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geekhack Marketplace => Interest Checks => Topic started by: Quasarbyte on Mon, 09 December 2024, 04:30:22

Title: [IC] Awekeys Viking Antiques Metal Keycaps - Vendors Updated!(GB on April 25th)
Post by: Quasarbyte on Mon, 09 December 2024, 04:30:22
Vendors Updated!



United States: ClickClack (https://clickclack.io/), DangKeebs (https://dangkeebs.com/)
United Kingdom:  Prototypist (https://prototypist.net/)
Canada:  Desk Hero (https://www.deskhero.ca/)
Europe: Keygem (https://keygem.com/)
Oceania:  KeebznCables (https://www.keebzncables.com/)
Germany: monacokeys (https://monacokeys.de/)
Italy: CoffeeKeys (https://coffeekeys.eu/en-us)
Spain: ELOQUENTCLICKS (https://eloquentclicks.com/)
South Korea:  KLC Playgrounds (https://klc-playground.com/)
Thailand: Aiglatson Studio (https://aiglatsonstudio.com/)
Singapore: ktechs (https://ktechs.store/)
China:  zFroniter (https://en.zfrontier.com/)
Worldwide: awekeys (https://awekeys.com/)




GB Date


GB Timeline:  April 25th – May 6th(Very soon)
Expected Shipping Date: Late June













Runes Sublegends Added!!


Hey everyone! Over the past few days, we've gotten a lot of great feedback on the Viking Antiques project, and we’re super grateful for all your responses! A lot of you suggested adding the 'Viking Runes' legends to the set. When it comes to the sublegend designs, which style do you prefer? We're thinking about offering two different options for them. Let us know your thoughts in IC Form (https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeUkyJNl_7ieDAU-SbaRyx7bd6MrrOIHQmuG-LeICthVRM6kQ/viewform?usp=sharing)!

(https://i.imgur.com/CSLUrVX.jpeg)



Gemstone Accent Kits Added!!


Happy New Year and Happy Holidays, everyone! I hope you're all having a wonderful holiday season! To kick off the new year, I’m excited to share that I’ve received another sample from Awekeys on the last day of 2024!

To enhance the Viking-inspired theme, I’m thrilled to debut the Gemstone Accent Keys in rich hues: Ruby, Sapphire, Emerald, and Black Onyx. These unique keys are designed to complement the core Viking finishes, bringing a vibrant pop of color and personality to your setup.

As add-on options, these accent keys will be available to customize your Viking warrior's toolkit and take your setup to the next level! Looking forward to hearing your thoughts and feedback!

(https://i.imgur.com/sYIET5W.jpeg)



Sample Production Update!

Here’s the latest on the sample stage for the antique texture finishes. I’ve gathered a variety of metal textures, including aging finish, fading metal scars like from helmet and armour off the knight, and have been working closely with the CMF engineer team from Awekeys to create textures that match my vision.

I’ve been really impressed with how Awekeys has brought these textures to life — they turned out amazing! Check out this quick update showing the samples of Antique Copper, Antique Silver, and Antique Gold. These shots were taken with an iPhone under natural indoor lighting. Comment below and let me know what you think!

(https://i.imgur.com/hF2sbOf.jpeg)

(https://i.imgur.com/unJL9Ul.jpeg)

(https://i.imgur.com/XIzAmxB.jpeg)

IC Form (https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeUkyJNl_7ieDAU-SbaRyx7bd6MrrOIHQmuG-LeICthVRM6kQ/viewform?usp=sharing) | Join Discord Server (https://discord.gg/3uzPAnPkJ3)

Fill out the IC Form (Link is above) to tell me any thoughts you have on potential kitting offerings. I'm open to all suggestions, whether it's additional keysets, mods, or other unique ideas you’d love to see!

