[IC] SLK Dessau (Group Buy LIVE May 1st – June 1st)

[YMwoo]

great kit imo!
still wishing the ergo will have legends since it's an uniform profile but the kits are great right now.

[fakedSkill]

Kits look amazing! Cant wait!

[Potatomonkey]

I'm very on board with this, i also have a boop on the way that would be perfect for this. Any possibility of dished homing keys?

[Nostril]

I'm very on board with this, i also have a boop on the way that would be perfect for this. Any possibility of dished homing keys?

We don't really have plans for deep dish homing keys currently, but we will check it out if there is more demand for it expressed in the interest form.

It's also a bit tricky - as the design is currently, to make the deep dish feel more scooped, for those keys, we would have to either:

• Make the dish diameter smaller, to make it feel more scooped
• Increase the lip height (thus increasing overall keycap height)
• Allow the deep dish key to be less than 1.5mm thick at the center of the dish

Or some combination of these. This is due to SLK being very low-profile in the first place, so there isn't as much extra material/space to work with. I believe some other profiles do these tradeoffs for deep dish homing, but I personally would rather maintain more aesthetic uniformity.

[nathanchere]

I would love to see an offset caps lock added to the roster

[Hi !!]

This is interesting. Very keen to try one later on.
Bigger dish and shorter height compared to DSA? I like it. Always looking forward to something different within this hobby. 

[kema]

Really every aspect of this keycap seems to be sooo well thought of. I already skipped a few groupbuys, since all I want now is this set. Sorry if this was answered somewhere else already but is there a rough estimate? I guess currently FK is handling the MBK groupbuy, but could it be produced after this?

Thanks! We're getting estimates now that CNY is over, the goal is to produce this right after MBK! ✌️

great kit imo!
still wishing the ergo will have legends since it's an uniform profile but the kits are great right now.

I'll look into this some more, but from what I understand, every ergo layout user has their own custom setup so it'll be difficult to account for all of them 😅

[Nuap]

I'll look into this some more, but from what I understand, every ergo layout user has their own custom setup so it'll be difficult to account for all of them 😅

The good thing about flat profile is that you don't need to remake a 1u mod in different rows (i.e. ortho cherry profile child kits often have 3x 1u enter keys - you'd only need one). So the total keys in an ortho kit is much lower - one enter, one esc, one tab, one delete, one backspace, a 2u spacebar, ctrl/alt/win etc. all as 1u

[kema]

The good thing about flat profile is that you don't need to remake a 1u mod in different rows (i.e. ortho cherry profile child kits often have 3x 1u enter keys - you'd only need one). So the total keys in an ortho kit is much lower - one enter, one esc, one tab, one delete, one backspace, a 2u spacebar, ctrl/alt/win etc. all as 1u

Totally! Working on this rn 🙏


Ergo and NorDe friends please keep an eye on this thread, will present a legended ergo keys option and a NorDe option sometime this week and would like your feedback.

[sonny3006]

Ergo and NorDe friends please keep an eye on this thread, will present a legended ergo keys option and a NorDe option sometime this week and would like your feedback.

OMG I love you <3
I was actually preparing and make a case for a NorDe kit again ^^

One other thing: I'm using a Vortex Race 3 which has these unusual 1.5u ESC and DEL keys. No doubt I'd be more than happy if there were a kit covering this but I guess it's even more niche than NorDe. So to cover those keys, will the ergo kit be the one with spare 1.5u keys? Or any other way how I could cover them?

[kema]

Hello all, here are the proposed changes. NorDe support (without tertiary legends) added into what was originally the Misc Kit. And legended ergo keys replacing the blanks in the Compact Kits, with some 1u and 1.5u keys that can already be found in the Base Kits.

Let me know your thoughts 🙏


Compact Kits






International & Misc Kits

One other thing: I'm using a Vortex Race 3 which has these unusual 1.5u ESC and DEL keys. No doubt I'd be more than happy if there were a kit covering this but I guess it's even more niche than NorDe. So to cover those keys, will the ergo kit be the one with spare 1.5u keys? Or any other way how I could cover them?

