TKL keyboard as a gift for a writer

[juvo]

Hi,

I am new around and was trying to find a forum where I could ask for recommendations and educated guesses. I fully understand there is no such thing as the best keyboard, nor switches, that is pretty much clear to me I went through a lot of information already. Sure there is plenty more to go through, though some experience is hard to transfer via the forum without me having no prior experience in this field.

I need advice since I made up my mind to gift my wife a keyboard - she is an author and a translator, did some 20+ books in the last 10y (and her bday is coming up in August which might be about right amount of time to collect all components needed).
Since typing on a keyboard is the main source of income of hers I can not come with a better gift than to improve her typing experience (her current keyboard is some low-end Logitech keyboard she purchased maybe right after university, pretty old beat a beat in every way).

And now this is where I am going with this, what keyboard, switches and caps would you recommend. I do not need some ultra high end, I wish to spend somewhere between 500-1000 USD for the total package (500 USD is an optimistic expectation, 1000 USD pessimistic and only if it made sense, optimal cost 750 USD).

I have seen some interesting TKL keyboards, some are still available, for some there is a GB coming up, e.g.

* 7V- designed by gok https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=100896.0
* or the Norbaforce Mark II] but he is out of the colour I'd like (Retro Refrigerator)


Also related to Norbaforce, is this housing compatible only with 87U or would 88U fit too? In Europe, we have a bit of an issue with the availability of RealForce keyboards.
This one is closest to Norway I could find and has at least Swedish keycaps, if not Norwegian ones
https://www.keyboardco.com/keyboard/swedish-topre-realforce-88u-45g-white-keyboard.asp

UPDATE: Alright, seems like 88U fits according to https://shop.norbauer.com/products/norbaforce-mark-ii-breakout-pcb-kit
but do I get a keycaps that fit 88U in Norbaforce?

I think with Norbauer case and RealForce (if 88U would fit) this would be "easier" (or rather quicker), but if this is a no-go due to the fact I only can get my hands on 88U -- what keycaps and switches (non-clicky!) should I get her with some other keyboard, I can't ask her (gift, remember?) and I actually do not think she would be able to tell even if she tried 5 types of switches. So this would be that part where I was mentioning educated guess
Also since we are in Europe, ISO layout is preferred.

This was long but I sure appreciate & share your passion for input devices!
Please ask if I missed something or clarification was needed.
Thank you for your advice.

[suicidal_orange]

That's a lot of money to spend on a keyboard for someone who's happy using something old and beat up!  You know her better than we do though so I'll assume it's a good idea and give you some thoughts.

Norbaforce - nice case for a highly regarded keyboard and yes it fits ISO, but RealForce boards use Topre switches and all the pretty custom keycaps you've seen are for MX (and compatible)  Topre stock keycaps are good but you're not going to find any in your native Norwegian so if that's a problem cross it off the list.

That said you're not going to find many sets of MX compatible caps in Norwegian either - you're looking for a very popular colourway so the NorDeUk kit will have enough buyers.  Also August is pretty soon for a group buy, for a case or keycaps...

Switches and keycaps - you'll need to have a go on her old board and see what it's like.  Are the keys stiff to press?  How far do you have to press them to register? (could be a standard rubber dome or could be some kind of chiclet board)  Is there any change in the resistance as you press more?  Are the keycaps flat and all the same or different heights?  She is going to be very familiar with that board and doesn't see a reason to change it so trying to get close to the same feel is probably a good idea.

[juvo]

Hi Mr Orange.

Within reason, money is not the issue. My wife is a bookmole, and I think she does not know what she's missing out and how her experience can improve - sure I could be wrong, but I'd say it's worth a shot. I already made some changes to her home office setup over last year (screen, laptop, docking station, chair, etc.) but never actually pushed myself to make her commit to change her input devices. I am well aware that this always is dependent on the taste of an individual. Every time I tried talking her into that, she was like "Nah, this is good enough".

I checked, and she is currently using Logitech K120. Tried typing on it a few times before (not good memories), and it is as bad as you could imagine - at least in my book.
I realized this wouldn't be as easy 1-2-3. I am therefore thinking maybe getting that U88 Swedish. That's close enough, 99% of all "Norwegian" keyboards have dominant Swedish characters printed on caps, and just leave it stock until I find a suitable board to group buy (hopefully Norwegian caps, someone?).
Is it worth lubing RealForce Topre?

[pr0ximity]

All Topre is worth lubing. For extended-session use (like a writer) I would seriously look into Topre (45g) or if you absolutely must go custom Cherry MX I would look for any keyboard with a polycarbonate, PBT, or POM switch plate. Many custom keyboards and many Cherry-style switches lack any kind of give when bottoming-out, which over time can be fatiguing and even cause fingertip pain for some folks. Something like Topre 45g or a Cherry with light tactility (Brown, Blue, or linear) will be much more comfortable for extended use.

Depending on her typing form, consider looking for a board with a lower angle (8 degrees or lower), it can be more forgiving for folks that do not elevate their wrists when they type. Splits are also very, very nice egonomically (mostly for shoulder positioning), but ask a little more from the user to get adjusted.

All that is to say: for a writer, consider ergonomics first 110% of the time -- if you're going to drop that much money on a board for someone you care about, be absolutely sure it will keep them healthy and increase their comfort.

[juvo]

I will go with U88 for now and try to get my hands on lube, which again in Norway may not be as easy as it sounds.
I found some stuff I could get from the UK

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/KRYTOX-GPL-205-Grade-0-Switch-Grease-Lubricant-for-linear-switches-5-grams-205g0/184176539364?hash=item2ae1c6f6e4:g:XbwAAOSw5p5eco~Q
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SpecLub-switch-grease-3204-lube-keyboard-switches-Equivalent-for-Tribosys-3204/184187122255?hash=item2ae268724f:g:DSUAAOSwDX9ecpC5

Which one is in general preferred for Topre 45g switches?

Also, my personal board at home is Varmilo VA109M with Cherry MX Brown, I assume contact points are again worth lubing - something to avoid while lubing tactile switches not to ruin tactility and can the same lube be reused?

[pr0ximity]

Either 205g0 or 3204 will work -- 205g0 will be thicker, so you probably want to go lighter when you apply it, but it is extremely good for lubricating stabilizers as well, highly recommended.

As for lubing switches, for Browns a little lube on the sides of the stem and on the spring ends is nice, but try to avoid getting any on the "legs" that stick out, the bump on them is what causes tactility, and you don't want lube to decrease that.

[depletedvespene]

Serious question: does it HAVE to be a custom keyboard? If she's using an old, beat-up RD, a large step-up would be getting any good quality mechanical keyboard, and that means several prebuilt models may be a suitable choice as well. You may want to explore the keyboards Varmilo and Leopold make (heck, even WASD), which could yield good results... and would be less of a pain to discard if one of those keyboards turns out to not be of her liking.