the Norbaforce: after-market housing for RealForce TKL keyboards — SHIPPED

[nevaenuf]

norbauer do you think the purple would go well with gmk laser?

[norbauer]

norbauer do you think the purple would go well with gmk laser?

That's a good question. I feel like selecting a complementary color is safer when it comes to keysets, as the color match will inevitably be imperfect. Honestly, I think the black anodized would be a great choice for Laser, or Enigma Gray.

[vinzlr]

Last question before I leave you alone for a while, any clue when the first sets of these are going to ship? Do we think it'll be before or after may? Best of luck with the GB, I personally cannot wait until I receive mine!

[Halverson]

Best colors for 10th anniversary caps?

[salvanipour]

Best colors for 10th anniversary caps?

I second this. I thought I was set on the plain aluminum but the allure of the hard anodized black really has a hold of me. Unless the powdercoated finish is stronger or a better match. Something about brushed aluminum makes me not want it to be covered in powdercoat (even though I’m a huge fan of those finishes).

[norbauer]

Best colors for 10th anniversary caps?

I second this. I thought I was set on the plain aluminum but the allure of the hard anodized black really has a hold of me. Unless the powdercoated finish is stronger or a better match. Something about brushed aluminum makes me not want it to be covered in powdercoat (even though I’m a huge fan of those finishes).

My vote would be tactical black.

[Halverson]

Best colors for 10th anniversary caps?

I second this. I thought I was set on the plain aluminum but the allure of the hard anodized black really has a hold of me. Unless the powdercoated finish is stronger or a better match. Something about brushed aluminum makes me not want it to be covered in powdercoat (even though I’m a huge fan of those finishes).

My vote would be tactical black.

Here I am thinking purple or refrigerator

[salvanipour]

Best colors for 10th anniversary caps?

I second this. I thought I was set on the plain aluminum but the allure of the hard anodized black really has a hold of me. Unless the powdercoated finish is stronger or a better match. Something about brushed aluminum makes me not want it to be covered in powdercoat (even though I’m a huge fan of those finishes).

My vote would be tactical black.

Well that settles that. Picked up this keyboard while on vacation in Korea and now (or soon will) have a case that's equally meaningful to match!

[richard912]

Perhaps some of you could provide me with some recommendation(s). My RF87 is white (so keycaps are in the white theme). Currently, the toss up is between Tactical Black and Enigma Gray. Am kind of worried the latter will be a fingerprint magnet. Also, I already have a few custom boards with gray alu cases.

Highly likely I will mod my RF with MX sliders sometime down the road.

FYI, I already have the aerospace aluminium norbatouch case.

Inputs please?

[norbauer]

Best colors for 10th anniversary caps?

I second this. I thought I was set on the plain aluminum but the allure of the hard anodized black really has a hold of me. Unless the powdercoated finish is stronger or a better match. Something about brushed aluminum makes me not want it to be covered in powdercoat (even though I’m a huge fan of those finishes).

My vote would be tactical black.

Well that settles that. Picked up this keyboard while on vacation in Korea and now (or soon will) have a case that's equally meaningful to match!

Awesome. You don’t happen to speak Korean, do you? I could use some help getting the word out about these to the Korean keyboard kbd communities.

[FSund]

Perhaps some of you could provide me with some recommendation(s). My RF87 is white (so keycaps are in the white theme). Currently, the toss up is between Tactical Black and Enigma Gray. Am kind of worried the latter will be a fingerprint magnet. Also, I already have a few custom boards with gray alu cases.

Highly likely I will mod my RF with MX sliders sometime down the road.

FYI, I already have the aerospace aluminium norbatouch case.

Inputs please?

I think the white RF keycaps go incredibly well with the aerospace aluminium, and that would be my choice if I had a white RF.


To be honest I almost bought a second RF in white so I could achieve that look, but decided on getting a black to match the black RF I already own instead.

[salvanipour]

Best colors for 10th anniversary caps?

I second this. I thought I was set on the plain aluminum but the allure of the hard anodized black really has a hold of me. Unless the powdercoated finish is stronger or a better match. Something about brushed aluminum makes me not want it to be covered in powdercoat (even though I’m a huge fan of those finishes).

My vote would be tactical black.

Well that settles that. Picked up this keyboard while on vacation in Korea and now (or soon will) have a case that's equally meaningful to match!

Awesome. You don’t happen to speak Korean, do you? I could use some help getting the word out about these to the Korean keyboard kbd communities.

I wish I did but unfortunately I was just there on a trip. I know a few Korean members on /r/MK, and even ran into one who was buying a RF at the same time I was in Yongsan. I'm sure they'd be happy to help get the word out on such an awesome product.

