I'm not in that state yet, but I feel close to having some more informed idea of what I want. I suspect it will still keep evolving over time though. At first I was caught up in trying out various switches and switch mods. Then, having done a lot of that and learning to appreciate customization with my own hands beyond the switches and case painting, I've turned to some custom keyboards and realized I no longer wanted to type on "regular" modern keyboards, such as a QFR. Nothing wrong with them, but even my last fully customized Filco would sit next to my LZ-GH, and other than for Clear switches, I had no desire to type on the Filco, as the plastic case just did not feel dampened / "solid" enough--too much vibration through the desk. So I've come to the conclusion that realistically, I'd much rather just have the best of each kind (subjectively), and go for customs where I can afford them and vintage keyboards otherwise. Going to have a Lightsaver for another Cherry custom keyboard, and maybe a more compact keyboard in a different form factor at some point. 1 Cherry TKL, etc. Other than that, other keyboards I want to own will be very different, such as beamspring (my most favorite switch type), a buckling spring keyboard or two, etc. All the "hefty" vintage stuff. Just ordered a vintage Japanese IBM keyboard with linear switches. That sort of thing. As much fun as it was to have a rainbow collection of Filcos, I can't see doing that ever again.
Sort of how I feel now, I started out with a razer blackwidow which was mx blues, then I bought two quickfire rapids, both in mx blues. I really facepalm thinking back on it, but it did really help set my foundation for how I feel about keyboards. (Take into account that all this has taken place starting at the very end of august last year)
I have nothing wrong with cherry mx blue switches but I was being one of the typical people who think nothing can beat a cherry mx blue keyswitch. I actually fully customized and took apart one of my quickfire rapids, painting and spring swapping and such, it taught me a lot about customizing keyboards and got me to the point where I feel comfortable working on a keyboard more in depth.
I then got an IBM model M and fell in love with the switches, I thought it was just the best thing ever but hated its size. I did know about the model F and it's capacitive buckling springs but I had never tried one, once I got my kishsaver I then realized how much better they feel than the buckling springs on the model m.
I decided a wanted an even smaller keyboard, I settled on the poker 2, I couldn't decide what switch I wanted, I was so close to getting a cherry mx blue one, luckily I thought better of it and decided I should get a linear and I hated reds so I got blacks (terrified I would hate it since reds were so bad imo) It is an awesome board, I love it and it is more or less my gaming keyboard even though I like it for typing just as much as gaming, I am writing this on the poker right now.
I then got a filco and put it in the vortex aluminum case and threw some classic beige double shots on it, I used the vortex for testing the waters of aluminum cases to see if I even liked them. Sadly, I LOVED them. I am going to hold on to it for awhile I am sure but it is going to get replaced later on I am sure. I want a keyboard like the LZ-GH because cases like this vortex and the kmac sandwich together over the pcb and place which leaves a line or seam running down the middle around the whole keyboard. The LZ-GH doesn't, since it pushes in through the bottom, I like that a lot more.
I also got another aluminum case, the FMJ design #2 and got every little cool thing I could think of for it. Sprits custom PCB, a 4mm thick aluminum plate, lube, new springs, mx clear switches, clear switch tops, stickers, leds, etc. This keyboard isn't put together yet though, I am patiently waiting on the parts to ship.
I also got an IBM kishsaver, and I am going to restore it, so that is going to be fun as well.
I don't see any sort of keyboard nirvana happening for me. Much like you though, I don't have any interest in more standard(probably not the right words) keyboards, be it filco, ducky, cooler master. I might possibly get the cooler master topre keyboard though, more customization over a standard topre keyboard, which makes me happy.
My keyboard goals this year are going to be trying out various more unique keyboards, on the list are HHKB or topre in general, ergodox, the 40% board.
