Beginner's Guide To Mechanical Keyboards

[@Fr0stbite1801]

A time traveler accidentally knocked over a pebble in the past and now I'm watching Hipyo's figure drawing tutorial

[@ChatonProductions]

What next??? Proko's weight lifting regimen? Adam regusea stop motion animated videos? THE WORLD IS DOOMED

[@iuruoy-shao]

Fr I saw the thumbnail and was not expecting who uploaded this

[@thebradcolbow]

🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@n0raaFTW]

Oh god Brad has fallen into the trap 😱

[@LBP2Saperoth]

One of us, one of us. 😂

[@abzs5811]

Yep 😂

[@thebradcolbow]

I'm done. I'm done. no more keyboards for me... wait.. what is that over there....

[@Melissa-rt3yp]

This was perfect timing. I need to replace a worn out keyboard and was looking into the mechanical keyboards, but man that rabbit hole is huge and twisty. Thanks for this one!

[@Nas-1240]

I actually built my own keyboard a few years ago (custom self lubed switches, custom self lubed stabalizers, custom keycaps, the whole 9 yards). Absolutely not worth it for 99% of people, but if you're someone who likes to express themselves with their tech (custom PCs, desk setups; that kind of thing) it was actually a fun experience.

[@Aman_Mondal]

Welcome to the keyboard rabbit hole you ain't getting out of here

[@niveketihw1897]

I have a Utech Mercury RGB and love it. It's a beast -- full size and with an additional skirt on each edge. All metal. I have customized the color per key -- white for the letters, green for the numbers and the keypad, blue for things like Shift, Tab, Enter, End, and the arrows, and red for ESC and the F keys. Love this thing. Definitely has that heft, great sound, great feel, and that "chonk" as mentioned in the vid.

[@nagarajankaushik1]

Loved this video even though it's not a drawing tech topic. We are here for your Brad spin on things and the amazing production quality! 💯

[@steveschnetzler5471]

Time warp time, one of my first computer projects was to make a re-programable/reconfigurable keyboard from an old IBM teletype keypad, 45 years ago. What a great action/feel it had. Thanks.

[@TANKENGINEBLUE]

B R A D you should have sent in the surface pro for repairs

[@triviadave]

Loved this video. I have felt exactly like this, and it's nice to see a few brief reviews/ comments about the issues I am struggling with from someone who has just gone through the same issue as I have been going through. You might even have saved me some money, as I might be able to skip a couple of steps in my journey to the "perfect" keyboard.

[@ckmoore]

Topre Realforce keyboards are, by far, my favorite. My daily driver is a realforce TKL 55g weighted. My secondary (and often favorite - I used to use this exclusively at my office) is a Leopold topre keyboard (FC660C). Absolutely love it. Plus it's 45g weighted. But, for the average person I'd suggest getting a Das Keyboard. Good, reliable, should last forever. Good rollover key recognition. Back lighting, has optional doubleshot keys. Very happy with it, but it's also full size. I use this for gaming so I can turn off the lights and use backlighting. It also has optional USB ports for extra functionality, plus a volume knob. I find I actually use all of this when gaming. Yeah... I got too into keyboards. But I get too into everything I look into. *sigh* Now, if only I could find the perfect laptop with drawing capability...

[@Longlius]

Yeah, I've got two of the things and an HHKB. They're an absolute joy to type on.

[@KrishnaDraws]

Welcome to the mech keyboard club, Brad! :) I use a Nuphy Air 96 model. It's low profile, linear and is super fun to type on.

[@cammiluna]

If you do any traditional art, a video on your experiences with scanners would be so cool! Also, what's it like doing keyboard shortcuts in art software with mechanical keyboards?

[@brodriguez11000]

I use an older CCD scanner. Bulky but it gets the job done.

[@aliahmunaa9687]

Hey Brad! Some feeback in case you’re planning on making more keyboard related videos: Separate your voice over from the clips of the keyboard sounds. The viewers can distinguish the sounds better, and at the same time not get overwhelmed/overstimulated by both you talking and the keyboards clacking.

[@danhickok]

How timely! I've had my trusty - but delicate - low-profile Logitech keyboard for about five years now, and I've noticed some of the keys have started to misfire. (This can be PARTICULARLY frustrating with passwords!) Time to shop for a new, longer-lasting keyboard. Thanks for the tips!

