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geekhack Marketplace => Classifieds => Topic started by: mkawa on Tue, 04 December 2012, 08:14:34

Title: Charity Auction #5: Asura Sterling Silver Keycap
Post by: mkawa on Tue, 04 December 2012, 08:14:34: For the fifth auction in this series, I am auctioning off a prototype sterling silver keycap hand-made by our own Asura, a professional jeweller. This keycap will only fit Cherry MX key stems.

Item Details:

Asura talks more about his keycaps here: http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=37431.0

Weight of keycap is 5g. It is very shiny:

(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/24794081/_DSC9384.JPG)

(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/24794081/_DSC9377.JPG)

(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/24794081/_DSC9370.JPG)

(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/24794081/_DSC9391.JPG)

underside: https://dl.dropbox.com/u/24794081/_DSC9387.JPG

Auction Details:

This is a charity auction. 100% of the proceeds of this auction will be donated to geekhack. I will pay to ship this item anywhere in the world.

This is a public auction. Post your bid as a reply below. The highest bid at the end of the auction will win the keycap.

This auction will end at 12:01am, December 10, Samoa (Apia) time (GMT +13).

http://www.timeanddate.com/countdown/to?iso=20121210T0001&p0=282&msg=GH+Charity+Auction+%233&csz=1

At the end of the auction, I will contact the highest bidder by PM, and they will have 24 hours to remit their donation. If an eligible donation is not remitted, I will go down the list of highest bids until a donator steps forward.

Happy bidding!!
Title: Re: Asura Sterling Silver Keycap Charity Auction Placeholder
Post by: mkawa on Tue, 04 December 2012, 08:14:49: New bids must currently have a difference of >= 1$ from the last high bid to be counted as the new high bid

WINNER: rayuki, 200$

Bidding is: CLOSED
Title: Re: Asura Sterling Silver Keycap Charity Auction Placeholder
Post by: TheProfosist on Tue, 04 December 2012, 08:32:03: Placeholder for future bid!
Title: Re: Asura Sterling Silver Keycap Charity Auction Placeholder
Post by: wilsongunawan on Tue, 04 December 2012, 08:43:13: Placeholder for future bid! #2!
Title: Re: Asura Sterling Silver Keycap Charity Auction Placeholder
Post by: Dgsbllx on Tue, 04 December 2012, 08:48:08: (http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/archive/19009314/images/1336393833358.jpg)

Damn just seen the CCnG picture update, it looks awesome
Title: Re: Asura Sterling Silver Keycap Charity Auction Placeholder
Post by: tinlong117 on Tue, 04 December 2012, 09:15:06: any pics of the bottom?
Title: Re: Asura Sterling Silver Keycap Charity Auction Placeholder
Post by: tjcaustin on Tue, 04 December 2012, 09:17:18: I'll placehold your face!

With money!!
Title: Re: Asura Sterling Silver Keycap Charity Auction Placeholder
Post by: Shadovved on Tue, 04 December 2012, 09:19:16: Quote from: tjcaustin on Tue, 04 December 2012, 09:17:18
I'll placehold your face!

With money!!

Hmmmmmmm, I suppose you need alot of money for mine.

You got enough? ATM's over there btw :p :p :p
Title: Re: Asura Sterling Silver Keycap Charity Auction Placeholder
Post by: Computer-Lab in Basement on Tue, 04 December 2012, 09:19:41: I think I'll hold out for the gold one...

:))
Title: Asura Sterling Silver Keycap Charity Auction Placeholder
Post by: whiskerBox on Tue, 04 December 2012, 09:29:10: Quote from: Computer-Lab in Basement on Tue, 04 December 2012, 09:19:41
I think I'll hold out for the gold one...

:))

Man I can only imagine how much that will cost. I think he said it was around 6.5 grams.
Title: Re: Asura Sterling Silver Keycap Charity Auction Placeholder
Post by: tjcaustin on Tue, 04 December 2012, 11:15:15: Quote from: whiskerBox on Tue, 04 December 2012, 09:29:10
Quote from: Computer-Lab in Basement on Tue, 04 December 2012, 09:19:41
I think I'll hold out for the gold one...

:))

Man I can only imagine how much that will cost. I think he said it was around 6.5 grams.

