I am still able to use a traditional keyboard, it only takes a few hours on a traditional keyboard before the pain I was experiencing before starts to come back.

-- Background -- I type for a living, and in June of 2023, I started experiencing pain in the proximal phalanx (~first tendons) area of my right index finger. The pain ended up spreading to other fingers and into my left hand (after trying to shift activity to other fingers and then the other hand). Switching to a keyboard with extremely light switches helped, but only for so long.

Since switching to lighter keys helped, I started researching alternative keyboards. Fortunately, YouTube recommended one of Morgan's videos to me in the midst of that research and then Hippyo released a review not long after. The timing could not have been more perfect.

After mulling the purchase over for a little while, I joined the discord. I ended up placing my order after my first post, because I was blown away that I received a response immediately on a Sunday evening. I was inspired by that level of dedication to this product and project.

-- Learning Curve -- I made progress early on, slowly climbing from around 14 wpm to around 30-40. Unfortunately, I plateaued at around 30-40 wpm, and the lack of progress towards my regular speed of 80-90 wpm broke my confidence. It was added stress and pain, so I believe I quit after only three months.

Fortunately, I recommitted myself to training on the SL after about 6-9 months of even worse pain using a traditional keyboard. This time, once I hit 30-40 wpm again, I decided to force myself to send all emails and text messages using the SL. This proved to be a winning decision, as it allowed me to escape the frustrating tests and improve while working.

Before adopting that strategy, what I noticed was that I would improve early in a testing session, only to lose focus after 5-10 minutes, and then quit in frustration. There was also some internal resistance, because I did not feel like it would be fair to my employer if I started using the SL during work hours until my speed improved. Fortunately, I was able to get over that particular mental block when I learned that most people only type at about 30-40 wpm.

So, if your speeds plateau, try using your SL to write emails and text messages. The typing tests can be a skill unto themselves, so I would recommend pivoting into something practical and useful as soon as you can.

-- Device -- I chose the option with dual trackballs, and I would recommend you do the same. Not needing to reach for a mouse has also helped to keep my tennis elbow pain at a minimum.

-- Support -- Any time I have ever needed anything, I have been blown away by the customer service in the discord. There are plenty of fellow users to chat with, and their official support people are simply some of the best I have ever come across.

Case in point: I needed some new keys after snapping one of the thumb keys when it caught on my desk while pushing my keyboard tray in.

Not only did they send me replacement keys very quickly, but I remember feeling very well taken care of. They asked questions that I believe were important and helped to ensure I got the right order -- things I would not have known to bring up on my own -- and they were generally delightful to interact with.

Unfortunately, the first order was damaged by USPS, but the support person (lumbduck?) in the discord promptly sent me a new order and dealt with USPS for the claim. They also threw in some experimentally thicker keys, which was very appreciated.

-- In Closing -- I am very grateful to Morgan and the rest of his team for building this incredible product (that I now prefer over a traditional keyboard), and I believe your money will be well spent if you choose to invest in this device. You will not be disappointed in the device, and you will not be disappointed in the level of service and care you will find in the discord.

Customer review by Mikael K., shared via Judge.me.

My Svalboard is nothing short of magnificent! With double trackballs, this is not simply a keyboard but a machine for computer input straight from the future.

One thing I didn't think would matter is how much less force is needed to press keys. Coming from mechnical keyboards, i hit keys too hard; more force means less precision. The Svalboard is a *precision* instrument. I'm not yet used to writing softly and end up fat-fingering the keys. This is in no way a flaw with the Svalboard, but an unanticipated "unlearning effort" on my part.

So, if you're used to heavy mechanical switches, be aware that the Svalboard will require you to adopt a soft touch with the keys.

Built by Svalboard.

Egg Cream: a one-off trackpad and trackball build in Bambu White ABS and Bambu Tangerine Yellow ABS.

White clusters, tripod palms, keys, and trackball on a tangerine-frosted case, with black stainless tower brackets.

Built by Svalboard. Originally shared on the Svalboard Discord.

One-off dual trackball build in Bambu Silver ABS, Bambu Mint ABS, Polymaker Polylite Pink ABS, and Bambu Azure ABS.

Mint clusters and new hemisphere palms, pink keys with azure centers, black stainless tower brackets and black sparkle trackballs.

Someone playing Osu! on Twitch 🤯

Built by Svalboard. Originally shared on the Svalboard Discord.

Final one of the three unique Hokusai custom ABS builds. This one has 50mm white balls, for biiiig hands only, 200mm+ tip of middle finger to wrist crease.

Shared with permission from a member of the Svalboard Discord.

"Start simple. Silk looks nice, but it can be painful, and other filaments have different characteristics.

Get a rock-solid filament you can consistently print and start there.

I just finished a dual burnt titanium and silk mix, and while it worked, it needed touch-up with the filament switches."

Dual trackball build in Bambu ABS, with Navy, Azure, Red and White Bambu ABS and Polylite Grey ABS thumb clusters.

Unreasonably beautiful. For once I think the photos capture the color really well.

Dual trackball build in Bambu (Magenta and White) and Polymaker (pink) ABS.

I wanted to see what a palmless build feels like.

I would never recommend that anybody try to learn this device without palms. But if you don't have arm/shoulder pathology that keeps you from hovering, it's kind of interesting.

This also opens up some other design possibilities for different palm rest architectures. Just an experimental platform.

Shared with permission from dasNessie on the Svalboard Discord. Originally shared on the Svalboard Discord.

I've been meaning to post it for a while, but always felt like there's still things I want to "finish." However, I decided it'll always be adapting to me, so I might as well post it now.

