model m key comparison - '87 ssk (1391472) + '91 (1391401)

[dem0critus]

I just picked up an '87 SSK model m, and I noticed that the keys are very different compared to the standard model m.
I thought I would post some detailed pics, mainly because I haven't seen this up-close comparison anywhere else.

I was actually pretty surprised at how easy it is to tell the difference just by looking at the keys with the naked eye.

The first thing I noticed is that the SSK keys are all one piece (except the j and f keys) , unlike the standard model m capped keys.
Also, I noticed that the letters on the keys from the '87 board have much better definition than those on the '91 board.
All of the pics below are taken with the '91 model m keys sitting on top of the '87 ssk board:







As you can see, there's a lot more bleeding in the standard m keys, which give the 87 keys much more definition.
I'm not sure if this is because the keys are older, or because they're from a space saver, but either way the difference is obvious.
Another thing I noticed is that it seems like there is more blue coloring in the newer keys, which is very difficult to notice with the naked eye alone.

So, for anyone out there wondering what the difference is in these keyboards, now you know!

[DaemonRaccoon]

Intresting that yours are one piece keys, my '91 SSK has two piece keys. The reason the '87 has sharper legends is they were probably printed with newer transfer sheets on a less wornout machine.

[dem0critus]

Yeah, I thought it was really strange that they are one piece too.  I don't have a TON of experience on model m's, but it's the first time i've seen one piece keys on em.  

I figured that it might have to do with the fact that the machines were less "worn out", but I didn't expect the difference to be as noticeable as it is.

Anyone else out there have one piece keys on an older m?

[weenis]

Anyone else out there have one piece keys on an older m?

I just purchased a 1987 SSK with 1 piece keys. It also has "F" and "J" as 2 piece.

[KillerBee]

My history and contact with older Model M

 1386304 June 1985 (one piece)
 1386304 September 1985 (two piece)
1386304 November 1985 (one piece) <-- NEW ADDITION
 1390120 February 1986 (two piece)
 1390120 May 1986 (two piece)
 1392980 Space Saver November 1987 (one piece)

[dorkvader]

So it's a crap shoot?

I ordered some from unicomp, and got a mix. One of the two piece keys had a white bottom half.

[KillerBee]

I once had a 1992 modem M whose stems where some white, some grey, some dark grey and some black jejeje

[dorkvader]

My 1990 has ivory stems under F,J, and 5(on the numpad)

'course I moved them when I bolt modded it.

[weenis]

Part of me wonders if they did 2 piece because of the dimples?

When the keys are one piece, it seems they are all one piece except for the "F", "J", and numpad "5".

All of these keys would require a different mold. 1 mold for the "F" and "J", 1 mold for the numpad "5", and then 1 mold for all the rest of the 1 piece keys on the board.

My guess is the FJ5 was for cost savings, but then when they saw the benefit to the two piece keys, they just switched them all to two piece keys.

[dorkvader]

But why are the later models such a mix? I wonder if it has anything to do with the plant they were wade in or what computer they came with?

[KillerBee]

More Information Added

[hella]

The difference in clarity and color depends on how old the dye sublimation "reem" is.  The newer the reem, the sharper the letters are.  Older keyboards do NOT have sharper clarity than new ones.

I've had quite a few model M's and M15's and I've had old ones with fuzzy and purple-ish letters (like your 92' model) and I've had keyboards from 95 that are sharper than your 87' SSK.

[bootstrap]

Below are some pics comparing the two-piece keycaps from my 1991 Model M SSK (on the left) and those from an IBM Wheelwriter 5 typewriter (right). The latter can be used on Model M keyboards - that's provided you don't mind having no bumps on the F and J keys and the special green markings.

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The difference in clarity and depth of color is unmistakable.