Typewriter Video Series - Episode 254: Royal KMM

Joe reviews his new 1947 Royal KMM, refurbished by Mr. John Lewis.

[@tmunk]

Everybody's crazy 'bout a sharp-dressed man (and his KMM) :D

[@KateSparkes]

Thank you for this introduction! I found a grimy Royal KMM (1945 according to the typewriter database and the serial number) at a thrift store. It wasn’t too expensive, possibly because it didn’t seem to be working, but I figured out the issue and am excited to get it cleaned and back in use! This video was really helpful.

[@paulbrady8888]

Among the myriad videos needed to search for information on any subject this one brilliantly stands out for its clarity and super film technique. I love how each feature is clearly and methodically explained and demonstrated and am delighted to have been lucky in finding the video. Thank you Joe - pity that more contributors in every field of information can't produce as perfect an example as yours Wonderful.

[@thethriftyfawn]

This is EVERYTHING! That outfit tho! And the black and white filming and cinematography! 👏👏👏

[@joaoalbertodosanjosgomes1536]

👍👍👍

[@kerc]

KMM are fantastic machines. I love my 1947 model!

[@stitchin8]

I was given a Royal KMM by a friend/neighbor. I carried it home in my RadioFlyer wagon. Even though the Royal had been stored in a garage for over 20 years, it needed only a cleaning to become a smooth operator. It lets me type without fuss!

[@loveisall5520]

You know, so many newbies don't understand that if they aren't planning to haul their machines around all the time, these much more substantial office manuals, designed for massive amounts of production, take up virtually no extra footprint for the older models like this. They're simply taller. I have a restored Underwood S from the early forties that I've hauled all over the nation in the back seat of my cars and SUV. It really doesn't weigh that much more than my sixties Smith-Corona portables that have that heavy metal carrying case. I'm so glad that you've discovered the charms of machines truly designed to be typed on all day!

[@AlwaysAnalog]

Hi Joe! I don't know what's more stylish - your beautiful video noir or that swanky Royal KMM! I think you are going to love the world of standards! Sure, they might saddle you to a table or desk and they weigh a ton, but for me standards always provided the most fulfilling writing experience. So glad you connected with this Royal - and it looks well cared for and restored. Enjoy!!

[@LordEvan5]

I love this post I found my typewriter in a pile of junk on the side of the road and thought it was just to nice for the dump so I brought her home now I’m learning about it and trying to get her going again

[@davidcornillie]

I've got a new appreciation for the KMM. Congratulations on 250+ TWVS videos! Did you ever imagine there would be space for fresh and interesting content after that many episodes?

[@Joe_VanCleave]

I’m still amazed every time I get a new video done! Thank you for your support!

[@madz4693]

This video is fantastic! I received my Royal KMM from a neighbor giving it away for free (!). I've had so much fun tuning it up and learning about all the parts and pieces. I see more typewriters in my future...

[@davidsterling564]

Bravo, Joe! This is my favourite video produced by you yet. After procuring some 30+ portables over the last few years, most of mine are shelved except 3-4 that are faves. When I discovered the impressive capabilities and quality of standards, I realized that I had at last found what I was searching for all along. Of those 1940's -1960's standards that I've spent time with to date (Olympia, Smith Corona, Royal, Underwood), I prefer the KMM over the rest. I'm fortunate to have found a very well-tuned and maintained machine. I treated it to a fresh JJ Short platen, which resulted in a wonderfully quiet writing experience. There's something special about sitting behind a KMM that inspires. I'm happy for you that you've found this out for yourself. Cheers!