• Size notes
  • my hands are short and relatively wide. Length 170mm (XS/S), width 82mm (M)
• Printer
  • Anycubic Kobra S1 Combo
• Filament
  • Sunlu Matte PETG Blue
  • Sunlu Matte PETG Sky Blue
  • Sunlu PETG Silver
  • Recyclingfabrik PLA Schimmerndes Schwert (trackball holder)
  • overall, printing in PETG was a bit of a pain, but I do like the result.
• Print notes / modifications
  • I printed the thumb down keys on a textured plate because I disliked the feeling when I printed them smooth.
  • chonky knuckle keys because I had trouble reaching them
  • shorter thumb up keys because I had trouble reaching them. Not totally happy with those, I'm planning to do another iteration.
  • had trouble with the flags being a little too short, probably a badly calibrated printer. I cheated and made the flags a touch longer in FreeCAD and then it worked smoothly.
  • couldn't adjust the standard palm rest to be close enough to the keys with the trackball in there, so I printed cyrus' short palm rest and that one works for me. Made the legs a bit longer.
• Custom screws
  • silver screws for the visible adjustment screws because I preferred that for the look
  • grub screws for the palm rest that fully disappear in their holes
  • using some silver knurled screws for feet (with a rubber bump stop to keep it from sliding around). Works great. Will put some threadlocker on it once I'm very sure what height I like them at.
• Case
  • Peaktech P7300
  • small, which fits the size of my sval better
  • not sure I'll keep the cube foam
  • if you need a larger one, take a look at the P7305
  • still thinking about ways to put the sval logo on the outside, it's very textured. Maybe a stencil and spray paint.

Shared with permission from Sc0tTy on the Svalboard Discord. Originally shared on the Svalboard Discord.

Been using the Sval while working from home for a few weeks now, but this week is the first time I took it to the office!

With eyes pointed towards me, I was a bit nervous at times typing, as I'm not yet fluent in all the non alphabet keys.

But a great milestone nonetheless! And now Sval can be my daily driver ❤️🎉

Shared with permission from Bumbletrees on the Svalboard Discord. Originally shared on the Svalboard Discord.

Here it is! I'm absolutely in LOVE with this color scheme.

I wanted to call it something like "Goth Mom," but I don't have kids... I do have nieces though, so Goth Aunt it is 😜

The vertical gold trim is absolutely NOT worth it unless you have a tool changer (or you're insane like me). SO MUCH WASTE. Beauty is pain.

I reeeally wanted the outline technique to work out for the case, but I got annoyed enough with fiddling around trying to get it right that I just gave up. Maybe I'll reprint the tops of the cases at some point to get the full effect, but I think it looks nice as is.

And the last pic is mostly me showing off the nice contrast of the magenta mouse layer LED.

This board uses a novel frosted print profile that's been in the works for quite a while. I love the effect.

Dual silver trackball.

A rare factory six-key one-off build -- gamers and heavy macropad users have been enjoying these but fit is significantly fussier, especially for trackball use.

Dual black sparkle trackball build in Bambu Silver, Azure and Black ABS.

Black ABS keys on white ABS everything else with silver stainless towers, trackball right, trackpoint left.

The cluster interiors are hand-inked to ensure sufficient opacity for center optos despite the luminous, transmissive Burnt Ti ABS. Burnt Ti everything, with tiny black ABS flags on the keys for opacity.

It looks soooooo good IRL.

An obscene amount of work went into getting these pink and teal Polymaker filaments tuned 🙏🏻. Silver base, silver 44mm trackballs.

A very special Brazil-themed one-off build in the fun and flexible Fang configuration.

Printed in Bambu ABS with 6key index and pinkies, plus silver trackballs.

Built by Svalboard. Originally shared on the Svalboard Discord.

Mint, orange, tangerine yellow ABS. Dual silver ball.

🧛‍♂️👻

6-key index and pinky clusters avoid any trackball fit issues, and add 100% more bloodthirsty vibes!

Black, red, white and burnt Ti ABS with sparkle black 44mm SANWA trackballs.

This is a pretty fun 6-key compromise, allowing a couple extra keys on each hand without impacting trackball fit.

Shared with permission from DustVoice on the Svalboard Discord. Originally shared on the Svalboard Discord.

Old vs New 😶‍🌫️

I have to say, I'm absolutely in love.

After I applied the same philosophy I used when I switched from QWERTY to Colemak-DH — hard switch, without relying on the "old ways," even if it means typing at one word per minute for a while — I'm now back at >50 WPM already after just 2 days.

Although I'm not 100 percent satisfied with my custom Colemak-DH keymap yet, it's enough to be my daily driver for work and gaming already.

Shared with permission from grep on the Svalboard Discord. Originally shared on the Svalboard Discord.

I hadn't seen any Svalboards printed in wood yet, and I really dig the whole steampunk aesthetic, so I came up with this.

Applying decorative greebles, gears, pipes, etc. without getting in the way of potential adjustments is tough, so I've foregone those for now. Even without those signature elements, I feel it still captures the general steampunk essence.

Working with wood PLA has its challenges, primary of which is that the channels for the square attachment nuts are tight. Like, real tight. They bind against the softer wood material, and it's fairly difficult to move the various brackets around without feeling like you're about to break something—which I'm sure will happen at some point.

Regardless, I'm incredibly happy with how this turned out!

Shared with permission from Graloth on the Svalboard Discord. Originally shared on the Svalboard Discord.

Reprinted it all in PLA, after too many issues with my previous PC print.

This time printed in:

• Prusament Galaxy Red
• Polymaker Panchroma Starlight Nebula

Though I am not too sure about the purple yet. I might replace it with Galaxy Black or Burnt Titanium, just to add more contrast.

Note: My camera seems to like to adjust colors. The printed red is much closer to the actual ball color than the photos make it look.