How the heck did i end up with a keyboard collection?

[Dubsgalore]

I have 3 keyboards...aquired in the last 3 months...with 2 GH60s to be on the way

[Macsmasher]

the amount of keyboards you have coming makes no sense. why would you need multiples of the same board

This is my main issue. I want more boards, but I already have 1 of every 'common' switch type (except Topre.)

If you're attempting to keep your keyboard fetish in check, DO NOT try a Topre board. Two things will result...

1. You'll be extremely unhappy with your Cherry boards, feeling sick about the $$ you've spent on them.

2. You'll want to buy more Topre boards...And they're expensive.

I've bought three in five months. 1k on keyboards in five months. But...I couldn't be happier. Spend a few weeks on Topre switches, and going back to Cherry is like typing on gravel.

If you buy a Topre board, don't say I didn't warn you.....

[keymaster]

the amount of keyboards you have coming makes no sense. why would you need multiples of the same board

This is my main issue. I want more boards, but I already have 1 of every 'common' switch type (except Topre.)

If you're attempting to keep your keyboard fetish in check, DO NOT try a Topre board. Two things will result...

1. You'll be extremely unhappy with your Cherry boards, feeling sick about the $$ you've spent on them.

2. You'll want to buy more Topre boards...And they're expensive.

I've bought three in five months. 1k on keyboards in five months. But...I couldn't be happier. Spend a few weeks on Topre switches, and going back to Cherry is like typing on gravel.

If you buy a Topre board, don't say I didn't warn you.....

I had the opportunity to try a Topre board (HHKB) and I don't agree. Topre is not for everyone. The feel is sort of mundane -- not much of an improvement over standard rubber dome.

[Macsmasher]

the amount of keyboards you have coming makes no sense. why would you need multiples of the same board

This is my main issue. I want more boards, but I already have 1 of every 'common' switch type (except Topre.)

If you're attempting to keep your keyboard fetish in check, DO NOT try a Topre board. Two things will result...

1. You'll be extremely unhappy with your Cherry boards, feeling sick about the $$ you've spent on them.

2. You'll want to buy more Topre boards...And they're expensive.

I've bought three in five months. 1k on keyboards in five months. But...I couldn't be happier. Spend a few weeks on Topre switches, and going back to Cherry is like typing on gravel.

If you buy a Topre board, don't say I didn't warn you.....

I had the opportunity to try a Topre board (HHKB) and I don't agree. Topre is not for everyone. The feel is sort of mundane -- not much of an improvement over standard rubber dome.

I would have to agree about the HHKB. I do enjoy mine, but it's somewhat underwhelming considering the price. But the RF is completely different, probably because it's plate mounted? Whatever the reason, I much prefer RF.

[Glod]

i mean i like the HKKB and i love its layout; the 45g topre do have similarities to rubber domes but at the same time it is a much more tactile and consistent feel/weight than any average rubber dome, and with the topre you get the thock Though I've done so much modding to my poker that it is worth more than my HHKB, the HHKB is still ranked second to my ergodox if i rank my keyboards on a overall score. Topre is not my favorite switch, blues are my favorite switch, but the HHKB is the total package.

it is ironic that i say blues are my favorite switch when i freaking sold the only blue switch keyboard i owned. good game glod!

[Macsmasher]

lol, we're all a bunch of geeks. We come here and talk about key switch weighting and space bar composition. I'm sure other geeks laugh at us.

Makes me wonder if there's some geek forum centered around mice. I would definitely laugh at them...just like others laugh at us. No matter. I wear my keyboard geek badge proudly and without shame!!   

[daerid]

I'd probably be an admin of that forum. My mouse addiction is actually worse than my keyboard addiction.

[The_Ed]

My personal keyboard collection isn't huge, but I sure go through a LOT of POS boards... How many dozen have died by my hands?... May their parts live on in everyone else's keyboards around the world.

[domoaligato]

How come that HHKB looks so big? I thought it was supposed to be smaller than most TKL.

it is sitting next to a poker and a race.

[metalliqaz]

My personal keyboard collection isn't huge, but I sure go through a LOT of POS boards... How many dozen have died by my hands?... May their parts live on in everyone else's keyboards around the world.

