Your first keyboard! A thread for sharing your humble beginnings

[f32h80fsd08h34r5]

Post a picture of where you started (your first mech)
and where you are now (your most recent / endgame mech)


My first mech, Unicomp 104; Buckling Springs

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My current mech (around 20 boards later), Ori60; built with Kailh Box Whites; Keycaps - SA Ashen

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Let's see what you've got! 

[Tom_Kazansky]

My first mech is CM Storm Quickfire Pro, Brown switch

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well... I sold it.

about several boards later:

JC65 built with Gatistotle + 65g springs and G20 Semiotic

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[chyros]

First; IBM Model F XT

Now; everything

[f32h80fsd08h34r5]

First; IBM Model F XT

Now; everything

LOL, literally every keyboard.

[megnin]

My first mechanical keyboard was a 104 Bluetooth Filco Majestouch I had to order from a 3rd party buyer in Japan because the bluetooth didn't meet US FCC rules and wasn't importable.  The keyboard that got me started wasn't a mechanical, but a DAS Keyboard 1 which was a nice rubber dome keyboard.

[dante]

I started with a Leopold FC200R w/ MX Browns; now I mostly prefer a Dell KB-522 membrane rubber dome.

[0100010]

My first MK back in the 80s was an IBM Model F AT (at least I am pretty sure it was).



My current "end game" MK is my 4704 F107.

[ideus]

These are some pics of my first keyboard that was a Poker X I got around 2012 and sold in 2015.









I used this for a year or so. The Skull Squadron is a cool set but it is a dirt magnet.





I use this one now

[f32h80fsd08h34r5]

My first MK back in the 80s was an IBM Model F AT (at least I am pretty sure it was).

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My current "end game" MK is my 4704 F107.

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That 4704 is awesome! Springs I assume?

[quasistellar]

My first keyboard was arguably the second worst keyboard ever made:

The IBM PC jr keyboard (non chiclet version)

My first mechanical was a a Lexmark (I think) Model M.

My current mech(s) are

Work:  Silenced Novatouch with Modern Selectric SA

Home:  Logitech G410 (ugh so ugly lol) with Romer-G.

I've come a long way.


Currently, I have some Kailh Coppers that I need to put in a board.  I'm actually thinking of getting one of those cheaper Team Wolf boards and trying them there to see if I like them, and then possibly build a board around them for home gaming use.  I like the Romer-G but it's killing me that I can't change the keycaps.

I've also got some orange Alps in an m0116 that I'd like to put in a different board.  I have an infiniti, but the plate it came with doesn't work for ANY of the alps keycap/stab combinations that I have (apple, tai hao, matias).  I'm guessing the plate was made specifically for the keycaps that came with the group buy and nothing else (SP Alps DSA, I think?).  Plus, after playing with a Pok3r for a while, I don't know if 60% is for me.  If I could get an Alps board with the Cherry 1800 layout I'd be in heaven.

[killyou]

My first keyboard was CM Storm Novatouch. Pretty good keyboard which could be awesome with few little tweaks like upstroke dampening. I got rid of it because I decided to use 60% keyboard for ergonomic reasons, decided on Pok3r with MX Clear switches. I also got Magicforce 68 with Outemu brown (very decent board) switches to keep me company while waiting for the Pok3r. Since them I got rid of Magicforce and acquired another Pok3r, now I have two of them, black and white. I guess I need to update my signature. No reason to provide any pictures, it's all stock and that's how I like it. I plan to update one of the Pok3rs with holtites, which I already acquired, for hot swappable switches.

[tornarchon]

I went straight into the deep end (for ergonomic reasons) and got myself a Diverge 3 about a year ago. Still my main driver, though I'm scratch-building a 60% with a heavily staggered layout at the moment.

[SBJ]

CM Storm Ultimate I believe it was called or something to that effect.

Still gearing up towards a custom.

Currently using a VA87M.

[0100010]

My first MK back in the 80s was an IBM Model F AT (at least I am pretty sure it was).

Show Image

My current "end game" MK is my 4704 F107.

Show Image

That 4704 is awesome! Springs I assume?

Model F (capacitive) buckling springs.

[Touch_It]

First working board was a chicony 5981 with monteray blues

first non-working board was a terminal model m.

not a bad way to start out.

Currently use an AEK with salmon alps at work.

IBM M goodwill find at home.

[jcoffin1981]

My I went from a Logitech Illuminated to a Cherry MX 3.0.  I loved the keycaps, but ultimately switched to a smaller board.  I now have switch between a Poker 3 and Leopold FC660M.

Still have the Cherry and am debating whether to sell it or hold on to it.

[WhyYouLikeDis]

Started out with a Ducky Zero with blues last year. Now I'm slowly turning it into a jailhouse blues board and I have side printed pbt caps coming soon so you can say I'm pretty damn near to my perfect keyboard.

Sent from my ONE A2005 using Tapatalk

[Petch]

First mech was a blackwidow in 2011

Then I wanted a 60%, sometime in 2013 I think - so I got the Ducky Mini that had just been released. It had dissapointingly poor build quality (maybe just mine?) so I imported a HHKB Type-S. that was great. Since then I've picked up a couple more detail boards, a Realforce and Pok3r.