Those keys will be covered by the Compact Kits above ✌️

[hottrout]

The progress is superb.  The highlights of red in the base kits on the mods is a great addition and the additional kits is very welcome.  Keep going.

[YMwoo]

Hello all, here are the proposed changes. NorDe support (without tertiary legends) added into what was originally the Misc Kit. And legended ergo keys replacing the blanks in the Compact Kits, with some 1u and 1.5u keys that can already be found in the Base Kits.

Let me know your thoughts 🙏


Compact Kits

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International & Misc Kits

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One other thing: I'm using a Vortex Race 3 which has these unusual 1.5u ESC and DEL keys. No doubt I'd be more than happy if there were a kit covering this but I guess it's even more niche than NorDe. So to cover those keys, will the ergo kit be the one with spare 1.5u keys? Or any other way how I could cover them?

Those keys will be covered by the Compact Kits above ✌️

Personally, I think these changes are perfect! Thanks for considering it.
Ofc I can't say for others, but I really like these. All I need now is more color options in the future 

[sonny3006]

@Kema great work. Thanks so much!
May I ask from which layout you got the position of the "@" legend? After looking at many international layouts I now see what a cluster**** international layouts are. For Mac ISO-DE "@" would be secondary legend on the "L" key. It would ruin the clean alphas tho and I'm more than happy to have the num row with correct secondary legends, the umlauts and what ever the keys around the "Enter" and "r Shift" are called. Also very nice to have those 1.5u ESC and DEL keys!
I'm very happy and really look forward for the GB to start.

[kema]

@Kema great work. Thanks so much!
May I ask from which layout you got the position of the "@" legend? After looking at many international layouts I now see what a cluster**** international layouts are. For Mac ISO-DE "@" would be secondary legend on the "L" key. It would ruin the clean alphas tho and I'm more than happy to have the num row with correct secondary legends, the umlauts and what ever the keys around the "Enter" and "r Shift" are called. Also very nice to have those 1.5u ESC and DEL keys!
I'm very happy and really look forward for the GB to start.

The "@/'" key is for UK ISO if that's what you're asking. And exactly! decided to not include the secondary legends on the letter keys for cleanliness ✨

[Nostril]

Here's some renders of SLK Dessau on the HAUS by Hand Engineering.

Check out on their Instagram or Discord for more on the board!

[Rayndalf]

If dished homing isn't possible I think it would look better with homing dots instead of bars (since it's round and all). The bars stand out and look more modern/ less retro.

It's not a deal breaker though.

I'm not sure how I feel about the having ergo legends. If nothing else maybe swap the 2u vertical tab for a blank key to use as a concave space bar (I have no idea how people normally set up ergodoxs, I use a kinesis advantage).

[kema]

If dished homing isn't possible I think it would look better with homing dots instead of bars (since it's round and all). The bars stand out and look more modern/ less retro.

It's not a deal breaker though.

I'm not sure how I feel about the having ergo legends. If nothing else maybe swap the 2u vertical tab for a blank key to use as a concave space bar (I have no idea how people normally set up ergodoxs, I use a kinesis advantage).

Both me and Nostril prefer the homing bars here, but the dots is something he could potentially look into in the future. 🙏

And the spacebar thing is something I’d like to understand more, from a simplicity perspective, all spacebars should be kept alpha colored and convex, but do ergo users prefer to use concave ones? If any ergo users see this I’d love to hear your thoughts ✌️

[Rayndalf]

If dished homing isn't possible I think it would look better with homing dots instead of bars (since it's round and all). The bars stand out and look more modern/ less retro.

It's not a deal breaker though.

I'm not sure how I feel about the having ergo legends. If nothing else maybe swap the 2u vertical tab for a blank key to use as a concave space bar (I have no idea how people normally set up ergodoxs, I use a kinesis advantage).

Both me and Nostril prefer the homing bars here, but the dots is something he could potentially look into in the future. 🙏

And the spacebar thing is something I’d like to understand more, from a simplicity perspective, all spacebars should be kept alpha colored and convex, but do ergo users prefer to use concave ones? If any ergo users see this I’d love to hear your thoughts ✌️

Ergo(dox) users usually make one of the 4 vertical 2u thumb keys a spacebar. It looks weird if one is concave and the rest are convex and labeled.