[@dsarrazin]

Interesting video -- glad you found a good fit for you. There are so many options for keyboards out there! Me and my wife do a lot of video conferencing since we both work from home, so the last thing that we want is a noisy keyboard. I had an old iMac full keyboard (wired) which my wife now uses and loves -- very silent. For myself, I bought a Logi MX keys keyboard that is very quiet, backlit, wireless, and supports up to 3 different computer. I personally love it. Haven't look at having custom keys on it ...

[@boredgrass]

"...The world of key caps is crazy." ...love it😇 @ your question at the end: There are so many people and companies who do so original and creative things with great dedication. I want to know about them, even if I have no use for hey are part of the world I live in! So thank you for sharing!

[@darthshyam300]

I got the Tecware phantom elite and I adore it. Such a good keyboard for the price and fits my setup perfectly.

[@jacobbarstad9252]

The breathing at 7:43 gets me every time

[@_cesay]

I recently went down a mini rabbithole of mechanical keyboard too but was too broke to buy all the nice ones, so I settled with a premade beginner-friendly Langtu GK65 and Im still loving it! And OMG that I wish I have that Keychron switch testkit they sent you! Also, have you tried Cerakey's ceramic keycaps? The sound of those and *chef's kiss

[@DivyanshBalchandani]

Around 7:40 ish we can hear you breathe into the mic. Must've been from the track of you recording the key sounds. You might've missed it or it might be because you were trying to increase the volume of the switches. Anyways, just wanted to bring it to your attention. Great video as always! Learnt a lot from this.

[@thebradcolbow]

oops. there were a few other parts where I edited it out because my head is right by the camera where I captured the clicking of the keys.

[@trychillipie]

You were the last peson I thought would make a guide for keyboards.

[@joanMusicSpeaks]

Yes! This was the guide I was looking for. You rock!

[@NearlyInfinity]

to pry out the last piece stuck in the usb port, have you tried a very sharp and thin blade inside the usb, press the point into and use it to drag up and out, it's a common tactic to move around parts inside of locks when picking, and I feel like it could work here, just be sure not to cut through the usb and into the actual port, then once you have it out enough regular pliers should do the trick the rest of the way

[@Yokain7]

I'm using a Keeb IO sinc split keyboard. The price is expensive, especially prebuilt, but it works relatively well for art needs. I did have to buy a longer USB-c to bridge the two halves but it might be worth a shot if you plan to do more videos and experiment with mechanical keyboards.

[@lorensims4846]

I originally learned to type on a manual typewriter. I now use a MacBook Air, and while it does have a very nice built-in keyboard, I would appreciate a bit more key travel and a tactile click. Sound or looks don't really matter to me, but I don't think I want anything particularly flashy.

[@JosieDrake1995]

The lack of more diverse low profile keyboards is a big reason for why I won’t take the plunge. I’m not gonna spend my hard earned money on the taller keyboards when I just don’t like them. When the novelty wears off, I need something that feels good to use. All respect to hobbyists that love experimenting with keyboards, but I don’t have that luxury

[@Eric19401]

I'm looking into getting my first mechanical keyboard, so this video is perfect - thanks.

[@Ratboycure]

Sweetcool I was just thinking about keyboards today. Love your channel been watching for years. Surprised and pleased to see a keyboard video. Big fan of your reviews

[@TheBigGiant_SpaceChiken]

Very good video! You do a great job of explaining how one can get sucked into the custom keyboard world. My first mechanical keyboard was a ¨gaming¨ keyboard. You know, one of those full size, all black boards with clickly blue switches and tons of RGB. I used it for 5 years thinking that gaming keyboards were the only mechanical keyboards until I saw a few tech KZbinrs taking about ¨custom¨ mechanical keyboards. At first I thought it was strange that there were TKLs, 75%, 65% boards and the like. I was so used to my 100% gaming keyboard that using something smaller made no sense to me. The more videos I saw, I realized that there were so many different switches, plates, keycaps, color combinations and so on. So when the switches on my non-hotswap gaming keyboard started failing after 5 years, I decided to get a custom hotswap board that I could build myself. I was a noob to the hobbie so I got a GMK67 barebone kit (a 65% board, my favorite size now) so start out and learn. I really liked how it turned out and that´s when I fell into the rabbit hole. I now have built 10 custom boards. Some plastic and some aluminum. I have an 11th one on the way LOL. Once you go custom, you´ll never go back a normal pre-built boards!