Finally built my own custom at the start of the year - and now I'm waiting on a bunch of group buys  No pictures because I'm not near any of them atm. Looks like I need a keyboard to take photos of at work

[Corgi Butts]

My WhiteFox that I got last week!

[f32h80fsd08h34r5]

First mech was a blackwidow in 2011

Then I wanted a 60%, sometime in 2013 I think - so I got the Ducky Mini that had just been released. It had dissapointingly poor build quality (maybe just mine?) so I imported a HHKB Type-S. that was great. Since then I've picked up a couple more detail boards, a Realforce and Pok3r.

Finally built my own custom at the start of the year - and now I'm waiting on a bunch of group buys  No pictures because I'm not near any of them atm. Looks like I need a keyboard to take photos of at work

Would love to see pics!

[fleischverpackung]

big highscreen tenkey with steel casing.

[monkeysontoast]

My first board was a KBD V60+, which I outfitted with some blank Galax-C caps (I still use this board with my gaming laptop):





My second and current board is a WASD V2 with a custom Avid editing layout, heavily inspired by Hyperfuse SA:

[f32h80fsd08h34r5]

My first board was a KBD V60+, which I outfitted with some blank Galax-C caps (I still use this board with my gaming laptop):

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My second and current board is a WASD V2 with a custom Avid editing layout, heavily inspired by Hyperfuse SA:

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You made great use of the WASD keycap creator!

[manolo]

My first mech was a fullsize WASD Code with MX Clear.

Now my main keyboard at work is a KBP V60 with Matias Quiet Click switches. At home, it's a recently acquired (last week) TKL Topre Realforce with 55g switches and I'm loving it.

Long story short, I started with fullsize keyboards and springy switches. Now I'm TKL/60% and snappy switches person all the way.

[jamster]

No pictures, but I started with Model Ms and NEC clicky boards, and am now on Topre. It's better, I guess, but not light years different.

[web993]

My first board was this FC660M with MX Reds. https://www.instagram.com/p/BLR_t-vjP5J/

I loved it but hated the way they made it so difficult to mod switches, so I traded it for my KC60 with Greens which started my descent into madness over those switches.

Technical most recent is my Masterkeys, but I still feel bad about it so I don't have any photos.

[zslane]

My first mech board was a Filco Majestouch-2 w/ MX Reds and DSA Dolch:



I still have it, and will always keep it because it is a great keyboard. However, I have since moved on to silenced Topre switches and SA keycaps.

[knightjp]

My first keyboard that I got with my first Pentium 2 was just some ordinary keyboard. Don't even remember the name. Don't even remember typing on it. The second one is the one that I remember - HP 434821-087. I think it is because it was the first time that I really enjoyed working on one. We even used to fight for those keyboards at the company where I worked. Because they had the best feel, compared to the other DELL ones that were around. And for someone doing data-entry, a good keyboard was a good thing to have.

[DesktopJinx]

My first computer keyboard experience was on an IBM PC.
My current keyboard is an M15.
I like other keyswitches just fine, but the M15 buckling spring is my true love.

[SBJ]

My first mech board was a Filco Majestouch-2 w/ MX Reds and DSA Dolch:

(Attachment Link)

I still have it, and will always keep it because it is a great keyboard. However, I have since moved on to silenced Topre switches and SA keycaps.

I wish I had kept my first keyboard.
I gave it to a friend though and he's still using it.

[Coffee]

My first mechanical keyboard was a Filco MJ2 TKL with Cherry MX Blacks. They were great and wonderfully clacky but I now have it on a backup computer.

I currently rotate between an Anne Pro with gateron blues, Realforce full-size with variable weights, a Plum84 with 35g switches and a Corsair K70 with MX reds.

[Severe]

First mech was an HHKB Pro2, now a have a collection of them
Fell in love with the layout at first sight and had to have one

My current fetish is 40% though

[f32h80fsd08h34r5]

My first mech board was a Filco Majestouch-2 w/ MX Reds and DSA Dolch:

(Attachment Link)

I still have it, and will always keep it because it is a great keyboard. However, I have since moved on to silenced Topre switches and SA keycaps.

I wish I had kept my first keyboard.
I gave it to a friend though and he's still using it.

Somebody borrowed my actual first keyboard and never gave it back

It was a Rosewill Helios with mx blues

[lordgiblite]

First Mech: Corsair K70 with MX Browns

Current Mech: Sentraq S60-X with Gat Browns

In progress Mechs: Let's Split with Tealios and Kona Classic with 67g Zealios

[maletero]

I was just logging on for the first time in a while to post a little about my mechanical keyboard journey!

I started with a Das MX Brown, back in 2010, give or take. Soooo many finger prints! At the time, I thought there's no way that I was going to be like so many here, spending hundreds of dollars on input devices, where others get by with (squishy) $10 models.

Well, I just bought my fifth (or maybe 6th) keyboard - a WASD 87 key, again in MX brown. I didn't think there was going to be much difference over a 104 key CoolerMaster Brown I was using at work, but oh boy. This will keep the habit alive!

