Advice For a Newbie: What keycaps should I get for my Ducky Shine 3 Yellow?

[ManicMatt1125]

First off let me say that I am the proud new owner of a Ducky Shine 3 Yellow edition MX Blue Mechanical keyboard with PCB keycaps. This is my first mechanical keyboard ever and I am in love with it. I never realized how satisfying a task as simple as typing could be given the right instruments.  My only complaint is that the keyboard is a bit to yellow for me. I understand that I already have quality key caps but I would like to get some different colors. At this point I am simply looking for suggestions as I am overwhelmed by the vast magnitude of different key cap styles and colors and cannot even begin to pick out some for myself. I am looking for something that goes well with yellow and I have seen some of the Click Clacks and Would LOVE the chance to own even 1 of those. So with that being said I would appreciate any and all feedback on what keycaps would go well and where to find them and maybe even how to get my hands on a Click Clack Thanks for your time and again any and all feedback is greatly appreciated

[lcs]

There are a few websites that you can check out:

These ones carry novelty caps and sets, IIRC.

keypop.net
techkeys.us
originativeco.com
pimpmykeyboard.com

Now, for the rarer caps, such as CCs, Bro Bots and Binge caps, you need patience and luck (or money. money works too).

bingecap.com <- sign up for the newsletter so that you can see when there is gonna be a sale
http://geekhack.org/index.php?board=145.0 <- click 'notify' so that you can see new posts
http://geekhack.org/index.php?board=78.0

Hope it helps

[ManicMatt1125]

Thanks for the response. Another question I have is in regards to what kind of key caps will fit. I have seen 1x1.25 1x1 etc and have not been able to determine exactly what size, shape etc I should buy in order for all my caps to be uniform. I am not looking for an answer, but if you would simply point me in the correct direction as to where to look to find the info I would appreciate it

[lcs]

Your ducky has regular sized caps on its bottom row. Some keyboards (mostly korean ones I think) have different.

IIRC it is 3 1x1.25, 6.25x space and 4 1x1.25 keys, but someone will correct me if I'm wrong.

Now, you also have different profiles for the keys: http://keycapsdirect.com/key-caps.php . This is a nice reference. Normally, here on GH, sets are DCS.

There is also the material of the cap. That can be ABS, PBT and POM, normally. All preference, just like switches

Edit: Wrong space bar size, sorry.

[Oobly]

Some good reading about keycaps: http://deskthority.net/wiki/Keycap

Essentially, keycaps have 3 important factors: top shape, contour and height. The top shape can be spherical (so a ball would rest nicely on the cap), cylindrical (like most standard keycaps, curved in one direction) or flat (like Apple laptop "chiclet" keys). Some keycap sets have different angle for each row (sculptured or contoured) and some use the same angle for all rows. Different keycap "profiles" can also be different heights.

There are slight differences in the actual angles of the tops of the keycaps, too, which results in a different "feel" between profiles.

Ducky keyboards use what is called "OEM" profile keycaps and quite standard layouts (1.25x modifier keys, standard size space bar). Here are the 4 most common ones:

OEM profile is a cylindrical, contoured, fairly high profile.

DCS is silimar, but lower height.

Cherry is also similar and lower than OEM, but a little different to DCS (perhaps lower than DCS, too?). This profile gets a lot of love here on GH, but can be rare to find sets in it.

DSA is spherical, unsculptured, low profile.

Signature Plastics (also known here as SP) don't make OEM profile, the closest is DCS. AFAIK all the pimpmykeyboard sets are from SP. These are the profiles made by SP: http://keycapsdirect.com/key-caps.php

Sets sold as Filco, Ducky or Keycool are mostly OEM profile. It's nice to match profile when adding novelty keys, so they don't look too out-of-place unless they have their own shape anyway.

Then there are materials:

ABS is "normal". Wears fairly quickly and can become shiny, can be used easily to make "double shot" keycaps using two different colours of plastic for each key so the legends are actually different color plastic. Legends can be printed or laser engraved or etched or doubleshot (doubleshot is best).

PBT is slightly rougher, "drier" texture plastic (a little like unglazed ceramic, IMHO). More dense so keycaps are heavier, but difficult to make doubleshots since the material warps easily when cooling.  Often dye-sublimated legends (which last longer than printed ones) and sometimes laser engraved or etched. Most people like this material the most for keycaps.

POM is more "teflon-like". Slicker surface, more dense even than PBT. Usually printed or laser engraved legends. I like POM the most since it is the densest and I like the slick feel of them.

Often the caps which come with cheaper boards are thin ABS. Thick, doubleshot ABS are a big improvement, thick PBT or POM usually even more (but it's a personal thing).

I believe your board came with "thick" PBT caps, for reference. Ivan is currently running a group buy for Cherry profile thick PBT black sets (blank and black dye-sublimated) which I think would go nicely with the yellow case (although the backlight wouldn't come through the caps, but would be visible as a general backlighting around the edges): http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=50935.msg1117903#msg1117903

[ManicMatt1125]

Thanks for all of the info it will give me some good reading material for when I have down time at work. I do like those black keycaps in the group buy, my only problem is my current keys are hard to read as they are yellow on yellow and i think the black ones will be equally hard to see. I have to think about it though. I definitly diggin the black on  yelow tho

[Lastpilot]

I've used SP sets, stock sets, and thick PBT sets. My favorite set is actually my Ducky Shine ABS set. It's thick enough and has a smooth matte finish that no other sets have. It feels great to type on and every touch really does feel like a high quality product.

I initially bought ducky shine sets for the backlit capability, so I was REALLY surprised when I found out that I liked the actual physical use of the product. They're great and now there are colors from mk.com and qtan.

[CPTBadAss]

I suggest looking through this thread and then hunting down a set you think you'd like. Maybe Bumblebee from Keypop?

[CatNip :3]

I would get a set of thick PBTs from a GB or Feng's shop if you're a fan of blue. Normal PBT is way too rough for me.