[norbauer]

Best colors for 10th anniversary caps?

I second this. I thought I was set on the plain aluminum but the allure of the hard anodized black really has a hold of me. Unless the powdercoated finish is stronger or a better match. Something about brushed aluminum makes me not want it to be covered in powdercoat (even though I’m a huge fan of those finishes).

My vote would be tactical black.

Well that settles that. Picked up this keyboard while on vacation in Korea and now (or soon will) have a case that's equally meaningful to match!

Awesome. You don’t happen to speak Korean, do you? I could use some help getting the word out about these to the Korean keyboard kbd communities.

I wish I did but unfortunately I was just there on a trip. I know a few Korean members on /r/MK, and even ran into one who was buying a RF at the same time I was in Yongsan. I'm sure they'd be happy to help get the word out on such an awesome product.

That would be awesome if you wouldn't mind reaching out to them and/or putting them in touch with me.

[salvanipour]

Best colors for 10th anniversary caps?

I second this. I thought I was set on the plain aluminum but the allure of the hard anodized black really has a hold of me. Unless the powdercoated finish is stronger or a better match. Something about brushed aluminum makes me not want it to be covered in powdercoat (even though I’m a huge fan of those finishes).

My vote would be tactical black.

Well that settles that. Picked up this keyboard while on vacation in Korea and now (or soon will) have a case that's equally meaningful to match!

Awesome. You don’t happen to speak Korean, do you? I could use some help getting the word out about these to the Korean keyboard kbd communities.

I wish I did but unfortunately I was just there on a trip. I know a few Korean members on /r/MK, and even ran into one who was buying a RF at the same time I was in Yongsan. I'm sure they'd be happy to help get the word out on such an awesome product.

That would be awesome if you wouldn't mind reaching out to them and/or putting them in touch with me.

Just shot them a message! We'll see what they come back with.

[norbauer]

Best colors for 10th anniversary caps?

I second this. I thought I was set on the plain aluminum but the allure of the hard anodized black really has a hold of me. Unless the powdercoated finish is stronger or a better match. Something about brushed aluminum makes me not want it to be covered in powdercoat (even though I’m a huge fan of those finishes).

My vote would be tactical black.

Well that settles that. Picked up this keyboard while on vacation in Korea and now (or soon will) have a case that's equally meaningful to match!

Awesome. You don’t happen to speak Korean, do you? I could use some help getting the word out about these to the Korean keyboard kbd communities.

I wish I did but unfortunately I was just there on a trip. I know a few Korean members on /r/MK, and even ran into one who was buying a RF at the same time I was in Yongsan. I'm sure they'd be happy to help get the word out on such an awesome product.

That would be awesome if you wouldn't mind reaching out to them and/or putting them in touch with me.

Just shot them a message! We'll see what they come back with.

Awesome. Many thanks!

[rowdy]

Best colors for 10th anniversary caps?

Girlshark Gray, obviously.

[Halverson]

Best colors for 10th anniversary caps?

Girlshark Gray, obviously.

<3

[richard912]

Perhaps some of you could provide me with some recommendation(s). My RF87 is white (so keycaps are in the white theme). Currently, the toss up is between Tactical Black and Enigma Gray. Am kind of worried the latter will be a fingerprint magnet. Also, I already have a few custom boards with gray alu cases.

Highly likely I will mod my RF with MX sliders sometime down the road.

FYI, I already have the aerospace aluminium norbatouch case.

Inputs please?

I think the white RF keycaps go incredibly well with the aerospace aluminium, and that would be my choice if I had a white RF.
(Attachment Link)

To be honest I almost bought a second RF in white so I could achieve that look, but decided on getting a black to match the black RF I already own instead.

Yeah, aerospace alu was my first choice too in view of my white RF87. Arrrgh, decisions decisions

[nguyenhimself]

Hehe. Yeah, sorry, but everything you said above is wrong. I apologize for the confusion, but I’m only offering so many black colors because people have actually specifically asked for each one of them. Let me try to clarify.

the new Singularity Black: this is black, opaque, and fairly glossy. It is what most people think of when they think of “black powder coat.” If you got a black filing cabinet or any piece of old office furniture, it would probably be a finish similar to this.

Enigma black: this is black powder coat with a gentle speckled texture, creating a fairly matte appearance

Royal Wrinkle black: this is black powder coat with a more noticeable texture, which takes the form of tiny wrinkles rather than specks, also creating a fairly matte appearance.