Sadly, I can think of a couple clacks that went for more than that.
Title: Re: Asura Sterling Silver Keycap Charity Auction Placeholder
Post by: cwang1004 on Tue, 04 December 2012, 11:49:23: $90
Title: Re: Charity Auction #5: Asura Sterling Silver Keycap
Post by: mkawa on Tue, 04 December 2012, 11:56:02: bidding's open :)
Title: Re: Charity Auction #5: Asura Sterling Silver Keycap
Post by: Dgsbllx on Tue, 04 December 2012, 11:56:48: $30
Title: Re: Charity Auction #5: Asura Sterling Silver Keycap
Post by: tjcaustin on Tue, 04 December 2012, 12:05:45: #31
Title: Re: Charity Auction #5: Asura Sterling Silver Keycap
Post by: The_Beast on Tue, 04 December 2012, 12:14:23: $60
Title: Re: Charity Auction #5: Asura Sterling Silver Keycap
Post by: tsangan on Tue, 04 December 2012, 12:18:24: Quote from: TheProfosist on Tue, 04 December 2012, 08:32:03
Placeholder for future bid!
Quote from: wilsongunawan on Tue, 04 December 2012, 08:43:13
Placeholder for future bid! #2!
Please bid normally, dont expect people to just keep checking your old post for updates just post a new post as per normal
Title: Re: Charity Auction #5: Asura Sterling Silver Keycap
Post by: metalliqaz on Tue, 04 December 2012, 12:22:12: Oh come now people, you at least have to cover the weight of the cap in silver!
Title: Re: Charity Auction #5: Asura Sterling Silver Keycap
Post by: Alessandro on Tue, 04 December 2012, 12:22:28: $70
Title: Re: Charity Auction #5: Asura Sterling Silver Keycap
Post by: mkawa on Tue, 04 December 2012, 12:22:46: twas a joke, tsang. no need to get one's dye subs in a bunch
Title: Re: Charity Auction #5: Asura Sterling Silver Keycap
Post by: metalliqaz on Tue, 04 December 2012, 12:25:40: Quote from: mkawa on Tue, 04 December 2012, 12:22:46
no need to get one's dye subs in a bunch

that made me laugh :))
Title: Re: Charity Auction #5: Asura Sterling Silver Keycap
Post by: SmallFry on Tue, 04 December 2012, 12:27:13: Quote from: mkawa on Tue, 04 December 2012, 12:22:46
twas a joke, tsang. no need to get one's dye subs in a bunch
LOL!
Title: Re: Charity Auction #5: Asura Sterling Silver Keycap
Post by: Alessandro on Tue, 04 December 2012, 12:28:28: Please make wearable dye subs.
Title: Re: Charity Auction #5: Asura Sterling Silver Keycap
Post by: SmallFry on Tue, 04 December 2012, 12:31:32: (http://www.dyedinthewool.biz/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/ddu110001size9.jpg)
Dyed. Mission complete.
Title: Re: Charity Auction #5: Asura Sterling Silver Keycap
Post by: tjcaustin on Tue, 04 December 2012, 12:39:36: Quote from: metalliqaz on Tue, 04 December 2012, 12:22:12
Oh come now people, you at least have to cover the weight of the cap in silver!

Considering it's 6 grams of silver, that would only be like 7 dollars...

Additionally, $71.
Title: Charity Auction #5: Asura Sterling Silver Keycap
Post by: phetto on Tue, 04 December 2012, 12:43:37: $75
Title: Re: Charity Auction #5: Asura Sterling Silver Keycap
Post by: tjcaustin on Tue, 04 December 2012, 12:43:55: $76
Title: Re: Charity Auction #5: Asura Sterling Silver Keycap
Post by: Alessandro on Tue, 04 December 2012, 12:43:55: $80
Title: Re: Charity Auction #5: Asura Sterling Silver Keycap
Post by: tjcaustin on Tue, 04 December 2012, 12:44:13: $81
Title: Re: Charity Auction #5: Asura Sterling Silver Keycap
Post by: thebeargentile on Tue, 04 December 2012, 12:58:26: $85