Apparently there was a big survey for ergodox and ortho legend preference, a blank vertical 2u key is very popular
https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=102205.msg2806656

[kema]

Apparently there was a big survey for ergodox and ortho legend preference, a blank vertical 2u key is very popular
https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=102205.msg2806656

Thanks for sharing this, will look into swapping 2u vertical Tab out for a blank mod-colored concave spacebar. Unfortunately the survey doesn't include findings on concave vs convex other than "There were additional comments that spacebars should be convex rather than concave" 🤔

[Rayndalf]

Apparently there was a big survey for ergodox and ortho legend preference, a blank vertical 2u key is very popular
https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=102205.msg2806656

Thanks for sharing this, will look into swapping 2u vertical Tab out for a blank mod-colored concave spacebar. Unfortunately the survey doesn't include findings on concave vs convex other than "There were additional comments that spacebars should be convex rather than concave" 🤔

It really doesn't help that when it comes to ergo stuff people use what they can get not the other way around.
I think that including 2 convex 2u spacebars is great for compatibility with boardwalk layouts, but I can see why 2 convex + 1 concave might seem excessive.
Like I said I use a Kinesis Advantage, but I will be building a boardwalk layout board at some point. I basically collect ergo kits so that when that happens I'll be ready.

I liked the ergo kit in KAT Lich, but KAT has bizarro world MOQ, so I understand if that isn't feasable. Combining 40's, ortho and ergo always seemed a little strange to me, but if the 40's kit is too large it can't be in the base kit, and ortho + ergo might struggle on it's own. I'm just glad it's available. Low profile is great for ortho/ ergo.

[radam]

Are all of the caps shown in the compact kits sold together? because there are 2x2u spacebars in there, it looks like. I'm was hoping they would be together, because I also need those spacebars and the 1.5u enter key.

If the individual kits aren't that expensive, it may be ok to just ask people to buy both if they want the exact coverage they need. Usually we don't even get an option.

[YMwoo]

Are all of the caps shown in the compact kits sold together? because there are 2x2u spacebars in there, it looks like. I'm was hoping they would be together, because I also need those spacebars and the 1.5u enter key.

If the individual kits aren't that expensive, it may be ok to just ask people to buy both if they want the exact coverage they need. Usually we don't even get an option.

Yeah, I thought there are 2x2u concave there in blanks from the upper kit?
I was looking for 1.5u enter key myself and thought that it's covered by the upper kit.

[kema]

Are all of the caps shown in the compact kits sold together? because there are 2x2u spacebars in there, it looks like. I'm was hoping they would be together, because I also need those spacebars and the 1.5u enter key.

If the individual kits aren't that expensive, it may be ok to just ask people to buy both if they want the exact coverage they need. Usually we don't even get an option.

Yeah, I thought there are 2x2u concave there in blanks from the upper kit?
I was looking for 1.5u enter key myself and thought that it's covered by the upper kit.

Yup they're all in the same kit ✌️

[yukiburzm]

Dark is awesome. Love the sculpting on these.

[Ry0t@]

Great to see NorDe included! Thank you, it looks fine!
Personally, I also like the colored sublegends very much, which is why I would love to see them on the numpad keys, as well. Also I am a fan of having a "=" key in the numpad.
I am looking so much forward to the GB (well, actually for receiving the keycaps

[kema]

3/1 Smol Updates
Extra B moved from International & Misc Kit to Compact Kit where the spacebars are
2u vertical Enter and Tab traded for blanks for a concave mod-colored spacebar option and because there's already a 2u vertical Enter in the Base Kit
2nd Esc accent option from Base Kits also to be added to Compact Kits

Also here's an Ergodox EZ render ✌️

[hottrout]

Great render.

[eczactly]

3/1 Smol Updates
Extra B moved from International & Misc Kit to Compact Kit where the spacebars are
2u vertical Enter and Tab traded for blanks for a concave mod-colored spacebar option and because there's already a 2u vertical Enter in the Base Kit
2nd Esc accent option from Base Kits also to be added to Compact Kits

Also here's an Ergodox EZ render ✌️

Show Image

crispy

[ZingerKeys]

Kit looks awesome. Unique profile, colours and font. Looking forward to grabbing it.