(https://i.imgur.com/NL1Rpdl.jpeg)

Introduction and Inspiration

Hello Geekhack!
After the success of the Awekeys Copper Eagle project, which created quite a buzz in the community and saw fantastic sales :thumb: big thanks to Awekeys for that! - I’ve been inspired to explore another passion of mine: metal accessories and Viking culture, especially the stunning aged, antique finishes on metal objects.

I reached out to Awekeys once again to see if they could help bring this vision to life, and I’m thrilled to say they were just as excited as I was to get started.. A huge thanks to Jesse and the team from Awekeys for giving me this incredible opportunity to work on this project again!

We are introducing the Awekeys Viking Antique, designed to bring the rugged, timeless beauty of Viking culture and antique metalwork to your keyboard. Let’s dive into the details:


Antique Metal Finishes

Each keycap has been treated with a unique antique aging process to mimic the look and feel of ancient Viking metalwork. The keycaps come in the gorgeous antique finishes: Antique Copper. These finishes give the keycaps a rich, worn appearance, similar to ancient artifacts that have withstood centuries of history.


(https://i.imgur.com/5XJcTgv.png)

(https://i.imgur.com/bIzfesX.jpeg)

Novelties


I wanted the Novelties in this set to tell a story, to evoke the epic nature of Viking adventures and the mysticism of Nordic folklore. These designs are carefully crafted to represent key symbols and themes from Viking culture.

The Novelties keys bring Viking myths to life, each design representing a key aspect of Norse culture:

●Tree of Life (Yggdrasil): Represents the interconnectedness of life and wisdom.

●Raven (Huginn & Muninn): A symbol of knowledge and Odin's ravens.

●LongShip (Drakkar): A nod to the iconic Viking longship and their voyages.

●Viking Warrior: A tribute to the strength and courage of Viking warriors.

●Norse Wolf (Fenrir): The legendary wolf symbolizing power and fate.


(https://i.imgur.com/LyvOgRU.jpeg)

New Color

(https://i.imgur.com/HaCDJGc.jpeg)

Novelties - Antique Gold

(https://i.imgur.com/izNBoTv.jpeg)

Novelties - Antique Silver

Help Me Choose the Best Base Kit!

One of the key decisions I'm still finalizing is the Base Kit configuration, and I’d love to hear which layout YOU prefer. I want to ensure this project is as inclusive and appealing to as many people as possible. Whether you’re a full-size fan or a TKL enthusiast, your voice will help shape the final product!

"Below renders are Full Size Base Kit for your reference"

(https://i.imgur.com/oY73hzW.jpeg)

New Color

(https://i.imgur.com/jUpLrmX.jpeg)

(https://i.imgur.com/zEErQvi.jpeg)

For those who prefer a more compact setup, the TKL option might offer a streamlined design without the numpad. It’s ideal if you’re looking for a smaller footprint and a potentially more affordable price point. Plus, the numpad keys will be available as a separate add-on if you need them later!

Kitting Opinions?

For the spacebar kits, I’ll be including a 6.25u spacebar as the default in the base kit, as it’s the most common size. I’m also considering offering 7u spacebar, or Alice kits (2.25u + 2.75u) as alternative options.

***Since the metal keycaps are milled independently (unlike plastic ABS/PBT which are injected), the manufacturing cost for each metal keycap is much higher. So, putting all these add-on kits or spacebars in the base kit might be a bit too expensive. I’d love to hear your thoughts on this—would you prefer the extra options for spacebars for the base kit, or do you think the default 6.25u is enough?

Other opinions in terms of kittings?



Next Steps

I’d love to gather more feedback from all of you to make sure this project becomes a reality. Please share your thoughts and fill out the IC form! Your feedback will be taken to Awekeys when I meet with them soon to discuss:
●Sample production
●Potential kitting changes and updates
●Renders
●Potential Collabs
●Involving regional vendors
Once we’ve got everything sorted, I’ll reach out to Awekeys for updated quotes and we can start organizing a group buy. Thanks for your support in making this happen!