[@solitairepilot]

I just recently purchased and restored a KMM, what a beautiful machine to type on

[@VirtualGuth]

It's really nice to see you so excited about this typewriter Joe. The first two typewriters that I bought were standards but by the 3rd machine I was ready to try out a standard. In my case I selected an Olympia SG3 which I still have. As I was telling you the other week, my wife picked up a Royal KMM at an estate sale and although I've never found a Royal portable that I've enjoyed the feel of, the KMM is a different story. All that said, in my opinion the most most special thing about your KMM is that you purchased it from Mr. Lewis. I love the thought of someone with as much experience as he has going over every aspect of the machine before selling it to you. There's an intrinsic value to this, that to me is priceless. Enjoy!

[@mrsunshine8753]

Yesterday I picked up a 49’ Royal at a yard sale. Came from a nearby baptist church. I was delighted to find it and a Yashica A. The Yashica is in pretty rough shape but, I’m going to try to save it. It will be my first TLR camera. The Royal, my first manual typewriter!! I tried to type on it today and got no got no movement from the ribbon “lift”? I searched to see if you had a video on a KMG but found this instead and knew it was close.When you told of the stencil setting on the ribbon, I ran to the bedroom and checked. Sure enough, slid the lever to red and bingo!!! You sir are an asset to humanity and I for one will be following on your blog, KZbin or wherever you happen to share your knowledge, insight and kindness. Thank you so much!!!

[@Joe_VanCleave]

Congrats, I wish you many fun years of writing on your machine!

[@robertdavenport7802]

I also bought a 1947 Royal KMM from John back in 2019 after trying our a half dozen machines in his shop. I wanted something a little steadier/more consistent than my other manual and was looking at portables when John suggested this model. Love it and love typing on it. You nailed it when you called it a workhorse. Great video, I learned some new things about my KMM. Thanks.

[@Saboda53]

Hello Joe, nice, thoughtful video! I am Richard, semi-retired copywriter (yes, I was a Mad Man), and I just bought my first standard, a lovely 1930 Royal 10 from Jot & Tittle. It’s a stunner! I have several portables, including a gold-plated Royal QDL (purchased by me in ‘98), a sexy, curvy Remington 5, a Remington Noiseless Portable, an Olympia SM-3 and a nice Smith-Corona SILENT-SUPER that I found in Reading, PA. A few observations: I “get” the switch to less distracting, crinkle paint and a “closed look” without visible, distracting type bars. No doubt Royal’s research with secretaries ferreted out this insight. And it arguably makes “productivity sense” in the context of a room full of typists sitting behind their machines 8 hours a day, 5 days a week! Still, I gotta say, I prefer the alluring style & gleam of the open, glossy Royal 10; I’m only typing an hour or so at a time, and not every day, so personally, I would miss not getting to watch the 10’s sexy and dramatic stage show when I type, lol. Same for my lovely Remington Noiseless Portable. I can imagine a room full of loud, clattering typewriters to be quite annoying! But I type alone in my living room and, like I suspect for many typewriter aficionados, I love the clickety-clack of a typewriter. So while I’m fascinated by the innovative thinking & engineering that led to the noiseless, for me, it’s a bit of an odd duck; an elaborate solution in search of a problem, if you will. Anyway, nice video and thanks, I’ve learned a lot from the stuff you post!

[@berniepokorski6608]

Thank you for another great video! You would make a great typewriter salesman! I acquired my 1941 KMM from a Pawn Shop in a neighboring city. It was an eBay auction win, and I was the lone bidder. It shows signs of having been a factory rebuild (maybe in the 1950's?), at which time it was painted with a brown crinkle paint.

[@douglasjackson9058]

Love Standards Joe. I have 2-Underwood No.3's 1- Remington Super Writer,1- Smith Corona 88, and a Burroughs 50. Could easily type all day on them....I started with just 1. Your on a slippery slope,and your love for standards is showing 😉. I came across a KMM 2 weeks ago,working but filthy and I passed,but checked back after 1week and it was gone. Felt I had let a good one get away...then you post this great video...really feeling like I should have picked that one up. Thanks again for a great video,enjoyed the b/w aged video. It was perfect. God bless.

