Are Novelkey Creams Worth it?

[@coleydotmp4]

Quick comment - I think creams are worth it for a few types of people: 1. Those who already own creams (might as well make them better, they arent bad if you put in the work) 2. Those who want to use them for franken switches (creams are used in a few top tier frankenswitches) 3. People who really like the deeper sound profile and prioritize sound over feel. But tbh I would get the gateron CJ, lube with krytox 205g0, and youll have a smoother AND deeper switch. Maybe ill make a video of that in the future...

[@lmarcii]

for 2. Use kailh red or black stem instead, basically the same and a lot cheaper

[@makmakg242]

Whats your thoughts about KTT Kang White?

[@qscorner]

you can just buy them broken in already from RNDKBD (Whipped Creams - 320K actuations) - yes they are more expensive than the other options you mentioned (all which are good switches to try if you don't want the creams).

[@QuickE23]

Or u can get nk cream dream with are ado broken in

[@iamsenny]

I happen to acquire these nk creams from a kb it came with and man it quickly became my daily driver. Found out that they were already broken in for 1 year so maybe that's why they're so nice to type on. Maybe I can describe it as a memory foam pillow? not too light that if you rest your hands on the board it will register and not too heavy that will tire your fingers out for your daily work. I also got 1 that's completely stock and I agree that it feels like sandpaper on fingers. Coming from tactile switches, these seems to be the perfect linear for me. Glad I found your vid. Subbed! will keep on a look out for your vid contents.

[@coleydotmp4]

I appreciate it! Wow you lucked out with the already broken in creams. I agree that these things can be whipped into shape (broken in creams are actually called whipped creams haha). There's a reason I still use mine - they sound fantastic. Being a tactile user, it makes sense that you'd be into a heavier linear. thanks for the sub :)

[@FinnTecKeyboards]

Thank you for making this video! I am so happy that you tell the truth about these switches! Also for making the switch recommendations, I 100% agree with all of them (waterkings on top tho😀)

[@coleydotmp4]

Haha you're welcome! someone had to say it. Tbh there are even more linears now that I could add to the list. Akko jelly blacks, Gateron CJs (and oil kings), Tecsee Ice candies, etc. The switch market really exploded.

[@tsenohebot4853]

My first board i used Lubed NK creams and haven't looked at any other switch ever since, once broken in, these are the best imo if you want something for typing and gaming with a bit of feedback, give these a go and break them in proper, trust me you won't regret it.

[@vmiget01]

the gateron milky yellow PRO are the best deep (thock) stock linears i have tried. they are about the same price as the milky yellows, but dont require lube + film. they do sound better when lubed, but its not needed.

[@medi6892]

Dirt cheap as well

[@analogico3615]

this review is a 10/10, nice video!!

[@coleydotmp4]

Thanks so much! :)

[@strange_jason]

A missed opportunity to place that out of the box cream in F ;) I discovered your channel when researching AKKO keycaps and I'm glad I found it. Your vids are great and very well produced, you've definitely got a sub from me

[@coleydotmp4]

Ha! I should've done that. F's in the chat for everyone whose had to break in creams. Thanks for coming back, i appreciate the compliments so much! :)

[@P37_28]

I finally got the courage to use my creams-and after 3 months of using it everyday, it improved so much from when I used it stock. How much different you may ask, night and day. But I donut dipped and lubed the switch leaf after 2 weeks of using because I cannot take the pings and it is now a dream to type on. It's getting better everyday. I think I will only begin lubing at the end of 2022 (that will be enough time for me to break it in naturally....), or maybe not.

[@ainzh4216]

I just got them in, and put them in my tofu60. They have horrendous spring sound (at least my batch) and are very scratchy, but oddly enough, I absolutely love the sound. So I think I'll try breaking these in for a while longer, and hope they'll turn out to be better switches than my initial thoughts.

[@coleydotmp4]

the redeeming quality about creams is they can only go uphill from when you get them. They'll only get better. They will never be 100% smooth, but they will absolutely improve. Are you planing on lubing them?

[@ainzh4216]

@@coleydotmp4 I already spring lubed them! I'd say, it took about 20% of the initial scratchiness away, and the horrible spring pinging. but I'm gonna wait until they're quite broken in before lubing them. Can't wait until they're properly broken in. And something about the scratchiness is satisfying in it's own way but I still prefer smoothness over scratch.

