SSK - 8 months on and still in love
- ShivaYash
- Location: de
- Main keyboard: HHKB Pro 2 BT
- Main mouse: CH Products Trackball Pro
- Favorite switch: Topre
- DT Pro Member: -
Hands down this is the best keyboard ever made. I've moving to Australia for five months and seriously thinking of packing this in my suitcase to hook up with my MBA. I have a HHKB Pro 2 but... I can't be without the SSK.
Thoughts?
Thoughts?
- ShivaYash
- Location: de
- Main keyboard: HHKB Pro 2 BT
- Main mouse: CH Products Trackball Pro
- Favorite switch: Topre
- DT Pro Member: -
Thank you. It's a wonderful thing from 1987 and rather special and customised for my needs. Sure it has some battle scars and is not bolt modded but it does not need it I think. It's lost a few rivets but all the keys are super smooth. It's taken a while to get to this stage and lots of cleaning but it's my daily driver now. My HHKB is my travel board and I suspect I've got to make it my daily driver during my time in Australia. First world problems heh?harlw wrote:Gorgeous board!
- idollar
- i$
- Location: Germany (Frankfurt area)
- Main keyboard: IBM F or M
- Favorite switch: BS
- DT Pro Member: -
I like your mont blanc meisterstuck.
I do not understand how people can type in a desk without a proper place to let their pens rest
I am with you, my pens deserve at lease an SSK
Good choice.
I do not understand how people can type in a desk without a proper place to let their pens rest
I am with you, my pens deserve at lease an SSK
Good choice.
- POTV
- Location: Denmark
- Main keyboard: IBM Model M SSK
- Main mouse: Logitech Performance Mouse MX
- Favorite switch: Buckling Spring
- DT Pro Member: -
I very much agree with you, ShivaYash. I bought several IBM Model M's, before I discovered the SSK. Now I have 3 SSK's from 1987.
The SSK is perhaps not the most stylish, but as a writing tool it´s close to perfect: Solid, compact and with a great clicky feeling. I think I one day should be trying the Matias Mini Quiet Pro. But I don't like the arrow keys layout. So I´ll probably stick to my SSK´s.
The SSK is perhaps not the most stylish, but as a writing tool it´s close to perfect: Solid, compact and with a great clicky feeling. I think I one day should be trying the Matias Mini Quiet Pro. But I don't like the arrow keys layout. So I´ll probably stick to my SSK´s.
- Madhias
- BS TORPE
- Location: Wien, Austria
- Main keyboard: HHKB
- Main mouse: Wacom tablet
- Favorite switch: Topre and Buckelings
- DT Pro Member: 0064
- Contact:
Great desk! I really like that used wood. I am also loving my SSK, it has a normal layout, a nice click, and can be repaired!
- ShivaYash
- Location: de
- Main keyboard: HHKB Pro 2 BT
- Main mouse: CH Products Trackball Pro
- Favorite switch: Topre
- DT Pro Member: -
with 30 kgs each + two babies, and travelling for five months, my wife will issue me with a divorce if she see's this in my suitcase! alas... I will have to find a SSK in Australia.
- Muirium
- µ
- Location: Edinburgh, Scotland
- Main keyboard: HHKB Type-S with Bluetooth by Hasu
- Main mouse: Apple Magic Mouse
- Favorite switch: Gotta Try 'Em All
- DT Pro Member: µ
Take the HHKB. It's the better travel board. If you were talking about a Kishsaver, I could understand. Those are eternal classics, and damn hard to find. Of course, the little board is 3 kg naked so you'd still be in trouble for travelling!
- sz42
- Location: Canada
- Main keyboard: MBA @ work / QFR-i Blue @ home
- Main mouse: Logitech B100
- Favorite switch: Cherry MX Blue
- DT Pro Member: -
5 months would be a long time to be away from essentials like a good, comfortable keyboard... Especially, a keyboard that is a joy to use and look at, as yours clearly is. However, it sounds like you also have an easy choice and don't need to concern yourself with shelling out for a new HHKB or wife.
