[RANT] OMG I hate ABS so much

[daerid]

So I just put a set of Vortex thick white on black DS PBT caps on my Code keyboard, and HOLY **** IT'S LIKE SEX ON MY FINGERTIPS. How does anybody stand ABS keycaps? They just feel so, ugh... flimsy and fake and just stupid.

Stupid ABS and their stupid feeling stupid keycaps.

</rant>

Just had to get that off my chest.

[jdcarpe]

You aren't using the right ABS caps, sir. GMK/Cherry thick ABS are the best. PBT is teh yuck.

[Flyersfan1]

I shared your feelings until I tried stuff from GMK/Cherry.  I do prefer PBT more overall though, just because it keeps its texture so much longer than ABS.

[daerid]

You aren't using the right ABS caps, sir. GMK/Cherry thick ABS are the best. PBT is teh yuck.

Do they shine? I don't care how thick they are if they shine. Shine == teh yuck.

[dante]

Honestly POM are pure perfection.  It baffles me that they never caught on.

[Flyersfan1]

You aren't using the right ABS caps, sir. GMK/Cherry thick ABS are the best. PBT is teh yuck.

Do they shine? I don't care how thick they are if they shine. Shine == teh yuck.

Yep, they still shine, but I've read lots of comments from people on how the feeling on them still remains very pleasant despite it.
Do not fear the shine.

[t2russo]

Honestly POM are pure perfection.  It baffles me that they never caught on.

I'm trying to get a POM buy going soon. THEY WILL CATCH ON.

[dante]

Honestly POM are pure perfection.  It baffles me that they never caught on.

I'm trying to get a POM buy going soon. THEY WILL CATCH ON.

I'm not optimistic that they will catch on.  A few years ago all of the Chinese boards had them ... but today not so much ...

Cherry and Keycool might be the last hold outs ... not even sure PLU/PLUM is making any more boards with these.

edit: Noppoo was another one but I read rumors on a badly translated Chinese site that they going to cease producing Cherry keyboards soon in favor of their own switch.

[jdcarpe]

If it doesn't have double shot legends, I'm not interested. Which is why ABS wins.

[t2russo]

No legends best legends.

[Pacifist]

Best would be blank PBT from desko, super rare doe

[MAR82]

Honestly POM are pure perfection.  It baffles me that they never caught on.

I'm trying to get a POM buy going soon. THEY WILL CATCH ON.

I'm not optimistic that they will catch on.  A few years ago all of the Chinese boards had them ... but today not so much ...

Cherry and Keycool might be the last hold outs ... not even sure PLU/PLUM is making any more boards with these.

edit: Noppoo was another one but I read rumors on a badly translated Chinese site that they going to cease producing Cherry keyboards soon in favor of their own switch.

I think I remember seeing somewhere that Noppoo and KeyCool would be switching to Kailh switches
Also that KeyCool would still be making boards with Cherry switches too

[Moosecraft]

I honestly only like caps made by cherry, whether its dyesub PBT or doubleshot ABS. I use both on a regular basis and enjoy both a lot.

[rowdy]

If it doesn't have double shot legends, I'm not interested. Which is why ABS wins.

Or Vortex PBT DS?

[CPTBadAss]

JD and t2russo, stop blowing my cover. While everyone is scrambling to get PBT, we get POM and Cherry/GMK Doubleshot ABS.

SHHHHH  )

[daerid]

If it doesn't have double shot legends, I'm not interested. Which is why ABS wins.

Or Vortex PBT DS?

*ding* *ding*

[jdcarpe]

If it doesn't have double shot legends, I'm not interested. Which is why ABS wins.

Or Vortex PBT DS?

Two problems with those, beyond the unpleasant texture of the PBT.

1. Have you seen the legends on those things?

2. Vortex

[epzy]

^

[Puddsy]

If it doesn't have double shot legends, I'm not interested. Which is why ABS wins.

Or Vortex PBT DS?

Two problems with those, beyond the unpleasant texture of the PBT.