[Pizzathehutt]

My first mechanical keyboard and build

[f32h80fsd08h34r5]

My first mechanical keyboard and build

Wow! This is wild!

Can I get some more info on this?

[Pizzathehutt]

Sure thing, I didn't like the layout for these fancy macro boards and was using a Logitech g105 and decided to cannibalize it to make what I wanted. I'm using silent cherry reds with translucent black key caps. I also glued shadowed letters inside the caps. The three keys next to the mini space bar are doubled macro keys from easy use.

[OldIsNew]

A ZKB-2 I got with a Zenith Data Systems 386 machine. Still play DOOM with it on my 486 running MS DOS 6.22.

[f32h80fsd08h34r5]

Sure thing, I didn't like the layout for these fancy macro boards and was using a Logitech g105 and decided to cannibalize it to make what I wanted. I'm using silent cherry reds with translucent black key caps. I also glued shadowed letters inside the caps. The three keys next to the mini space bar are doubled macro keys from easy use.

Wow, that must have taken a lot of work!
I'd like to try it one day 

That's pretty dope.

[chyros]

A ZKB-2 I got with a Zenith Data Systems 386 machine. Still play DOOM with it on my 486 running MS DOS 6.22.

(Attachment Link)

'Espect.

[badziew]

My first mech was Ajazz AK33, white, ice blue LEDs, with Zorro Black switches. I found the switches to be too light, the keycaps were a bit too high, and socket in the J keycaps broke on half after 2 months of use.

Right now I am waiting for Vortex Race 3 with MX Clears to arrive.

[mogo]

First mech, 2013: KBT Pure 60% with Cherry MX Whites

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Current mech, 2017: KBT Pure 60% with Cherry MX Whites

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¯\_(ツ)_/¯
 

I've got a few other boards at this point, but they don't see the usage that my Pure does. It's just the best keyboard ever. Fact.

[f32h80fsd08h34r5]

First mech, 2013: KBT Pure 60% with Cherry MX Whites

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Current mech, 2017: KBT Pure 60% with Cherry MX Whites

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Show Image

¯\_(ツ)_/¯
 

I've got a few other boards at this point, but they don't see the usage that my Pure does. It's just the best keyboard ever. Fact.

MX Whites are low key end-game material. Probably my favorite Cherry switch!

[Sangdrax]

First keyboard was the IBM KB-7953 that came with my first computer, an IBM station with a Pentium II in the 90's. Still have it laying around and the computer that goes with it.

Currently using even older stuff. 1978 Harris Series 800 and 1983 IBM 3278-2 Beamspring. One my favorite linear and one my favorite tactile/clicky. Solenoids in both for maximum clack when I want it.

[jnav]

First keyboard was the Apple Extended II, and it's still one of my favorites to this day.


Current keyboard(s)... All? The one I'm currently typing on is a Clueboard 66% with SA Penumbra + Zealios.

[lordgiblite]

First keyboard was the Apple Extended II, and it's still one of my favorites to this day.

I really want to get a hold of an Apple Extended Keyboard, just to try it out for myself.

[Joey Quinn]

WASD Code TKL that I owned for about 2mo before selling it and downsizing to a Poker II.

[Hyde]

Well I don't know if this counts as first keyboard but I bought a Razer Blackwidow for a week.



To be honest I didn't had too much issue with it and Razer isn't as bad as most people made it out to be.

EXCEPT I can't stand macro keys because I always hit the wrong key when trying to hit "ctrl" so I end up returning it and got a Das Keyboard Professional S (MX Brown).

I still use the Das Keyboard from time to time till this day.



So officially I'll consider Das Keyboard as my real "first keyboard".

Funny enough my second keyboard which is a Filco Ninja Majestouch-2 (MX Red) which I also still use from time to time till this day.



I think I own about 11-12 keyboards now and my first 2 (Das and Filco) are my favourite.

The one I spend the most money on turns out to be the least used haha.



I think I got Poker-II + bought LED separately + aluminum case + custom cable then in the end I realize I still like full size since I use number pad a lot LOL.

Then after that I think I use my Topre Realforce 104UW and Topre Type Heaven a lot.  But unfortunately I didn't take any nice pictures for them.

Maybe Topre in general just aren't the most stylish keyboard?  Though I think Type Heaven is nicely designed.



I swap keyboard regularly so I don't have an "end game" per say but I'm currently using Logitech K840 since I only got it about a week and half ago.

[superpiya]

My first mech board was a Razer Blackwidow TE with mx blue switches. Four keys had chattering within just a couple of months, so I gave it away. Unfortunately I didn't keep any of its photos.

I was just logging on for the first time in a while to post a little about my mechanical keyboard journey!

I started with a Das MX Brown, back in 2010, give or take. Soooo many finger prints! At the time, I thought there's no way that I was going to be like so many here, spending hundreds of dollars on input devices, where others get by with (squishy) $10 models.

Well, I just bought my fifth (or maybe 6th) keyboard - a WASD 87 key, again in MX brown. I didn't think there was going to be much difference over a 104 key CoolerMaster Brown I was using at work, but oh boy. This will keep the habit alive!

Holy.. congratulations on your first post in seven years!!  )