[@billogle4776]

Joe, John Lewis will be one of not many of us left who served an apprenticeship on machines of the KMM time. I'm a little bit older than John, Please say hello from another old bloke

[@billrachmad]

isnt this the one Angela Lansbury used in Murder, She Wrote? love it!

[@danmiller6890]

It is indeed!!

[@dianemaher3538]

The first part was so cool! Sounds just like a commercial from the time.

[@dianemaher3538]

This video makes me want one of these machines.

[@k.t.overton1525]

I have a 1949 Royal KMG that I found at an antique store and it is the best typing machine that I own. The full size machines just have a smoother feel to them than the portables. Although my Smith-Corona Skyriters' are my favorites, they don't come close to the KMG when it comes to smooth operation. Thanks for the video!

[@GlennSlaughter]

Hi Joe, really getting back to interesting in typewritters. Have my dads early 50's Remington port. And a Royal HH and just got a mint condition Smith Carona Classic 10

[@erp65]

Thx for this, Joe. The eye-glare issue was not conjecture. I believe it was Joe Barkdoll who took the unusual step of actually interviewing secretaries during the Smith-Corona Super-series redesign. They reported getting headaches after hours of typing, & he/they diagnosed the glossy 1940s paint as one of the culprits. Whenever someone criticizes the battleship gray crinkle paint as "dull" or "boring," I think, "Bet those secretaries don't agree."

[@ronbrink5210]

Thanks Joe, Yesterday I found a Royal KMM. Your nice movie learned me quick how to operate this nice machine from 1947. I will try to restore mine as much as possible in its orginal state. Best regards from Holland, Ron

[@goldenwalrus2579]

I have 4 standards and 2 portables, I’m 18 from California and I do my best to repair them. I have two KMMs, a KMH, an underwood I haven’t identified yet, a rem. Portable 5 streamlined, and a very old Remington portable model that I can’t find any like it

[@dgeer809]

Seriously envious of the availability of such machines...

[@claywebster7401]

I’m late on seeing this video. I love my standard desk machines! I have 8 working standard manuals and 4 IBM selectrics. My Favorite is probably the Remington Rand standard, next would be the Olympia SG1 and an Underwood Touchmaster 5 from 1967. I’m just out of space for anymore desktop standards!

[@johnc.bojemski1757]

Card HOLDER "RELEASE" KNOBS?...NICE! My 70's ROYAL didn't come with that feature.

[@lukjad007]

I just got a KMM. The keys were replaced sadly, but mechanically it works great. I'm a big fan of it.

[@esoteric2slr]

Great video!

[@vincentaurelius2390]

I just picked up an early (full round key) KMM. Going to take some work to get it fully functioning but I can still feel through its limited key action the quality and refinement you spoke of. Thanks for making this video; now I’m even more inspired to get started on it.

[@bronsonbeals6736]

Just as a heads up, Joe, you can prevent the ribbon advancing when you move the carriage to the left by holding that ribbon disengage lever just above the manual reverse as you move the carriage.

[@johnc.bojemski1757]

That ergonomically designed slide bar was GREATLY appreciated if you were a news reporter on a deadline for your article or script for broadcast!

[@LastGenGaming675]

you can tie the carriage to the foot by wrapping a piece of string or rope around the planted nop shaft and then tie it to the foot, that will prevent it from sliding around, this is actually how they shipped them, I just discovered this recently when I found a typewriter tied the same way at a liquidation sale, I thought it had some problems but come to find out it was most likely a brand new machine.

[@Joe_VanCleave]

Hey, great tip, thanks!

[@LastGenGaming675]

@@Joe_VanCleave no problem

[@essequamvideri17]

Definitely one of my wish list machines!

[@indro71]

Did you put the Tommygun under the table?...use this Royal, otherwise.. ;-) Excellent video sir.

[@DavidALovingMPF102]

Love that crinkle finish.