IC Form (https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeUkyJNl_7ieDAU-SbaRyx7bd6MrrOIHQmuG-LeICthVRM6kQ/viewform?usp=sharing) | Join Discord Server (https://discord.gg/3uzPAnPkJ3)
Title: Re: [IC] Awekeys Viking Antiques Metal Keycaps - A Tribute to Metal & Viking Culture
Post by: Nebulonix on Mon, 09 December 2024, 19:13:43
Great thematic! I'll be keeping an eye out!
Title: Re: [IC] Awekeys Viking Antiques Metal Keycaps - A Tribute to Metal & Viking Culture
Post by: Quasarbyte on Tue, 10 December 2024, 19:47:35
Great thematic! I'll be keeping an eye out!
Thank you so much!
Title: Re: [IC] Awekeys Viking Antiques Metal Keycaps - A Tribute to Metal & Viking Culture
Post by: ElectronicaPrime on Thu, 12 December 2024, 23:55:11
Will they also be available in blanks?
Title: Re: [IC] Awekeys Viking Antiques Metal Keycaps - 2 New Colors Updated
Post by: Quasarbyte on Fri, 13 December 2024, 02:34:36
Based on community feedback, I've come up with 2 addtional colors. Antique Gold and Antique Silver. Which one do you prefer?   lmk what you think about these new colors

New Color

(https://i.imgur.com/HaCDJGc.jpeg)

Novelties - Antique Gold

(https://i.imgur.com/izNBoTv.jpeg)

Novelties - Antique Silver

(https://i.imgur.com/jUpLrmX.jpeg)

(https://i.imgur.com/zEErQvi.jpeg)
Title: Re: [IC] Awekeys Viking Antiques Metal Keycaps - A Tribute to Metal & Viking Culture
Post by: Quasarbyte on Sun, 15 December 2024, 20:41:16
Will they also be available in blanks?
If everyone likes it, we'll release it.
Title: Re: [IC] Awekeys Viking Antiques Metal Keycaps - 2 New Colors Updated
Post by: VistaKB on Mon, 16 December 2024, 19:29:55
They all look amazing!! But I think I would tend to choose the Antique Copper!
Title: Re: [IC] Awekeys Viking Antiques Metal Keycaps - 2 New Colors Updated
Post by: Quasarbyte on Tue, 17 December 2024, 19:27:15
They all look amazing!! But I think I would tend to choose the Antique Copper!
Thank you for your feedback!
Title: Re: [IC] Awekeys Viking Antiques Metal Keycaps - 2 New Colors Updated
Post by: Nebulonix on Mon, 23 December 2024, 19:35:01
Based on community feedback, I've come up with 2 addtional colors. Antique Gold and Antique Silver. Which one do you prefer?   lmk what you think about these new colors

New Color

Show Image
(https://i.imgur.com/HaCDJGc.jpeg)

Novelties - Antique Gold

Show Image
(https://i.imgur.com/izNBoTv.jpeg)

Novelties - Antique Silver

Show Image
(https://i.imgur.com/jUpLrmX.jpeg)

Show Image
(https://i.imgur.com/zEErQvi.jpeg)

NEW COLOR!!!
Title: Re: [IC] Awekeys Viking Antiques Metal Keycaps - Sample Production Update!
Post by: Quasarbyte on Thu, 26 December 2024, 23:30:28
Sample Production Update!

Here’s the latest on the sample stage for the antique texture finishes. I’ve gathered a variety of metal textures, including aging finish, fading metal scars like from helmet and armour off the knight, and have been working closely with the CMF engineer team from Awekeys to create textures that match my vision.

I’ve been really impressed with how Awekeys has brought these textures to life — they turned out amazing! Check out this quick update showing the samples of Antique Copper, Antique Silver, and Antique Gold. These shots were taken with an iPhone under natural indoor lighting. Comment below and let me know what you think!