My Epsilon wuvs it's broken-in MX browns

[The_Ed]

My personal keyboard collection isn't huge, but I sure go through a LOT of POS boards... How many dozen have died by my hands?... May their parts live on in everyone else's keyboards around the world.

My Epsilon wuvs it's broken-in MX browns

I sold you brand new browns...

[metalliqaz]

Oh.  Well I like them anyway!  )

[Macsmasher]

I'd probably be an admin of that forum. My mouse addiction is actually worse than my keyboard addiction.

Since I know what you've spent in the last year on keyboards, I find it hard to comprehend your mouse collection. But thank you for your confession. That's the first step to intervention. Intervention needs to take place so you'll have more money for keyboards.

[TreeSc2]

haha i have 5 boards myself, including blackwidow(2013), filco mj2 ninja tkl, ss 6gv2red, duckyshine2tklPRO, das keyboard ultimate (blank)

[davkol]

BTW I had 64 keyboards at one point. The curse of thrift store regulars.

[fohat.digs]

Sorry that I keep dredging up this plum from a couple of years ago, but it just has to be repeated in a thread like this:

I feel ashamed when I see a grown up man say things like "...a sharp drop at the actuation point at around 2/3 - 3/4 way down the..."

Don't you have anything better to do with your life than yammering away on the minute details of a keyboard? I have both an M and an F that I picked up at goodwill for nothing 15 years ago and for the first time yesterday I googled about them and found 'enthusiast' (here an euphemism for retarded) websites where idiots bounce off the walls telling each other about the orgasms per second they have when using them. And 'using' is an overstatement with 90% of those morons. Most are busy opening them, cleaning the last atom of dirt off them, 'restoring' what doesn't need any restoration, 'upgrading', thinking of names for them, 'modding', taking photos, showing them off, in general jerking off about the clicky sensations and the superb accuracy of their typing and other general uber-dorkiness. What I never found there was anything useful to do with them, ie. actually program a computer.

Go type 'messenger lectures' in youtube and see what smart people look like, then kill yourself disassembling your One True Keyboard(TM) for the nth time and swallowing all the buckling springs.

And then mail one of your remaining model Fs to me.

[metalliqaz]

^ heh.

[fohat.digs]

My wife probably has approximately as many hairbrushes as I have keyboards.

There are 15 in this drawer, and these are not the ones that she uses regularly.

There are 4 out on the counter in regular use, there. Others live elsewhere.

You say "Hairbrushes are not nearly as expensive as keyboards." So, well, let's not even start on shoes .....

[rowdy]

Women's shoes == men's ties

[fohat.digs]

Oh, I have 3 times as many neckties as I have keyboards!

Which is ridiculous because I haven't worn a tie to work in years, now, only a few times a year, while I do use at least one keyboard every day.

[jabar]

So, well, let's not even start on shoes .....

mech keyboards cost as much as nice shoes

and having many pairs of shoes shows good fashion; many keyboards shows introverted geekiness 

[daerid]

Women's shoes == men's ties

No way. I ****ing hate ties. I haven't worn one in years, and hope to god I never have to again

[rowdy]

Women's shoes == men's ties

No way. I ****ing hate ties. I haven't worn one in years, and hope to god I never have to again

You, fortunately, live in a society that has accepted the irrelevance and uselessness of a (neck)tie.  I have not

[davkol]

Time to change society...?

[Grim Fandango]

Women's shoes == men's ties

No way. I ****ing hate ties. I haven't worn one in years, and hope to god I never have to again

You, fortunately, live in a society that has accepted the irrelevance and uselessness of a (neck)tie.  I have not

I sometimes like to wear one. One of the suits I have is sort of a slim casual fit, and I have even worn a slim-tie with it when I was not even going to work 

Back on topic. Despite being on Geekhack I still have only 3 keyboards, as this is the most I use. However, I have sold and replaced one, and I have put in quite a lot of thought and effort into the one that I have at home. It started with just trying some different keycaps that I saw someone post over at overclock.net (was not on geekhack at the time). Now I am participating in Click Clack sales, lubing switches, o-ring dampeners and custom cables. Geekhack kind of does that to you I guess. While I am very hesitant to change anything about the two keyboards I have at work, I am going all out on the Filco at home. I think it is almost completely done. Kind of sad that I will no longer have an ongoing project, items to hunt for etc. I even thought about spray-painting the case, just so it would give me something to do again. But the plain black works best with the overall color scheme.

