Who knows this Chicony 5160 / IBM XT F - style / clone keyboard?

[Weltsadist]

Hey guys,

Anyone around this place, who has seen this vintage keyboard before?

It looks a lot like the Chicony KB-5160, but it has flat keycaps for Alt and Capslock and seems to have a solid metal backplate...

Anyone who has seen this before? Model, vendor, kind of key switch?

[chyros]

That's a Focus FK-747. Should be Alps SKCM Blue.

[Mattr567]

That's a Focus FK-747. Should be Alps SKCM Blue.

Didn't know that existed. And it has Cherry style caps. Did this pre-date the FK-555?

EDIT: Googled it, that doesn't look quite right, I think this is a Cherry keyboard.

[chyros]

That's a Focus FK-747. Should be Alps SKCM Blue.

Didn't know that existed. And it has Cherry style caps. Did this pre-date the FK-555?

EDIT: Googled it, that doesn't look quite right, I think this is a Cherry keyboard.

Here's a picture of a Focus FK-747:



What differences did you notice? Oo

[jacobolus]

Those are obviously different keycaps.

The one in the OP reminds me of https://deskthority.net/photos-f62/the-fame-gog3ylth-5539-surprise-t13381.html



Considering the layout (indicates a mid–late 1980s timeframe), blue Alps seems like a decent bet.

[chyros]

Hmmm, maybe it's a Tai-Hao clone then. Or the Focus was xD .

[Weltsadist]

Well I could not resist & asked the seller for some discount...
It was still expensive for doing a blind bargain. But we will likely lift the secret during the next days...

Getting original blue SKCM Alps on this gorgeous Layout would be too good to be true... 

Hmmm, maybe it's a Tai-Hao clone then. Or the Focus was xD .

After doing some research and comparison, I think it might well be made by Tai-Hao. Does this mean it could likely come with some sort of their Alps clones?

[chyros]

After doing some research and comparison, I think it might well be made by Tai-Hao. Does this mean it could likely come with some sort of their Alps clones?

It might have Aruz switches possibly. But considering the age I think blue Alps is a pretty decent bet.

[Weltsadist]

I have to say, I am a little bit dissapointed...

It came with some kind of linear switches - no Cherry Logo on them.
The spacebar comes with some very heavy switch with a beige/white slider that says "Key World".
Maybe they are some kind of these taiwanese knock-offs; https://deskthority.net/wiki/Taiwan_white_and_black_shaft



I have to say, that I prefer the keyfeel of these to Cherry MX Black switches, they feel very smooth and not scratchy at all, I think they are slighty lubricanted.
Anyway I like clicky siwtches better. 

The overall build quality is excellent, double shot keycaps - but there is absolutely no manufacturer - neither on the case or the PCB.
But if I am right about the switches, Tai-Hoa or Chicony could possibly be the OEM...
The big IC on the PCB says (c) INTEL 1980...



Sadly it doesn`t work when connected to the PS/2 port of my computer... The LEDs light up on boot but then it dies...