[@Redgyart]

love his video, would you do a video about best shortcut remotes to be more efficient when drawing like Tourbox or Razer Tartarus (learned that from Ergo Josh) just wanted to see your opinion on these things!

[@nattiem2849]

Nice brad… Myself i ended up going with epomaker. It is a nice gasket that feels 100 times nicer for me than the Magic Keyboard. Good to see you branching out, but please don’t forget the drawing stuff… 😊

[@NoahWink]

I can't get enough of your channel! 😁

[@PincoPallino-zh8wm]

A friends of mine had a Keychron K2 75%, so I figured I'd try it too. I have been very happy with it and I never tried anything else since. Is it one of the best? I don't know, probably not, but I love it anyway.

[@Atsubaki-y7q]

I'm happy that you're also getting to this rabbit hole

[@Atsubaki-y7q]

also you'll need to go for that "thock" sound :D

[@shadyarian]

I needed exactly this video. A short guide about "how to get into mechanical keyboards" from someone I trust.

[@StayArtsy]

As an artist that is also a writer, this was super helpful!

[@ELW00dz]

Thank you! I'm taking an applied business technology program at university and I'm just getting in to mechanical keyboards again, this has helped a bunch! Which switch would you suggest that has moderate resistance, but a somewhat light sound ?

[@terrenceroth4804]

Thanks for branching out. Love to see you get into tech

[@siinxkj]

I just built a tofu65 2.0, didnt think I'd find an art channel talking about custom keyboards, kinda refreshing.

[@luxar92]

I really liked the 8bitdo keyboard. Feels nice to type, its wireless with decent battery life and its not that expensive (for a great mechanical keyboard that is). Plus it looks like an NES/Famicom which is pretty neat.

[@Hxted_At0myur]

if yall are wondering what keyboard this is its the epomaker p75 with (higround keycaps -seperate

[@Malephex]

I bought the K7 Pro for my home setup, and the a month later the K3 Pro for work. I got the K3 Pro V2 first, by mistake, but the optical switches and the new look was just off. Thankfully, I found the K3 Pro v1, which is like a smaller K7, and I haven't looked back since. I love the low profile with brown switches, and I wish you could get laptops with that sort of keyboard built in.

[@jmalmsten]

I have one of those compact yet fully keyed (with arrows and numpad and all) keychron, and while I like the feel, I found myself having to constantly look down to find keys as they weren't spaced out like on an old school full sized keyboard. So now I switched to a cheaper but more traditionally laid out Logitech board. I'll look out for a keychron as I did prefer their switches... But I just cannot justify sacrificing the ease if funding keys by feel alone.

[@MarbsMusic]

Welcome to the money drain :) It's a wonderful hobby but very addictive when you start wanting to have multiple keyboards that all sound, look and feel a little different... you realize that PBT keycaps sound much different from ABS so you decide on your first set of GMK... they boards become not something to just type on but an artistic expression of your creativity much like music or painting.

[@izblab]

I liked this one. And a keyboard is an artist tool as well... in the absence of a dedicated shortcut pad.

[@sarahgramelspacher3703]

I needed this video 2 weeks ago when I decided I needed a mechanical keyboard but didn't know where to begin! I ended up getting a DROP expression Shinai (which has since come down significantly in price). I guess my timing was just way off on this one. I am happy with my purchase, but I wish I'd had a guide like this when I started!

[@greensonic100]

Literally just started my rabbit hole too, so gos you made a video

[@dallassukerkin6878]

When I look at all these keyboards and the ludicrous prices of them I think back to the days when you used to get a PS2 connected Dell Cherry keyboard (AT101W or AT102W) when you bought a PC. They were excellent and pretty much immortal ... and didn't cost hundreds! I wince to think I threw out three of them when I last moved house - how I wish I had kept them and waited for the PS2 to USB adapters to appear :D

[@robertdufour2456]

You're right! Go for it!

[@LV4EVR]

Love the review, nice branching indeed. One huge rabbit hole further > split mechanical keyboards. 🤯

[@zachariasstarlid5365]

Maybe try to make a small cut in the metal piece. Then you would be able to get it out with a plyer or so. It’s just a bad guess. Looked really enjoying. 😅

[@mattz1686]

Try supergluing something to the broken stuff in the usb port! Let it harden and yank it out!!