Tactical black: this is just black anodizing of a bead-blasted surface; it is NOT glossy at all. It is like Apple space gray if you darkened the dye from 75% black (or whatever it is) to 100%. If it looks glossy in some of the photos, it is just the result of how my bright studio lights play against the surface of the metal. The finely bead-blasted texture of the surface of the tactical black case makes it diffuse light pretty well and thus not appear glossy.

Got it. Thanks! I guess for me it comes down to either Tactical Black (matte) or Singularity Black (glossy) then.

Would you say the difference between those 2 is similar to that between the iPhone 7 Jet Black and Matte Black (but darker)?



Or something like this:



Thanks a bunch. It really is a struggle #FirstWorldProblem

[FSund]

Perhaps some of you could provide me with some recommendation(s). My RF87 is white (so keycaps are in the white theme). Currently, the toss up is between Tactical Black and Enigma Gray. Am kind of worried the latter will be a fingerprint magnet. Also, I already have a few custom boards with gray alu cases.

Highly likely I will mod my RF with MX sliders sometime down the road.

FYI, I already have the aerospace aluminium norbatouch case.

Inputs please?

I think the white RF keycaps go incredibly well with the aerospace aluminium, and that would be my choice if I had a white RF.
(Attachment Link)

To be honest I almost bought a second RF in white so I could achieve that look, but decided on getting a black to match the black RF I already own instead.

Yeah, aerospace alu was my first choice too in view of my white RF87. Arrrgh, decisions decisions

If you do go the route of swapping to MX sliders, the colors of the stock keycaps are less of an issue though.

I know I'm not helping

[heckenjoni]

hey can anyone link me the Eu proxy GB .... i cant find it, there is nothing under GB ...

[avid]

hey can anyone link me the Eu proxy GB .... i cant find it, there is nothing under GB ...

Go through norbauer sites and on check-out you can chose to go through EU instead.

[norbauer]

hey can anyone link me the Eu proxy GB .... i cant find it, there is nothing under GB ...

Go through norbauer sites and on check-out you can chose to go through EU instead.

Yes, it's just an option at checkout on the normal GB page. You have to enter your European address first for the option to show up. Just let me know if you hit any snags or have any questions.

[Lansky]

Ryan, just out of curiosity... How prone is the tactical black to fingerprints and smudges? Maybe compared to the stock plastic housing?

[Lansky]

Woops, double post

[norbauer]

Ryan, just out of curiosity... How prone is the tactical black to fingerprints and smudges? Maybe compared to the stock plastic housing?

As I said to FSund by email recently, I think pretty much any black finish will show finger prints to some extent; you just have to cross that awkward threshold from where the first few get on it and they seem out of place, until it’s more or less covered--at which point you stop noticing and it's fine. ;) I say this as someone who has used a black anodized keyboard housing everyday for about five years. I think one just accepts it as part of the premise of having something badass and black. My black-keys RealForce, for example, has an extremely shined ABS spacebar that is all the more visible because of the key color. Though I have a PBT replacement for it, I've just come to embrace this "flaw" as part of the premise of having an all-black keyboard, and as a very direct, physical sign of its intimate connection to me and my body. So I leave it there as it is.

For whatever it’s worth, the more glossy the finish (like Singularity Black) the easier it also is to wipe fingerprints off of it but the more ones that are already there will be visible. So there is a trade-off. Fingerprints are nearly invisible on the textured blacks due to the way the light plays on the surface irregularities. And finger prints are totally invisible on the aerospace aluminum finish and the Galaxy Console, as best as I can tell.

[Lansky]

As I said to FSund by email recently, I think pretty much any black finish will show finger prints to some extent; you just have to cross that awkward threshold from where the first few get on it and they seem out of place, until it’s more or less covered--at which point you stop noticing and it's fine. I say this as someone who has used a black anodized keyboard housing everyday for about five years. I think one just accepts it as part of the premise of having something badass and black. My black-keys RealForce, for example, has an extremely shined ABS spacebar that is all the more visible because of the key color. Though I have a PBT replacement for it, I've just come to embrace this "flaw" as part of the premise of having an all-black keyboard, and as a very direct, physical sign of its intimate connection to me and my body. So I leave it there as it is.

For whatever it’s worth, the more glossy the finish (like Singularity Black) the easier it also is to wipe fingerprints off of it but the more ones that are already there will be visible. So there is a trade-off. Fingerprints are nearly invisible on the textured blacks due to the way the light plays on the surface irregularities. And finger prints are totally invisible on the aerospace aluminum finish and the Galaxy Console, as best as I can tell.

Thanks for the quick response.