1. Have you seen the legends on those things?

2. Vortex

yep

I like ABS because it's super smooth, and the shine is awesome because it's like "this is how much I love my keyboard"

[hashbaz]

I like ABS because it's super smooth, and the shine is awesome because it's like "this is how much I love my keyboard"

This is actually how I feel too.  I put a NIB set of Cherry doubleshots on my main keyboard at work a year or so ago, and they are now nice and shiny.  Shows how much I love them.

[Dubsgalore]

You aren't using the right ABS caps, sir. GMK/Cherry thick ABS are the best. PBT is teh yuck.

^ this man has it on point

[rowdy]

If it doesn't have double shot legends, I'm not interested. Which is why ABS wins.

Or Vortex PBT DS?

Two problems with those, beyond the unpleasant texture of the PBT.

1. Have you seen the legends on those things?

2. Vortex

The later versions have bearable and mostly consistent legends.

[Photoelectric]

I used to think I prefer PBT until I tried some good ole shiny Cherry doubleshots.  It was love at the first type, so to speak.  It ruined thick PBT for me.  I have these neat dye sub PBTs from a Royal Alpha typewriter, and I had them on for a bit, having read how BSP's PBT is smoother and all that, and unfortunately it still has that sandpaper feel.  Went back to thick doubleshot ABS!

[Dubsgalore]

I used to think I prefer PBT until I tried some good ole shiny Cherry doubleshots.  It was love at the first type, so to speak.  It ruined thick PBT for me.  I have these neat dye sub PBTs from a Royal Alpha typewriter, and I had them on for a bit, having read how BSP's PBT is smoother and all that, and unfortunately it still has that sandpaper feel.  Went back to thick doubleshot ABS!

That's honestly what most people go through I think. I never got that cheap vortex or ducky pbt set early on, always stuck with my stock sets and then raindrop, so my first PBT experience was an original cherry dye sub one.

[epzy]

I used to think I prefer PBT until I tried some good ole shiny Cherry doubleshots.  It was love at the first type, so to speak.  It ruined thick PBT for me.  I have these neat dye sub PBTs from a Royal Alpha typewriter, and I had them on for a bit, having read how BSP's PBT is smoother and all that, and unfortunately it still has that sandpaper feel.  Went back to thick doubleshot ABS!

I guess you probably would have liked OG Cherry dyesubs. The texture isn't rough at all, no there's no 'sandpaper feel'.

[Photoelectric]

I used to think I prefer PBT until I tried some good ole shiny Cherry doubleshots.  It was love at the first type, so to speak.  It ruined thick PBT for me.  I have these neat dye sub PBTs from a Royal Alpha typewriter, and I had them on for a bit, having read how BSP's PBT is smoother and all that, and unfortunately it still has that sandpaper feel.  Went back to thick doubleshot ABS!

That's honestly what most people go through I think. I never got that cheap vortex or ducky pbt set early on, always stuck with my stock sets and then raindrop, so my first PBT experience was an original cherry dye sub one.

Would original Cherry dyesub be similar to BSP typewriter caps or much smoother?  BSP I have is smoother than IMSTO's ABS or Vortex ABS, but still not ABS-smooth.  And by ABS-smooth, I mean shiny ABS.

[fohat.digs]

ABS doubleshots always "look" good color-wise, but shiny keys feel greasy and horrible to me.

[Photoelectric]

ABS doubleshots always "look" good color-wise, but shiny keys feel greasy and horrible to me.

Yes, but that's precisely what I like   I'm pretty sure you can't get even the smoothest Cherry PBT to feel as smooth as shiny GMK/Cherry doubleshots    That's what I like!  I used to be bothered by any shine, but now I don't even care--typing experience > some shine!

[Pacifist]

I used to think I prefer PBT until I tried some good ole shiny Cherry doubleshots.  It was love at the first type, so to speak.  It ruined thick PBT for me.  I have these neat dye sub PBTs from a Royal Alpha typewriter, and I had them on for a bit, having read how BSP's PBT is smoother and all that, and unfortunately it still has that sandpaper feel.  Went back to thick doubleshot ABS!

