[IC] DCS Reaper - Hibi reveal and GB Date Announced.

[Aiwanei]

DCS Reaper

Death Comes For Us All
Group Buy Is live: https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=116531.0

More

DCS Reaper is a set inspired by Death AKA The Grim Reaper.  The Grim Reaper has had many representations in pop culture and literature, one of my favorites being the one found in Discworld by the late Terry Pratchett, but one thing is clear, when Death comes for you, it means your time on this Earthly plane has run out.  I tried to capture the feeling of how Death is often portrayed, coming from the shadows, cloaked in a black cowl, only thing visible are his hands and face, carrying a scythe, knowing he has come to reap the souls of those whose time has run it.  To capture this feeling I have gone with a dark grey on black monocolored set but with a few bone white novelties (created by OneCreativeMind) that are a stark contrast to the black.  The set is once again in my personal favorite DCS profile and manufactured by Signature Plastics using their double shot abs molds. 

This is a set that I have been working off and on for 11 months now, I started it before DCS Solarized Dark, before DCS Green Tea, and it is something that I have been working on slowly but steadily to get it right.  I really am excited to share this with everyone now that it is finally in a place where I am happy with the colors and the kitting.  It uses 3 stock colors only, NN for the black, GTA for the grey and WCK for the bone white.
Changes to kitting (renders now updated to reflect this): https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=116078.msg3108721#msg3108721
Kits(Renders by YoniWolf):
Base Kit

Actuary (Numpad) Kit

Novelties Kit

Extension Kit

Femur (Big Bar)

Finger Bones (Small Bars)

Expanded 40s + Ortho Kit

Soulless (Relegendables) Kit

NorDE Kit

Alps Base

Alps Soulless (Relegendables) Kit

Renders(Renders by YoniWolf):
Propeller by YoniWolf



Ocho Quatro by Daji Keyboards



Petrichor by AKB



Rikia by Caffeinated Studios


Pricing:(US only for now)

Feedback:
Please Fill Out the IC Form
Discord
Collaborations:
Deskmats:
Ossuary by Sour:


Return (To The Source) by Sour:

Carrion by OCM:

Cat Reaper by Kumaoso:

Deskmat samples have been ordered, so if the samples do not come out right, designs being run are tentative on how the samples come out.
Artisans:
WinKeys
DreadKeys
And More
Others:
Artisan Labs Wrist Rest - Coming Soon
LeonardoDaMouse Custom Mouse - Coming Soon
Hibi

Keybee - Coming Soon
Vendors:
US ThocKeys
UK ProtoTypist
EU KeyGem
CA ApexKeyboards
IN Rectangles
JP BaseKeys
AU Switchkeys
SEA Rebult
MX Rheset
CN zFrontier
Group Buy Schedule:
March 12th to April 12th
Delivery Expected 5-6 months after GB
Thank You:
Thank you to OneCreativeMind for the amazing novelties, so happy to work on you with this project.
YoniWolf for the amazing renders and the propeller (can't wait for that GB, really want one)
Sour for some of the the deskmat designs
Vhessiu for being ok with me making the GMK Mictlan at home.
The rest of RC for their support of the set.
KneeDeep for being awesome and being the original drive for this set.
James from AKB for letting me using the Petrichor for these renders
Capsy for never changing
Juaninamilli for the beautiful Ocho Quatro from Daji Keyboards
Rik for letting me use his board, the contrast of the board and the set is stunning.

[Rory]

That’s hot. Count me in.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Invezting]

Love the novelties and the 'Death of Cats' deskmat!

[HungHingDaiLo]

Raeper so lit

[dRnRcRr]

Aiwanei so good

[wndy]

I love this! I would absolutely love to get my hands on DCS black-on-black. GLWIC

[kameron]

this is really nice good job, one thing I would love to see is a white alpha kit but overall great work

[Zetina]

Very nice  looking forward to seeing the deskmats

[yoniwolf1202]

Was really fun working with you on this, can't wait to pick one up!

[kabocha]

what a winning set.

[white_rabbit]

I'm in.

[1017BirckenThot]

This design is very cool and has a high chance of being the first DCS GB I join. Love the 10u inclusion! 

