(https://www.oliversphotoblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/hlbbanniere-2.jpg)
Hi, HLB team Here!
In 2024 we ran our first public group-buy with the PoorKoi 1, an acrylic stacked keyboard. 30 happy users were very surprised by the clack of this simple 60% made with love. This was our first project, mistakes were made, but we learned a lot and we got confident that we could push even further: having the same thing in a cnc'd alu/polycarbonate version!
We are aiming for the same clack and feeling with the alu/polycarbonate version – with an affordable price. No brass weight or copper that are expensive if you don't sell 200 units. Simple design with references of the v1.
We had to make a stand between affordability and customization with a trusty and high-quality manufacturer – DDS while upgrading our game: laser cut Poron gaskets, custom carrying case, in house hotswap pcb (as well as new solder one) !
You can find us on Discord (https://discord.gg/ZV8Ysf6buB)
(https://github.com/H3lli0n/PoorKoi2/raw/main/img/commercial.jpg)
(https://www.oliversphotoblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/HLB_PoorKoi2_Proto-2-scaled.jpg)
(https://www.oliversphotoblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/HLB_PoorKoi2_Proto-6-scaled.jpg)
(https://www.oliversphotoblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/DSC00832-scaled.jpg)
(https://www.oliversphotoblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/DSC00822-scaled.jpg)
(https://www.oliversphotoblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/HLB_PoorKoi2_PC_Proto-scaled.jpg)
Specifications
• 60% Poron gasket mount
• 7° typing angle
• WK/WKL/HHKB
• Polycarbonate bottom with central aluminium part
• Brass plate
• Geon feet D7
• 1.6mm HS/Solder PCB
• RGB underglow
• Capslock / layers indicator
• Unified DB C5
Without feet:
• 18mm front height
• 23mm EKH
• Weight full built (aluminium top)= 950gr
(https://github.com/H3lli0n/PoorKoi2/raw/main/img/techdraw.png)
Compatibility
Hotswap Layouts
(https://github.com/H3lli0n/PoorKoi2/raw/main/img/hlb60-h_visual.svg)
Solder Layouts
(https://github.com/H3lli0n/PoorKoi2/raw/main/img/hlb60-s_visual.svg)
Project's status
First renders => done
Keyboard prototypes => done
PCB prototypes => done
GeekHack IC => estimated december 2025
Group-buy => estimated january 2026
Where
EU: TBD
US: TBD
UK: TBD
KR: TBD
CN: TBD
Estimated commercial targets, not final - we aim between 370€ to 310€ depending on MOQ.
Please fill up our IC (https://forms.gle/HQC3p7U7dnEVLVM39)
All informations on the project : https://github.com/H3lli0n/PoorKoi2/
More pictures : https://www.oliversphotoblog.com/2025/12/07/hlb-poorkoi-2/