deskthority

I came from the exact opposite direction to Wobbled. I had an IBM Model F XT (great feel, awful layout) before I got my hands on a Topre. I tried making my own layers with the IBM, which was my first and only mech for quite a while. Once I tried 002’s touring Realforce, I knew Topre was my sweet spot. I started saving pennies for an HHKB right then, which he also helped me import, as Topre/PFU didn’t even sell keyboards in Europe all the way back in those days. Topre’s are plentiful and no more expensive now! And I owe mine to DT’s gentleman of Topre: 002.

Anyway, as I had time to prepare, I decided to train for the HHKB function layout using my XT. It has a short Right Shift with a key in the HHKB’s Fn spot. Soarer’s converter made it into my HHKB trainer and I used it like that for months. When the HHKB came, I was already 100% adapted to its layout. Beaut!

I got my Kishsaver right around then as well. (It was cheaper, ah the days!) So much better designed than the XT, I opened it up and swapped it to the HHKB layout I knew I preferred. Once Xwhatsit made and shipped me his prototype F controller, I installed it immediately and gave the Kishsaver the exact same layout. Boom! My two top boards, mapped the same, and running from the very same muscle memory!

So I went from F to Topre to F again, all HHKB style. And I never felt the slightest temptation to sell my HHKB or my Kishsaver. Did ultimately sell the XT though, years later, for more money than I bought the Kishy: a fair rate by the time.

Edit:
Here’s the first time I ever mentioned HHKB on the forum, all of a mere 9 years ago. As I put it then:

Muirium wrote: ↑

26 Mar 2013, 22:39

I want to get something I've a fighting chance of loving for the long haul. And while I came here in search of MX-Blues, the more I've delved into the details, the more I'm liking the HHKB.

Unlike Stalast, for me less is most definitely more. The HHKB has really caught my eye with its thoughtful layout and mesmerising all-white style. Minimalism, stark and brutal! … Even the arrow keys, via function layer, look to make sense to me. Yes, I'm in self-salesman mode, evidently.

Just a pity it's not Bluetooth.

Hasu fixed that years before Topre did, themselves. Now there’s no excuses!

Well, like it or not, either way, I decided that I will keep one HHKB.
I will keep it topre, I mean I won't be swapping sliders to mx. Will only use it with stock caps or Hi Pro.
I may open it some time in the future and lube it and swap domes with 60g carrot deskeys.
That's it.

I managed to grab a 87u for a 100 quid!
Sweeeeet. I think I will get carrot domes for it.

EDIT: Holy Moly, I just grabbed another HHKB Hybrid for 100! Topre Christmas for me

He's a madman! This was supposed to be a HHKB sales thread

Go-Kart wrote: ↑

09 Jun 2022, 05:40

He's a madman! This was supposed to be a HHKB sales thread

I know
Ended up being HHKB relationship diary

I may ask mods to move it to Keyboards section.

DT: where people come to buy HHKBs, whether they intend to or not!

£100 ain’t bad at all. Thought my 130 black Pro 2 was a steal. Nicely done.

Muirium wrote: ↑

09 Jun 2022, 17:05

DT: where people come to buy HHKBs, whether they intend to or not!

£100 ain’t bad at all. Thought my 130 black Pro 2 was a steal. Nicely done.

I doubt I'll ever find a better deal

Novatouch: 70.
Adequate sliders, dampers and caps: a wee bit more…

Good project tho

It certainly was a good project Deskey sliders
Deskey number 4 rings
Mt3 caps
Lubed
Mudkipped escape key

Yeah, I had few Novatouches bought in the past for this kinda amount. At some point good deals were all over the place, before these boards become rarity

When one just simply doesn't cut it


So this is my new Realforce collection
87u is variable weight, so I will buy and swap domes with deskeys carrots 60g, to make it feel like stock 55g.
I will also lube rails with 205g0, very thin layer, hopefully will make it feel better.

I think I will lube hhkb as well.


Fun fact: did you know that when Realforce 87u doesn't work under Windows 10 you need to switch on dip 4?
I did not. Spent like 30 minutes to make it work and really thought it was dead

One is never enough!