[@coleydotmp4]

@@ainzh4216 Spring lubing is great, also recommend a donut dip on each spring when you go back and fully lube them. I think you'll really like the way they sound and feel after that. I do have v1 creams, so luckily I'm gonna use these for frankenswitching. Got a batch of Gat browns in a keychron I just bought, so I'm gonna make some creamerons!

[@ainzh4216]

@@coleydotmp4 nice :) I have no clue what version creams I got, they're still scratchy as hell but hopefully they'll be better in the near future, otherwise I'm just gonna get some alpacas lol

[@ainzh4216]

@@coleydotmp4 Yo I just compared my ""broken in"" creams (5 days lol) to my unused ones, and it's a world of difference. The feel and sound are way less scratchy now, but I will use them for a while longer to see just how much better they can get by simply typing on them daily

[@J7T800]

The best way I can describe Creams is to compare them to a starter Pokémon evolution. Once you put in the effort of "levelling up" it just gets better from there.

[@brittle1]

just bought these on a whim and to match my beige d65, not knowing anything about these switches. now I wish I came across your video first xd

[@zyxify9429]

thank you.

[@wardope]

The one and only switch I use. In all my builds lately. Is the infamous SS tier kalih box jade!

[@coleydotmp4]

Cant go wrong with a box jade. Click away!!!

[@naythn3244]

Finally, a fellow cream enjoyer

[@george8920]

I don't know if Novelkeys has changed anything in their moulds but I just got some creams a week ago and there is no scratchiness in mine at all - I've got Tealios lubed with 3204 so I have a reference for smoothness - after lubing the creams they are close to the Tealios in smoothness but far superior in feel and sound - Switches are a personal preference - I've read a few negative reviews regarding the creams but after using these I'm convinced that they are amazing switches with superior build quality to anything I've had before - IMHO they are worth the money and with a bit of effort ( lubing ) they are amazing !!

[@coleydotmp4]

Interesting anecdote! I am talking about v1 creams in this video, so it would make sense that after 2-3 years, they've improved it.

[@aarontimm]

I have ink yellows but I forgot that they have a shorter travel distance than every other ink, but they're still fantastic switches, and I don't have the budget to replace them all with black inks, especially with Christmas right around the corner

[@coleydotmp4]

You might actually like the Gateron CJ's over the ink blacks. Same stem length, but with tighter housing, smoother stock, and they're cheaper at roughly .65c per switch!

[@aarontimm]

@@coleydotmp4 I'll get some to try out, thank you 😊

[@BennieDuck]

thanks for the super informative video!

[@EasonTek]

great editing and video, My picks for cream alternatives would be: Durock L's Alpaca V2 Gat Milky Yellows C3 Tangerines Aqua Kings

[@woahblow4127]

Mystery bag is the best switch value in the world

[@Zeioth]

For me the most important thing is the materials. Yellow milky are nylon, and very cheap so. You have a gazillion of different yellow gaterons, but I'd say all of them is good. Personally I'd say, stay away from the regular ones/cap v1 (bit scratchy), and the cap v2 (as good as regular milky but you cannot mod them because they are super alien on the inside).

[@bins1]

For the Gateron Milky Yellows, it is much better to get the Pro version of these switches or the new Gateron X. The Pros are almost the same price as the standard milky yellows but smoother. As for Gat X, they are as smooth and expensive as the Alpacas (Gat X are relatively new and i havent tried them so i maybe a bit biased here)

[@coleydotmp4]

Great point. The pro versions of the milky yellows have reduced stem wobble also. Didn't know they were a thing but would've included them here!

[@pjk-ch]

I have the Aqua King! Stock has a very soul-piercing topping out sound, but after LIGHTLY lubing the stems with 203, they sound very nice and creamy on my GMMK Pro! 205 is too thick since the Aqua King has such a tight tolerance the 205 creates too much drag.

