Quick Look: Drop + RedSuns GMK Blue Samurai Custom Keycap Set

[VSG]

Drop has been the source for many a custom keycap set, especially those manufactured by GMK.Today, we examine the RedSuns GMK Blue Samurai custom keycap set, which comes in several kits and add-on options and, more importantly, is typically in stock for immediate purchase without a long lead time.

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[Sybaris_Caesar]

Are so many people fluent in written Japanese or it's just aesthetics of squiggly characters? I see so many people using Japanese keycap set on their custom boards at Reddit and some forums.

 

[VSG]

Are so many people fluent in written Japanese or it's just aesthetics of squiggly characters? I see so many people using Japanese keycap set on their custom boards at Reddit and some forums.

It's basically an aesthetics choice. Hiragana isn't that commonly used in Japan for text either.

 

[Chrispy_]

Sorry to hijack this review for a question, but I love the look of DROP keyboards that are covered here often, sadly they only seem to offer the undesirable US layout and don't offer other layouts.

Can anyone recommend a brand like DROP that's available in Europe with ISO/JIS layout rather than the US/ANSI layout? (that means double-height return key, two normal size keys where the long US left-shift is)

 

[NightOfChrist]

Hiragana isn't that commonly used in Japan for text either.

Huh?

Here, I write something for you using my native language:

発色自体はＡｄｏｂｅＲＧＢカバー率１００%を実現しているので、写真の編集や印刷において、より豊かな色合いで作業することができます。

Plenty of hiragana, there.
Saying Hiragana isn't that commonly used in my country for text is like saying Latin/Roman alphabet isn't that commonly used in America for text.

The correct statement would be: Hiragana-only keycaps aren't that commonly used in Japan either.

We use Latin/Roman with Hiragana or Latin/Roman with Japanese text on certain buttons like Option/Application or Alt Gr.
This is an example:

 

[VSG]

Sorry to hijack this review for a question, but I love the look of DROP keyboards that are covered here often, sadly they only seem to offer the undesirable US layout and don't offer other layouts.

Can anyone recommend a brand like DROP that's available in Europe with ISO/JIS layout rather than the US/ANSI layout? (that means double-height return key, two normal size keys where the long US left-shift is)

View attachment 218169

You are going to have to look at more boutique offerings then, unless you are okay with getting a mainstream UK ISO keyboard and then adding just a set of replacement keycaps?

Huh?

Here, I write something for you using my native language:

発色自体はＡｄｏｂｅＲＧＢカバー率１００%を実現しているので、写真の編集や印刷において、より豊かな色合いで作業することができます。

Plenty of hiragana, there.
Saying Hiragana isn't that commonly used in my country for text is like saying Latin/Roman alphabet isn't that commonly used in America for text.

The correct statement would be: Hiragana-only keycaps aren't that commonly used in Japan either.

We use Latin/Roman with Hiragana or Latin/Roman with Japanese text on certain buttons like Option/Application or Alt Gr.
This is an example:

Yup, should have meant only. Also, I suppose in that same vein of thought you might as well add Katakana but it doesn't look as cute to the global market

 

[Athlonite]

Gack thats feckin fugly

 

[Chrispy_]

unless you are okay with getting a mainstream UK ISO keyboard and then adding just a set of replacement keycaps?

Yep, I'm more than happy with a UK keyboard, might even keep the default keycaps if they're understated and classy. I'm using a Quickfire TK Stealth at the moment where the keycaps are basically blank anyway, was looking for something similar but ideally alloy deck and not the nasty soft-touch plastic that needs to be scrubbed off as it breaks down over the course of a decade.

 

[Chomiq]

Say what you want about quality control of GMK but my WoB set has this on EVERY keycap. Meanwhile a Ducky ABS horizon SA (most probably manufactured by MAXKEY) or the basic PBT set that came with my MK Typist don't have it at all.

 

[VSG]

View attachment 218172
Say what you want about quality control of GMK but my WoB set has this on EVERY keycap. Meanwhile a Ducky ABS horizon SA (most probably manufactured by MAXKEY) or the basic PBT set that came with my MK Typist don't have it at all.

It's on the side facing into the keyboard, so I wouldn't say this is really an issue. It's just where the support was for the plastic injection going into the molds.

 

[The red spirit]

発色自体はＡｄｏｂｅＲＧＢカバー率１００%を実現しているので、写真の編集や印刷において、より豊かな色合いで作業することができます。

Plenty of hiragana, there.
Saying Hiragana isn't that commonly used in my country for text is like saying Latin/Roman alphabet isn't that commonly used in America for text.

Not really the same. You can't write anything without latin alphabet in English (you can use kirilica if you want, but nobody will understand you), meanwhile hiragana is used maybe for 5-20% of all Japanese text. It's an essential component to language, but at the same time in a pinch you could just skip it and use kanji/katakana alone. Not great, but at least you can communicate somehow. IF you just try to write English in kirilica, then every Brit will think that you are either Russian or some other slav.

 

[amarthar]

It's on the side facing into the keyboard, so I wouldn't say this is really an issue. It's just where the support was for the plastic injection going into the molds.

For that price it's definitely an issue. The supports for injection molds should be on the bottom of the keycap (in the corners preferably), not on any of the sides. Cheaper sets don't have that issue, which only reinforces my opinion that GMK sets are overpriced and overhyped.

 

[terroralpha]

i didn't know TPU does keycap reviews. interesting.

View attachment 218172
Say what you want about quality control of GMK but my WoB set has this on EVERY keycap. Meanwhile a Ducky ABS horizon SA (most probably manufactured by MAXKEY) or the basic PBT set that came with my MK Typist don't have it at all.

in the keyboard community, criticizing GMK is a cardinal sin. saying GMK isn't the best in the wrong circles will have you tarred, feathered and ran out of town.

i personally have 14 GMK sets, with another 12 on order. GMK Bingsu, GMK Mizu, GMK Olivia++ and GMK Darling are my favorite sets that i own. they look amazing but I'm ONLY paying for the looks. why i have so many? because i also have some very high end keyboards that i rotate for use and keep on display. the keyboards i own cost between $300 and $800 during the group buys. some of the keyboards i own currently resell for thousands on the second hand market. so the cost of decorating the boards with perty GMK sets pales in comparison to cost of these expensive rectangles and wedges.

quality wise, Corsair and Razer keycaps cost 1/4 as much and are of equal or sometimes better quality. no injection holes, as you point out, the space bars are always perfectly straight, every legend is always perfect. with GMK, it's all a hit or miss. i once had a $135 GMK set with an unusable 7U space bar, making the whole set a useless turd. on other sets i had some legends that were either smaller or larger than they should be. another thing to consider with GMK is that they develop shine a lot faster than anything else i've ever own, even when compared to double-shot ABS sets made in china.

in regards to this set specifically, it's fugly. i wouldn't pay $20 for it because i would never consider putting this on any of the keyboards i own.