[KneeDeep]

Momento mori
So stoked for this set

[Skok]

this is heat

[sirieous]

Looks pretty neat. GLWIC 

[linell]

ah a fellow dcs enjoyer

[Zanhana]

love it, probably in for base + 40s + novs

[Rik.caffeinated]

woooooo this is so good! finally a monochrome set I can get behind.

[llKanull]

Any chance of adding the ansi enter and esc to novelties, would def like to pick up novelties + relegendables + bars for wob. Not really a fan of low contrast but GL on IC. 

[novelflyer]

I really like it, maybe this will be my first DCS set 

[PixelPlays__]

The 'Reap" backspace key is a really neat touch. Also, more love for DCS with Wyse legends!!!

Edit: Even though I would use the novelty accents, for those that would want it, is there a chance for non-novelty accent keys?

[whirlwind]

I'm down for DCS Dark Reaper

[BloremBipsum]

This looks great! GLWIC

[AstralYT]

I know you dont care and this is an unpopular opinion, but I will still whine about preferring cherry font.

Will still buy though, just like I bought DCS Sol Dark. Maybe consider an improved Gat sol dark switch named Gat Reap which would be a tactile with Black housing and Dark Gray stem? Would be pretty cool switch.

Run it on rectangles and I'll buy.

[Aiwanei]

I know you dont care and this is an unpopular opinion, but I will still whine about preferring cherry font.

Will still buy though, just like I bought DCS Sol Dark. Maybe consider an improved Gat sol dark switch named Gat Reap which would be a tactile with Black housing and Dark Gray stem? Would be pretty cool switch.

Run it on rectangles and I'll buy.

 I wouldn't say I don't care, I appreciate that some people prefer the Cherry Front lover the Wyse (Gorton) font for DCS caps. And I try to listen to all feedback, I just have a personal preference for Wyse on DCS and at least in the case of this set, I do think the thinner font is actually a benefit for the theme. But I will try to listen and weigh any and all feedback.

[ravenousrhino]

Love that there's actually something interesting in the base kit that makes it more than just another colorway

[yeh]

I quite like this. I cant wait!

[Jampot_298]

Another awesome DCS set! Defo in for this

[Alessio]

Makes me incredibly happy to see more DCS being made. I skipped on GMK Dark but this is 100% a buy for me, love the simple theme and I'm a big fan of the kitting. Keep it up

[KuroTheCrazy]

Finally a DCS set I love. Gib scythe keys.

[Bachoo]

I'm very happy to see more people working on DCS sets, I am a big fan of this CW and the novelties made in this set. GLWIC 

[fleeceman]

In, hopefully there will be a UK vendor

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[Puddsy]

i see dcs i post nice

[derpter]

I would buy this.

[Oddstag]

Uh, 40's novelties? How can it be Christmas again already?!

[herbologist]

this is super exciting. dcs is life. I'm in.

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[base]

wtb

[menuhin]

When will Signature Plastics DCS have proper smaller size non-standard convex spacebars?

Are those featured in the kits (except the 10u) convex bars?

[Aiwanei]

When will Signature Plastics DCS have proper smaller size non-standard convex spacebars?

Are those featured in the kits (except the 10u) convex bars?

They were working on them, but they are going through then profile by profile, so it will still be a while since my understanding is DCS is last or towards the end of the list (DSA and DSS are first). The good news is since these aren't custom colors, I'm theory once they are available they should be easy to get for this set since it uses NN. But anything less than 6u is currently concave.

[Rafa_n]

I will 100% buy this

[treeleaf64]

When am I going to die Mr Aiwanei
The reaper will come for me
And he will be happy to see that I have a DCS set after him!! Ayaya ayaya

[IOVERCALLHISTIOCYTES]

Just struck me that these relegendables will probably be in my hands well before the recent GMK round. Think you could sell a decent number of them.

[PeppyToad]

I love DCS. Thank you for running DCS sets. And awesome 4-key in base!

I already went hard on DCS Solarized Dark – will be at it again for this one.

[hineybush]

very neat.

[Fraaaan]

Consider 1.75u Control and ISO novelty in base.

[finalarcadia]

In. Would prefer no white in the set.

