FlagK Iori keyboard review (Xiang Min KSB-C Blue)

Skip to 8:55 for a typing demonstration.
Today we look at a rather obscure modern gaming keyboard with a seemingly unreported type of Alps clone switch. Might look a bit like blue Alps at first, but make no mistake!
My keyboard reviews: bit.ly/1TbOtft
My switch teardowns: bit.ly/2C1QGHz
My TOP X videos: bit.ly/2FmpZfd
My XL typing demos: bit.ly/2OoAW3w
My tutorials and featurettes: bit.ly/2OrkLUh
I'm Thomas and I do videos and reviews on mechanical keyboards ranging from the most sickening modern RGB gaming keyboards to vintage hardware relics, or sometimes keycaps or keyswitches ranging from Cherry MX to Alps SKCM to IBM buckling springs and anything in between.
Follow me on Twitter for updates on my keyboard videos! / chyrosran22
The practice sentence was: "Hello my name is Thomas and I'm typing on a FlagK Iori right now. This is a very strange keyboard, one of the cheapest-feeling I've had to date. My god, what is the point in creating a keyboard like this?"

[@陳以律]

The poster at 5:37 seems to have been modified from some sort of lock advertisement, as the Chinese is all about the keyboard, but the English below keeps going on and on about locks and anti-theft ... lol. (The Chinese just reads “Extreme endurance --- up to 50 million key presses. Stellar craftsmanship, stricter error tolerance.” so nothing too exciting here :p The high actuation point is also advertised as a feature below.) Also, according to Baidu, FlagK is based in Shenzhen, Guangdong, not in Taiwan.

[@matchadrinksmatcha]

5:58 In case anybody is interested in the Chinese, it basically says that it is durable and that it can last 50 million keypresses.

[@nathanlamaire]

CJK number scheme really made me confused.

[@farstox4656]

It's really fascinating how there are actually "unknown" switches. When you look at mainstream mech keyboards, they proudly advertise which switch the keyboard has and even sometimes a "superior edge" for gaming via the travel and actuation. This keyboard is weird and bad but it's interesting.

[@rich1051414]

Not really. Retooling in new markets happens at hyperspeed until the market settles in. In that process a lot of switches show up for such a short time, sometimes they are unknown to the same factory that manufactured them.

[@SonicBoone56]

"This thing has the structural integrity of a BLT sandwich. Or in imperial units, a PB&J." Good lord you keep outdoing your last roast of our crappy measurement system.

[@ramue5749]

At least we aren't like England that uses the imperial system for some stuff and metric for others. You can say what ever you like about the imperial system but at least we are consistent which makes for easier conversion.

[@Chyrosran22]

@@ramue5749 This is true. Brits will tell you they are metric, but in actuality have no idea how tall 1.86 m or how heavy 80 kg is.

[@matthewhall6288]

@@ramue5749 I live in the US and I buy soda in liters and gasoline in gallons.

[@SonicBoone56]

@@Chyrosran22 America secretly uses the Metric system in businesses and stuff. Also it's adopted. But of course it's not on signs and stuff.

[@SirRobertDole2]

@@matthewhall6288 and to top it all off, U.S. gallons are even a different size to U.K. gallons

[@Gnohio]

That demo typing sounds like dropping keycaps on broken glass

[@rich1051414]

Sounds about right for mantis leaf switches.

[@gearsgamer7115]

It sounds good the hell

[@justin6581]

@@gearsgamer7115why not hear the real blue alps switches?

[@gearsgamer7115]

@@justin6581 fair.

[@raulsaavedra709]

@6:25 For too bright LED's on devices in general I have used the following trick: black electrical tape with a tiny hole in them. On this keyboard I would consider red electrical tape, so no need for the little holes. When too bright for one tape, then stack as many layers as needed till desired dimness achieved

[@Boyetto-san]

I'm guessing the red color gradient on the keycaps is in reference to Iori's signature red hair covering one eye. Nice touch actually. Too bad the switches and build quality aren't up to par. If you have to think about whether you prefer them to Cherry MX Blue, you know the switches are already pretty crap. Edit: Also, the model number your colleague translated as "ba shen" in Chinese is pronounced Yagami in Japanese.