I have used the Macbook Air's built-in keyboard almost daily for over 3 years now since I didn't know any better (and because the stock Mac keyboard never worked properly). It was only very recently that I acquired my first mechanical keyboard at home; It's just a tad too noisy for work (Cherry MX Blues) and, because I am still very new to this keyboard hobby, am still *dangerously* short of nice keyboards.
You've got me seriously thinking about my travel keyboard options now though so, good job, thanks.
I have used the Macbook Air's built-in keyboard almost daily for over 3 years now since I didn't know any better (and because the stock Mac keyboard never worked properly). It was only very recently that I acquired my first mechanical keyboard at home; It's just a tad too noisy for work (Cherry MX Blues) and, because I am still very new to this keyboard hobby, am still *dangerously* short of nice keyboards.
You've got me seriously thinking about my travel keyboard options now though so, good job, thanks.
- darkspider
- Location: Tokyo, Japan
- Main keyboard: IBM Model F84
- Main mouse: Kensington Expert Mouse 7
- Favorite switch: Buckling spring
- DT Pro Member: -
It totally must be a great board, and I've wanted one for a long time. But it's too expensive on e-bay.
Hmm, I'm envious. Love it forever.
Hmm, I'm envious. Love it forever.
- ShivaYash
- Location: de
- Main keyboard: HHKB Pro 2 BT
- Main mouse: CH Products Trackball Pro
- Favorite switch: Topre
- DT Pro Member: -
HHKB Pro2.sz42 wrote:5 months would be a long time to be away from essentials like a good, comfortable keyboard... Especially, a keyboard that is a joy to use and look at, as yours clearly is. However, it sounds like you also have an easy choice and don't need to concern yourself with shelling out for a new HHKB or wife.
I have used the Macbook Air's built-in keyboard almost daily for over 3 years now since I didn't know any better (and because the stock Mac keyboard never worked properly). It was only very recently that I acquired my first mechanical keyboard at home; It's just a tad too noisy for work (Cherry MX Blues) and, because I am still very new to this keyboard hobby, am still *dangerously* short of nice keyboards.
You've got me seriously thinking about my travel keyboard options now though so, good job, thanks.
- Hypersphere
- Location: USA
- Main keyboard: Silenced & Lubed HHKB (Black)
- Main mouse: Logitech G403
- Favorite switch: Topre 45/55g Silenced; Various Alps; IBM Model F
- DT Pro Member: 0038
The SSK is a beautiful and highly functional board. However, since using the HHKB Pro 2, I remap all my keyboards to a HHKB layout, so that the extra keys on a TKL board like the SSK end up being wasted. Five months will fly by quickly, and travel is less of a hassle if you travel light. Therefore, for choosing a travel board, go with the HHKB Pro 2.
- ShivaYash
- Location: de
- Main keyboard: HHKB Pro 2 BT
- Main mouse: CH Products Trackball Pro
- Favorite switch: Topre
- DT Pro Member: -
You are right. Although I won't be travelling with the board, just setting up a new office for 4 months. But the HHKB will make me look less like a geek and be quieter should I be sharing the space.Hypersphere wrote:The SSK is a beautiful and highly functional board. However, since using the HHKB Pro 2, I remap all my keyboards to a HHKB layout, so that the extra keys on a TKL board like the SSK end up being wasted. Five months will fly by quickly, and travel is less of a hassle if you travel light. Therefore, for choosing a travel board, go with the HHKB Pro 2.
- seebart
- Offtopicthority Instigator
- Location: Germany
- Main keyboard: Rotation
- Main mouse: Steelseries Sensei
- Favorite switch: IBM capacitive buckling spring
- DT Pro Member: 0061
- Contact:
Quieter yes, less geek no.
- Hypersphere
- Location: USA
- Main keyboard: Silenced & Lubed HHKB (Black)
- Main mouse: Logitech G403
- Favorite switch: Topre 45/55g Silenced; Various Alps; IBM Model F
- DT Pro Member: 0038
+1 !seebart wrote: ↑Quieter yes, less geek no.
