![]() ![]() Some of the keycaps have slightly rough edges on the underside, but I’m hoping that is simply a quality-control issue that will be fixed before the Rymek officially launches in August. PBT keycaps with dye-sublimated legends to protect against wear would be even better, but I’m happy with the keycaps for what they are. The sidewalls of the keycaps are even thicker than standard double shot keycaps. Additionally, single-shot keycaps are usually incredibly thin, but that isn’t the case with the Rymek’s keycaps. The added polycarbonate makes the plastic stronger than the plain ABS plastic used in most keycaps. The Rymek’s keycaps are made of single-shot PC-ABS plastic. I think more standard keycaps are better if you’re looking for the best typing experience, but the “saddle-shaped” keycaps are a pretty good option for retro-styled keycaps. I still have the occasional mishap caused by the rounded bottoms when I really get going with the syllable-slinging. It didn’t take that long for me to adjust to typing on the irregularly-shaped keycaps, but it was undoubtedly rough when I started. That said, the rounded bottoms still don’t make for the most optimal strike area. When I first started typing on the Rymek, my sentences were plagued by garbled words here and there. The extra space provided by the flat tops of the keycaps is greatly appreciated, especially since my fingers tend to strike and rest on keycaps closer to the top of the keycaps than the bottom. KnewKey opted for what it calls “saddle-shaped” keycaps that strike a decent balance between usability and retro styling. Many later typewriters had keys that deviated from the traditional circular style in order to improve the typing experience. ![]() Square keycaps maximize surface area so users are more likely to hit the keycaps rather than accidentally press down into the space between them. However, there is a reason most keycaps nowadays are more square than round. There are a number of typewriter-styled keyboards on the market, and many of these come equipped with keycaps that mimic the classic circular typewriter keys. I find it somewhat humorous that the Rymek, in trying to replicate the look of old-school typewriters, fits right in with many modern keyboards. However, the “floating keys” look predates Corsair’s inception by over a century. The “floating keys” design is often associated with Corsair, and I think it would be fair to say that Corsair keyboards popularized the look in recent years. I think the mock typebars are a neat addition that help sell the retro typewriter look. These mock typebars are illuminated by white LEDs along with the key caps themselves. The reflective surface shows fingerprints and dust like nobody’s business, so anyone wanting to keep it looking clean will need to keep a cloth and perhaps some compressed air handy.Ībove the retro-styled keys, some faux type bars reside in a cut-out area. The chassis of the black and rose-gold variety is made of shiny piano-black plastic that looks nice, but it’s not for the clean freak. The Rymek comes in two different color schemes: black and rose gold-how my unit came-and white, orange, and silver. The Rymek is considerably less bulky and weighty than typewriters of old, which I certainly appreciate. KnewKey put in some work to adapt the typewriter formula to better fit with modern needs and materials, and I think the company did a great job preserving the typewriter aesthetic while modernizing it. The Rymek isn’t a full-blown typewriter clone. The Rymek is a mechanical keyboard styled after old-school typewriters, which sounded to me like a fun concept to take for a spin. KnewKey is a young company that’ll soon be releasing its first keyboard: the Rymek. It’s no surprise, then, that there’s a market for mechanical keyboards with retro styling. Anyone searching for gaming keyboards or browsing the mechanical keyboard subreddit will be greeted by keyboards tricked out with RGB LEDs, fancy chassis, and custom keycaps. Many keyboard enthusiasts view them not just as input devices but also as fashionable accessories. ![]()
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