Well hello there all... It's been a few years. Really probably close to 10. Things have changed, a lot, but in a good way.
I fell into the trap of nerding out over keyboards back then because I just couldn't find what I wanted off the shelf. I'm a heavy handed typist so I wanted something that would not thockily bottom out all the time, annoying my coworkers and also causing me at the time to start developing what felt like some repetitive motion issues in my hands. I ended up with a full size Filco that I swapped Cherry Clear stems and springs into (back then you could find Cherry POS boards with clears relatively cheaply) and I threw on a set of Imsto dye subs (because I have very hard fingernails, I wiped out a set of Cherry doubleshots in about a year.) I'm actually typing this message on that board now, and it's really just fine.
Because of events of the last year, I've been working a lot from home. Now, the one thing that all my non-Filco good keyboards have in common is that they're vintage, take up more desk space, and also varying degrees of loud. (think Model M, Model F, or SGI Granite) I figured I'd check back in and see what was available these days, and wow, things have changed. There's some cool stuff going on that just wasn't happening 10 years ago. The whole idea of a "hotswap" keyboard is new, and definitely cool.
So, I bought myself a Keychron C2 to play with but I don't think that's exactly what I want. I would like to use PBT keycaps and the replacement of "Scroll Lock" and "Pause/Break" with special keys kind of precludes using a lot of aftermarket sets. I guess what I really wanted was a GMMK but the full size isn't available unless I order the fully loaded one from Amazon, or pay a premium to get the barebones from Amazon instead of ordering from Glorious.
What I want: A bog standard layout, full size*, including F-keys. PBT keycaps or something equally durable. Heavy tactile switches, but quiet.
*after using my Model F for a while, I realized that I couldn't use it for "real work" because of the non-standard F-key layout. However, the lack of the nav cluster wasn't as bad as I thought it'd be. I did have to look at the keycaps to navigate around, but it wasn't as big a showstopper as the lack of the across-the-top F-key row (I use F-keys a LOT for AutoCAD, this is non negotiable.) So I'd be open to using an 1800 style board, although it'd likely take a while to get used to using the nav layer on the numpad. I have seen exactly one keyboard that addresses this, but it'd preclude using aftermarket keycaps, and was already discontinued by the time I discovered it existed - the Cooler Master Masterkeys Pro M. Basically the nav layer on the numpad is the traditional nav cluster, not the traditional IBM Model M numpad nav layer. A compact layout would be good though, as I have a standing desk at work with a keyboard tray, and the tray is just barely wide enough to hold my Filco and leave enough room to move a mouse around.
so again, it looks like what I really want is a GMMK full size barebones or equivalent hotswappable board, with switches and keycaps to taste. Not really interested in a TKL or compact, I use the numpad enough that I really want either a full size or maybe a 1800.
Question 1: are there any other good board options out there? Keychron K4, maybe, but it still has the "backlight" key and I would need to replace the keycaps because the nav layer isn't printed on the numpad. I actually really don't care that much about the backlight; I've been using a Filco for 10 years and haven't felt like I'm missing anything, but it is kind of cool looking.
Question 2: what switches to consider, other than more clears? Glorious Pandas look interesting as they are even stiffer. How about Cherry MX Grey? Are those available in whole keyboard quantities? Kailh Box burnt orange? The similar versions of the Speed or Pro? Anything else to consider? The Gateron Browns in the C2 feel nice, but I really do want something stiffer and more tactile, if both are possible.
Questions 3: Where to go for awesome vintage styled keycaps (but PBT)? I guess shine through would be a bonus as it looks like I'll likely end up with a backlit board even though that's not on my "must have" list.
Thanks for reading and any opinions!