[robotictomato]

This looks great. Any chance for an Alps base set, similar to the DCS 9009 set that ran recently?

[derpter]

Looks fantastic but I probably won't buy unless the numpad kit, R3 control, and F13 are moved to base kit OR the price of those three kits they are separated into are priced at a normal base kit price.

[iiiitsnathan]

oh yeah

[Aiwanei]

I have confirmed the vendors and added them to the main post

I've also going through the feedback thus far and this is a brief overview of changes:
Command Changed to Super in Extension
R3 Control Moved to Base from Extension
F13 Moved to Base From Extension
R3 Function Added to Extension
Non-novelty Accent(WCK) Esc and Enter added to Extension
Revamped Novelty Kit - Blacked out novelties, additional R1 novelties, additional text novelties
Alps Kit being considered
Accent Spacebars (separate kit or added to a kit, unsure) being considered
International Kit of some kind being considered

Once I have a new quote with the changes and updated renders I'll post an updated IC feedback form and goatee the main post. I'll also hopefully be able to reveal a few of the deskmat designs that will accompany this set at the same time.

[clayclws]

Aw… was wishing for some Mac keys but I’ll cop these nevertheless, like Nightfall and Soldark. Moooaarrr DCS please!

[Tulesto]

Quite possibly the coolest DCS set I have ever seen. 100% in.

[TypeBis]

can't wait for this!

[joro1662]

Love the custom font, cant wait for this set!

[oilpapers]

Is this PBT or ABS, doubleshot?

[Aiwanei]

Love the custom font, cant wait for this set!

This is actually the classic/default DCS font, used in old Wyse boards, it's called Gorton. They do offer a cherry like font as well but I prefer the classic Gorton legends personally.

[Aiwanei]

Is this PBT or ABS, doubleshot?

SP only offers ABS for doubleshot, PBT is dyesub (and not reverse dyesub), though both can be pad printed. This set will be doubleshot ABS.

[ibankais]

Any updates on a potential Alps kit? Super interested 

[Aiwanei]

Here is a preview of the updated novelties kit. Please be aware that the ISO Novelty enter may have to be cut, there was a miscommunication when originally getting quoted and it didn't include it being pad printed and uv coated which is the only way to do a novelty ISO enter that takes up the full ISO enter surface. Currently weighing options and looking at alternatives but not sure if it will have to be cut.

[Tulesto]

I like the updates, personally would prefer 2 of each design 1.5u mods but otherwise great improvements.

[IOVERCALLHISTIOCYTES]

DCS Death >>> DCS Deadbeats

Hyped

[DeMechanica]

Awesome except for the comic sans font, I would have bought if not for that

[Aiwanei]

Awesome except for the comic sans font, I would have bought if not for that

The font is actually called Gorton which is the classic DCS font that was found on Wyse Terminal keyboards.

[butternutz]

new novelty keys are awesome. Definitely gonna buy with the black-on-black novelties now.

[FatefulStranger]

I'm more inclined to get the novelty kit now, however the possibility of the ISO novelty being cut is sad. Additionally, I'd prefer if the ISO novelty was grey on black rather than black on white (that is if it's still being kept).

[Aiwanei]

I'm more inclined to get the novelty kit now, however the possibility of the ISO novelty being cut is sad. Additionally, I'd prefer if the ISO novelty was grey on black rather than black on white (that is if it's still being kept).

So as it stands right now, since it has to be pad printed, and pad printing adds a decent chunk to the cost, I am looking to see if we can come up with a more intricate ISO novelty design that can take advantage of this.  I really love the ISO Novelty as well, and really want it to stay, but I also don't want to price people out of the set by adding up to $10 to the cost of the kit(final pricing isn't determined for that kit so can't say the exact change to price but it would be around there) just for the Novelty ISO.

I have updated the main post with the updated kitting.

[rndr]

The novelties should have been grey on black. White on Black sort of goes against the theme of this set

[Aiwanei]

The novelties should have been grey on black. White on Black sort of goes against the theme of this set

The idea is that it represents the bone white off the grim reaper skeleton, I have also added grey on black versions for most novelties to the set.

