Switches tested: 1) Matias Quiet Click
2) SKCM Cream Damped
3) SKCM Salmon
4) SKCM Orange
5) SKCL Green (also an SKCL Yellow)
6) SKCM White
Springs Tested: A [Steel]
B [Steel]
C [Steel]
C [Gold]
D [Steel]
E [Steel]
Tested On: * Steel Plate (Alps Party)
* v60 Case
* No PCB
* All six switches with each of the six springs and an unmodded
* Cleaned switches, but not re-lubed
* Apple AEKII PBT Caps mounted on all switches (same profile for same switch)
My Preferences I prefer a large tactile element that does not take a large amount of force (i.e. ergo clear).
For alps switches my normal preference goes like so (linear are in their own bucket):
1. Blue
1a. Orange
2. White (if very clean)
3. Quiet Click
4. Cream Damped
5. Salmon
Salmons have always been an interesting one for me as I have never found them to be terribly
consistent and my first thought is to simply replace the spring and tactile leaf with ones
from a QC to get a much better switch overall.
Findings : I'm going to organize this first by switch (indicating my favorite combos for each) and then by
spring giving a brief rundown on my thoughts.
Matias Quiet Click Favorite: "D [Steel]"
The combination of the really light D spring and the super-crisp QC tactile leaf make this
an amazing combination. Of all the combinations this is surprisingly my favorite. I want to
try and remix the QC leaf into a Cream Damped and see if I love it even more with the extra
stability from the complicated alps switch plate.
Runner Up: "C [Gold]"
A little stiffer but overall snappier than the D, the C [Gold] gives the QC a nice refined feel.
SKCM Cream Damped Favorite: "C [Gold]"
With the SKCM Cream Damped's much less aggressive tactile leaf the slightly heavier switches felt
more at home. The C spring gives it some good bounce.
Runner Up: "B [Steel]"
A little stiffer than the C this works very well also.
SKCM Salmon Favorite: "C [Gold]"
Pretty similar to creams in most respects (just undampened). These would probably see the most
improvement from some aftermarket lubricant, and that's what they're going to see at a later
time to get a better feel.
Runner Up: "B [Steel]"
Same as above.
SKCM Orange Favorite: "B [Steel]"
Oranges definitely have one of the lightest tactile leaves for alps switches giving them a
much more subtle tactile point (especially when compared to QCs). The B springs give it a nice
clean stroke that's not too light (which can destroy the tactile element).
Runner Up: "C [Gold]"
This should sound familiar but the C springs are right in that sweet spot that lets them work with
most of the switches.
SKCL Green Favorite: "A [Steel]"
Naturally on the linear switches it's all about the springs. And for my money I'd say that the
stiffer feel of the A spring gives Green's a nice slot in between an MX Red and an MX Black.
Runner Up: "B [Steel]"
A little lighter than A, the B spring still provides enough resistance to not feel out of place.
SKCM White Favorite: "C [Gold]"
Lightens the switch up to a point where the White's feel downright Blue in feel. With a little
addition of lubricant and this becomes an amazing clicky switch for a fraction of the cost.
Runner Up: "B [Steel]"
More of the same from previous reports, but the B switch has a great feel in the clicky switches
as well. The interesting note is that the B spring seems to fill out the sound a little bit more
(likely due to the extra force needed).
A [Steel] I believe the stiffest of the springs I tested, they definitely work well in linears, but otherwise
I preferred the lighter springs.
B [Steel] A little more in the middle these seem to work well with the less aggressive tactile leaves.
C [Steel] Since these were all blinded I actually don't know for sure if this is actually the same spring as
C [Gold] or not. It's really similar if not the same. Could be completely within the realm of variance
but it does feel a touch heavier in action than C [Gold]
C [Gold] This was probably my favorite overall spring. It's at a weight that just seems to work for most things.
The only time I wouldn't at least give it a look would be for linears I feel it would be too light. If
this was indeed the same weight as C [Steel] it would be fun to do some double-blinds on this to see if
I really can tell the difference between the two.
D [Steel] Perfect for the very aggressive Quiet Clicks, otherwise a little too light in most of the other switches.
E [Steel] Not a bad spring, I just never thought it was my favorite on any switch.
Final Thoughts: At no point did I ever think "Huh, the originals are better". The reality is even for the switches that
have been preserved almost perfectly, they've been in these keyboards for 20+ years and they just aren't
as smooth as these newer springs.
I'll definitely be ordering a number of D's and C's and B's!