[@Chyrosran22]

Ah, that explains a few things, thanks! :)

[@FindecanorNotGmail]

No mounting plate, and Alps have typically only two pins holding it to the PCB: both on one side. This means that you could probably bend a switch off the PCB just by removing a few keycaps around the key and pressing the key in the right angle.

[@Chyrosran22]

If it doesn't have fixing pins, yes xD .

[@JackOfHarts96]

"This has the rigidity of a BLT sandwich... or in imperial units, a PB&J sandwich" I fucking died at that one

[@xkonstantin5]

I've never expected alps gaming keyboard. I'm really impressed

[@alpzepta]

This should have more sold than a Corsair K70 seriously Alps switches are way better for gaming and typing

[@NineS5]

3:27 its diesel powered Edit: I see what you did on the Y key, was that intentional?

[@maxproskauer9272]

Hi Chyros! Love all your content, it's all super fascinating. I'm in the market for a new custom board, would love to see a video roundup of MX-compatible switches

[@87engr]

"Mom, can we have blue Alps?" "We have blue Alps at home." The blue Alps at home:

[@ragecandy]

Will you review something with the low profile kailh switches?, Also I think it's "ee-ori"

[@Chyrosran22]

Yes, I have something like that on the cards!

[@MaggotInfestedGod]

@@Chyrosran22 super excited to see your review on those!

[@ernstmayer3868]

@@Chyrosran22 try out the Havit with low profile blue kailh switches. It's really nice!

[@Chyrosran22]

@@ernstmayer3868 Yes, that is one of the low-profile keyboards I have planned :) .

[@lugi1]

5:33 Actually, it feels like Kazakhstan. 5:52 I guess the guy who was writing this was asking for help...

[@brianphilips1092]

Kazhakhstan 😂😂😂😂

[@abzhuofficial]

Ahh, the hilarious joys of Google Translate

[@supertoasting1011]

Yeah I remember when I was reading reviews of those Ducky/Filco XM Alps keyboards a few years ago. I remember a lot of people complaining about the actuation point.

[@co3476]

A gaming keyboard that drives you crazy while gaming. legit

[@Rowsdow3r]

You gotta cover the alps style switches that are for sale on Ali Express

[@Chyrosran22]

Which ones? There's multiple afaik.

[@JonCampos80]

Those alps clones are still mass produced in the white variant and they are widely used in knockoff samwa-like arcade buttons. Those knockoffs are very clicky unlike genuine Sanwa ones that are linear.

[@acactusnamedjosh708]

Now i just wanna see some "mystery switches" like the other alps clone shown in the video. maybe we as a community can come up with a designation for random switches. 🤔

[@julian23561]

Guy who owned the design *must've* really loved KoF.

[@tadfibonacci4926]

I have the same keyboard that I bought for 10$. But it's called the Warship KM101 instead. Also, it uses white linear switches.

[@Techokami]

8:00 Thanks for also giving the imperial unit version, over here BLT sandwiches are much more rigid than a PBJ sandwich. (or at least mine are, I tend to use rolls or toasted bread)

[@inzyster]

I hope that at some point you’ll have enough material to do an ultimate Alps clone video of sorts.

[@TribitFanOpex]

The red alps clone is a unit of the USw LARB01

[@faultyyogurt9]

Have you tried the gateron optical switches? I know you dont like cherry black switches, but am guessing the smoothness and uniqueness of gateron optical blacks would turn you?

[@Chyrosran22]

Haven't tried them yet, no, but definitely interested :) .

[@SonicBoone56]

@@Chyrosran22 what about those new Razer "opto-mechanical" switches that have stabilizers on every switch?

[@IntelEdits]

entertaining video as always

[@louisgarbour2737]

I did not expect to see you here intel! I like your channel!

[@brianphilips1092]

I found the sudden jump cut after violently shaking the keyboard to be hilarious

[@stiankoivisto]

Are you ever gonna review cherry mx reds? I feel like your opinion on them would interest a lot of people.

[@Chyrosran22]

Haha, yeah, someday I will xD . It's ironic that I'm so familiar with them but don't have a review yet!

[@matchadrinksmatcha]

Hey Chyros, was wondering how on earth do the stabilizers work on that keyboard without a plate? Just kind of curious.

