Not All Linears Are The Same!
Figure 1: Not even all of these (mostly) KTT-made linears are the same! After all of my years of collecting, reviewing, and obsessing over switches, I can say with certainty that linear switches are the most misunderstood of all of the switch types. No, I’m not talking about mechanically either, as all of the claims of them “just going straight up and down” are somewhat kind of true. (Not too much though, don’t get that excited.) The part that is often misunderstood, though, is usually in what is being implied when people say that these switches just go straight up and down – “All linears might as well be the same.” If the title of this article didn’t make that obvious enough to you, I find that sort of idea to be completely and utterly wrong. The people who make these implications wouldn’t say that a Cherry MX Black is the same as a Novelkeys Cream switch? They also certainly wouldn’t ever claim that every Gateron-made linear is the same as every fancy TTC one out there...
May 29, 2024
Mix n match Recently, I brought my Mint Qwertykeys QK60 to the “That Windy City Keyboard Meet” in Chicago, decked out with a mix of several different MT3 kits. Dusk, 3227 Magenta accents and 3227 teal blanks. I call it “Mint Dusk” and the caps echo its sandblasted chroma weight underneath. I’ve done mashups with other profiles before, but MT3 brings a unique continuity to the mix, in that the typefaces used on MT3 kits are very close in design and the keycaps can be interchanged without clashing or looking out of place. One of my favorite MT3 mashups is Black on White with Fairlane accents. It looks just like the Chicago flag, and really catches the eye.
Drop recently posted some of their own favorite mix and match sets, and asked the community to share their mash-ups. It was a blast to see all the different combinations that people came up with. Mash ups are a really valuable exercise for anyone just getting into the hobby, especially when DROP runs buy-one get-one promos on MT3. That way, you’re getting two unique sets, and two additional variations based on combinations. It’s a really cool feature that isn’t talked about enough. Closing thoughts To me, MT3’s success lies in effortlessly marrying the retro and modern aesthetics in a way that no other profile has so far. SA is relentlessly retro, but doesn’t care about finger comfort and is very high profile, making it slow to type on. Cherry and other low profile sets allow for faster typing experiences, but don’t cradle your fingers like MT3 does, or have the same nostalgic appeal. In the end, it’s a lot like switches. Different sound signatures attract different people, and depending on the unique board you build, what’s important at the end of the day is having options. MT3 is a phenomenal design at an affordable price, readily in-stock in a hobby that commonly waits for year plus group buys. Like everything, it comes down to personal preference, and for me MT3 is a classic profile that will stand the test of time. I’m interested in hearing which MT3 sets have impacted you the most, which ones you’d love to see made, or your unique take on this unique keycap profile. I’ll do my best to respond to your comments, and look forward to hearing all your thoughts! Thanks for reading. And until next time, keep finding the stories in everything you do. Best, James (@Storyboardtech)