Custom Mechanical Keyboard Collection
This is my current custom mechanical keyboard collection as of Spring 2022. Scroll down to see all of the details of each build and listen to looping typing tests of each keyboard. Some of the links included in this post are my affiliate links, which I receive a small commission for, at no extra cost to you. Thanks for supporting my content.
Watch an entire overview video of my custom mechanical keyboard collection and the stories and details behind them.
Keychron Q2
The Keychron Q2 was my entryway into custom mechanical keyboards. It’s a 65% aluminum body, hot-swap keyboard, that comes fully built or as a barebones kit. It’s easily accessible, in terms of costs and availability. And it’s fully customizable. I spent weeks tinkering with it. Trying out different switches, plates, keycaps, and mods to explore the different feel and sounds I might be able to get out of a keyboard. If you’re looking to get started, but aren’t sure of where exactly to begin, I can highly recommend anything in the Keychron Q series, which they’re continually improving and expanding on.
Click play to hear a typing sound test.
Keyboard: Keychron Q2 barebone knob version in Carbon Black color
Plate: FR4 Ansi Plate
Switches: Mode Linear Switches, stock
Keycaps: CannonCaps CXA White on Black Keycaps
Stabilizers: Q2 stock stabilizers
Build Details: All stock foam removed. Tempest Tape mod. Force break mod. PE foam and Kilmat dampening sheet added in the base.
Rama Works M65-B
Even if you’ve only spent a short amount of time in this hobby, you’ve probably already heard of Rama Works, a keyboard design studio out of Melbourne, Australia. Their signature line of keyboards has an iconic tall profile and bold yet minimal characteristics. Outside of the aesthetic, I really enjoy the feel and sound of this board. That's due to the combination of the stiff brass plate, the large internal volume of the case, the silicone dampener, and the Boba U4T tactile switches I have installed. Resulting in a sound signature that I personally enjoy.
Click play to hear a typing sound test.
Keyboard: Rama Works M65-B in Milk color
Plate: Brass full plate
Switches: Gazzew Boba U4T, lubed + filmed
Keycaps: GMK Minimal R2
Stabilizers: Zeal PC stabilizers
Build Details: W02-A Internal Dampener
Norbauer & Co. the Heavy-6
The Norbauer Heavy-6 is a 65% custom keyboard housing, designed around the classic Leopold FC660C. This particular Heavy-6 keyboard has been modded and is quite unique. Unlike the standard MX switch, this uses Topre switches, which are known for their heavy tactility. These switches have their sliders swapped out with Novatouch MX sliders, to make them compatible with the keycaps I own. I also swapped out the controller board, so I can custom program the keys, which was a lot more challenging to learn than I thought. This keyboard took a bit of work but was worth it because of its unique aesthetic, feel, and especially sound.
Click play to hear a typing sound test.
Keyboard: Norbauer & Co. the Heavy-6 in Tactical (black) color
Plate: FC660C stock
Switches: Topre, Novatouch MX sliders
Keycaps: GMK MODO 2
Stabilizers: N/A
Build Details: No internal dampening, Hasu controller installed.
GHS.RAR
The GHS.RAR keyboard weighs in at almost 10 pounds when fully assembled. It’s a seamless 75% keyboard, designed by Gone Hacking Studios out of Perth, Australia. This keyboard is inspired by the retro Cherry G80-1800 keyboard. What drew me in is this recognizable angled bevel, and the beautiful mirrored back. This was the first keyboard that I had to do soldering on. But instead of soldering the keyboard switches directly into the PCB, I ended up installing Mil-Max sockets, to convert this into a hot-swap board, so I can continue to test out different switches in the future, without having to desolder it.
Click play to hear a typing sound test.
Keyboard: Gone Hacking Studios GHS.RAR in the Argent color
Plate: Carbon fiber full plate
Switches: Durock Koala, lubed + filmed
Keycaps: GMK Minimal + GMK MODO 2
Stabilizers: Durock V2 Stabilizers
Build Details: Silver mirror back. Silicone dampener.