[@LongNguyen-ii1zu]

we here in vietnam have break in machine and service, break in machine cost about 25$, the service cost per switch is 0.5 cent per switch lol

[@p0keyy]

Time to break in two switches by playing osu lol Hope new people arent misled now with all the options these days Good vid

[@jammies701]

Fantastic video! Love the style Are the Gazzew Boba LT really that bad? I keep being surprised to see them not included on linear lists, especially this one where one of the switches was one you haven’t tried along with the U4T being recommended for a tactile

[@coleydotmp4]

they arent terrible from what i've heard, just no one's really talking about them. all i know about them is that they are really deep sounding. but i would look up some reviews. This is also a really old video, haha. kinda outdated opinions here

[@jammies701]

@@coleydotmp4 ahh true, I’ve had trouble finding any real opinions on them, always surprising considering the U4T popularity. I actually have them and really like them, but I’d rather hear other opinions on them And true! It’s a little old, but I’ve been working my way through your videos randomly

[@coleydotmp4]

@@jammies701 interesting! you could check out theramin goat's scorecard for them. but yeah! thanks for watching :) more to come

[@jammies701]

@@coleydotmp4 I don’t believe they have one, which is also quite surprising I look forward to it!

[@fiz1018]

wich in terms of thack is better the marshmallows or the crystal iceberg

[@Haru_no_ki]

I dont know if a noob will get creams. Most of them start with cheaper alternatives, like gat milky yellows. They are so good in general, and hard to beat for the price and sound when lubbed, and you dont need a break in period. Idk what the pro milkys are, but they should be even with the creams

[@coleydotmp4]

You'd be surprised, because they are used in a couple of viral builds like Tfue's, they're incredibly popular and still get a lot of love, especially from new people. I agree, gateron milky or cap yellows are soooo much better in value and quality!

[@Oroshamo]

I legit bought the creams because people kept connecting them to coffee, and I love coffee

[@coleydotmp4]

haha I love coffee too. I bought the creams to match my retro SA keycaps (Cream-theme I called it). and because the consensus was they were god tier lol.

[@BennieDuck]

i count this as a challenge

[@sabrinav]

Nk silks are smoooooth.

[@TheVillainOfTheYear]

This video was excellent! Thank you for making it! I am just getting into custom keyboard builds and was considering tactile creams. I was watching some videos on them and I couldn't help but admit that these seriously hyped and well-marketed switches sounded really scratchy. Then I saw your video and everything made sense! Could you please recommend a switch for me? I'm looking for a very smooth tactile switch. "Thocky," is good, but I don't necessarily need a very deep tone and wouldn't mind something between a thock and a clack (though I know the rest of the board has something to do with that). The Boba U4T's sound interesting, but I would really like a switch that has a very heavy actuation force and then gets a bit lighter. I'm looking to have more control over knowing when a switch has actuated by touch. I also have a very heavy touch, and my fingers really do "stab," the keyboard. Thanks so much in advance!

[@coleydotmp4]

I'm glad my video helped! For your switch dilemma - I think what you're describing is wanting a sharp/pronounced tactile bump. The way switches work with their springs, you might not be able to find something that becomes lighter the further down it is pressed. The only thing i can think of is a sharp bump with a heavy spring weight - that might get you close to the feel you're looking for. For that, I may suggest the bob U4T 68g variant, or to spring swap them with a heavier spring weight if that isnt enough for you. Since you'll want a sharp bump (as opposed to rounded), i wouldnt consider holy pandas or glorious pandas. Similar to the bobas would also be the Durock Sunflower POM T1 Tactile(known to be smoother than Bobas, just as tactile), If you're ok spending more I would go with these. Neopolitans could be good too but are scratchier than the sunflowers. Again, you may want to spring swap in something that works for you. And of course, lube the rails (avoid legs at all costs) and springs if you're looking for smoothness. That being said - absolutely avoid the cream tactiles. Avoid browns. I hope that helped!!

[@TheVillainOfTheYear]

@@coleydotmp4 thanks so much!! What do you think of Everglide Dark Jades?

[@coleydotmp4]

@@TheVillainOfTheYear They are good but kinda similar to holy pandas, so it wont be as snappy and sharp of a bump. They're also on the pricier side.. cheaper than a holy panda tho so i'd say they are good alternative to those. Not entirely sure if it's what you're looking for. I'd go with the sunflowers if i were you, or lubed bobas

[@TheVillainOfTheYear]

@@coleydotmp4 thanks again! I really want a really sharp, heavy bump at the top of the press. I'll check out the sunflowers!

[@coleydotmp4]

@@TheVillainOfTheYear Awesome :) let me know how they are!!

[@evertonc1448]

For all the third world duelers out there (specially if you're in Brazil living the BRL massacre): the Akko CS Matcha Green will probably be the best thing out there you will be able to get without blowing your entire months' salary. For that price, it's definitely the best bang for buck you will find. And the best of all: you can get them straight from alliexpress and avoid taxes like a boss.