[@legohp7]

plate mounted stabs can clip into the PCB

[@matchadrinksmatcha]

@@legohp7 I have not seen plate mounted stabilizers before for alps switches. Do you have a photo of those?

[@legohp7]

@@matchadrinksmatcha I haven't really seen them either, it just seems like the only way you could have stabs on a plateless board

[@huminsk]

Hello, Thomas. I really enjoy your videos. This is an interesting mechanical keyboard in many ways. I just checked TAOBAO, the price tag is around 14 USD, I might buy one just for collection. :-) PS. I digged a little deeper into FlagK. According to some internet rumors, FlagK is a sub-brand of BigaTech(or GIGATREND)which is a hidden low-end market brand controlled by Gigabyte. And I believe FlagK keyboard is discontinued.

[@Chyrosran22]

Interesting! :)

[@somecoder3054]

OSABIWAO WARANZOOOOO I'm probably the only kof player in the comment section, so in a way I can appretiate it.

[@MokkaHai]

i wonder if linearizing the switches would make them any more bearable

[@averaguilar]

Somehow that voice relaxes me

[@sonicase]

lol no plate? wat "we need to cut costs, let's remove the most expensive piece " "that would be the plate, but you wouldn't wa-" "do it!"

[@fnjesusfreak]

The kanji of the "model number" 八神 mean "8 god" and can be read in Japanese as "Yagami".

[@worldhello1234]

@5:16 Exactly, the reason why Cherry MX switches are so popular is partly because of ignorance and partly because of consistancy. You can compare it to dining at McD compared to dining at a fancy restaurant. The fancy restaurant might not be that consistant in quality but their quality is way above McD's. Some so called enthusiasts bitch about inconsistancy and they imply that clone switches could not last that long, as if that mattered the most if you own a couple of keyboards you could not outlast in a lifetime. :D

[@cheater00]

great video! what a wonderful find

[@Crokto]

it's pcb mount?? do the switches have pcb mount pins? cuz ive never seen those on an alps clone, and...well, im guessing that these dont either...

[@Chyrosran22]

I have seen fixing pins on Alps clone switches before, but I haven't checked to see if these so.

[@RayoTheTomato]

That sounds nice but im broke lol btw that voice tho perfect for ads

[@nothing.1240]

I Love your voice woo much it sound soooooooooo good with headphones thanks for entertaining

[@treeleaf6471]

Thanks for the review! :)

[@RykkerNighteyes]

I just ordered Hexgears Gk707 on aliexpress. It's a modular keyboard for $45 with Kailh whites. It's not the same company as the one from kickstarter though. Wonder if you have heard of it? Nothing on KZbin.

[@huminsk]

In fact, Hexgears is a hidden brand controlled by Kailh, that's why they can produce hotswap-switch keyboard with BOX white at such low price. I just got a GK707, it is a good KB for mech KB enthusiasts.

[@kananchan7995]

Speaking about modern alps clone, I-rock also make a slient alps clone keyboard named 'K76m', which use a rather interesting design.

[@Chyrosran22]

Yeah, really don't know why alps.tw went with the lego thing though, makes them rather inaccessible.

[@kananchan7995]

@@Chyrosran22 Actually there's also the k76m plus which remove the backlit and lego stuff but still have the same mx keycap compatible alps clone switch.

[@nocturnalsonder]

Hey Chyro, check out the "Data Desk Technologies LittleFingers Keyboard" maybe. I'm sure it would be a comical video.

[@dhoffnun]

This board does remind me of a Filco in a few ways; the case shape / LED location, and the logo font. Doesn't seem to measure up on the quality side at all, though.

[@alpzepta]

It does look like a Filco Zero and I just bought one so I hope the Filco is not badly build like this one. I mean it's shouldn't because Filco is Japanese. even if it badly built at least it's Alps style switches

[@lucastrantan2726]

early so just wanna say love the vids man, keep it up!

[@InvidiousIgnoramus]

At least the sound it produces is pretty nice.

[@MarksBigOlHam]

Does nobody notice that "Pausa break" key?

[@SimGunther]

TFW you bring a surf board to the alps > .

[@yoshikagekira7128]

can you make a video ranking cheery mx switches im looking into new keyboards and im highly considering browns but open to other options.