[fohat.digs]

Kind of sad that I will no longer have an ongoing project, items to hunt for etc. I even thought about spray-painting the case, just so it would give me something to do again. But the plain black works best with the overall color scheme.

Now is the time to get something "vintage" and start a project/collection. Have a (non) matching pair with one stock and one wildly modded.

Old IBMs are very satisfying because you can take them completely apart without a soldering iron.

[kinruan]

have to say I was having f*** 40 boards! Most are cheap and not rare.

[Grim Fandango]

Kind of sad that I will no longer have an ongoing project, items to hunt for etc. I even thought about spray-painting the case, just so it would give me something to do again. But the plain black works best with the overall color scheme.

Now is the time to get something "vintage" and start a project/collection. Have a (non) matching pair with one stock and one wildly modded.

Old IBMs are very satisfying because you can take them completely apart without a soldering iron.

Hmm, I guess the problem is that I would not actually use them. That does not seem to stop other people, but it does make me less motivated, since most of the joy in a keyboard (for me) is actually using them. Maybe I can make another keyboard for my girlfriend, but the honestly could care less so that seems like a waste. She does not touch type or care about how her keyboard feels.

I could always make the ones that I have at work nicer, without them being obviously fancy. So no bright colored caps. But maybe a dolch set or something. Hhmmm.

[fohat.digs]

Hmm, I guess the problem is that I would not actually use them. That does not seem to stop other people, but it does make me less motivated, since most of the joy in a keyboard (for me) is actually using them.

Clearly, you are not a "collector" type personality!

Sometimes I envy people who were not bitten by that bug. I am a "pack rat" type and my basement is bursting at the seams.

Don't be intimidated by people here whose keyboard collections weigh more than they do. Only you need to be happy.

On the other hand, it is good to have a backup .......

[davkol]

Yeah, backup. I guess I don't have 64 keyboards anymore, only about 40.

[Glod]

Darn, my collection is stalled

So i got like 2 ergodox to build, 2 phantoms to build also a RACE, Poker, and BW Tournament to modify and of course some GH60 action this fall

but i wanted to add the FC660C, some buckling spring, and some other stuff to make a real collection but my wife is freaking furious right now; i thought she was cool but i think she did some research into how much i have already spent and how much i have coming already and she's gone ballistic. probably because i still owe her money. i hope she doesn't break anything.....

[SpAmRaY]

Darn, my collection is stalled

So i got like 2 ergodox to build, 2 phantoms to build also a RACE, Poker, and BW Tournament to modify and of course some GH60 action this fall

but i wanted to add the FC660C, some buckling spring, and some other stuff to make a real collection but my wife is freaking furious right now; i thought she was cool but i think she did some research into how much i have already spent and how much i have coming already and she's gone ballistic. probably because i still owe her money. i hope she doesn't break anything.....

First rule of geekhack, never let your wife find out how much stuff costs.....Second rule never owe  your wife money 

But I'm having to learn to pace myself but sometimes things are too good to turn away.

[REVENGE]

Just wait until you've had lots of 30+ boards sitting in your garage / attic. Or, in HaaTa's case, an entire private storage with enough keyboard to traverse the history of computing.

[daerid]

Luckily my wife is a stay at home mom, and I pay for everything. She basically just thinks my collection is "cute".

[Grim Fandango]

Hmm, I guess the problem is that I would not actually use them. That does not seem to stop other people, but it does make me less motivated, since most of the joy in a keyboard (for me) is actually using them.

Clearly, you are not a "collector" type personality!

Sometimes I envy people who were not bitten by that bug. I am a "pack rat" type and my basement is bursting at the seams.

Don't be intimidated by people here whose keyboard collections weigh more than they do. Only you need to be happy.

On the other hand, it is good to have a backup .......

It is true, I have never collected anything in my life. I am that other type, who buys only what he needs, but needs it to be the best. Best example is roadbikes for me. The money I spent on on my one road bike in the last year or so makes me feel uneasy just thinking about it (not even kidding). I could never explain to anyone , including myself, why I needed 100 dollar carbon bottle cages. I guess you could say it is not entirely unlike keyboards. Functionality plays a role sure, but it is mostly about the overall look and feel, and the satisfaction of putting together something amazing.