A very in-depth and almost poetic way of looking at it, haha. I'm not too worried about it either, I was just wondering as I'm very eager to get my grubby hands all over this beauty. 

[clappingcactus]

So how many people have ordered Retro Retro Refrigerator so far? I have Nissho caps and they have different shades of blue and green on them, so I've been considered pairing that with my case, but I don't know if it's a good idea.

[Troif]

 Color choice is killing me... I have no nails now... XD


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[norbauer]

So how many people have ordered Retro Retro Refrigerator so far?

4

[norbauer]

Hehe. Yeah, sorry, but everything you said above is wrong. I apologize for the confusion, but I’m only offering so many black colors because people have actually specifically asked for each one of them. Let me try to clarify.

the new Singularity Black: this is black, opaque, and fairly glossy. It is what most people think of when they think of “black powder coat.” If you got a black filing cabinet or any piece of old office furniture, it would probably be a finish similar to this.

Enigma black: this is black powder coat with a gentle speckled texture, creating a fairly matte appearance

Royal Wrinkle black: this is black powder coat with a more noticeable texture, which takes the form of tiny wrinkles rather than specks, also creating a fairly matte appearance.

Tactical black: this is just black anodizing of a bead-blasted surface; it is NOT glossy at all. It is like Apple space gray if you darkened the dye from 75% black (or whatever it is) to 100%. If it looks glossy in some of the photos, it is just the result of how my bright studio lights play against the surface of the metal. The finely bead-blasted texture of the surface of the tactical black case makes it diffuse light pretty well and thus not appear glossy.

Got it. Thanks! I guess for me it comes down to either Tactical Black (matte) or Singularity Black (glossy) then.

Would you say the difference between those 2 is similar to that between the iPhone 7 Jet Black and Matte Black (but darker)?

Show Image

Or something like this:

Show Image

Thanks a bunch. It really is a struggle #FirstWorldProblem

Yes, that is a pretty good color analogy.

[Blazestorm]

I sent a PM to Hasu to see if we could get some USB-to-USB adapters made, maybe Ryan can help test them/give specs and dimensions =)

[norbauer]

I sent a PM to Hasu to see if we could get some USB-to-USB adapters made, maybe Ryan can help test them/give specs and dimensions =)

Sure; happy to help! Just LMK what you guys need.

[Blazestorm]

I sent a PM to Hasu to see if we could get some USB-to-USB adapters made, maybe Ryan can help test them/give specs and dimensions =)

Sure; happy to help! Just LMK what you guys need.

I think mostly just need to know how much space is available near the breakout PCB, since this would sit between the Topre PCB and your breakout PCB. It should be fairly small -> http://i.imgur.com/2y06AIal.jpg

It wouldn't have the USB-A adapters anymore, so it would be a bit slimmer.

Although if someone else is familiar with designing PCBs they could help out... Hasu open-sourced his: https://github.com/tmk/USB2USB_Converter

[norbauer]

I sent a PM to Hasu to see if we could get some USB-to-USB adapters made, maybe Ryan can help test them/give specs and dimensions =)

Sure; happy to help! Just LMK what you guys need.

I think mostly just need to know how much space is available near the breakout PCB, since this would sit between the Topre PCB and your breakout PCB. It should be fairly small -> http://i.imgur.com/2y06AIal.jpg

It wouldn't have the USB-A adapters anymore, so it would be a bit slimmer.

Although if someone else is familiar with designing PCBs they could help out... Hasu open-sourced his: https://github.com/tmk/USB2USB_Converter

Ah, I didn’t realize you meant inside the case. There is zero room inside of the case. It would have to be on the outside of the case, inline with the cable.

[Blazestorm]

The pictures of the breakout board on the product page made it look like there was a little space near it. Unless that is taken up by the Topre PCB... Or maybe it could just replace the breakout board...

[norbauer]

The pictures of the breakout board on the product page made it look like there was a little space near it. Unless that is taken up by the Topre PCB... Or maybe it could just replace the breakout board...

There is the tiniest bit of room, but that will be taken up by the internal cables. A replacement for the breakout board would of course work. Maybe someone can make that as an after-market upgrade to my after-market upgrade.

[Wetherbee]

Yo dawg, I heard you like breakout boards so I made a breakout board for your breakout board.

[BloodToxin]

About to jump in on that Monte Carlo Red for my Christmas gift to myself 
Can you actually feel the texture on it? Or does is it just feel like aluminum?

[Sharku]

Can’t wait for Norbapold!!

[Wetherbee]

Can’t wait for Norbapold!!

I'm hoping the next drop is the Norbapad. 

[Wetherbee]

Can’t wait for Norbapold!!