That's honestly what most people go through I think. I never got that cheap vortex or ducky pbt set early on, always stuck with my stock sets and then raindrop, so my first PBT experience was an original cherry dye sub one.

Would original Cherry dyesub be similar to BSP typewriter caps or much smoother?  BSP I have is smoother than IMSTO's ABS or Vortex ABS, but still not ABS-smooth.  And by ABS-smooth, I mean shiny ABS.

My OG dyesubs are smooth with just a touch of roughness. Makes them feel really good. They aren't smooth like shiny ABS though

[Dubsgalore]

Would original Cherry dyesub be similar to BSP typewriter caps or much smoother?  BSP I have is smoother than IMSTO's ABS or Vortex ABS, but still not ABS-smooth.  And by ABS-smooth, I mean shiny ABS.

I've got typewriter and OG subs..ill do a comparison lol

[daerid]

ABS doubleshots always "look" good color-wise, but shiny keys feel greasy and horrible to me.

This. It always makes me feel like I have something on my fingers

You guys can keep your ABS. Vintage or otherwise :-P

[Candyflip]

New abs vs new pbt, abs wins. Abs shines way faster though and yes I get the greasy feeling too.

[Pacifist]

IMO problem with shiny caps is, unless you're hands are 100% clean and/or you don't mind oily surfaces, it feels all yucky and you want to go clean it

[Photoelectric]

It's all in your head . Rougher surfaces collect more sweat, grime, and dust--they just conceal it better by not feeling greasy as quickly.

[GSimon]

Thread needs pics




Left: Poker ii Esc Key (PBT)
Center: Authentic Cherry Red Esc (Double-Shot)
http://elitekeyboards.com/products.php?sub=access,cherrymxkeys&pid=cds_redesc
Right: Leopold FC750R Esc Key (PBT)

[tbc]

ABS *vomits*

if i wanted abs, i would jist go back to chiclet boards

*vomits twice more to feel clean after thinking of abs*

[daerid]

New abs vs new pbt, abs wins. Abs shines way faster though and yes I get the greasy feeling too.

Personally disagree. I hate, hate, hate the feel of ABS caps. Love the feel of PBT.

[Oobly]

Interesting thread.

I agree about THIN OEM profile crapcaps that come on most boards.

Can't wait for the thick, doubleshot Cherry profile GMK Dolch set from Ivan's new GB to arrive, though

For me it's mostly about keycap weight.

I like all 3 materials if the caps are thick and good quality. POM is my favourite cap material, though. It's denser than the others, so it makes for heavy caps, with an interesting teflon-like texture that I don't find greasy like smooth ABS (slick, but not greasy). I don't really like the "dry", ceramic-like feeling of some PBT caps, but "smooth" is alright.

The white medium thickness PBT caps (KeyCool) I got from BangGood (which I'm using on my other daily driver board) are rough and sandpaperish and collect dirt easily, although they look nice. The texture still hasn't worn smooth enough for my taste, so I'm probably going to swap them for the thick Black on Black PBT caps from Ivan's GB when those arrive. If I still don't like the feel by the time the Dolch sets arrive, I'll put Dolch on both my boards

[Lu_e]

Just say no to ABS

I prefer the sandpaper feel, and want as much texture for as long as possible personally.

[Photoelectric]

I like all 3 materials if the caps are thick and good quality. POM is my favourite cap material, though. It's denser than the others, so it makes for heavy caps, with an interesting teflon-like texture that I don't find greasy like smooth ABS (slick, but not greasy). I don't really like the "dry", ceramic-like feeling of some PBT caps, but "smooth" is alright.