[@Chyrosran22]

MX brown is great if you want linear switches with sand in it xD . Seriously though, you should just try out a few keyboards and see what you like best, to each their own ;) .

[@yoshikagekira7128]

Chyrosran22 thanks for replying man ill stay away from them

[@CaveyMoth]

SI: BLT Imperial: PB&J

[@Leverquin]

what a beauty

[@tikkeh]

the actual case looks the same (although painted) as a steelseries 6gv2

[@Boojakascha]

How unfortunate! I would love to see them try harder...

[@rsmith2568]

Hey I’m all for bashing imperial but pb and j is a classic

[@ku-1500]

It's now seling for around $20 new on Taobao.

[@SOOH27]

the board sounds so nice but so gross at the same time

[@uberkarthik]

maybe you could solder the switches onto a board with better bulk

[@Chyrosran22]

Boards with better bulk likely have better switches, too xD . I'm also not certain they'd be compatible.

[@Cris-P-Bacon]

6:25 *Do you want to turn on Sticky Keys?*

[@Cris-P-Bacon]

Seriously, I thought I triggered it.

[@Chyrosran22]

No, just the lock light. You can set the computer to beep when you trigger them.

[@c0il462]

Am I going insane or is the logo in the Filco font?

[@powahause5938]

Fgc and keyboards? Best crossover

[@PokimaneRevrsCowgirl]

Where do I buy it

[@pexunfuni]

i don't know if that's a complement but you remind me of the postal dude for some reason

[@metallica_enjoyer]

omg i love your voice

[@sntxrrr]

6:19 the "b" in "Page break" is an upside down/mirrored uppercase "P". They didn't even want to spend money on a lowercase "b". Wow, talk about cheap.

[@stevo1977]

Here only for this dudes voice

[@chilpox3671]

it feels like Kazakhstan

[@Aggrofool]

Mai Shiranui keyboard when?

[@nathanlamaire]

The keyboard probably can be destroyed easily by gamers. PCB-mounted isn't really a wise choice for something that requires durability, especially for gamers. One of my friend already bought two keyboards, both are plate-mounted (or aluminium top-mounted) and both are destroyed in just one year. I don't think this can survive usage in gaming field.

[@KamenMinkov]

It can't be only me seeing a ripoff of Filco's logo with this one.

[@alpzepta]

It also look kinda like Filco especially the lock light

[@nishidaechizen6194]

八神 is read as Yagami in Japanese.

[@tornadomimicyclone6707]

You missed an opportunity to swear

[@darkholyPL]

If this had a plate it could be used as a project board... but alas.

[@nonnegaard]

3:23

[@Mattheus368]

That typing was just sad.... why the switches look like they're breaking something? I know plate mounted make better sound but jeez.... this is too much

[@peripheralinstaller704]

still sounds better than cherry mx blues lol

[@alpzepta]

every other clicky switch sould better than cherry mx blue lol

[@sebmeister67]

can you test some outemus and tell us which one is somewhat decent for us peasants

[@Chyrosran22]

Bleh, it's all very same-y xD .

[@sebmeister67]

@@Chyrosran22 i'm just saying man, you're twice as entertaining when you shit on stuff..plus outemus are basically all can i afford since i'm a dirty romanian

[@blueboxkid526]

xiang should be pronounced something like she-ang but one sylable. the x is not intoned.

[@205g0]

i read it as USB-C at first glance ngl

[@nullfathi2780]

Ping intensifies

[@miotheclio552]

Howdy

[@djFUCKINGmizhap]

Can’t blame it for being garbage, they picked the shittiest kof character to base it off of

[@Mikasun420]

17

[@my_negative_world]

I gotta say I can't open the door either.

[@johnle1723]

this switch sounds weird imo

[@matthewpalmer9820]

Chryos, chryos, chryons, I'm first!!!!!!!!!!!! It says no views!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Are you proud of me? I did it for you....

[@Chyrosran22]

YT blocked your comment xD .

[@yuxianwang3238]

first？

[@rethling4904]

get out of my house

[@h4z11s4]

nope.

[@h4z11s4]

@@rethling4904 what are you doing in my swamp?!?

[@SonicBoone56]

The keyboard and it's switches belong in r/ihadastroke. Good lord what kind of name is that.

[@wacknesium]

y/ihavereddit