Ion Keyboards Zenith
The Zenith by Ion Keyboards is a 65% with a striking layout, featuring a 10-key macro pad on left side. What attracted me about this keyboard is its ultra-wide proportions and unconventional style. It has a heavy, black brass weight at the bottom, which adds a compelling material contrast against the aluminum case. I bought this from another local community member, who threw in a set of Holy Panda switches for me to try, which are known for their sharp and heavy tactile feel. This combined with the brass plate results in an unapologetic, loud, and clacky sound.
Click play to hear a typing sound test.
Keyboard: Ion Keyboards Zenith in the Moon color
Plate: Black brass full plate
Switches: Holy Panda, lubed
Keycaps: GMK White on Black + Micons
Stabilizers: Durock V2 Stabilizers
Build Details: N/A
Mode SixtyFive
The second custom mechanical keyboard I bought, after my Q2, was the MODE SixtyFive. MODE Designs is a keyboard maker that excels at minimal aesthetics and offers a wide range of customization. I went for the white aluminum body and this beautiful black mirror head plate, which hides the case screws. This is one of my most comfortable keyboards to type on. It’s currently configured in a stacked mounting style that utilizes a silicone base and plate foam, which outputs a sound signature that’s distinctly muted.
Click play to hear a typing sound test.
Keyboard: Mode SixtyFive in white aluminum with black mirror head plate
Plate: FR4 full plate
Switches: Mode Signal, lubed + filmed
Keycaps: GMK White on Black
Stabilizers: Durock V2 Stabilizers
Build Details: Stack mount configuration. Silicone base. Plate foam.
Mode Eighty
Since my initial purchase, I’ve made friends with the team at MODE. Because I didn’t own a TKL (tenkeyless) layout yet, MODE sent me their Eighty keyboard to test out. Like the SixtyFive, it comes in several color ways and can be customized in many different configurations. And like the SixtyFive, this is an absolute dream to type on. I wasn’t expecting to enjoy a TKL layout this much.
Click play to hear a typing sound test.
Keyboard: Mode Eighty (2022) in green top and grey bottom.
Plate: FR4 full plate
Switches: Anubis, lubed + filmed
Keycaps: GMK Nines
Stabilizers: Durock V2 Stabilizers
Build Details: Stack mount configuration. Poron base. Plate foam.
Omnitype Bauer 2
Another keyboard with well-thought-out features is the Bauer 2. A 65% black and brass keyboard, designed by Omnitype. The creator of this keyboard, Garret Moore, is a graphic designer turned keyboard entrepreneur. I share a similar background, so I connected with his story, because I know he’s someone who cares about the details. From the design of the products. The packaging. Down to the typography on everything.
Even though I prefer tactile switches, Garret the designer insists that linear switches are better for this board. So I installed Gateron Box Ink switches into these, which are known for their deep sound and smooth performance.
Click play to hear a typing sound test.
Keyboard: Omnitype Bauer 2 in black and brass
Plate: Polycarbonate plate
Switches: Gateron Box Ink (black), lubed + filmed
Keycaps: GMK Boneyard + Keycult brass artisan
Stabilizers: Durock V2 Stabilizers
Build Details: Mil-Max soldered PCB
White Oak 65
All of my keyboards are made of metal and plastic, except for this one. This is a custom design, built out of my favorite hardwood, white oak. I commissioned Mitchel of MK Milling to help bring my idea for this board to life. It features a 19mm front height, 5.5° typing angle, arrow key blocker, slightly larger forehead and front lip bezels, and an overhang for a distinct silhouette. We designed this around the widely available KBD67 PCB with BlueTooth, which is a 65% layout with wireless capabilities. Now I have a beautiful wood keyboard that perfectly complements my office.
Click play to hear a typing sound test.
Keyboard: Custom designed White Oak keyboard by Matthew Encina and MK Milling
Plate: ABS plate
Switches: Gazzew Boba U4T, stock
Keycaps: GMK Hennessey
Stabilizers: Durock V2 Stabilizers
Build Details: KBD67 Lite Bluetooth PCB (YD67BLE). 1900mAH battery. Force break mod.