The white medium thickness PBT caps (KeyCool) I got from BangGood (which I'm using on my other daily driver board) are rough and sandpaperish and collect dirt easily, although they look nice. The texture still hasn't worn smooth enough for my taste, so I'm probably going to swap them for the thick Black on Black PBT caps from Ivan's GB when those arrive. If I still don't like the feel by the time the Dolch sets arrive, I'll put Dolch on both my boards

That's interesting how subjective that is about POM.  I personally really got that "sweaty" feeling from trying out someone's keyboard with clean POM keycaps on them (thick Cherry profile POM)--didn't like it at all.  Felt cool and slick.  But I love shiny smooth GMK ABS.  Same experience with light-toned PBT keycaps looking dusty quickly.

[strict]

Just say no to ABS

I prefer the sandpaper feel, and want as much texture for as long as possible personally.

Could not agree more. I have the banggood pbt's on my work keyboard (Filco) and I look forward everyday just before I sit down to typing on their rough, ceramic texture. I want the roughest, grittiest PBT's out there. If I could find something with a rougher texture than these I would buy them up in a heart beat.

One of my coworkers has a cheap dell rubber dome with keys so shiny they look like glass. I seriously cringe every time I see it thinking about how slick and greasy they must feel.

[dante]

I like all 3 materials if the caps are thick and good quality. POM is my favourite cap material, though. It's denser than the others, so it makes for heavy caps, with an interesting teflon-like texture that I don't find greasy like smooth ABS (slick, but not greasy). I don't really like the "dry", ceramic-like feeling of some PBT caps, but "smooth" is alright.

The white medium thickness PBT caps (KeyCool) I got from BangGood (which I'm using on my other daily driver board) are rough and sandpaperish and collect dirt easily, although they look nice. The texture still hasn't worn smooth enough for my taste, so I'm probably going to swap them for the thick Black on Black PBT caps from Ivan's GB when those arrive. If I still don't like the feel by the time the Dolch sets arrive, I'll put Dolch on both my boards

That's interesting how subjective that is about POM.  I personally really got that "sweaty" feeling from trying out someone's keyboard with clean POM keycaps on them (thick Cherry profile POM)--didn't like it at all.  Felt cool and slick.  But I love shiny smooth GMK ABS.  Same experience with light-toned PBT keycaps looking dusty quickly.

I think your description of POM is spot on.  They G80-3000/Keycool felt a little dryer but the G80-11900 really felt oily - which I really liked - yes I know I'm in the minority

[ferociousfingerings]

It's all in your head . Rougher surfaces collect more sweat, grime, and dust--they just conceal it better by not feeling greasy as quickly.

That rougher surface is indeed collecting more grime; which means it's NOT on your fingers, because it has been "collected" by the rough surface of the keycap (which you are still touching anyway...).

The smooth keys allow that same grime to remain on your fingers, rather than sanding it off for you automatically as you type. It then collects on the edges of the cap surface, and at the edges of your fingertip-pad/contact point, and absorbs into your pores... which is why it "feels like there's crap on your fingers." There is! (but you're still touching that icky grime, regardless of whether the surface is rough or smooth!)

If you don't sand the surface, the impurities remain on said surface. If you do sand the surface, the impurities "collect" within the grit of the roughness.

You're still touching ickiness with ickified fingers, regardless.

You should thoroughly clean every contact point in your entire environment, including (especially) your PC peripherals, and then insist on thoroughly washing/scrubbing your hands, prior to using your interface devices. Stuff will still get gunked up, gradually... but you can significantly mitigate and minimize this, which, A) keeps your stuff un-yucky longer, and B) extends/prolongs your enjoyment of your various contact surfaces, while, C) also minimizing the potential vectors for pathogens to be spread among contact-point-sharing individuals.

This is why i despise people who refuse to properly wash their hands after taking a dump, or having a crotch-scratch-fest: they then proceed to invisibly contaminate EVERY shared contact point (doorknobs, fridge handles, game controllers, TV remotes, etc.), which then requires me to be inevitably exposed to whatever germs they've acquired elsewhere, through such careless and unhygienic practices. I can't run around cleaning up after everyone all the time. I have things to do; even when i don't have things to do!