[@coleydotmp4]

True. I have 2 boxed of akko CS lavenders coming in as well, which are also an affordable tactile by Akko. I'll let you all know how they are :)

[@randomguy1714]

@@coleydotmp4 I have the Akko lavenders and they are really nice! Planning to lube them now and I really like them btw your videos are amazing ;)

[@khoinguyen-cc3mo]

Heard that the switch has spring crunch, is it true? And if it is, which spring should i change to? (Supreme, slow extreme I/II/III, progressive, double/ triple stage, etc...)

[@jjwilson6434]

I was looking to buy nk creams! I actually have the kbd fans lite r3 coming as well. The main reason for the nk creams as they’re okay to get in the UK compared to other switches! In some weird way, I’m willing to put in the effort to break them in over the next couple of months, before I lube them etc. After they’re broken in and lubed, how do you rate them? My usage would be mostly for work and then for gaming as well! I was tempted to get the ink v2, but aesthetically they look a tad boring(I know this is a weird complaint haha). Then I also heard they’re bad batches out there!

[@coleydotmp4]

Oh yeah I didn't even consider shipping outside of the US :/ If you put in the work, they are a good switch. But they will always have some level of scratchiness. They absolutely need to break in and have a lubing sesh, though. Krytox 205g0 and dont hold back! haha. There's also the new box ink blacks that are considered better than the normal ink blacks. maybe those will work? Tbh I think the best cream alternative is the alpaca - its everything a cream is except it's smoother, at a slightly cheaper price point.

[@jjwilson6434]

That’s true! I would have to potentially see what I can get my hands on. What switch are you potentially looking at next?

[@coleydotmp4]

@@jjwilson6434 Got a whole batch of Boba U4t's coming in the mail. I'm trying to figure out if I prefer tactile or linear. After that, maybe marshmallows. they seem incredibly interesting with their progressive spring

[@stevenbunch9369]

Hey I'm building an r3 with creams! honestly from what ive read they'll be good once you lube them, but I may frankenswitch with tecsee ice candies in the future

[@3AsianBoi]

I have gateron ink v2s, & the box v2s. The ink v2s sound deeper & thoccier to me after being lubed & filmed. But the box v2s are smoother & consistent & still is thoccy & deep. But I still prefer regular ink v2s but if I was just buying it over again, I recommend the box ink v2s

[@ChubiPanda]

Nice video. I bought a 10 pack of creams just see what the fuss was about. Aside from the sound I found them very meh.

[@Yukeena]

You made your creams sound amazing! What size of film did you use? Was it the .3mm?

[@coleydotmp4]

Yes it was! Deskeys .3mm.

[@Yukeena]

@@coleydotmp4 Nice! Thx so much for the response :D

[@coleydotmp4]

@@Yukeena of course!

[@tisthegreat7420]

btw durock l series ARE alpacas

[@crafty6833]

Is it necessary to break them in first before lubing? Or you can lube them then break them in? Cuz I'm conflicted between nk creams, durock poms, durock l7s and OP blacks for my bakeneko build. Thanks!

[@coleydotmp4]

I would go for Durock L7's or OP Blacks (popu switches are a recolor of this if you cant find them in stock anywhere). Because the creams require a long break-in period to significantly speed up the process of smoothing out.if you lube too early, theyll still be stratchy, and take longer to break in, like much longer.

[@crafty6833]

@@coleydotmp4 Wow that was a fast response! Thank you! You got a sub! Keep it up!

[@googleprofile2629]

I thought creams were clacky and not thocky?

[@BennieDuck]

just a couple of dudes

[@jasonf2286]

According to my experience, I highly recommend Gateron CJ and zealios v2. I think CJ is also very good even compared to ink. And If your Zealios have a lighter spring 62-65after film and lube ，It is gonne be very smooth and has a wonderfully different feel from Bobau4t. I like both of them but I still tend to use zealios when I type, unfortunately it is very expensive that is the only down side for me to recemented to others.

[@placeholder3863]

zeal in 2021...

[@budgetboi8348]

chestnut frankenswitches from creams are CREAM

[@moya153]

Did I need to use the NK Cream stock to break in? Can I use it lubed?

[@coleydotmp4]

The general consensus is that it is quicker to break them in if they are unlubed. If you lube them immediately, they will be better than stock but take longer to get to their smoothest. If you dont lube immediately to break them in, there will be more friction and the material will smooth out faster. Then lube, they should be good. This is a pain in the ass if you aren't using a hotswap board, though. Hope that helps!

