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
Thank you!
Realforce, my number one for quality in build and material. My Leopold had been close, but i found the case (disassembled) at least one tier lower than Realforce. HHKB, i've had three, left is my most beloved JP, is just fine, good roadwarrior. RoyalKludge Clone, after some modding smooth like genuine Topre and for me the most pleasing Tock. The Plum, i like the layout for my gaming needs, 45 or 55g would be more pleasing for me.
If the Realforce price is considered to be fine, i do find the Leopold and HHKB overpriced. The RoyalKludge and Plum have a nice (better) bang for the buck for me, if you're willing to go with clones and even more after some tuning.
I wrote a bit here: https://www.massdrop.com/talk/963/don-t-shoot-me-i-m-only-the-piano-player Maybe some information that might be helpfull.
If you have another question, just let me know.
Edit: Have in mind, the 5.5u spacebar doesn't make it easy to go for different keycaps.
I agree. RK best clone Topre board, modded or not. I want the Plum just for pick up and go. Sadly 35g is too low. 55g or nothing!