Olympia SG1 versus Royal KMM

[@BrightBlueJim]

A long time ago, we had a Royal model 10 in our home, and it had almost all of the features you describe on the KMM, including the special ribbon spools, the card guides with release buttons, and the ribbon direction switch on the front, and if I remember right, it even had the interlock lever to prevent accidentally moving the color selector to the stencil position. It didn't have the Magic Margins (there were press-and-slide knobs above and behind the carriage) or tab set and clear keys (it had slide-on tabs that had to be manually placed). But it all seemed very familiar when you were describing the KMM, which was kind of a nostalgic thing. I took a typing class in high school, first on an Underwood Five, then moved to an SG3, which compared with the Royal 10 or the Underwood Five was a huge, heavy beast. The SG3 did have a rather heavy feel, but this also meant that the typebars returned quickly, making fast typing without jamming easier. I later had a temp job where one of my tasks was to type crew rosters, and for this there was an SG3 on the desk, and I really got to like the Olympia feel. I also liked its typeface compared with the others.

[@jeffcurry1280]

This is so funny because I have a Royal KHM on my bedroom writing desk and an Olympia SG3 on my office desk. I love them both and write very different creative projects on each of them. Great video, JVC!

[@lorensims4846]

As kids we had a Royal KMG sitting on a table in our playroom and I found it perpetually fascinating. It mostly worked, only one or two of the keys didn't. I learned everything I knew about typrwriters from that old KMG. When I took typing in high school (at my dad's suggestion - he missed out on a lot of long marches in the snow in the army because he knew how to type), my dad got me a newer used standard typewriter to practice on. But I've always had a very warm place in my heart for that old KMG. I now have a Royal Model H (an update to the venerable Model 10) and a Royal KMM, but it's missing the screws that hold on the cover so it looks like the old Model 10 (with the open basket and ribbon spools) when I'm actually using it.

[@Clipperpan]

Always happy when one of your videos show up in my list!

[@bwhog]

Best thing for a Standard is a sort of a cubby hole shelf set. You can get these in single column or multiple. I always loved the free spool option on the Royals. I've used that even for non-royal spools as a quick way to wind ribbon onto spools for other typewriters! Another way to express the depth of the key press would be to say that the Olympia has a longer throw, or stroke.

[@douglasjackson9058]

Joe, the heavyweight bought! I sure enjoyed this video ❤. I have had several SG-1s and just repaired a SG1N. I have a KMM on my to be repaired shelf and this makes me want to move it up in line😂. By the way...the card guide on the SG-1 with the levers is supposed to tilt them forwards to get them out of The way when removing the carriage to prevent them from getting broken. There are two screws in the far corners if you remove those that metal bracket and card guides all will come out and you'll have access to the card guide mechanisms to correct them not working to their fullist. I find the SG-1 a well thought out machine for maintenance and repairs. Thanks again for a wonderful video, oh! Merry Christmas!

[@joãoAlberto-k9x]

We are glad to see you again.

[@argusc3310]

I happen to have one of each of those, in my 55 or so machine collection. Space is definitely an issue. Thanks for this review!

[@BooksForever]

I was looking forward to this comparison, and really enjoyed the typing sample audio. (I think I preferred the Olympia in a close race.) I’m surprised you didn’t mention the paper support on the back of the Olympia. I wish you had shown and mentioned the font used by each - the use of different fonts is certainly an excellent justification for having two lovely standard typewriters!

[@_landro_1092]

Great! Thank you! Next SG vs Selectric .. I'd bet the SG will win by automatic double spacing and precise paper "injector"

[@jhondoe3213]

I've never used the KMM but i do know my 1934 KHM is an awesome machine writes so light on the fingers but has a hard platon so i get some shadowing if i pound the keys.

[@AtelierDBurgoyne]

Wonderful comparison between the two and I learned new things about the Royal KMM. I've never had the chance to try a Royal standard and now, I really want to, given that you prefer it over the SG 1 and the Underwood standard! Thanks for making such beautiful, informative videos. Daniel

[@someonespadre]

“Like and Subscribe” means take your pencil and underline this program in your TV guide. You could set the dial to this channel (there’s only 3 channels) and order your children “don’t change it.”

[@Joe_VanCleave]

Exactly!

[@someonespadre]

@@Joe_VanCleave now you've talked me into a KMM or KMG which seems to be the same except the removable platen without tools.

[@ronkelsey1983]

Nice comparison!

[@SirDrAaron]

I love standard machines. I have two SG3s, and you're right. There just doesn't seem to be any convenient place to put them due to their size and lack of cases.

[@michaelcase8574]

There was a paper ejecter on some Adler standard models also.

[@elliotwhite32]

Excellent video. Do the spring loaded keys on the SG1 benefit you at all?

[@Joe_VanCleave]

I don’t feel they make the touch any softer.

[@BrightBlueJim]

I read the other day that the spring loaded keys (on the Olympia SM1 portable, anyway) was more about shock absorption at the bottom of the stroke, than anything else. I haven't typed on an SM1 or SG1, so I can't really verify, and the fact that Olympia removed this feature on the SG3 and later SM models suggests that it wasn't worth the extra expense.

[@Joe_VanCleave]

@@BrightBlueJim On my SM3 you have to press real hard to get most of the keys to compress, this may be age-related, but it points to the observation that as a feature it’s not entirely useful.

[@r1l426]

I'm curious to see how they'd compare to a Hermes 9

[@aldolagana7126]

Kind of have to agree 🙂. I've a KMG which is buttery light, whereas my SG1 was pretty rusty and dirty and it still has a heavy key feel. Question: Where did you get/how did you make that paper holder? My SG1 is missing the paper holder.

[@BooksForever]

I think Joe’s friend sent him a file to allow 3D printing of a replacement.

[@someonespadre]

We always say Swiss engineering: wonderful hardware, terrible software. But even on the hardware side they tend to overcomplicate things. Trimble, an American company, stand there and measure up with a pocket tape, any pocket tape, to get the instrument height. Leica, a Swiss company, they have a complicated hook tape arrangement where you get down in the dirt, soot, ash, on your knees to measure the instrument height and the thing is proprietary and expensive.