Closer Examination

As we saw before, the Ducky One 2 SF comes in a molded plastic cover and a wax paper wrap to keep it pristine and free of dust out of the box. Removing it, we get our first good look at the keyboard, and it is smaller than most keyboards owing to the adoption of the 65% form factor. Immediately, we see far fewer dedicated keys relative to a full-size 104-key US ANSI keyboard, which means there is no function key row, and past the alphanumeric section, only the Del, Pg Up, Pg Dn, and arrow keys are kept. In theory and with practice, this streamlined approach allows for a typing experience meant to retain only those keys that are used often, with layered functions for the others.

The One 2 SF adopts a similar small bezel with a barely floating keycap design as the other new One 2 keyboards from Ducky, as well as the black-and-white dual tone color scheme for the case we saw at Computex 2019. Some such adoptions went with a glossy finish on a metal case, and we instead get a matte adoption with plastic here. Company branding has only been put on the space bar key and the backside. The keyboard is predominantly black from the front thus, aside from the sole pink keycap on the enter key (which would be why we get pink replacement keycaps as accessories). The keycaps have primary legends at the top center when dedicated, and secondary legends either alongside if general or front-printed if specific to the keyboard. These front-printed legends are typically where we see the pre-programmed layered functions, including those otherwise missing as a result of the smaller form factor. The font typeface is very clean, and Ducky retains their loop-less doubleshot injection technology, which allows for the cleaner look combined with backlighting support and good build quality.


Flipping the keyboard around, we see a metal badge instead of a sticker for the certification and serial number. Four rubber pads at the corners add friction against the surface and prevent scratches. Ducky has also added keyboard feet at the top for three levels of elevation because of the two-piece feet construction. Rubber pads are on the underside of each section as well, which is nice to see. A set of four dip switches below one section allows for some very specific key layout changes we will get to in due time, and the switches are inset into the case to ensure none are toggled accidentally when moving the keyboard while it rests on a desk.


There is an inset USB Type-C port on the left side of the back, which pairs well with the provided detachable USB cable. The cable itself is braided well in all black and shorter than average at 5', which will help those looking to take the One 2 SF places. It attaches to an available USB Type A port on your PC. USB 2.0 will suffice for power and data here even with all the RGB lighting onboard, although there really is no lack of USB 3.1 Gen 1 these days.


Ducky is using the tried and tested OEM profile with their keycaps. It consists of the usual slanted rows and concave surfaces on top, as well as five instead of the usual six rows, of course. The provided keycap puller works great, having a nice base to hold and wires long enough to allow for multiple keycaps to be taken off without removing each keycap individually every time. With not just the same thick PBT plastic as the replacement keycaps throughout (average wall thickness of 1.39 mm), but also predominantly doubleshot injected legends for durability and longevity, the stock keycaps of either color are excellent. The legends on the front are laser engraved as a result of it not being economically feasible to create a new mold for doubleshot injection just for this specific keycap set, and are not backlit in contrast to those on top. But that is the only sore point in what is otherwise a really good keycap set that should last for a long time, especially as the legends on front aren't as prone to wear and tear because of the lack of exposure to finger oils when used. For what it is worth, the keycap layout is compatible with the vast majority of replacement keycaps, but this is effectively a version with one such custom set already installed, especially in conjunction with the replacement keycaps.


Ducky has always used Cherry MX switches, and that has not change here. We see Cherry MX Blue RGB switches on this particular sample, but you can also get the One 2 SF with Cherry MX Black, Brown, Red, Silver, or Silent Red RGB switches. This is an RGB keyboard with LEDs associated with each key, and the translucent switch body helps diffuse light passing through and upward. Cherry stabilizers are used on the larger keycaps, which helps with their removal for cleaning or even swapping for the included replacement keycaps. The thick PBT used does mitigate that mushy feeling associated with these stabilizers somewhat, resulting in a heavier feel that is great to type on generally.


Here is a look at the replacement keycaps in action, and I have definitely taken some liberties in using these. This is but one of many permutations you can have, but I suspect most will either go all black or have as much pink as they can, with only some in between. Regardless, it is a nice differentiator for the One 2 SF as it makes it immediately stand out from a crowd even before any backlighting effects are initiated.