[autocast]

Lord that deskmat is killer

Nice update with the non-accent colored novelties and Super keys 

[Zanhana]

would it be possible to add size labels to the minibars (or at least list the sizes in the post) for the kits that have them? I find it difficult to know what they are by eye.

[ggggggg]

would it be possible to add size labels to the minibars (or at least list the sizes in the post) for the kits that have them? I find it difficult to know what they are by eye.

2.25u and 2.75u in the base kit, 2x3u, 2x1.75u, 2u, 1.25u, and 2x1u in the bars kit is my guess.

[konstantin]

would it be possible to add size labels to the minibars (or at least list the sizes in the post) for the kits that have them? I find it difficult to know what they are by eye.

2.25u and 2.75u in the base kit, 2x3u, 2x1.75u, 2u, 1.25u, and 2x1u in the bars kit is my guess.

There is also one 2u space in the base kit, but otherwise you are correct.

@Aiwanei: Consider moving the 2× 1.75u spaces to the 40s/ortho kit since only 40s boards use that size. Similarly, only ortho boards use 2× 1u and 2× 2u, so I suggest moving those keys out of spacebars and into ortho/40s. This way, 40% users will not need to buy the spacebars kit; buying just 40s and base will give them all the spacebar sizes they need. This streamlines the purchasing experience and reduces the number of unnecessary keys for everyone.
In place of those keys, I suggest putting a 6u centered stem space in the spacebars kit. One 1u space should also be kept for Alice boards even if 2× 1u is moved to ortho/40s.

Really nice kitting otherwise. I'm liking the inclusion of R3 1.75u Function in the extension kit.

[Aiwanei]

would it be possible to add size labels to the minibars (or at least list the sizes in the post) for the kits that have them? I find it difficult to know what they are by eye.

2.25u and 2.75u in the base kit, 2x3u, 2x1.75u, 2u, 1.25u, and 2x1u in the bars kit is my guess.

There is also one 2u space in the base kit, but otherwise you are correct.

@Aiwanei: Consider moving the 2× 1.75u spaces to the 40s/ortho kit since only 40s boards use that size. Similarly, only ortho boards use 2× 1u and 2× 2u, so I suggest moving those keys out of spacebars and into ortho/40s. This way, 40% users will not need to buy the spacebars kit; buying just 40s and base will give them all the spacebar sizes they need. This streamlines the purchasing experience and reduces the number of unnecessary keys for everyone.
In place of those keys, I suggest putting a 6u centered stem space in the spacebars kit. One 1u space should also be kept for Alice boards even if 2× 1u is moved to ortho/40s.

Really nice kitting otherwise. I'm liking the inclusion of R3 1.75u Function in the extension kit.

The issue with the DCS(and DSA also) 6u centered spacebar is that it has unusual stem placement, it is actually made for 5u Stabilizers not 6u, so the compatibility list is some vintage boards and the Razer Blackwidow.

I'll take your other suggestions under consideration for sure though.

[WarlordGorguts]

Novelties and deskmats looks amazing. Waiting on artisan reveals)

[konstantin]

The issue with the DCS(and DSA also) 6u centered spacebar is that it has unusual stem placement, it is actually made for 5u Stabilizers not 6u, so the compatibility list is some vintage boards and the Razer Blackwidow.

I'll take your other suggestions under consideration for sure though.

Ah, I wasn't aware. Makes sense!

[Aiwanei]

Since the ISO Novelty as it stood was potentially on the cutting block, we took this opportunity to reimagine it before making the final decision and we are very happy with how it came out. We (OCM and myself) tried a few different ideas, but this is the one that worked out the best. In order to do a design on all of a DCS ISO enter key, it has to be pad printed, so this design is pad printed and UV coated but designed to fit in with the doubleshot design language on the other novelty keys.



I would love your feedback on this new design.

[Zanhana]

I would love your feedback on this new design.

so good I would almost use ISO—really, excellent job with it

[FatefulStranger]

ISO novelty looks nice, but now the concern as mentioned before is the price of the novelty kit. Is it possible to cut some keys out in order to reduce the price? Because I don't see myself using all the black and white novelties or even the black and gray novelties. Just a thought.

[Al3417]

I would love your feedback on this new design.