That is gorgeous!
Title: Re: Charity Auction #5: Asura Sterling Silver Keycap
Post by: tjcaustin on Tue, 04 December 2012, 13:03:41: $86
Title: Re: Charity Auction #5: Asura Sterling Silver Keycap
Post by: Alessandro on Tue, 04 December 2012, 13:04:46: $90
Title: Re: Charity Auction #5: Asura Sterling Silver Keycap
Post by: cwang1004 on Tue, 04 December 2012, 13:06:42: $100
Title: Re: Charity Auction #5: Asura Sterling Silver Keycap
Post by: mistakemistake on Tue, 04 December 2012, 13:28:41: $110
Title: Re: Charity Auction #5: Asura Sterling Silver Keycap
Post by: cwang1004 on Tue, 04 December 2012, 13:33:26: $120
Title: Re: Charity Auction #5: Asura Sterling Silver Keycap
Post by: mistakemistake on Tue, 04 December 2012, 13:35:58: $150
Title: Re: Charity Auction #5: Asura Sterling Silver Keycap
Post by: jdcarpe on Tue, 04 December 2012, 13:46:16: Bacardi $151
Title: Re: Charity Auction #5: Asura Sterling Silver Keycap
Post by: AKIMbO on Tue, 04 December 2012, 14:04:22: Samoan time again @_@....kawa I question you sometimes.
Title: Re: Charity Auction #5: Asura Sterling Silver Keycap
Post by: metalliqaz on Tue, 04 December 2012, 14:16:03: He likes using UTC+12 (date line)... :rolleyes:
Title: Re: Charity Auction #5: Asura Sterling Silver Keycap
Post by: jdcarpe on Tue, 04 December 2012, 14:20:33: Now I wish I still lived in Hawaii. This ends at 4am CST! Thanks, kawa. ;)
Title: Re: Charity Auction #5: Asura Sterling Silver Keycap
Post by: asura on Tue, 04 December 2012, 14:44:29: Well, I think this good deed earns me some reward gin.

Everyone got so excited you all splurged all at once ;) You guys know there's still six days of space to fill!

And thanks hugely for the complement, nothing speeks louder than cold hard cash! :p
Title: Re: Charity Auction #5: Asura Sterling Silver Keycap
Post by: jdcarpe on Tue, 04 December 2012, 15:27:15: So end the bidding now and start another auction. You can make another keycap, right asura? :P
Title: Re: Charity Auction #5: Asura Sterling Silver Keycap
Post by: tjcaustin on Tue, 04 December 2012, 15:28:16: He is in the midst of making five more, if I remember his thread correctly.

Glad I'm kinda not in this, have extra cash to possibly afford MMBs sexy keyboard.
Title: Re: Charity Auction #5: Asura Sterling Silver Keycap
Post by: mkawa on Tue, 04 December 2012, 20:51:58: i think next time i do one of these, 48 hours without a bid will cause the auction to summarily end.
Title: Re: Charity Auction #5: Asura Sterling Silver Keycap
Post by: tjcaustin on Tue, 04 December 2012, 20:56:41: Do it nao.

/debates if he has enough pennies left after that sweet new keyboard buy...
Title: Re: Charity Auction #5: Asura Sterling Silver Keycap
Post by: TheProfosist on Wed, 05 December 2012, 04:34:57: $155
Title: Re: Charity Auction #5: Asura Sterling Silver Keycap
Post by: mkawa on Wed, 05 December 2012, 07:06:38: note that this is one-of-a-kind in that it's completely handmade. it's a bit like buying the positive mold for a key. the keys asura produces en masse will be cast from a mold that is made from a handmade key. he will cast the new keys by hand, but the keys themselves will not be hand-soldered and formed like this one is. in this way, its tiny imperfections are a bit of uniqueness that will never be duplicated by any other cap he makes. they are a bit like keshiki in japanese pottery, imperfections to some, to others a beautiful and unique landscape for one's fingers to follow.
Title: Re: Charity Auction #5: Asura Sterling Silver Keycap
Post by: asura on Wed, 05 December 2012, 14:25:34: That's the gist of it. I have a "failed" key, that being where the .6mm wall is too thin for the wax injection process, so it's mould is scrapped and it has an "interesting" life ahead of it. It's in the process of going through different textures and being my Guinea-pig key, it's got a brushed finish at the moment, and will be getting glass blasted some time over the weekend, after that, it'll be bright polished, and finally acid etched, though that won't be an option at the moment ;) When the poor thing is finally finished with it'll either be so worn as to be useless, and will find a temporary home in my scrap box. Or, should it survive it's ordeals if'll find a permanent home on my board.