[RoyalOak88]

Would you consider adding International South character support to the international set?
This set is really lovely and looks timeless. Would love to buy the complete kit if more characters supported 

[bd_slade]

This is fantastic. Keep up the great work--watching with interest!

[kema]

Would you consider adding International South character support to the international set?
This set is really lovely and looks timeless. Would love to buy the complete kit if more characters supported 

It's very unlikely unless more people show interest in it 😫
But thank you for the comment, achieving a timeless look was definitely one of the goals 🙏

[Doblki]

I can't even describe how excited I am for this set. I'm really liking the look of this profile.

[kema]

Hi all, we've got our vendors roster finalized and 1u samples are currently being made ✌️

• Cannon Keys (US)
• Deskhero (CA)
• zFrontier (AS)
• Yushakobo (JP)
• Candykeys (EU)
• ProtoTypist (UK)
• SwitchKeys (AU)

[ravermeister]

Might be really niche, but could we get a second 2.75 and 3u bar in the addon set?

[phxrbn]

Any interest in adding a 'monochrome' legends kit? How about a media keys kit or misc misc lol- always have a hard time kitting out my full size keyboard w/ 4 keys over the numpad without repeating keys or artisans. Loving the set though. Great job.

[cloudburst]

This is a really interesting profile. The light kit is cleean

[MonsterZero]

Those dishes look comfy. I gave XDA a shot and was not pleased with its might-as-well-not-be-there scoop. Glad this leans more towards DSA's approach. Also, as a hitbox user, I like the idea of the keys feeling like mini arcade buttons.

hitbox any good?

[kema]

Might be really niche, but could we get a second 2.75 and 3u bar in the addon set?

Any interest in adding a 'monochrome' legends kit? How about a media keys kit or misc misc lol- always have a hard time kitting out my full size keyboard w/ 4 keys over the numpad without repeating keys or artisans. Loving the set though. Great job.

Unfortunately kits have been locked for manufacturer quotes after a good period of time without any new requests/feedback. But if R1 goes well we're certainly looking at new colorways and key additions ✌️

[teleute]

hitbox any good?

It's good if you can get used to it and don't play a character with 360° movements. A friend of mine switched to a mixbox, which has literal arrow keys, which it now occurs to me that SLK would be perfect for.

[abucazu]

If you could include ISO Spanish in the International kit it would be a insta buy for me.

[sonny3006]

Hi all, we've got our vendors roster finalized and 1u samples are currently being made ✌️

• Cannon Keys (US)
• Deskhero (CA)
• zFrontier (AS)
• Yushakobo (JP)
• Candykeys (EU)
• ProtoTypist (UK)
• SwitchKeys (AU)

Sounds great

How long does it usually take for a GB to start from this point on?
Never participated in a GB before but I guess most likely end of 2021/early 2022? Just so I have some peace of mind and don't check this thread everyday to not miss anything ^^

/edit: Just saw the website and that you will announce the dates.

[PeppyToad]

Wow, this is making me rethink using Cherry profile on ergo boards! Fantastic work.

Just a question though – any chance for a 1u backspace?

[Sainity]

I'll be watching this one. I think I'm in.

[kema]

If you could include ISO Spanish in the International kit it would be a insta buy for me.

sorry abucazu, no ISO ES for this round, very few requests for it 😢

Wow, this is making me rethink using Cherry profile on ergo boards! Fantastic work.

Just a question though – any chance for a 1u backspace?

Yup, there's a 1u Backspace in the base kit, labeled "BS" ✌

[EightDiagram]

Any extras planned like mats, cables, artisans?  Pumped for this!

[kema]

Any extras planned like mats, cables, artisans?  Pumped for this!

Yes! All three are in the works, aiming for a more premium look/feel/material for these to match the keyset ✨

[fakedSkill]

Do we have an ETA for the GB yet, since kits and vendors are confirmed? <3

[kema]

Do we have an ETA for the GB yet, since kits and vendors are confirmed? <3

Not yet, I want to make sure the dye-sub legend sharpness and colors are quality before going to GB, so once the keycap samples are approved we're ordering dye-sub samples. ✌️