Keycaps Texture

[Quardah]

Would different keycap plastic affects the end texture of keycaps?

I mean, right now i have traded for a short period of time my KBC Poker II keyboard with PBT keycaps for a WASD CODE keyboard with ABS keycaps, and it seems like the ABS caps feels much smoother than those PBT. It would go the same for the two other boards that i owned : the Corsair K90 with ABS caps i had were as smooth as this WASD Codes keycaps, and my Steelseries 7G PBT caps are a little textured, just like the Poker II caps.

I was wondering if texture could be plastic related. i mean, would PBT keycaps always have a natural texture even at their smoothest level, and ABS would be smoother in general?

Could you make PBT caps as smooth as the current ABS caps i'm using on the CODE?

Thanks.

[Puddsy]

yes, absolutely

the manufacturer also changes the feel

best example: IMSTO vs BSP vs OG CHERRY

[CPTBadAss]

Texture is a function of the material as well as the molds. You can achieve different surface finishes based on how the molds. The mold's shape, tolerances, mold prep, release agents, actual molding process, and the material properties of the plastic all play a function in the final surface finish.

Edit: So yes, you could make PBT feel smooth or rough depending on how it was manufactured.

[Quardah]

yes, absolutely

the manufacturer also changes the feel

best example: IMSTO vs BSP vs OG CHERRY

By "Yes, absolutely" do you mean both PBT and ABS can be the same smoothness just like on the WASD Code?

Cause,

All in all that's kindoff the information i am looking for. I would like a keycap set as smooth as the WASD Code keycaps but i want them PBT, just because they are more reliable imo. Cause i've seen PBT caps on the Poker II and Steelseries, and both caps are a little textured. Never seen perfectly smooth PBT, that's why i was wondering if it was possible, or somehow PBT doesn't "allow" itself to be molded into perfect smoothness.

Thanks again eh, i really appreciate that you guys takes a minute to answer me.

[Puddsy]

I think OG cherry dyesubs are like that

can't confirm though

[intelli78]

I think OG cherry dyesubs are like that

can't confirm though

They are pretty smooth, but feel drier/cleaner than CODE caps, which feel greasy to me. The surfaces are probably similar in terms of smoothness but the coefficient of friction is different and thus the feel.

Source: I have both.

[Quardah]

Source: I have both.

hahahaha lol awesome!

Alright people, thanks for everything!!

[IvanIvanovich]

Most of it has to do with the texture that is made in the mold rather than the material though some properties of the material will still show difference. For example Cherry/BSP PBT has a very fine texture. It's like sandpaper... different grits, which may or may not use the same material. Some mold have 500 grit, some have 3000 to anything inbetween.

[intelli78]

Most of it has to do with the texture that is made in the mold rather than the material though some properties of the material will still show difference. For example Cherry/BSP PBT has a very fine texture. It's like sandpaper... different grits, which may or may not use the same material. Some mold have 500 grit, some have 3000 to anything inbetween.

Yes, I would say that the Cherry and CODE molds are probably similarly smooth, but the material still feels different.

[Quardah]

Most of it has to do with the texture that is made in the mold rather than the material though some properties of the material will still show difference. For example Cherry/BSP PBT has a very fine texture. It's like sandpaper... different grits, which may or may not use the same material. Some mold have 500 grit, some have 3000 to anything inbetween.

Yes, I would say that the Cherry and CODE molds are probably similarly smooth, but the material still feels different.

Where do you get Cherry keycaps? aka i wanna try one now if it's smooth like the code but still PBT.

All in all i'm much more of a PBT person, i feel more "grip" on PBT uknowatimsayin'?

[Puddsy]

You get OG cherry keycaps from OG cherry boards

[Quardah]

You get OG cherry keycaps from OG cherry boards

Dude i ain't no OG cherry board OG owner. Is there any way i can get a cherry keycap set aka have an OG poker II?

[Pacifist]

my DE ISO dyesubs cost $85 from DT

[intelli78]

You get OG cherry keycaps from OG cherry boards

Dude i ain't no OG cherry board OG owner. Is there any way i can get a cherry keycap set aka have an OG poker II?

Sort of. You can get the alphas and the shifts, but you'll be missing a lot of stuff like caps lock, bottom mods, space bar, etc. They are all the wrong size for the Poker II. Plus, this will run you $200+, if you can even find them for sale. 

[Quardah]

You get OG cherry keycaps from OG cherry boards

Dude i ain't no OG cherry board OG owner. Is there any way i can get a cherry keycap set aka have an OG poker II?

Sort of. You can get the alphas and the shifts, but you'll be missing a lot of stuff like caps lock, bottom mods, space bar, etc. They are all the wrong size for the Poker II. Plus, this will run you $200+, if you can even find them for sale. 

wow

**** this ****. too expensive