My First Mechanical - Help needed

[NimbleRabit]

So, I just got my first mechanical keyboard ever.  It arrived in the mail today, and I have to say that I might have been a little bit too excited considering it was a keyboard.  My roommate was wondering what was so awesome that I was freaking out about it coming in the mail, and when it turned out to be a keyboard, I think he wanted to slap me.

So now I have my awesome new Archiss keyboard.  I would post some pictures, but I have exactly the same keyboard as seen in this post - cherry brown's and all.  Hmm, maybe I'll take some pictures anyway, because I'm pretty excited about this thing.  Okay, sorry, getting off topic.  

I love the keyboard, and like I said it's my first mechanical so the typing experience is pretty much blowing me away right now, but there is one major problem for me.  The spacebar hurts my thumb really, really badly.  I've only been typing on it for about an hour now and already my thumb is quite sore.  The bottom edge of it rises pretty high, so I'm pressing it right on the corner, and the corner is very pronounced and pointy.  Honestly I'm not sure if I'm pressing the key wrong or something, because this seems like a big design flaw.  Why wouldn't they just make that bottom edge rounded so it would be more comfortable to press?

So, I'm asking for the help from the experts here at geekhack.  What can I do?  Is it possible to get a new spacebar key that wouldn't hurt my thumb as much?

[Lanx]

find out if the space bar cherry switch is off center, either by googling or taking yours off the keycap.

if it is off center then i have no options, but if it is a centered switch, then turn the space bar 180, works wonderful.

[theferenc]

You could also order one via the mass order. Assuming it isn't symmetric and that it matches one of the profiles that is being ordered.

[NimbleRabit]

You could also order one via the mass order. Assuming it isn't symmetric and that it matches one of the profiles that is being ordered.

Hmm?  I don't know exactly what you're talking about here, could you explain a little?  Thanks!

[Lanx]

You could also order one via the mass order. Assuming it isn't symmetric and that it matches one of the profiles that is being ordered.

imo if this is still the same signature plastics order it might even hurtmore. I couldn't stand the signature plastics spacebar, reverted back to the cherry space bar (then went further and inverted it).
inverting is awesome ppl really should try it!

[NimbleRabit]

Well, I guess I'll see if I can flip the key around tomorrow.  I dunno though, just from looking at it, I don't really think it's going to make that big of a difference.  Who knows though, I'll give it a try.

[Lanx]

looks flippable if you check out post 59 in the thread you linked.

[nocturn4l3030]

when i had my ducky i felt the same way..i had to adjust how i pressed the space bar. only took me a day though, but i agree..they need to round that darn thing

[bxt]

I felt the same way, when i got my 6gv2. You might as well get use to it after couple of days, who knows.

[itlnstln]

I wish I could understand how folks are pressing the spacebar where they come in contact with the front edge.  For the life of me, I can't put my hands in a position where my thumbs can come in contact with anything but the top of the spacebar.

[NimbleRabit]

I wish I could understand how folks are pressing the spacebar where they come in contact with the front edge.  For the life of me, I can't put my hands in a position where my thumbs can come in contact with anything but the top of the spacebar.

Do you use a hand rest or anything like that? Or perhaps just naturally type with your wrists up higher?  I type with my wrists resting on the desk - try typing like that (if you aren't) and it should naturally make your thumb hit that part of the spacebar.

Or maybe not, who knows.  But how I type that's the only spot my thumb touches on the spacebar.  I know it's probably not healthy or good to have my hands wresting so low like that, but it's what is comfortable and natural for me.

[db_Iodine]

Do you use a hand rest or anything like that? Or perhaps just naturally type with your wrists up higher?  I type with my wrists resting on the desk - try typing like that (if you aren't) and it should naturally make your thumb hit that part of the spacebar.

Or maybe not, who knows.  But how I type that's the only spot my thumb touches on the spacebar.  I know it's probably not healthy or good to have my hands wresting so low like that, but it's what is comfortable and natural for me.

That's how it's possible to hit the front edge indeed. I just tried typing with my wrists down on the table like that and it felt extremely uncomfortable. At the same time it made the spacebar feel uncomfortable too, so I'll just stick with using wrist rests.

[itlnstln]

I tried with my arms on the desk, and I could do it then.  I typically use a wrist rest or hold my wrists up when I type.  I have smallish hands, so typing with my hands on the desk is difficult for me, especially on my Topre.  I never realized how damn tall this thing is.

[NimbleRabit]

I tried with my arms on the desk, and I could do it then.  I typically use a wrist rest or hold my wrists up when I type.  I have smallish hands, so typing with my hands on the desk is difficult for me, especially on my Topre.  I never realized how damn tall this thing is.

Yeah, I've seen a lot of people type with their wrists up, or prefer wrist rests.  I think how big your hands are (and how you learned) has a lot to do with it.  I have pretty huge hands, so my wrists on the desk is actually very comfortable since I can reach everything easily and it feels natural to me.  But yeah, the spacebar thing is annoying.

[elef]

I don't think wrists on the table is a good idea if you type a lot and use a tall keyboard (and pretty much all mechanical keyboards are tall). To me, it looks and feels like asking for RSI.

[itlnstln]

I think it has to do with your wrist angle.  If you sit low compared to your keyboard, you could have your hands on the desk and have your wrists straight.  Personally, I like to sit high, so my palms on the desk would be pretty uncomfortable.  On that note, too, I also keep my 'boards as flat as possible.  I never use the retractable legs on my keyboards.  It's all subjective and whatever is comfortable to you.  There is no "one-size-fits-all" solution.

[seung]

Try typing with the feet up.

[elef]

I think it has to do with your wrist angle.  If you sit low compared to your keyboard, you could have your hands on the desk and have your wrists straight.  Personally, I like to sit high, so my palms on the desk would be pretty uncomfortable.  On that note, too, I also keep my 'boards as flat as possible.  I never use the retractable legs on my keyboards.  It's all subjective and whatever is comfortable to you.  There is no "one-size-fits-all" solution.

Sure, I completely agree, but I don't think your wrists can be quite straight enough with a mech keyboard if you're resting your wrist on the table. You'd have to sit really low.
Anyway, what I was getting at is that it might be a good idea for the OP to get a wrist rest, which would provide what would probably be a much better wrist position and help with the sharp spacebar issue as well.

[NimbleRabit]

Sure, I completely agree, but I don't think your wrists can be quite straight enough with a mech keyboard if you're resting your wrist on the table. You'd have to sit really low.
Anyway, what I was getting at is that it might be a good idea for the OP to get a wrist rest, which would provide what would probably be a much better wrist position and help with the sharp spacebar issue as well.

Yeah I think I want to give a wrist wrest a try.  I couldn't find one in my house anywhere: does somebody have a recommendation?