[@shakespeareteacher]

Joe, I have a Royal FP kn my collection, which is a direct descendant of the KMM. I like the FP’s because they came in some fantastic colors. Mine is a gorgeous green. They also are fantastic full sized typers.

[@SG1Olympia]

Joe, I have that same machine, but mine is a 1948 model. It is a fantastic typewriter. I also own three Olympia SG-1s, which are my go to machines when I am wanting to do any amount of typing. I love German engineering. I also own the Hermes Ambassador, Olivetti Lexikon 80, and a Royal Empress. There is something about full size typewriters that promotes brain power. Maybe it is what you said about their ability to eliminate distractions.

[@Naolslager]

Three SG-1s!!! I have one and I love it. Olympias are my favorites. That's all I own: 2 SM-9s and 1 SG-1.

[@MichaelRpdx]

Oh Yeah Baby! You described this wonderfully. Somehow I sit with it and typing flows out from my fingers. Quickly, effortlessly it sings along, leading the way.

[@Naolslager]

Excellent video Joe. Thanks for sharing. I have, as you know, one standard, an Olympia SG-1. I've been using it recently and I've noticed how much better the typing experience is compared to a portable. As such, I am sprucing my SG-1 up and moving it to the top of the batting order. I will replace the sound-attenuating material this weekend and I've got a few minor adjustments to perform. I can't wait to get it back in operation.

[@drandallesq]

Interesting Joe! The Magic Margins on my Royal Diana, an otherwise very good luggable typewriter, are triggered by the lid every time it goes back into its soft carrying case, so they have to be reset every time you take it out to use it. That's a bug, not a feature. Your KMM looks a very good choice for a desk machine.

[@WaldronPondOutdoors]

Joe. Thanks for the great film. For transport, try putting both the left and right margins in the center and that will significantly restrict the momentum travel of the carriage when traveling.

[@4355dcox]

Nice machine! Nice review! Thanks Joe!

[@JB-uv4hm]

A bit of newspaper searching and you can see the popularity of these and why there are so many still around. "sales exceed production capacity by 30%" from a stock report and typewriter sales blowing out Underwoods, LC Smiths and Woodstocks to make room for the KMM. Also early ads reveal they hadn't quite figured out what to call it. The "New Model One"? As late as 1965 Sears stores were selling reman KMMs. What did KMG stand for? Note your late model doesn't have the black painting on the cover. My late 48 is like this as well. Parts gear up for the KMG probably. As they moved to the HH, the KMG looks like an effort to use up the parts inventory of essentially the same machine. Those keys look great. Seems now most examples, mine included, have the dirty brown keys.

[@austinvickymoore3656]

Would love to find a detailed video on how to restore this bad girl! I found one for $30 today... and I want it to be my first ever typewriter that i attempt to write with! I also picked up its younger sister a Royal HH also for $30.. but they were VERY neglected! Should be fun fixing these and using them!! Great video thank you for the complete rundown very detailed!

[@TNBBNAYLOR]

I did the same thing. I found one for $20 on Facebook market place and I am fixing it up. I’m having trouble with the ribbon of mine!

[@DavidAragon13]

Posting a video on a KMM, as my KMG is a fun one. I need to spend more time typing on that one. I recently acquired Royal 470 and going to get it typing. How these were made for decades with basically the same structure, but with different accessibility to each of the functions. There have been a lot of things that happened and slowly trying to get them out.

[@billogle4776]

Good Demonstration Joe, you would have made a successful Royal Salesman.

[@goldenwalrus2579]

I have 2 of these, one is so close to operating right. I’m having to use one with a cracked frame for parts

[@Andykev]

Very nice! Well dressed too. I have four "full size" typewriters, and my "best" is probably the Olympia SG-1 as far as "functions". I have a L.C.Smith "Superspeed" which is the heaviest. Very unique in how the keys work, all individually adjustable with screws. Then a gray Royal similar to yours, but it has "tombstone" style keys.. but the BEST feel for me is the old Underwood S (1943) in perfect mechanical shape. It types fast and smooth. I want to pare down but the full size are almost impossible to ship due to cost and possible damage. Have you tried the Underwood S series? Carriage shift...

