Vintage Mx Blacks Versus Modern Mx Reds?

[Corsa1r]

Hey guys, just a simple question between these two switches.  I have never tried vintage blacks (or modern blacks for that matter), and I've also never tried reds (but think I have an idea about how they feel using browns).

I LOVE the sound of vintage blacks in videos I've seen and I feel like I faintly remember using a board with them when I was a kid, but I'd like to have an idea of how similar they are to new red switches.

Can any comparison be made between them?  I feel like reds would 'feel' more similar to vintage blacks than modern blacks are to their vintage counterpart (aside from the actuation force), but maybe I'm wrong.  Thanks for the info in advance.

[Steezus]

MX Blacks and MX Reds are the linear switches made by Cherry. The only difference is the weight for actuation and bottoming out of the switch. Reds actuation is at 45cN where the blacks are at 60cN. The reason why people prefer vintage blacks over new ones is that the vintage ones can be smoother depending on which board you get them from. The key to blacks is to usually a spring swap and lubrication. If you want to go the easy route then I suggest going with Gateron Blacks, they're super smooth brand new. Vintage Blacks can be smoother but they require a lot more work.

[3K]

Can any comparison be made between them?  I feel like reds would 'feel' more similar to vintage blacks than modern blacks are to their vintage counterpart (aside from the actuation force), but maybe I'm wrong.  Thanks for the info in advance.

I think they are hard to compare, just because of the actuation force. Maybe they feel similar because Vintage Blacks are smoother, so slightly easier to slide down, similar to Reds?

[demik]

Crap vs crap. Nobody wins

[Geroximo]

MX Reds are very light and Mx Blacks are rather heavy. The difference is big enough, that I would say you cannot compare them.

Don't get fooled by people who claim that vintage blacks are lighter.
Yes, it is true, they are lighter than modern blacks, but the difference is minimal.
They are still closer to modern MX Blacks than to any other switch. MX Reds are much lighter than vintage blacks.

If you like lighter switches - MX Red
If you like heavier switches - Vintage Blacks

[davkol]

If you like lighter switches - MX Red
If you like heavier switches - Vintage Blacks

That makes no sense, if you can do a spring swap.

[axtran]

Vintage Blacks are definitely heavier than MX Red. Vintage vs. Modern Blacks is negligible.

If you can't put the time into proper modification of the Vintage Black switches, I highly recommend just getting Gateron Red/Black/Yellow/Clear if you want a smooth Linear experience with new switches. If you want Cherry brand and Linear, get Vintage Black. I wouldn't even mess with modern MX Black or MX red due to them not being smooth at all.

[hwood34]

I wouldn't even mess with modern MX Black or MX red due to them not being smooth at all.

+1

[jacobolus]

The ones from the 80s are much much smoother. Find NIB copies of each, and the difference is night-and-day. “Modern” MX black/red are almost unusably scratchy.

Neither is as nice as green Alps or white Hi-Tek “space invaders” though. (Not to mention all the sweet linear switches from the 70s.)