And about the wife (girlfriend for me), I could never let her know what I spend on things. She will allow me to do it (we have both a separate and shared account and stay out of each other's business) but she will be rolling her eyes. Sometimes, when she sees stuff coming in the mail, she does not even want to know. She often jokes "Awww, did you get me something?", knowing that there is no chance in hell that is the case (I am such a great boyfriend!)

[Dubsgalore]

Sadly i am down to only 2 boards now...by September i should be at 7 or 8 :3

[nubbinator]

Sadly i am down to only 2 boards now...by September i should be at 7 or 8 :3

Off topic, congrats on 1k posts dubs.  Collect your prize here.

[Dubsgalore]

Sadly i am down to only 2 boards now...by September i should be at 7 or 8 :3

Off topic, congrats on 1k posts dubs.  Collect your prize here.

)
made me laugh nub

[kfmfe04]

The first couple of weeks I had my hhkb, I had buyer's remorse while happily typing away on a Filco TKL with DS sphericals. 

Before this, I had tried the hhkb several years back by accident while browsing in a store in Akihabara.  At that time, I had no idea why a piece of plastic could cost so much, much less one that didn't feel any different from a cheap Dell keyboard.  Not knowing anything about hhkb, I attributed the price to some crazy Japanese otaku subculture that I didn't understand...

Then, miraculously, the Topre started to break in - the board began to thock - the hhkb became my main board and I lost interest in acquiring new boards.

For me, hhkb was the cure...  ...I now can appreciate why this board costs so much (besides the look-and-feel, it's actually not so easy to manufacture).  Knowing what I know now, I would probably pay twice as much for this board.   

[dustinhxc]

Hey nice collection. I agree with your list for reasons of having multiple boards. I'll have to make a thread soon too.. I'm up to 6 if I include my tenkey pad. (More if I included old rubber domes) lol

[demik]

year old thread bumping.

good job.

[dorkvader]

year old thread bumping.

good job.

I, for one, am greatly interested in the state of glod's KB collection, and how it has changed in the last year.

Season 1 was pretty good, but I feel like it ended in a cliffhanger. Did Glod ever get his ergodox's finished? (the GH grapevine says he may have!) did the GH60 ever pan out? I think a "season 2" is well worth the wait and I await Glod's replies with great anticipation.

[kfmfe04]

year old thread bumping.

good job.

When it comes to boards and keycaps, there is no such thing as necro...

[berserkfan]

Hmm, I guess the problem is that I would not actually use them. That does not seem to stop other people, but it does make me less motivated, since most of the joy in a keyboard (for me) is actually using them.

Clearly, you are not a "collector" type personality!

Sometimes I envy people who were not bitten by that bug. I am a "pack rat" type and my basement is bursting at the seams.

Don't be intimidated by people here whose keyboard collections weigh more than they do. Only you need to be happy.

On the other hand, it is good to have a backup .......

It is true, I have never collected anything in my life. I am that other type, who buys only what he needs, but needs it to be the best. Best example is roadbikes for me. The money I spent on on my one road bike in the last year or so makes me feel uneasy just thinking about it (not even kidding). I could never explain to anyone , including myself, why I needed 100 dollar carbon bottle cages. I guess you could say it is not entirely unlike keyboards. Functionality plays a role sure, but it is mostly about the overall look and feel, and the satisfaction of putting together something amazing.

And about the wife (girlfriend for me), I could never let her know what I spend on things. She will allow me to do it (we have both a separate and shared account and stay out of each other's business) but she will be rolling her eyes. Sometimes, when she sees stuff coming in the mail, she does not even want to know. She often jokes "Awww, did you get me something?", knowing that there is no chance in hell that is the case (I am such a great boyfriend!)

I know this is a necro bump, but I couldn’t resist it.

Get her some panties. Missalaire will help you find the best bargain lingerie anywhere.

Of course, if you don’t know her size… I’m sorry, but you’re not going to stay her boyfriend for long. 

[SpAmRaY]

year old thread bumping.

good job.

When it comes to boards and keycaps, there is no such thing as necro...

^^ I like this guy!

[Tony]

I have so much pleasure in reading this thread.

Good news: I now have only 10 keyboards. Hopefully it's enough.

