Comfort of ABS vs. PBT?

[alexcr]

I know PBT keycaps are generally considered to be higher quality, but I have very sensitive fingers and have found that ABS keycaps have a softer, gentler, lighter feel for me.

Am I crazy, or is there something to this?

I also feel like the more slippery texture of ABS keycaps is somehow easier on my fingers, as well.

[Piperaceae]

I'm autistic, and because of the sensory issues that go along with that, I feel like I'm extra aware of the difference between how PBT and ABS feel. It varies - I can deal with the texture of GMK's MTNU caps that are PBT, while Drop's PBT MT3 caps, and 21KB's Cherry caps just feel too... dry? chalky? to type on for very long. ABS just feels softer and glossier and more pleasing, generally. I don't think either plastic is inherently better or worse than the other.

[wjrii]

I know PBT keycaps are generally considered to be higher quality, but I have very sensitive fingers and have found that ABS keycaps have a softer, gentler, lighter feel for me.

Am I crazy, or is there something to this?

I also feel like the more slippery texture of ABS keycaps is somehow easier on my fingers, as well.

I would say the only clear advantages PBT has over ABS is that it is more durable and lighter colors resist fading over the years. Even the durability is only really relevant in terms of friction and oils causing shine (possibly oils... I have my doubts and think the shiny, slippery end result skews perceptions). Structurally, ABS can last for decades if you don't have it sitting in sunlight or under a cube-farm's worth of fluorescent tubes.

ABS is also better behaved during the manufacturing process, especially for double-shot and for larger keys (many vintage keyboards will have PBT everywhere except the spacebar). Some particularly vibrant colors also seem to work better for ABS.

Basically, they're a little different, but one is not inherently better.  If you prefer ABS, then enjoy!

[Fraaaan]

The "PBT is generally better than ABS" rule only applies to stock keycaps on prebuilt keyboards.

Tons of community favorite keycaps are made out of ABS, but at the end of the day it's all preference. Use what you like and don't listen to the unnecessary elitism.

[Findecanor]

The surface texture on keycaps varies widely between different manufacturers, and is not merely a question of material.

... But an ABS surface will wear shiny faster. I have some shiny PBT keys on my daily driver that I've used for a decade.

Once shiny, I think ABS offers more friction against a fingertip — and more friction gives better grip and higher accuracy and more comfortable feel IMHO.

[sheaf]

The question is: ABS vs PBT vs... PETG!

(I like the feel of PETG.)

[Rassles]

i really like crp for pbt - it sounds super nice. But abs is my preferred despite it being so easy to shine

[POMPOKEY]

you are right about that ABS is more slippery and lighter but i personally like PBT more because of it's sound effect i guess which gives more lower pitch when typing and give more softer feeling

[Seoeunmonster]

ABS sounds better and PBT feels better for my fingers. Difficult problem!

[Belfong]

caps just feel too... dry? chalky? to type on for very long.

I like the chalky, dry feel of the PBT plastic especially the ones in Realforce, HHKB or Leopold FC660M. They just feel so wonderful. ABS plastic gives me a feeling of the keys getting shiny and "sticky", as though they are ready to melt and stick to my fingers.

[Hālian]

I'm autistic as well, but I can't stand how ABS caps shine up after extended use.

[julimma]

I think I would feel better using PBT knowing that it won't shine that easily. However, I still think the sound of doubleshout or tripleshot abs is superior

[Fede_Feo]

Extend the question to ABS or PBT in MTNU?

[tavapataor]

Extend the question to ABS or PBT in MTNU?

Well, there is no ABS in MTNU. Every time I've seen someone ask about it, there'll be one or two people who've actually brought or are bringing a MTNU set to market say something like, "might be interesting to try, someday" and everyone else in the "room" (ranging from designers to sellers to people who've touched it once to people who've bought every MTNU set) act like they're watching the chestbuster scene from Alien for the first time, at the mere thought of ABS MTNU.

That said, I think Piperaceae's point up top about MTNU being exactly the right level of smooth but still somehow just a little bit grippy is spot on. It seems smoother to me than even every brand new set of GMK CYL I've ever touched, but I also never feel like my fingers would slip off of the key if it were... IDK if the key were a sidewalk and it were raining.