But yeah. I'll just mention Deck's nearly indestructible backlit caps. People seem to hate the font/legends, but i don't see it as a bad thing; just different. Nothing inherently wrong with "different" (unless in the context of social conditioning, and the fact that herd-think tends to cause people to fear and reject anything perceived as "different;" which i don't THINK should apply to keycaps... but probably kinda does, because that's how people are).

[00zeRO]

IT'S LIKE SEX ON MY FINGERTIPS.

Very well said!

+1

[Photoelectric]

It's all in your head . Rougher surfaces collect more sweat, grime, and dust--they just conceal it better by not feeling greasy as quickly.

That rougher surface is indeed collecting more grime; which means it's NOT on your fingers, because it has been "collected" by the rough surface of the keycap (which you are still touching anyway...).

The smooth keys allow that same grime to remain on your fingers, rather than sanding it off for you automatically as you type. It then collects on the edges of the cap surface, and at the edges of your fingertip-pad/contact point, and absorbs into your pores... which is why it "feels like there's crap on your fingers." There is! (but you're still touching that icky grime, regardless of whether the surface is rough or smooth!)

If you don't sand the surface, the impurities remain on said surface. If you do sand the surface, the impurities "collect" within the grit of the roughness.

You're still touching ickiness with ickified fingers, regardless.

You should thoroughly clean every contact point in your entire environment, including (especially) your PC peripherals, and then insist on thoroughly washing/scrubbing your hands, prior to using your interface devices. Stuff will still get gunked up, gradually... but you can significantly mitigate and minimize this, which, A) keeps your stuff un-yucky longer, and B) extends/prolongs your enjoyment of your various contact surfaces, while, C) also minimizing the potential vectors for pathogens to be spread among contact-point-sharing individuals.

This is why i despise people who refuse to properly wash their hands after taking a dump, or having a crotch-scratch-fest: they then proceed to invisibly contaminate EVERY shared contact point (doorknobs, fridge handles, game controllers, TV remotes, etc.), which then requires me to be inevitably exposed to whatever germs they've acquired elsewhere, through such careless and unhygienic practices. I can't run around cleaning up after everyone all the time. I have things to do; even when i don't have things to do!


But yeah. I'll just mention Deck's nearly indestructible backlit caps. People seem to hate the font/legends, but i don't see it as a bad thing; just different. Nothing inherently wrong with "different" (unless in the context of social conditioning, and the fact that herd-think tends to cause people to fear and reject anything perceived as "different;" which i don't THINK should apply to keycaps... but probably kinda does, because that's how people are).

That's a nice summary.  It's generally easier to clean smooth caps by wiping the surface frequently--PBT caps require more frequent soaking because of the roughness.

[ideus]

DS ABS Cherry caps feel even better when they get that shiny texture. It is very easy to type on them, and the greasy feeling help to "grip" on the caps.

[Oobly]

DS ABS Cherry caps feel even better when they get that shiny texture. It is very easy to type on them, and the greasy feeling help to "grip" on the caps.

This thread really shows how personal and individual keycap feel is. It's awesome we have such variety available to us, although I think we could get rid of thin ABS OEM profile caps altogether and noone would complain.

[ideus]

DS ABS Cherry caps feel even better when they get that shiny texture. It is very easy to type on them, and the greasy feeling help to "grip" on the caps.

This thread really shows how personal and individual keycap feel is. It's awesome we have such variety available to us, although I think we could get rid of thin ABS OEM profile caps altogether and noone would complain.

How someone may argue with such wise remarks...

[SpAmRaY]

DS ABS Cherry caps feel even better when they get that shiny texture. It is very easy to type on them, and the greasy feeling help to "grip" on the caps.

This thread really shows how personal and individual keycap feel is. It's awesome we have such variety available to us, although I think we could get rid of thin ABS OEM profile caps altogether and noone would complain.

I've seen a few people who say for clicky switches they prefer the thin ABS OEM caps but I don't like either of those things )

[TheSoulhunter]

PBT > POM > ABS
Rough texture > Fine texture > No texture