(https://i.imgur.com/hF2sbOf.jpeg)

(https://i.imgur.com/unJL9Ul.jpeg)

(https://i.imgur.com/XIzAmxB.jpeg)
Title: Re: [IC] Awekeys Viking Antiques Metal Keycaps - Sample Production Update!
Post by: blondie on Fri, 27 December 2024, 12:59:17
The perfect legends look out of place on the distressed metal. It would be nice if the legends were imperfect as well.
Title: Re: [IC] Awekeys Viking Antiques Metal Keycaps - Sample Production Update!
Post by: Quasarbyte on Sun, 29 December 2024, 20:14:26
The perfect legends look out of place on the distressed metal. It would be nice if the legends were imperfect as well.

Great idea! I'll have a chat with awekeys about it!
Title: Re: [IC] Awekeys Viking Antiques Metal Keycaps - Gemstone Accent Kits Added!!
Post by: Quasarbyte on Thu, 02 January 2025, 02:30:06
Gemstone Accent Kits Added!!


Happy New Year and Happy Holidays, everyone! I hope you're all having a wonderful holiday season! To kick off the new year, I’m excited to share that I’ve received another sample from Awekeys on the last day of 2024!

To enhance the Viking-inspired theme, I’m thrilled to debut the Gemstone Accent Keys in rich hues: Ruby, Sapphire, Emerald, and Black Onyx. These unique keys are designed to complement the core Viking finishes, bringing a vibrant pop of color and personality to your setup.

As add-on options, these accent keys will be available to customize your Viking warrior's toolkit and take your setup to the next level! Looking forward to hearing your thoughts and feedback!

(https://i.imgur.com/sYIET5W.jpeg)
Title: Re: [IC] Awekeys Viking Antiques Metal Keycaps - Gemstone Accent Kits Added!!
Post by: nathanchere on Sun, 05 January 2025, 12:21:47
What a missed opportunity... only latin alphas? No option for runes?

Or at the very least, will blanks actually be available this time? Can't remember which it was but the last awekeys thing I was following was supposed to offer blanks and then didn't.
Title: Re: [IC] Awekeys Viking Antiques Metal Keycaps - Sample Production Update!
Post by: pixelpusher on Sun, 05 January 2025, 17:07:25
Sample Production Update!

Here’s the latest on the sample stage for the antique texture finishes. I’ve gathered a variety of metal textures, including aging finish, fading metal scars like from helmet and armour off the knight, and have been working closely with the CMF engineer team from Awekeys to create textures that match my vision.

I’ve been really impressed with how Awekeys has brought these textures to life — they turned out amazing! Check out this quick update showing the samples of Antique Copper, Antique Silver, and Antique Gold. These shots were taken with an iPhone under natural indoor lighting. Comment below and let me know what you think!

Show Image
(https://i.imgur.com/hF2sbOf.jpeg)

Show Image
(https://i.imgur.com/unJL9Ul.jpeg)

Show Image
(https://i.imgur.com/XIzAmxB.jpeg)

These look very nice.  Excellent concept and execution  :thumb:  I would love to purchase a kit but would need a 7u bottom row.
Title: Re: [IC] Awekeys Viking Antiques Metal Keycaps - Gemstone Accent Kits Added!!
Post by: Quasarbyte on Sun, 05 January 2025, 20:09:35
What a missed opportunity... only latin alphas? No option for runes?

Or at the very least, will blanks actually be available this time? Can't remember which it was but the last awekeys thing I was following was supposed to offer blanks and then didn't.

I have talked to Awekeys with on the possibility of making the blank legend options, and they can make it happen this time.
Title: Re: [IC] Awekeys Viking Antiques Metal Keycaps - Sample Production Update!
Post by: Quasarbyte on Mon, 06 January 2025, 19:46:09
Sample Production Update!

Here’s the latest on the sample stage for the antique texture finishes. I’ve gathered a variety of metal textures, including aging finish, fading metal scars like from helmet and armour off the knight, and have been working closely with the CMF engineer team from Awekeys to create textures that match my vision.