Definitely love the ISO novelty, I don't even use the layout but it's such a satisfaction just looking at that Enter

[Zanhana]

ISO novelty looks nice, but now the concern as mentioned before is the price of the novelty kit. Is it possible to cut some keys out in order to reduce the price? Because I don't see myself using all the black and white novelties or even the black and gray novelties. Just a thought.

on the other hand, I love the options & flexibility in the current novelty kit and am happy to add it to my order unless it's comically exorbitantly expensive

[Belled]

Nice set, I'm in, like the relegendables

[gisigwilgwelk]

Very cool keyset. Not for me personally but I'm all in on those deskmats!

[touch]

Any chance for a Colevrak+ kit?

[Aiwanei]

I am excited to announce the group buy date for this set will be from March 12th until April 12th!

We also have a reveal of the Hibi design:

Animated Link

[Bl4ck]

Any news on Alps?

[7empest]

man im loving this set! nice work!

[Sup]

Are the spacebar sizes in the spacebar kit both 2.5u?

[Mecxs]

Are the spacebar sizes in the spacebar kit both 2.5u?

The kit contains:

2x 1u
1x 1.25u
2x 1.75u
1x 2u
2x 3u

All will be concave unfortunately because SP spent their annual mould budget on 10u bars I think.

[Aiwanei]

Are the spacebar sizes in the spacebar kit both 2.5u?

The kit contains:

2x 1u
1x 1.25u
2x 1.75u
1x 2u
2x 3u

All will be concave unfortunately because SP spent their annual mould budget on 10u bars I think.

They are actually going through profile by profile adding convex small bars, they have done SA already; DSA is next I believe, than DSS and DCS was last on the list, so it will be a while.

[robotictomato]

Still hoping for an Alps base kit at least! Relegendables and spacebars would be a huge plus for Alps compat as well.

[twitchytheinsideman]

Base kit with Alice support and Novelties, wow, you got me! 

[rndr]

Death for my wallet for sure. Definitely copping this.

[Aiwanei]

Just a few updates to announce. After doing an informal poll on IG about Alps kitting, to see how much support there would be, I have decided to add in an Alps Base Kit that will be equivalent to the MX Base Kit + Numpad Kit for $135-140.  There will also be a version of the Relegendables Kit for Alps that will be ~$35.  Finally I am adding a basic NorDe kit to the set that will be ~$30. 

[robotictomato]

Just a few updates to announce. After doing an informal poll on IG about Alps kitting, to see how much support there would be, I have decided to add in an Alps Base Kit that will be equivalent to the MX Base Kit + Numpad Kit for $135-140.  There will also be a version of the Relegendables Kit for Alps that will be ~$35.  Finally I am adding a basic NorDe kit to the set that will be ~$30.

That is great! Very excited about the Alps kit and the Alps relegendables. Thank you!

[ggggggg]

Just to make sure, the 10u bar takes 7u stabs, right?

[Aiwanei]

Just to make sure, the 10u bar takes 7u stabs, right?

That is correct

[Aiwanei]

With just a few days until the GB, I have posted the final kitting, and the US prices for everything (except the Mouse collab).  I am excited to share the NorDE kit, Alps Kit, Alps Relegendables Kit, and we added the RIP 1u R2 to the 40s kit after multiple requests.  We are also happy to announce that zFrontier will be the vendor for this set in China.  Please expect reveals of the keybees, artisan labs wrist rest and mouse over the next few days.

ThocKeys will be running a special promotion for the first 72 hours of the Group Buy (from the 12th through the 14th), if you buy a base kit, you will get 10% off the Deskmats.

[Robert.Lussier5]

$55 for a numpad, ooooof.

[Aiwanei]

$55 for a numpad, ooooof.

That's a typo, it's 24.99. I've fixed the graphic.

[tuesdaygloom]

The deskmats look so trippy, definitely will be picking one up, maybe a basekit too. 

[robotictomato]

I'm very excited for the Alps Base Kit and Relegendables - thanks for including those and rendering the kits.

My only request would be an R3 Control key, if it isn't too late...

Keep making awesome sets!

[Sup]

Bought a set seems like this is gonna be a classic one. One base set, novelty and a 10u Chad spacebar