A Mechanical Keyboard Obsession

Anybody who spends copious amounts of time at a computer has probably come across mechanical keyboards. Once a niche, hobbyist item, increasingly it seems like mechanical keyboards have made their way into regular offices, home offices, bedrooms and even cafes around the world.

Those of us who grew up in the 90's and 00's like I may remember standard, plastic Dell or HP keyboards that schools and entry level PC's came with. I have to admit, I have some residual fond nostalgia for such keyboards. Some of them sounded and felt great for what they were.

The first mechanical keyboards, on the other hand, were elusive and mysterious, noisy and eccentric. Brands you had never heard of, elaborate explanations of switches you didn't understand, lights, macro switches, and price tags that could make you wince.

My first mechanical keyboard was a bulky, full-size Turtle Beach. It only had red lights, was incredibly dense and heavy, and was made with a matte finish that didn't really last a very long time. It was excellent. It even came with a matching red-lit mouse. This got me through university, and I have fond memories of playing both World of Warcraft and Oldschool Runescape with it.

These days, mechanical keyboards are a staple. Living in Korea is great for mechanical keyboards. Most of the production of modern boards happens in China, but a non-significant amount goes on in Korea as well. Modern boards also ship with excellent specs at significantly better prices than in the past. Switches sound better, keycaps are better quality, stabilizers come as standard, boards come pre-lubed as standard (though I often apply more), and they are foamed to sound thicker and thockier as well.

My current board stack contains the following:

- Ducky One 2 - Anne Pro 2 - RK 60 - SPM PL87W Mongdol - Magicforce 82 V-2 - Feker Alice

I have frequently visited both Yongsan TechnoMart and Gangbyeon TechnoMart hunting for new boards, new deals, and to scout what the regional market is putting out, but it is increasingly hard to justify buying more boards when I am spoilt for choice at home already!

If anybody happens to have a spare IBM Model-M laying around, feel free to contact me though! 😂