[@The-Secret-Dragon]

wow these are so pretty! I've always wanted to get a mechanical keyboard, not sure I can live without a number pad though!

[@Alusnovalotus]

I was recommended a keychron to start. Average $50-175 is not bad.

[@marcdeluna8674]

One of us. One of us. One of us

[@M8NR8E]

I cant decideeeeee! I want an 1800 layout keyboard!! I think!!??? Leaning towards tactile, but curious about linear, i want an office friendly/gaming setup, i would love shine thru caps, but not a deal breaker, over all I want quality! If im convinced something ticks all the boxes, i think ill spend around 200 bucks. Maybe, I should just buy smtn cheap to at least learn my switch preference. Ive been in the rabbit hole for a week, and have yet to buy anything. The more I search, the more I learn, the more questions i have, the more options there are (or less), the further away i am from choosing something!!! Ahhhh!!!! (Scream fades away into rabbit hole..)

[@SkaMacanan]

Waiting for links to the keyboards featured on this video!

[@GrandDukeMushroom]

google teh name bro

[@starling-ok]

If you ever decide to fall down the hole a bit, I cannot recommend anything more highly than Mode Designs. Super classy, very easy to build. I have 6 keyboards from them XD

[@EdvinsBogdanovs-pe3ew]

Not sure if you tried it and it's still a problem for you, but my first instinct was to try to delicately super/hot-glue some "pull-out handle" for the broken dongle, so hopefully you check the comment section long enough :D Anyhow - thanks for the video, mon ami 👍

[@denisquenneville8032]

Thank you for a great video. Appreciate the approach!

[@EvetteHightower]

Awesome video! 😄 Keep up the great work!

[@q.edwards4891]

Brad's gonna switch to a gaming channel.

[@sandieguitodrumcircle2224]

Maybe you could use the handle end of a plastic knife with a short line of superglue to extract the broken bit out of the usb port.

[@Just_a_commenter]

Huh, didn't expect to see Brad delving into the world of mechanical keyboards... But, I mean, his claim is to review tools for creative professionals and a better keyboard for typing literature does count as a tool for creative pursuits! Go wild, Brad! Just be mindful of how deep mechanical keyboards as a hobby can go. XD

[@mpcinlv]

In the rabbit hole myself. It's deep yet colorful down here. Azio Elwood seems to be the way out.

[@jimmyhobson294]

"I'm kind of glad they sent it over" That is an odd way to show gratitude.

[@ViewtifulZeke]

Ah yes, mechanical keyboards. Once you have a good one, its very hard to go back to membrane keyboards. I have a keychron k4 with blue switches (i like the clickety claks ok) and its a 100% keyboard BUT its a compact design. Definitely takes some getting used to (i still fumble at times) but the extra deskspace without compromising the number of keys is worth it.

[@PrivateLZG]

A little different form of content, but I love it

[@nicodoe6181]

i got a 100% "gamer" mechanical keyboard for €30 when gamestop closed all their stores (i think it was 50% off), very glad i was able to get one at that pricepoint as 100%s seem quite rare until you go up in price. the tradeoff is definitely the gamer branding lol. ive always been tempted to fall down the rabbit hole and customise it😩

[@VioletaFolgarait]

Hey Brad!! I have absolutely no interest in the world of keyboards but your videos are always so interesting anyway! Regarding suhgwstions for topics, perhaps something on recommendations on desk set ups to use with display tablet so that our neck/backs don't die? 😂 I recently got a didplay tablet and have been tryjng to prop it up with books and its stand and other ways but something slways hurts one way or the other. all this ergonomic world seems kinda tricky! anyway, thanks and love from Argentina!

[@rohitkhanna9620]

A few decades back people threw away their IBM mechanical keyboards for being ugly and heavy whatever bells and whistles you might be talking about mechanical keyboards is all about the tactile spring and click sound. Nothing beats IBM keyboards anything close I found was TVS gold keyboards. Yes they are ugly black/white bulky they have no LEDs but they are very a pleasure to use. They remind me of the thinkpad keyboards which were phased out in favor of apple oranges type crap.

[@angelofmalice0]

So glad to see a video about key boards that doesn’t start with a nearly $200 dollar key board in a video titled “best BUDGET keyboards”.