[@aphexteknol]

I've been waiting for this video. I never would have thought you were a KMM type of guy, but after hearing your reasons for picking one, I can see why the KMM is just about the perfect all around "true workhorse" machine for your purposes. John Lewis really did a great job restoring that Royal, and it shows how much pride he has in his work. Does he install new platens as well, or is the original still good?

[@Joe_VanCleave]

It’s not resurfaced, but pretty good.

[@aphexteknol]

@@Joe_VanCleave It seems like these office-grade machines had a lot more upkeep than the average consumer home typewriter. Good chance it had the platen re-done at least once or twice over the years...

[@gregorywalker4997]

well, this model is what i grew up with until we got our smith corona electric--spoiler alert--you still had to correct mistakes UGH. the ibm ball typewriter was cool, but this foolish machine still made mistakes, but had correction tape in the ribbon, or in addition to it. then came the daisy wheel--still UGH. thoroughly enjoyed, liked and subscribed.

[@billogle4776]

Joe, John Lewis may just have two carriage locking pins used for transport, worth asking the question

[@claudiaorozco5028]

I think you should try doing another review of the Hermes Rocket

[@ProactiveYellow]

I've heard many great things about these, but I've been wanting to get something more akin to a woodstock for my standard machine. I love the open look, and the KMM's body just seems so hidden

[@timjuliushuber6970]

Have you Seen the "Advanced typing" movies? Greetings

[@jsollowsphotography]

I have a KHM. I would love to hear your thoughts on that model!

[@formgh841]

Very convincing, Joe. How would you compare typing on the KMM and the Smith Corona Super Speed, with its ball-bearing mechanism said to provide a unique touch?

[@roger263]

You need an Errol Flynn moustache to go with the double breasted suit and the Fedora

[@unboxedphotography]

I have a Royal KH that's missing a link for the third most frequent letter in English. I've been getting by with 4's instead. Question for you: Do you know what the "key" in the middle of the tabulator rack is called and what it is for? You can see it at around 7:40

[@srephenmathisen9108]

Just got a 1936 Royal khm out of the trash in remarkable conditio, just need a new ribbon. Crazy what people throw out! can you tell me what khm stands for?

[@roger263]

Hi I have a Halda 6 it looks very similar to your royal and is a fantastic machine. But is heavier than a small boat anchor ⚓

[@danmiller6890]

“I’m gonna type you an AHHfer you can’t refuse.....”

[@AtelierDBurgoyne]

Thanks for this video. Very helpful how y po u cover everything. Just like to ask, wasn't your Hermes 3000 built in the French-speaking part of Switzerland? You said it was made in France. Daniel

[@Joe_VanCleave]

The 1970-era plastic body version has printed on the back that it’s made in France; the earlier metal body versions are made in Switzerland.

[@AtelierDBurgoyne]

@@Joe_VanCleave merci!

[@baccaratbob]

Thx! Mine has a # KMM3481908 Would this be a 1947 production???

[@beneric1000]

I have a KMM, do you want to restore it for me? I would like to be use but I want it in it's best place. What do you think?

[@chandlerdecker3807]

I have a question. How to recognize a KMM? Is there anything special in its appearance?

[@TNBBNAYLOR]

If you look at the serial number it starts with “kmm”

[@johnlennon1049]

I have the same one. I have to tweak it though.what is the best way of cleaning the outside of the KMM?

[@KidsFunScience]

How can I find the serial number on Royal KMM? thx

[@Joe_VanCleave]

Set the right margin all the way out to the right side, then run the carriage all the way to the left side, the serial number should be under the carriage on the right side of the frame.

[@mgmlvks1627]

As noted by Joe Van Cleave, but may be under a lot of crud.