Hand making individual keys is a slow, slow process. At least a day's work per-key, which is why when I start making them properly they'll be cast, as this reduces it down to a couple of hours per-key. And (hopefully) every key will be perfectly uniform.

Though I'd have said wabi rather than keshiki?
Title: Re: Charity Auction #5: Asura Sterling Silver Keycap
Post by: mkawa on Wed, 05 December 2012, 16:09:42: keshiki seemed like the closest analog, but wabi more generally refers to the school of thought that leads one to value the keshiki of a piece rather than to look only for symmetry and perfection.

note: keshiki refers to the visual and textural imperfections of a piece of pottery, usually made by a master, who, it is assumed, cannot produce an exact replica, and hence keshiki also refers positively to the act of mapping out these imperfections, which define the piece and give it value.
Title: Re: Charity Auction #5: Asura Sterling Silver Keycap
Post by: asura on Wed, 05 December 2012, 17:55:04: I'd have felt (though I'm no expert on Japanese pottery or culture, I just know what I like when I see it and am always trying to learn) that because of the uniqueness in form as well as texture keshiki was intrinsic, or perhaps pre-assumed. Yes, no two pieces would have an identical finish. However as their aren't, and never will be, two pieces the descriptor becomes moot. Though I suppose it works in exactly the same way if you swap invert it; by commenting on it's keshiki you are indicating that it belongs under the umbra of wabi. Now I've just confused myself!

It's been... ohhh... seven years (?) since I actively studied any Japanese aesthetic culture, and then it was centred around architecture so I'm probably barking up entirely the wrong tree.
Title: Re: Charity Auction #5: Asura Sterling Silver Keycap
Post by: mkawa on Wed, 05 December 2012, 18:15:58: i think this discussion gets to the bottom of something i've been thinking about re: this cap. when i got this keycap in the mail, i stepped back for a second and said, "huh, well that's new". but, the profundity of that statement should not be underestimated. what's so cool about this cap is that it's a truly unique thing. keycaps, because you need so many to populate a board, are necessarily cast, and hence each is nearly identical, save for maybe a legending process. this cap is, from the beginning, something made to be, like a piece of master's pottery, a unique take on the keycap. it's not just that it's shiny, but it's that it's truly an artisan cap, made to be different from any other cap that might reside on the same keyboard, from any other cap made before it.

yes, it's shiny too, and the hallmark totally ups the cool factor, but that was my first impression ("this is something new"), and i think the most important thing for keyboard geekery as a whole. i am quite proud that we've reached this point, and i can't wait to see what's next out of everyone :D
Title: Re: Charity Auction #5: Asura Sterling Silver Keycap
Post by: TheProfosist on Wed, 05 December 2012, 18:22:46: Your making me want to raise my big even though im leading.
Title: Re: Charity Auction #5: Asura Sterling Silver Keycap
Post by: rayuki on Wed, 05 December 2012, 19:08:55: less talking more bidding!

$200
Title: Re: Charity Auction #5: Asura Sterling Silver Keycap
Post by: TheProfosist on Wed, 05 December 2012, 19:19:03: And my bid goes down the tubes.
Title: Charity Auction #5: Asura Sterling Silver Keycap
Post by: Halverson on Wed, 05 December 2012, 19:19:55: Quote from: TheProfosist on Wed, 05 December 2012, 19:19:03
And my bid goes down the tubes.

Just snipe it prof ;) you can do it!
Title: Re: Re: Charity Auction #5: Asura Sterling Silver Keycap
Post by: TheProfosist on Wed, 05 December 2012, 19:22:24: Quote from: Halverson on Wed, 05 December 2012, 19:19:55
Quote from: TheProfosist on Wed, 05 December 2012, 19:19:03
And my bid goes down the tubes.