[@dayayelluripati6091]

brad why dont you make a series on macro keyboards and the professional grade monitors and since you also talk about animation how to make a home studio that would be really interesting

[@shermstan]

Waiting for Brad's next video on customizable macropads for drawing applications lol

[@muhil4968]

i learnt many things from u drawing best keyboard best app and many more love u soo much

[@bsigns1935]

75% is the best layout for me

[@techrickyross]

I also have a 75% keyboard, it’s an epomaker th80 with gateron red switches, I got it for around $20 at a thrift store which was a steal cause they’re usually around $80

[@paranoidgenius9164]

I needed some ASMR mechanical keyboard therapy, so I let my fingers tap dance on my busted up Beeb computers keyboard! It's dead though Jim!

[@irisseer2773]

I bought a $40 mechanical keyboard during prime days and spent the best $20 I've ever spent. Increased my speed by 50% the first day.

[@davidflorez1196]

Which one did you buy?

[@irisseer2773]

@davidflorez1196 It was an KNOWLSQT. I looked on my Amazon orders and it said it's not available, but maybe theres something similar in that brand.

[@weiyon]

The breathing sound that come with the click sound from the keyboard is funny

[@m.h.1443]

Hi, i´m a beginner in drawing as a whole and i found ur channel as a pretty good source of knowledge so thanks for that! I just wanne ask what drawing app would you recommend for a beginner on android (S9)? The last video is over a year old and it where only free apps so could you make another tier list? If you dont intend to do a video about that could you give me a recommendation? There is so much out there and i have no clue what to look for ^^ Thanks a lot!

[@Choedron]

The clicking would drive me nuts. In that regard I really like my 100% Apple keyboard. Hardly no sound and it is almost flat, which makes it easier to write fast.

[@Han_Moz]

I actually love this kind of vids, and because of my limited desk space the low profile keyboard really entices me! on the subject of keyboards, i want to get a bluetooth keyboard for my samsung tablet, been looking at the folding ones, but do you have any recommendations for portable ones?

[@sanjaynagala5510]

In near future, I feel Brad shall become a streamer. Streaming video games 20/7 😂

[@rimbaud0000]

That's why I love framework. All ports easily replaceable

[@victor.novorski]

Is this good for night time productivity?

[@RailsonPMelo]

Could you try lesser-known pen display brands like "Gaomon" and "Veikk", since you said it's a slow season for art tech right now? I know it's a little difficult to buy them in your country, but...

[@ARBUZIK.dudkin]

I have a cheap gaming keyboard for 6 years now and I was looking to upgrade my keyboard finally and I thought if I’m buying a new keyboard why not choose a nice mechanical keyboard because I was never into rgb gamer aesthetic and I want a nice feeling simple keyboard

[@JasonBA96]

Hey Brad, it's fun to see you branch out to other areas, one thing that might be interesting is hearing abt how you try to keep healthy troughout an art career (stretches, tools, ergonomics) Also it might be great clickbait so idk food for thought

[@COB506]

Haven’t been following your broken usb port shenanigans but have you tried maybe sticking something to it with crazy glue and then pulling it out? Like gluing the other part of the receiver or even a popsicle stick and then yank it out maybe? 😂

[@evanrachelhood]

Oh no, I’m about to become a keyboard person

[@demonheart13]

I love keyboards, but i wish there were more type writer style round keys. I currently have one, and it's my favorite. But i can't customize it as much as the square type keycaps.

[@MsToshi1990]

Just a matter of time now until you get your first GMK set and find out about TGR, Geon...and many more :D

[@repeekyraidcero]

Wait. Thats not a drawing tablet OR a pencil? Did I take a wrong turn ?

[@wakax]

falling in the moebius strip of choices... thank you for showing me (once again) the Capitalist Hell...:)

[@jvalverde]

Hey, your video helped me out. Thanks :)

[@lorensims4846]

Keychron is nice, but pricey. I'm looking at Royal Kludge because they also seem nice but for a lot less.

[@no_1_knoz]

Best and ‘most realistic’ 🐇 noise EVER……………..😂🤣😂

[@no_1_knoz]

“Key Cap Krazy” sounds like a form of psychosis, probably happens if U go too far down that 🐇 🕳️…!? 😂🤣😂

[@vickdeweo4288]

Could you dive farther into the rabbit hole? Feels like I just got a taste. Maybe a history of mechanical keyboards and how they evolved into how tiny they got from the original IBM keyboards these all hail as the O.G. Long time listener, first time caller.

[@DavidC-iy2xr]

Hi, What switches are in the low profile k3? Sounds great.