[aref]

It happens... I only have 16 right now, and 2 more on the way. But I have a much worse and more specific addiction of collection vintage Cherry G80 models.

And I would never admit, to anyone, how many keyboards I have or have had. Nicely done! Who ever has enough keyboards? Really.

[Glod]

year old thread bumping.

good job.

I, for one, am greatly interested in the state of glod's KB collection, and how it has changed in the last year.

Season 1 was pretty good, but I feel like it ended in a cliffhanger. Did Glod ever get his ergodox's finished? (the GH grapevine says he may have!) did the GH60 ever pan out? I think a "season 2" is well worth the wait and I await Glod's replies with great anticipation.

LOL. this made me smile so much

well spoiler, in season 2 Glod kills off characters, QFR Rapid and RK9000

I was going to make a separate thread sometime showing my collection and listing out all the mods and experiments i have done including my planned mods.....

My ASSEMBLED Collection Looks Like
1. IBM Model M - 1991, Soarer Converter
2. PFU HHKB  Pro2, O-ring Mod REMOVED
3. KBT RACE - Lubed Reds, LED Converted
4. Ergodox - Lubed Reds
5. Ergodox - 45g(Korean) Blues <- Daily Driver
6. Razer BWT, Standard Reds, **** Paint Job
7. G80-11900-USB in Black
8. "Ghetto" Phantom, Standard Blues, QFR Plate, Crap Vinyl/Paint Job on QFR Case
9. Razer BWU Stealth, Standard Browns, Unopened box, bought for wife but she doesn't have a desk yet
10. GON Kitty Pad, 62g Clears Lubed (LED does not work)
11. Orbitouch "key-less" Keyboard, in BLUE

My NOT ASSEMBLED Collection - On my workbench ready to be modded/completed
1. KBC Poker X, desoldered waiting for IMSTO plate
2. Phantom with ANSI125 Plate
3. Phantom, waiting for MOZ Case
4. QFR Rapid, A Friend Borrowed a QFR Rapid and spilled an entire cup of sweet tea on it, I desoldered it and now im planning what to do with the PCB (if it still works)
5. Ergodox, PCB already assembled and tested, Most likely will be sold in classifieds assembled
6. G80-11900-USB in Black, another one, no switches, planning mods
7. 1994 Model M, super dirty, needs new key caps, cleaning, and possibly bolt modding

RIP - Keyboards lost in action, either on purpose for science or accident
1. Kinesis Freestyle - I have no clue where this is anymore but i found a bunch of it's key caps in a box
2. Adesso MKB-125B - Harvested
3. Rosewill RK9000, killed during desoldering, did a really bad paint job on the case and plate, totally embaressing
4. Ergodox Assembled PCB, completely stopped working, teensy and expander are like impossible to get off, saving pcb for a rainy day recovery project

Sold
1. QFR Rapid, PCB
2. Phantom, Assembled by Me, 45g Blues
3. Phantom, Assembled by Me, 45g Blues (Friend wanted a second one)

[dustinhxc]

year old thread bumping.

good job.

I, for one, am greatly interested in the state of glod's KB collection, and how it has changed in the last year.

Season 1 was pretty good, but I feel like it ended in a cliffhanger. Did Glod ever get his ergodox's finished? (the GH grapevine says he may have!) did the GH60 ever pan out? I think a "season 2" is well worth the wait and I await Glod's replies with great anticipation.

LOL. this made me smile so much

well spoiler, in season 2 Glod kills off characters, QFR Rapid and RK9000

I was going to make a separate thread sometime showing my collection and listing out all the mods and experiments i have done including my planned mods.....

My ASSEMBLED Collection Looks Like
1. IBM Model M - 1991, Soarer Converter
2. PFU HHKB  Pro2, O-ring Mod REMOVED
3. KBT RACE - Lubed Reds, LED Converted
4. Ergodox - Lubed Reds
5. Ergodox - 45g(Korean) Blues <- Daily Driver
6. Razer BWT, Standard Reds, **** Paint Job
7. G80-11900-USB in Black
8. "Ghetto" Phantom, Standard Blues, QFR Plate, Crap Vinyl/Paint Job on QFR Case
9. Razer BWU Stealth, Standard Browns, Unopened box, bought for wife but she doesn't have a desk yet
10. GON Kitty Pad, 62g Clears Lubed (LED does not work)
11. Orbitouch "key-less" Keyboard, in BLUE

