Thank you to everyone for your input on this. More specifically:
@CPTBadAss: Thank you for the suggestion of Shapeways, I've seen their site but I dont know how economical it will be to have keycaps made through them especially to send to UK - Also glad to know the Filco is a good starting choice.
@Lunartuna: Thanks for the words of encouragement
@dotancohen: Good idea about the reverse tilt, I have been trying something like that - Be nice if the keyboards actually had legs to enable that - but they only do in the other (Wrong direction).
Thanks for the input on the stems as well.
@mich: Very true this device will have to have some serious forethought and design put into it if it is going to be useable. Thank you for the suggestion of the Model M - I'm very tempted to have that as second keyboard (The one for home), I'm not sure how long the Click/Clack will entertain me though!
@tp4tissue: Your suggestions are not without merit and trimming my nails is something I often consider. It's not so much as a status symbol for me as it is a aesthetic thing (But realise it's not everyone's thing)
@JesuswasaZombie: Interesting take - reversing the keys, can see the thinking behind it - but don't know how much it would improve things on a typical keyboard. Good to see another Buckling Spring afficionado
@davkol: Another great suggestion, hitting nails with keys. I typically get very anxious about doing that for the risks of breaks. I do use a nail hardener (Sally Hansen Diamond Strength) as I imagine your guitar friends do - Perhaps changing to a more effective hardener would do the trick - What do your friends use?
@Findecanor, @tp4tissue: Typing with the nails not so good at all in the long run - they just stress and break eventually
@fohat.digs: Thank you also for the input on the stems, and agree about the staggering - it would definitely help with the problem - Pulling off the keycaps on the Model M may be a bit extreme but I can see your thinking. My main concern then would be being able to type on whatever's left without damaging my fingertips - what are the stems like??
@rknize, @OrangeJewce - Thank you for the suggestion of the Unicomp keyboards I will have a closer look at this.
@1839cc: Thank you for your support - I too hope it goes somewhere and it is possible to have this different shape created for this specialized purpose!
@Flip: Could you have stumbled upon the solution using the Topre Stems? Sounds too easy! I've not really looked into Topre - Can you suggest a model?
@Leslieann: Great to have another girl geek's input about this - I've checked out the Logitech Illuminated and it does look intriguing - I'd not heard of Cherry ML Switches - Another area of research for me... I tried chiclet style keys and agree they are completely unsuitable. Your estimation of cost is probably accurate - I'd never look to buy this kind of printer just "borrow" it.
Very true words spoken about appearance and how it seems to matter so much.
There is more of you to thank and respond to I'm sorry who I've missed out so far. If I can generate enough interest in the idea of these specific type of custom keycaps, I may look to go in with other interested parties to have them made in a batch, once design and switch type had been finalized...
Many thanks,
Natalie x