I'm hoping the next drop is the Norbapad. 

Actually, now that I think about it, that is a terrible name. It sounds like a feminine hygiene product.

[richard912]

Can’t wait for Norbapold!!

I'm hoping the next drop is the Norbapad. 

Actually, now that I think about it, that is a terrible name. It sounds like a feminine hygiene product.

LOL

[norbauer]

About to jump in on that Monte Carlo Red for my Christmas gift to myself 
Can you actually feel the texture on it? Or does is it just feel like aluminum?

It doesn’t feel quite like bare aluminum, but it feels shockingly smooth for something that looks so textured. It’s kind of weird and hard to describe verbally, but suffice it to say it feels pretty smooth.

[dubious]

Best colors for 10th anniversary caps?

I second this. I thought I was set on the plain aluminum but the allure of the hard anodized black really has a hold of me. Unless the powdercoated finish is stronger or a better match. Something about brushed aluminum makes me not want it to be covered in powdercoat (even though I’m a huge fan of those finishes).

My vote would be tactical black.

Well that settles that. Picked up this keyboard while on vacation in Korea and now (or soon will) have a case that's equally meaningful to match!

Awesome. You don’t happen to speak Korean, do you? I could use some help getting the word out about these to the Korean keyboard kbd communities.

Looks like someone already posted it to kbdlab last week

[hayt]

still undecided on black on black or white on white, sum1 help

[Puddsy]

still undecided on black on black or white on white, sum1 help

triple black

[Puddsy]

Best colors for 10th anniversary caps?

I second this. I thought I was set on the plain aluminum but the allure of the hard anodized black really has a hold of me. Unless the powdercoated finish is stronger or a better match. Something about brushed aluminum makes me not want it to be covered in powdercoat (even though I’m a huge fan of those finishes).

My vote would be tactical black.

Well that settles that. Picked up this keyboard while on vacation in Korea and now (or soon will) have a case that's equally meaningful to match!

Awesome. You don’t happen to speak Korean, do you? I could use some help getting the word out about these to the Korean keyboard kbd communities.

Looks like someone already posted it to kbdlab last week

they like it but say it's too expensive

korean community is generally a one keyboard or large collection community, as opposed to our community, which is mostly small collections

i bet there'll be a few orders though

the chinese community is where the money is, but they're not really jazzed about topre as far as i'm aware

[dubious]

Best colors for 10th anniversary caps?

I second this. I thought I was set on the plain aluminum but the allure of the hard anodized black really has a hold of me. Unless the powdercoated finish is stronger or a better match. Something about brushed aluminum makes me not want it to be covered in powdercoat (even though I’m a huge fan of those finishes).

My vote would be tactical black.

Well that settles that. Picked up this keyboard while on vacation in Korea and now (or soon will) have a case that's equally meaningful to match!

Awesome. You don’t happen to speak Korean, do you? I could use some help getting the word out about these to the Korean keyboard kbd communities.

Looks like someone already posted it to kbdlab last week

they like it but say it's too expensive

korean community is generally a one keyboard or large collection community, as opposed to our community, which is mostly small collections

i bet there'll be a few orders though

the chinese community is where the money is, but they're not really jazzed about topre as far as i'm aware

it does seem like kbdmania and otd.kr are more into premade boards, but both are mostly defunct now. kbdlab avoids anything non-custom.

[norbauer]

Best colors for 10th anniversary caps?

I second this. I thought I was set on the plain aluminum but the allure of the hard anodized black really has a hold of me. Unless the powdercoated finish is stronger or a better match. Something about brushed aluminum makes me not want it to be covered in powdercoat (even though I’m a huge fan of those finishes).

My vote would be tactical black.

Well that settles that. Picked up this keyboard while on vacation in Korea and now (or soon will) have a case that's equally meaningful to match!

Awesome. You don’t happen to speak Korean, do you? I could use some help getting the word out about these to the Korean keyboard kbd communities.

Looks like someone already posted it to kbdlab last week

they like it but say it's too expensive

korean community is generally a one keyboard or large collection community, as opposed to our community, which is mostly small collections

i bet there'll be a few orders though

the chinese community is where the money is, but they're not really jazzed about topre as far as i'm aware

Heh. Well, that's all a bit more calculated than I was intending to be. Just wanted to get the word out to as many people who might be interested as possible before the group buy ends rather than trying to accommodate lots of folks who heard about it after the fact (as has often been the case in the past). Anyway, I'm glad to see someone posted about it on a Korean site so those folks have a chance to find out about it. Thanks everyone for your help and insights. It's interesting to learn about these cultural variations of focus in the different communities.