My NOT ASSEMBLED Collection - On my workbench ready to be modded/completed
1. KBC Poker X, desoldered waiting for IMSTO plate
2. Phantom with ANSI125 Plate
3. Phantom, waiting for MOZ Case
4. QFR Rapid, A Friend Borrowed a QFR Rapid and spilled an entire cup of sweet tea on it, I desoldered it and now im planning what to do with the PCB (if it still works)
5. Ergodox, PCB already assembled and tested, Most likely will be sold in classifieds assembled
6. G80-11900-USB in Black, another one, no switches, planning mods
7. 1994 Model M, super dirty, needs new key caps, cleaning, and possibly bolt modding

RIP - Keyboards lost in action, either on purpose for science or accident
1. Kinesis Freestyle - I have no clue where this is anymore but i found a bunch of it's key caps in a box
2. Adesso MKB-125B - Harvested
3. Rosewill RK9000, killed during desoldering, did a really bad paint job on the case and plate, totally embaressing
4. Ergodox Assembled PCB, completely stopped working, teensy and expander are like impossible to get off, saving pcb for a rainy day recovery project

Sold
1. QFR Rapid, PCB
2. Phantom, Assembled by Me, 45g Blues
3. Phantom, Assembled by Me, 45g Blues (Friend wanted a second one)

Very nice! With the HHKB, Trying to enjoy the full "Thock" sound are ya? *Typed on my HHKB* MMM Sounds soo damn good! 

[Zeal]

year old thread bumping.

good job.

I, for one, am greatly interested in the state of glod's KB collection, and how it has changed in the last year.

Season 1 was pretty good, but I feel like it ended in a cliffhanger. Did Glod ever get his ergodox's finished? (the GH grapevine says he may have!) did the GH60 ever pan out? I think a "season 2" is well worth the wait and I await Glod's replies with great anticipation.

LOL. this made me smile so much

well spoiler, in season 2 Glod kills off characters, QFR Rapid and RK9000

I was going to make a separate thread sometime showing my collection and listing out all the mods and experiments i have done including my planned mods.....

My ASSEMBLED Collection Looks Like
1. IBM Model M - 1991, Soarer Converter
2. PFU HHKB  Pro2, O-ring Mod REMOVED
3. KBT RACE - Lubed Reds, LED Converted
4. Ergodox - Lubed Reds
5. Ergodox - 45g(Korean) Blues <- Daily Driver
6. Razer BWT, Standard Reds, **** Paint Job
7. G80-11900-USB in Black
8. "Ghetto" Phantom, Standard Blues, QFR Plate, Crap Vinyl/Paint Job on QFR Case
9. Razer BWU Stealth, Standard Browns, Unopened box, bought for wife but she doesn't have a desk yet
10. GON Kitty Pad, 62g Clears Lubed (LED does not work)
11. Orbitouch "key-less" Keyboard, in BLUE

My NOT ASSEMBLED Collection - On my workbench ready to be modded/completed
1. KBC Poker X, desoldered waiting for IMSTO plate
2. Phantom with ANSI125 Plate
3. Phantom, waiting for MOZ Case
4. QFR Rapid, A Friend Borrowed a QFR Rapid and spilled an entire cup of sweet tea on it, I desoldered it and now im planning what to do with the PCB (if it still works)
5. Ergodox, PCB already assembled and tested, Most likely will be sold in classifieds assembled
6. G80-11900-USB in Black, another one, no switches, planning mods
7. 1994 Model M, super dirty, needs new key caps, cleaning, and possibly bolt modding

RIP - Keyboards lost in action, either on purpose for science or accident
1. Kinesis Freestyle - I have no clue where this is anymore but i found a bunch of it's key caps in a box
2. Adesso MKB-125B - Harvested
3. Rosewill RK9000, killed during desoldering, did a really bad paint job on the case and plate, totally embaressing
4. Ergodox Assembled PCB, completely stopped working, teensy and expander are like impossible to get off, saving pcb for a rainy day recovery project

Sold
1. QFR Rapid, PCB
2. Phantom, Assembled by Me, 45g Blues
3. Phantom, Assembled by Me, 45g Blues (Friend wanted a second one)

More than doubled your boards within one year.