[@devlinhimself]

what monitor do you use?

[@coleydotmp4]

www.lg.com/us/monitors/lg-34UM61-P-ultrawide-monitor this one! Looking to get a 120hz monitor at some point - but i'm happy with it for now. Bought it for screen real estate + color accuracy since im a digital artist irl.

[@devlinhimself]

thanks!

[@sirorangutan7949]

Why do u have to break them in first vs lubing right away

[@coleydotmp4]

because they have a scratchy material that will wear itself down faster (smooth out) if you don't lube immediately. if you lube immediately, the scratchiness will take a LONG time or never fully wear down/break in.

[@calvinzheng5593]

What happens if u lube the creams before breaking them in?

[@coleydotmp4]

They take wayyy longer to break in because there is less friction to wear them down. they still will over a long period of time though

[@lerunatic306]

Do creams break in after being lubed?

[@xxcridonxx7614]

No. Lubricant prevents the friction from the stem and housing. Thus they won’t be broken in

[@ac3tyfoo596]

did anyone else get box creams from the nk mystery box di me and my friend get lucky

[@azurestrike6551]

I would probably pass on these if we have to break them in. Looks so silly and time consuming. There are plenty of other switches with great sound. This is the first time I have heard of having to break switches in

[@tsprouse1322]

I mean to be fair they sound like complete trash stock 😂😂 but once filmed and lubed they are some of my faves to type on … oh and I put lighter springs in mine 🤔 58g progressive springs

[@coleydotmp4]

Yeah! I think they are a pretty solid switch after you put in the work. But I don't think that it should be a requirement when there are cheaper, smoother switches that don't need to be broken in.

[@tsprouse1322]

@@coleydotmp4 oh yea I mean I just got some gateron X switches and those did need to be lubed and filmed, but no break in period and they sound and feel amazing! Or like the ever glide aqua kings don’t even need to be lubed, factory is plenty good! Honestly yea your right there are tons like tangerines ready to use, but the NK creams sound is hard to beat once filmed and lubed, they are loud and kinda specific sound at least in the board I’m using them in lol

[@Hirotara]

These are a decent option but they are of course much better switches that are priced much lower than this switch.

[@johnojohenko1991]

Wird alternatives

[@coleydotmp4]

This video is a year old and the meta has changed, but a lot of those are still good switches

[@kamsa1243]

@@coleydotmp4 Would you actually recommend a resource, because with the amount of new stuff coming out in the community its super hard to keep track of things if you're not super invested. I'm building an IkkI 68 and want to give it the best sounding linear I can.

[@coleydotmp4]

@@kamsa1243 "best sounding linear" is a different answer depending on who you ask. What is your definition of a good sounding switch? I can only help you if you tell me what you are looking for ;)

[@kamsa1243]

@@coleydotmp4 Well the amount of switches alone has made it nearly impossible for a casual enthusiast to be...casual I suppose. Or, its more of a situation where the bar for being a "casual observer" has been raised. At any rate, I suppose I should have actually said "best linear". 5 years or so ago Tealios were the expensive and best one. Or so I remember. Now I know the Oil kings exist, which are already lubed and sound really deep. For me the perfect linear would just be the smoothest and snappiest. Kind of a 40% clack 60% thokkk sound regardless of board and foam configuration, I guess. Nothing else I can really describe it as.

[@coleydotmp4]

@@kamsa1243 I mean yeah, there's way more options and way more affordable ones than tealios that are just as good if not better. based on what you said, I'd get prevail epsilons, cream sodas, oil kings, or keebfront honeycombs.

[@MatzyKun]

these switches are no longer worth it if you live in the Philippines, get "Rakk Katala" instead since theyre basically nk cream clones

[@siam3774]

she thought nk creams are thocky switches 💀x4 then got dissapointed ☕

[@coleydotmp4]

he commented on a year old video without the context of the community at the time 💀x10 These switches were widely considered thocky back then and they still are on the mid-deeper side of linears in terms of pitch.

[@siam3774]

@@coleydotmp4 Nk creams has been always known as clacky switches which is complete opposite of thocky, maam

[@coleydotmp4]

@@siam3774 They're not really that clacky though... they just have a slight long pole which gives it a pop. its nothing compared to an actually clacky switch, sir