I’ve been really impressed with how Awekeys has brought these textures to life — they turned out amazing! Check out this quick update showing the samples of Antique Copper, Antique Silver, and Antique Gold. These shots were taken with an iPhone under natural indoor lighting. Comment below and let me know what you think!

Show Image
(https://i.imgur.com/hF2sbOf.jpeg)

Show Image
(https://i.imgur.com/unJL9Ul.jpeg)

Show Image
(https://i.imgur.com/XIzAmxB.jpeg)

These look very nice.  Excellent concept and execution  :thumb:  I would love to purchase a kit but would need a 7u bottom row.

Thank you for the kind words. I am still working on the kitting with awekeys.
Title: Re: [IC] Awekeys Viking Antiques Metal Keycaps - Runes Sublegends Added!!
Post by: Quasarbyte on Fri, 10 January 2025, 00:01:55
Runes Sublegends Added!!

Hey everyone! Over the past few days, we've gotten a lot of great feedback on the Viking Antiques project, and we’re super grateful for all your responses! A lot of you suggested adding the 'Viking Runes' legends to the set. When it comes to the sublegend designs, which style do you prefer? We're thinking about offering two different options for them. Let us know your thoughts in IC Form (https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeUkyJNl_7ieDAU-SbaRyx7bd6MrrOIHQmuG-LeICthVRM6kQ/viewform?usp=sharing)!

(https://i.imgur.com/CSLUrVX.jpeg)
Title: Re: [IC] Awekeys Viking Antiques Metal Keycaps - Runes Sublegends Added!!
Post by: nathanchere on Wed, 15 January 2025, 17:06:15
Sublegends... *sigh*
That's what the kids would call an epic fail.
Title: Re: [IC] Awekeys Viking Antiques Metal Keycaps - Runes Sublegends Added!!
Post by: VistaKB on Tue, 04 February 2025, 20:32:28
I really like this!
Title: Re: [IC] Awekeys Viking Antiques Metal Keycaps - Vendors Updated!(GB on April 25th)
Post by: Quasarbyte on Tue, 15 April 2025, 00:58:29
Vendors Updated!


United Kingdom:  Prototypist (https://prototypist.net/)
South Korea:  KLC Playgrounds (https://klc-playground.com/)
Oceania:  KeebznCables (https://www.keebzncables.com/)
United States: DangKeebs (https://dangkeebs.com/)
United States: ClickClack (https://clickclack.io/)
Southeast Asia|Singapore: ktechs (https://ktechs.store/)
Europe: Keygem (https://keygem.com/)
Italy: CoffeeKeys (https://coffeekeys.eu/en-us)
Worldwide: awekeys (https://awekeys.com/)
...
and more




GB Date


GB Timeline:  April 25th – May 6th(Very soon)
Expected Shipping Date: Late June

Title: Re: [IC] Awekeys Viking Antiques Metal Keycaps - Vendors Updated!(GB on April 25th)
Post by: Quasarbyte on Wed, 23 April 2025, 22:47:20
New Vendors Updated!



United States: ClickClack (https://clickclack.io/), DangKeebs (https://dangkeebs.com/)
United Kingdom:  Prototypist (https://prototypist.net/)
Canada:  Desk Hero (https://www.deskhero.ca/)
Europe: Keygem (https://keygem.com/)
Oceania:  KeebznCables (https://www.keebzncables.com/)
Germany: monacokeys (https://monacokeys.de/)
Italy: CoffeeKeys (https://coffeekeys.eu/en-us)
Spain: ELOQUENTCLICKS (https://eloquentclicks.com/)
South Korea:  KLC Playgrounds (https://klc-playground.com/)
Thailand: Aiglatson Studio (https://aiglatsonstudio.com/)
Singapore: ktechs (https://ktechs.store/)
China:  zFroniter (https://en.zfrontier.com/)
Worldwide: awekeys (https://awekeys.com/)