Just snipe it prof ;) you can do it!
and $300 later i might actually get it (note this is not a bid)

Note: May have to sell HHKB to fund this at this rate *shakes head*
Title: Re: Charity Auction #5: Asura Sterling Silver Keycap
Post by: Cindori on Fri, 07 December 2012, 12:26:29: $200?! You can get a 250g silver bar for that... equaling 50 silver key caps, sans workmanship of course.

(http://www.publicgoldsarawak.com/ver2/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/179996_202266576450151_113858301957646_817810_7239371_n.jpg)

The original post is a bit wrong, it says "The highest bid at the end of the auction will win the keyboard." ;D
Title: Re: Charity Auction #5: Asura Sterling Silver Keycap
Post by: mkawa on Sat, 08 December 2012, 23:31:10: just a reminder that we're about 5 hours away from the end of this auction
Title: Re: Charity Auction #5: Asura Sterling Silver Keycap
Post by: mkawa on Sat, 08 December 2012, 23:31:42: Quote from: mkawa on Sat, 08 December 2012, 23:31:10
just a reminder that we're about 5 hours away from the end of this auction
wait, that seems wrong.
Title: Re: Charity Auction #5: Asura Sterling Silver Keycap
Post by: mkawa on Sat, 08 December 2012, 23:32:05: no that's right.
Title: Re: Charity Auction #5: Asura Sterling Silver Keycap
Post by: Shadovved on Sat, 08 December 2012, 23:50:22: Quote from: mkawa on Sat, 08 December 2012, 23:32:05
no that's right.

LOLOL free bumping, kawa? :p :p
Title: Re: Re: Charity Auction #5: Asura Sterling Silver Keycap
Post by: rayuki on Sun, 09 December 2012, 01:00:14: Quote from: Cindori on Fri, 07 December 2012, 12:26:29
$200?! You can get a 250g silver bar for that... equaling 50 silver key caps, sans workmanship of course.

Show Image
(http://www.publicgoldsarawak.com/ver2/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/179996_202266576450151_113858301957646_817810_7239371_n.jpg)

The original post is a bit wrong, it says "The highest bid at the end of the auction will win the keyboard." ;D

Yeah but this is for charity and I have a feeling EK won't be selling these for $5 anytime soon

Sent from my GT-I9100T using Tapatalk 2
Title: Re: Charity Auction #5: Asura Sterling Silver Keycap
Post by: mkawa on Sun, 09 December 2012, 06:46:48: HUGE THANKS to asura for donating the silver cap and to rayuki for winning the auction in such spectacular fashion.
Title: Re: Charity Auction #5: Asura Sterling Silver Keycap
Post by: Glissant on Sun, 09 December 2012, 08:25:54: Well done Asura and Rayuki. You are excellent members of this community that are highly appreciated.

On a side note I SO would get this as a pendant sort of thing. Geek pride brought to a new level. Group buy anyone? :))
Title: Re: Charity Auction #5: Asura Sterling Silver Keycap
Post by: mistakemistake on Sun, 09 December 2012, 13:15:21: Wow, congrats sir!
Title: Re: Charity Auction #5: Asura Sterling Silver Keycap
Post by: TheProfosist on Sun, 09 December 2012, 13:21:45: Wanted the keycap BAD but i dont have that kind of budget for a single keycap even if it is going to a good cause. :(
Title: Re: Charity Auction #5: Asura Sterling Silver Keycap
Post by: rayuki on Sun, 09 December 2012, 22:33:02: paid, sorry about the delay didn't realize i had won and i was asleep lol

Quote from: Glissant on Sun, 09 December 2012, 08:25:54
Well done Asura and Rayuki. You are excellent members of this community that are highly appreciated.

On a side note I SO would get this as a pendant sort of thing. Geek pride brought to a new level. Group buy anyone? :))

great idea, i might take it to the local jeweler, maybe a geekhack ring :P
Title: Re: Charity Auction #5: Asura Sterling Silver Keycap
Post by: TheProfosist on Sun, 09 December 2012, 22:40:31: Dang was kinda hoping u wouldnt pay, sorries really wanted the cap but couldnt match you.
Title: Charity Auction #5: Asura Sterling Silver Keycap
Post by: jdcarpe on Sun, 09 December 2012, 22:47:20: I probably would have bid again if the auction didn't end at 4 am!