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geekhack Community => Keyboard Keycaps => Topic started by: Crab2020 on Sat, 08 June 2019, 20:00:41

Title: What makes a keycap set "valuable" to YOU?
Post by: Crab2020 on Sat, 08 June 2019, 20:00:41
Kind of new into the hobby, i just recently put orders in for a couple of artisans and GMK sets as i was told GMK was a good place to start. I was just curious, what makes a set have "value" in your eyes? Is it colorways, or a certain manufacturer? What makes you look at a set and say "yes, thats what i want!" ?
Title: Re: What makes a keycap set "valuable" to YOU?
Post by: lolafineday on Sat, 08 June 2019, 20:20:32
Colorway and how it will go with the boards I have.

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Title: Re: What makes a keycap set "valuable" to YOU?
Post by: Crab2020 on Sun, 09 June 2019, 00:59:36
Colorway and how it will go with the boards I have.



That’s what goes through my mind, I saw some rather plain looking sets for rather high prices and people seem to love them so it got me thinking.
Title: Re: What makes a keycap set "valuable" to YOU?
Post by: lolafineday on Sun, 09 June 2019, 05:15:23
Colorway and how it will go with the boards I have.



That’s what goes through my mind, I saw some rather plain looking sets for rather high prices and people seem to love them so it got me thinking.
All preference, some people like blue some people like red, some people like crazy some people like minimal. Etc etc...

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Title: Re: What makes a keycap set "valuable" to YOU?
Post by: dexie on Sun, 09 June 2019, 05:17:28
Compatibility is on the first place. If set does not provide at least basic ISO compatibility there is no value for me at all, because I could not put it on any of my boards. Manufacturer goes on the second place. Even ****tiest GMK or ePBT sets are more desired than knock-off aliexpress sets.
Title: Re: What makes a keycap set "valuable" to YOU?
Post by: Sintpinty on Mon, 10 June 2019, 19:42:26
Kind of new into the hobby, i just recently put orders in for a couple of artisans and GMK sets as i was told GMK was a good place to start. I was just curious, what makes a set have "value" in your eyes? Is it colorways, or a certain manufacturer? What makes you look at a set and say "yes, thats what i want!" ?

If it looks awesome and feels awesome that's all that matters.
Title: Re: What makes a keycap set "valuable" to YOU?
Post by: ArchDill on Mon, 10 June 2019, 20:22:26
I am very picky. The colorway is the most important to me. I used to really like busy and bright sets but my tastes have changed. My main two GMK sets are WoB and Skeletor. I would like to have the Serika Alphas. I am not really a fan of the mods.
Title: Re: What makes a keycap set "valuable" to YOU?
Post by: Auxo on Wed, 12 June 2019, 22:11:09
Colorway and how it will go with the boards I have.



That’s what goes through my mind, I saw some rather plain looking sets for rather high prices and people seem to love them so it got me thinking.

The plain stuff, im assuming youre referring to GMK 9009/classic retro, or the beige colorways?

Those generally fetch high prices due to being a generally classic/timeless colorway that fits on any neutral colored board.

Also, it tends to hit a low amount of orders, so when people DO decide they want em, not many people are selling them, so the value kinda shoots high. the original run of GMK 9009 went up to like $2-350 or so IIRC.

Then there are the even more rare variants like BSP keysets (tulip/peacock). Those are pretty to look at
Title: Re: What makes a keycap set "valuable" to YOU?
Post by: Crab2020 on Sat, 15 June 2019, 22:06:49
Colorway and how it will go with the boards I have.



That’s what goes through my mind, I saw some rather plain looking sets for rather high prices and people seem to love them so it got me thinking.

The plain stuff, im assuming youre referring to GMK 9009/classic retro, or the beige colorways?

Those generally fetch high prices due to being a generally classic/timeless colorway that fits on any neutral colored board.

Also, it tends to hit a low amount of orders, so when people DO decide they want em, not many people are selling them, so the value kinda shoots high. the original run of GMK 9009 went up to like $2-350 or so IIRC.

Then there are the even more rare variants like BSP keysets (tulip/peacock). Those are pretty to look at


That was one of the ones i saw and said holy cow to lol. It piqued my interest. As the weeks go by and the more i browse on IC i find myself more drawn to the colorways primarily and then i look at the novelties second. I guess i have the same interest towards a lot of the artisans, some look really good and really well made and the price is understandable and some look rather poorly (painted?) colored and people go crazy for them but im still pretty fresh into the hobby so maybe i just dont have an eye for everything yet
Title: Re: What makes a keycap set "valuable" to YOU?
Post by: Auxo on Sun, 16 June 2019, 16:59:45
Colorway and how it will go with the boards I have.



That’s what goes through my mind, I saw some rather plain looking sets for rather high prices and people seem to love them so it got me thinking.

The plain stuff, im assuming youre referring to GMK 9009/classic retro, or the beige colorways?

Those generally fetch high prices due to being a generally classic/timeless colorway that fits on any neutral colored board.

Also, it tends to hit a low amount of orders, so when people DO decide they want em, not many people are selling them, so the value kinda shoots high. the original run of GMK 9009 went up to like $2-350 or so IIRC.

Then there are the even more rare variants like BSP keysets (tulip/peacock). Those are pretty to look at


That was one of the ones i saw and said holy cow to lol. It piqued my interest. As the weeks go by and the more i browse on IC i find myself more drawn to the colorways primarily and then i look at the novelties second. I guess i have the same interest towards a lot of the artisans, some look really good and really well made and the price is understandable and some look rather poorly (painted?) colored and people go crazy for them but im still pretty fresh into the hobby so maybe i just dont have an eye for everything yet

For sure, on the topic of artisans. There are a lot of factors that go into the value of keycaps.

1. Maker
2. Detail of the sculpt
3. Colorway
4. Quantity (how many of these caps/colorways exist?)
5. Meme (literally some caps just shoot up in price for no crazy reason)

Among the top producers, there are a few notable makers whose keycap values almost always shoot up above retail (For good reason, too). Clack (the first, if not at least one of the first, artisan), Bro Caps, Keyforge, ETF/Nightcaps,  GAF Caps, Booper, etc.

The more you dive into the community, the more you'll get a feel for what things are valued at, and WHY they are valued that way.

Enjoy your time here :)
Title: Re: What makes a keycap set "valuable" to YOU?
Post by: Sintpinty on Sun, 16 June 2019, 17:54:56
A keyset is valuable especially if it's in g20 or dsa profile, and looks quite fun to type on.
Title: Re: What makes a keycap set "valuable" to YOU?
Post by: aleck on Sun, 16 June 2019, 19:04:35
If they support 7u spacebar bottom row, are great quality and look simple, I'd buy it
Title: Re: What makes a keycap set "valuable" to YOU?
Post by: Crab2020 on Mon, 17 June 2019, 19:06:20
I also now know what its like to find some artisans or cap sets I REALLY like just to have them cancelled right before it goes to BG ;(