- Khers
- ⧓
- Location: Sweden
- Main keyboard: LZ CLSh
- Main mouse: Logitech MX Ergo
- Favorite switch: Buckling Springs | Topre | Nixdorf Black
- DT Pro Member: 0087
Additionally, while the HHKB (especially in black) looks considerably more mainstream than an SSK, it still can't quite pull off looking like an apple wireless keyboard, can it. One of the first things to come out of people visiting my office for the first time are comments regarding my HHKB. Almost never fails. At the same time, no one ever asks my colleague, with whom I share office, any questions about his apple keyboard.
- ShivaYash
- Location: de
- Main keyboard: HHKB Pro 2 BT
- Main mouse: CH Products Trackball Pro
- Favorite switch: Topre
- DT Pro Member: -
I picked up an ISO full size model M earlier this week and have been using it since. Its a 1990 model with intact rivets. Dare I say this... but I prefer it to the SSK. I think it is because the SSK has had a harder life, broken rivets. The newer board feels so light and has a different audible note, you'd think they were not related! Also, I have forgotten how good ISO layout is. #delighted
- seebart
- Offtopicthority Instigator
- Location: Germany
- Main keyboard: Rotation
- Main mouse: Steelseries Sensei
- Favorite switch: IBM capacitive buckling spring
- DT Pro Member: 0061
- Contact:
Yes they are. But the early square label M's feel slightly different due to better build quality.
- ShivaYash
- Location: de
- Main keyboard: HHKB Pro 2 BT
- Main mouse: CH Products Trackball Pro
- Favorite switch: Topre
- DT Pro Member: -
Ah. How do you tell? The ssk is a '87 model made in the USA with black/ grey label. The full size is a '90 made in the UK.seebart wrote:Yes they are. But the early square label M's feel slightly different due to better build quality.
- seebart
- Offtopicthority Instigator
- Location: Germany
- Main keyboard: Rotation
- Main mouse: Steelseries Sensei
- Favorite switch: IBM capacitive buckling spring
- DT Pro Member: 0061
- Contact:
Weigh them. The early ones are heavier.
- HAL
- Location: Vienna, Austria
- Main keyboard: IBM Model F (Unsaver)
- Main mouse: Logitech MX Laser / MX 518
- Favorite switch: Buckling Spring
- DT Pro Member: 0025
- Contact:
1993 industrial SSK ~1650g
- HAL
- Location: Vienna, Austria
- Main keyboard: IBM Model F (Unsaver)
- Main mouse: Logitech MX Laser / MX 518
- Favorite switch: Buckling Spring
- DT Pro Member: 0025
- Contact:
1989 SSK ~1770g
- Redmaus
- Gotta start somewhere
- Location: Near Dallas, Texas
- Main keyboard: Unsaver | 3276 | Kingsaver
- Main mouse: Kensington Slimblade
- Favorite switch: Capacitative Buckling Spring
- DT Pro Member: -
- Contact:
What makes them heavier?
- Muirium
- µ
- Location: Edinburgh, Scotland
- Main keyboard: HHKB Type-S with Bluetooth by Hasu
- Main mouse: Apple Magic Mouse
- Favorite switch: Gotta Try 'Em All
- DT Pro Member: µ
IBM was in the business of cost cutting these boards over the years, so yes. The Model M is a cheaper implementation of buckling spring than the Model F that came before it. They put less dye on the caps (stronger, deeper, bolder legends on older Ms and the Fs, which took more hours in the dye sub oven), and they were up to corner cutting tricks everywhere they could find them.
It's the small things, that add up.
It's the small things, that add up.
- clickykeyboards
- Main keyboard: 1395682
- Favorite switch: buckling spring
- DT Pro Member: 0233
- Contact:
Comparison of Model M keyboard weights (1986 - 2003)
http://www.clickeykeyboards.com/model-m ... 1986-2003/