I'd love to find a classic for pro 2 prices, I need a board to go into the heavy grail case when it arrives and I really want to keep my hybrid in tact as a bluetooth board.

wobbled wrote: ↑

10 Jun 2022, 22:46

One is never enough!

I'd love to find a classic for pro 2 prices, I need a board to go into the heavy grail case when it arrives and I really want to keep my hybrid in tact as a bluetooth board.

Yeah, well I will be returning Classic one as I cannot afford two HHKBs, but Hybrid was so cheap that I will keep it and lube at some point soon.

Ordered some carrots for my 87u:)

Look at that - like perfect HHKB substitute

phinix wrote: ↑

23 Jul 2022, 16:55

Ordered some carrots for my 87u:)

20220723_155020.jpg

I have now modded my 87u with those carrots.

Pulled out that variable domes sheet form it and was pretty surprised that its actual a whole sheet.
They must be manufacturing it in one sheet!



Is it even possible?

I'm starting to think it was just 45g sheet in variable cover...
How to test it? coins?

phinix wrote: ↑

25 Jul 2022, 09:51

perfect HHKB substitute

phinix wrote: ↑

25 Jul 2022, 09:53

Is it even possible?

No. It's not.

As for the domes: seems likely they're a uniform weighted sheet. Has someone been modding that Realforce ahead of you? Are you sure they're even Topre?

I'd guess it is possible to manufacture multiple weights on the same sheet—assuming the domes are different thicknesses of rubber poured into a mould, rather than different compounds—but doesn't seem like a Topre move. They're forever putting little bits and pieces inside of their keyboards, even uniform weighted-single layout HHKBs!

Muirium wrote: ↑

25 Jul 2022, 11:04

phinix wrote: ↑

25 Jul 2022, 09:51

perfect HHKB substitute

phinix wrote: ↑

25 Jul 2022, 09:53

Is it even possible?

No. It's not.

As for the domes: seems likely they're a uniform weighted sheet. Has someone been modding that Realforce ahead of you? Are you sure they're even Topre?

I'd guess it is possible to manufacture multiple weights on the same sheet—assuming the domes are different thicknesses of rubber poured into a mould, rather than different compounds—but doesn't seem like a Topre move. They're forever putting little bits and pieces inside of their keyboards, even uniform weighted-single layout HHKBs!

I think this is uniform 45g. It didn't feel like different for some clusters. Yeah, difinitely topre.
Plus plate was black - I think some asshole who had it before swapped the internals - variable white case and caps, 45g black internals. Then I bought it as variable...

EDIT: Yep, confirmed - I tested it with coins, and same amount of coins is needed to press those domes, so its uniform 45g.
Same amount that needed on my other 45g Topre.

Those carrots are amazing! Feeling when typing on those is so nice, better than original 55g.
I love it.

So those kbdfans Hi Pro keycaps came in, nice feeling and looks.

phinix wrote: ↑

30 Oct 2022, 01:41

So those kbdfans Hi Pro keycaps came in, nice feeling and looks.

Nice! Are they thin or thick PBT? They aren't in stock anywhere and only available aftermarket, right?

How are the newer kbdfans hipros? I tried their first batch and wasn't a fan.
Opted for some resin hipros instead

LeCado wrote: ↑

30 Oct 2022, 12:18

phinix wrote: ↑

30 Oct 2022, 01:41

So those kbdfans Hi Pro keycaps came in, nice feeling and looks.

Nice! Are they thin or thick PBT? They aren't in stock anywhere and only available aftermarket, right?

Thick, really thick
Yeah, they just disappeared from everywhere.
Only way to get them is aftermarket, reddit or ebay I guess.

wobbled wrote: ↑

30 Oct 2022, 12:19

How are the newer kbdfans hipros? I tried their first batch and wasn't a fan.
Opted for some resin hipros instead
4D4B5225-5D83-4521-8741-E18D864BAF54.jpeg

They feel and sound like MT3 I would say, really nice. I think being so thick helps to get that effect.
However, dish is less pronounced than MT3, if you know what I mean.
MT3 have sharp top edges, these are rounded, less dented.
I actually prefer these Hi Pro than MT3!
That Petscii symbols are cool