My new favorite ALPS keyboard: focus fk-555 - Cyan Omron B3G-S series

[lumpybutt33]

Found a pretty cool keyboard this past weekend. I didnt think much of it when I pussed it out of the dump but upon further investigation Ive sort of fallen in love with it and might even make it one of my regular use keyboards on my Windows 10 machine.

Its a focus fk-555 with Cyan Omron B3G-S switches. The case and keycaps are very dirty and yellowed so I have a little bit of cleaning up to do on it but I tested it and it converts to a modern computer easily and all keys work.

Some cool observations about this keyboard after opening it up and cleaning off the dirt are;
- No external branding on the keyboard but on the inside there is a "focus" logo molded into the inside of the top of the plastic shell. Stange choice in my opinion but very cool.

- Omron branded switches read "B3G-S Japan" on the lower edge. I cant express enough how nice these switches are to type on. They are the reason for putting in the work to refurbish this keyboard in my opinion.

- Keycaps are nice and thick but not double shot. Lettering has worn off slightly on some keys. I wonder if there are any modern Alps compatible keycap sets that might work nicely on this board.

- The Space bar is a massive mofo!

- Sticker on the back plate reads "Ashman Company" No Idea what this is from but it could explain some of the interesting history of this keyboard.

More info can be found here: wiki/Focus_FK-555

Not too much left to learn about this one but I love it so I figured Id share. I highly recommend these keyboards if you can get ahold of one. I cant wait to get this one cleaned up and ready to use.

More pictures here: https://imgur.com/a/ZdvO0t8

[Myoth]

but .... they're amber ...

but .... it's a FK727 ...

[Muirium]

Omrons are boss. They are *not* Alps but they have a hell of a lot of character! Easily the chunkiest of clicks I have ever heard. They’re like mad wee staplers! One of the unsung greats.

wiki/Omron_B3G-S_series

[lumpybutt33]

but .... they're amber ...

but .... it's a FK727 ...

Sorry about that. You are correct!

[Blaise170]

There's no keysets currently manufactured to replace these with. You could do about 90% with one of Tai Hao's keysets though.

[samuelcable]

wheres the alps