Quick Look: Awekeys Full Metal Keycaps

[VSG]

Awekeys aims to take over the custom keycap market with its full metal keycap sets. Today we look at its latest "Moon Landing" series which comes in three colorways and offers a unique aesthetic and typing experience compared to typical plastic keycaps.

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[Onasi]

Pricing aside, I am not actually sure that for regular use these would be any more durable than a good set of PBT caps. Especially those that are without any fancy coating and the lettering is laser etched transparent for backlighting purposes - nothing really to wear off, unlike these. Guess it’s the matter of preference on this, but I am also not sure that I’d be keen to type and/or game on metal caps for a long term - I feel like the novelty would wear off.

 

[Chrispy_]

I'm not sure I like the finish on those at all. It's a paint that I've only seen in the UK as Hammerite, and it's a lumpy textured anti-corrosion paint that you apply mainly to rusty old iron crap to stop it rusting further.

Apart from rusty old iron crap, and the vintage stuff pictured, I associate it with ancient machine-shop tool finishes like pillar drills and 1940's lathes/cutting tools. Admittedly 'they don't build them like they used to' but it's all ancient/vintage and in stark contrast to what I'd expect for a PC keyboard

 

[VSG]

I'm not sure I like the finish on those at all. It's a paint that I've only seen in the UK as Hammerite, and it's a lumpy textured anti-corrosion paint that you apply mainly to rusty old iron crap to stop it rusting further.

View attachment 356976

Apart from rusty old iron crap, and the vintage stuff pictured, I associate it with ancient machine-shop tool finishes like pillar drills and 1940's lathes/cutting tools. Admittedly 'they don't build them like they used to' but it's all ancient/vintage and in stark contrast to what I'd expect for a PC keyboard

It doesn't feel as pronounced as Hammerite btw.

 

[wheresmycar]

I've never got into the key-cap swap game. I just buy a relatively well-reviewed keyboard and stick with its stock configuration. One of these days i might have a crack at some of the 1000's of options available, maybe even some metal caps. Well we'll have to weigh in the weight + whether winter-cold caps will maintain the same level of comfort.

 

[NoneRain]

I'm not sure I like the finish on those at all. It's a paint that I've only seen in the UK as Hammerite, and it's a lumpy textured anti-corrosion paint that you apply mainly to rusty old iron crap to stop it rusting further.
View attachment 356976
Apart from rusty old iron crap, and the vintage stuff pictured, I associate it with ancient machine-shop tool finishes like pillar drills and 1940's lathes/cutting tools. Admittedly 'they don't build them like they used to' but it's all ancient/vintage and in stark contrast to what I'd expect for a PC keyboard

The first thing that come to mind was this exact "texture" of paint on old rough metal, but looking again, it does look like the keycaps were made of stone....
So, basically:
- looks like old -ss iron paint
- looks like Flintstones' keyboard

 

[bug]

You'd be hard pressed to find key caps that look any uglier on an otherwise plasticky keyboard. And I have a feeling they're not feeling at home on one of those metal plate keyboards either. All for the low, low price of 2-3 top-shelf keyboards.

 

[Solaris17]

unpopular opinion I guess, but those blue ones actually look kinda sick.

 

[bug]

unpopular opinion I guess, but those blue ones actually look kinda sick.

The caps themselves, yes. It's the finished product that looks fugly.

 

[phanbuey]

The sound of that spacebar would make me lose my mind.

for $300 no thanks.

I've tried glass and wood keycaps and honestly plastic is still my favorite.

 

[VSG]

The sound of that spacebar would make me lose my mind.

for $300 no thanks.

I've tried glass and wood keycaps and honestly plastic is still my favorite.

The space bar was still the stock keycap as mentioned in the article.

 

[phanbuey]

The space bar was still the stock keycap as mentioned in the article.

Was that the random metallic ping in the audio files?

 

[Eskimonster]

Maybe after i´m retiring my K100 rgb air wireless, ill try some custom keycap project that is.

 

[LocutusH]

Looks like "zamak". Or spiater, whatever this is called in your country.
Its an aluminium-zinc blend, with maybe some copper.
This was widely used for the cheapest products back then, which have zero to none stress. It is cheap, and and the easiest to pour. Probably even less durable than PBT.

 

[VSG]

Was that the random metallic ping in the audio files?

Yes

Looks like "zamak". Or spiater, whatever this is called in your country.
Its an aluminium-zinc blend, with maybe some copper.
This was widely used for the cheapest products back then, which have zero to none stress. It is cheap, and and the easiest to pour. Probably even less durable than PBT.

Literally says cupronickel in the article.

 

[TheDeeGee]

With how light i have my spring setup (50g bottoming out) these would never work on my end

 

[bug]

Looks like "zamak". Or spiater, whatever this is called in your country.
Its an aluminium-zinc blend, with maybe some copper.
This was widely used for the cheapest products back then, which have zero to none stress. It is cheap, and and the easiest to pour. Probably even less durable than PBT.

Literally says cupronickel in the article.

So they made the aluminum out of copper and the zinc out of nickel. I see no contradiction here

 

[Chrispy_]

Literally says cupronickel in the article.

Probably chosen for saltwater corrosion resistance again salt since human skin oils and sweat are corrosively salty.

corrosion resistance again salt since human skin

Wow, I just proofread that. I'll leave it for entertainment value.

PS.
Bames Nond's having a stronk, send a Bondulance!

 

[Gmr_Chick]

I've never got into the key-cap swap game. I just buy a relatively well-reviewed keyboard and stick with its stock configuration. One of these days i might have a crack at some of the 1000's of options available, maybe even some metal caps. Well we'll have to weigh in the weight + whether winter-cold caps will maintain the same level of comfort.

Be warned that, once you do get into the key cap swap game, it'll be hard to stop! I say this as a keycap swap addict

 

[bug]

Be warned that, once you do get into the key cap swap game, it'll be hard to stop! I say this as a keycap swap addict

And your friends and family didn't care enough to stage an intervention? Bastards!

 

[wheresmycar]

Be warned that, once you do get into the key cap swap game, it'll be hard to stop! I say this as a keycap swap addict

uh oh, maybe not the best fit for me. I've already got a bunch of uncontrollable cravings and an impulsively trigger happy "buy" finger which gets the better of me (or maybe therapy is in order).

 

[AnarchoPrimitiv]

I want a set of keycaps CNC milled out of a solid block of M42 Cobalt Alloy

 

[529th]

I would never buy metal keycaps for a keyboard. Some ideas however novel they may seem can be dumb and impractical.