To devout fans of the HHKB, the Heavy Grail is a long-awaited, luxury metal housing to elevate their beloved keyboard to an “endgame” status. To everyone else, it is a $650-1450 keyboard that doesn’t even include the actual keyboard. Over the past two months, I have had the fortune of taking an early look at the Heavy Grail to answer the question — does it retain the magic of the HHKB?
Read MoreThe Glorious GMMK Pro is easily the most controversial release in the custom mechanical keyboard scene as of mid-2021. It proposes a $170 option that checks off many of the boxes enthusiasts seek, namely a gasket-mount design and a CNC aluminum case (with a rotary encoder sprinkled on top). However, Glorious is a brand that has had a fairly murky history in the mechanical keyboard community. I spent two months with a GMMK Pro I purchased myself to find out if it’s simply an exercise in marketing buzzwords or if it actually delivers a viable option at an affordable price point.
Read MoreIn the interest of being completely transparent with everything I do on this website, I would like to announce my newly established involvement with Mode Designs and what it means for the future of Material Journal.
Read MoreThe grid 650 is quite possibly one of the most ambitious keyboard projects from 2020. Apart from its unique visual design, it incorporates Bluetooth capabilities, a hybrid mounting style, and a modular top piece for accessories. I spent a little over a month living with the keyboard to find out if the designers bit off more than they could chew (or if they were successful in their design)!
Read MoreIn the world of custom mechanical keyboards, quality keycap sets can be difficult to come by for under $100. In this recurring series, I will be taking a look at some of the more affordable keycap options in the popular Cherry-profile. First up are the Artifact Bloom Series keycaps from Drop - these dyesub PBT keycaps are often offered in-stock and retail for $45.
Read MoreSince emerging late last year, Mode Designs has established itself as an up-and-coming manufacturer and vendor in the custom keyboard world. Their first offering, the Mode Eighty, is a premium TKL with a clean and professional-looking design. It also introduces a new construction style called “stack mount,” which has proven to be slightly controversial due to its use of foam as a necessary structural component. Read on to find out how the Eighty stacks up and if it makes for a great typing experience!
Read MoreThe Happy Hacking Keyboard is quite possibly one of the most iconic yet divisive keyboards to date. Over the course of 25 years, the HHKB has fostered a cult of diehards who swear by its typing feel and layout. And for every fan, there are just as many who will denounce it as an overpriced rubber dome keyboard short a few keys. This is my comprehensive review of the HHKB Professional Hybrid - including a brief history of the HHKB, comparisons between the Pro 2 and Pro 3, recommendations on Topre modifications, and more!
Read MoreIn making the jump from prebuilt to custom mechanical keyboards this year, I extensively surveyed the landscape of sub-$250 options to better understand what constitutes a good entry-level custom. After spending a couple of months with both the NK65 Entry Edition and NK65 v2 Aluminum, I put together this comprehensive look at what’s great about the NK65, what needs improvement, and what other options exist on the horizon. Read on to see if the NK65 is the right gateway for you to this rabbit hole of a hobby!
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