Support for Alternative Layouts
This is a summary of how alternative layouts have been supported by kits such as Colevrak and Homing. It is not a discussion of alt layout performance and development, but if that interests you I highly recommend starting with Pascal Getreuer’s A guide to alt keyboard layouts (why, how, which one?). It’s a concise and comprehensive overview with links to some great sites that go deeper. He also has a separate Links about keyboards page. The Keyboard layouts doc he recommends explains layout goals and metrics in detail, summarizing the alt layouts discussed here as well as more than one hundred others. Sculpted-profile The majority of custom keycap sets are sculpted-profile (Cherry, SA, MT3, KAT, etc. - more on profiles generally here) so let’s start there. Because each row has a unique keycap shape, alt layouts require a unique keycap for each legend that moves off its QWERTY row. At first there were two The Dvorak layout was patented in 1936 by August Dvorak & William L....
Apr 23, 2024
On the more affordable front, there are quite a few. I wouldn't say there are any particularly bad sets, and some are rarely branded. I recommended Vortex because they have been consistent and are easy to find, but Tai Hao isn't bad. Though I've yet to hear if they have improved their weird coating that people don't like on their caps. EnjoyPBT and JTK are other quality brands, but might not be seen as often. Certain keycap profiles like DSA and XDA have various manufacturers but haven't ever been considered 'bad' by any means, although generally only come dye-sub rather than SP's doubleshot version. If you think you want to give SA profile a try, Maxkeys has been producing pretty good sets at much more affordable prices in the aftermarket.
In generally, you're looking for anything doubleshot or dye-sublimated, as bother will last a long time. Only difference is dye-sub can only accomplish dark legends on lighter colors.
If you're just getting into it, I would surf through /r/mechanicalkeyboards and see what others have come up with and what sort of colorways exist in the world. Once you have a preference, it's a lot easier to go searching for that perfect keyset!
On the other hand, there are always other interesting options out there. I'm still waiting on a batch of Kailh BOX browns as everyone seems to find them to be the most stable switch they've ever typed on. Hopefully the bump isn't as weak as Cherry switches. Lot of people have really been liking the recent Kailh clicky switches as well. Definitely cheap enough to pick up a batch to try for yourself!