Mechanical keyboard switch

[_Grid21]

Hey just a quick question from my fellow tech friends on here. I have a Razer Chroma Blackwidow Keyboard, I use the W key a LOT (who doesn't use it for all games), and I noticed something. What I noticed was that the W key doesn't make the clicking noise it once did. Now the key is still working ( as you can see since I just spelled the word W-orking). But is it normal for over time for mechanical keys to lose their clicking noise but still function as normal? The spring on the W key is still pushing the key up and all my games see input from the key. How do I maintain the keyboard? Didn't Linus do a video about how to clean and oil the metal catch system?

 

Let me know if this is a normal sign of wear, tear and good solid use. I really love this keyboard and I want to keep it working for years to come.

 

[REX.exe]

@STRMfrmXMN

 

He is a bit of a peripherals master. He'll address the issue perfectly

 

I use a Blackwidow as well. It more than likely means the said W key has hit the max keystrokes. As long as it still works who cares right?

 

I await your reply STRM

[_Grid21]

@STRMfrmXMN

 

He is a bit of a peripherals master. He'll address the issue perfectly

 

I use a Blackwidow as well. It more than likely means the said W key has hit the max keystrokes. As long as it still works who cares right?

 

I await your reply STRM

I hope he can help me, but how could I have hit 60 Million key strokes on the W key already??

 

EDIT: According to the Razer Stats, I've only made about 25,169. I don't know if that only includes games I've played, or over all?

Edited May 14, 2015 by Josh_Grid21

[REX.exe]

I hope he can help me, but how could I have hit 60 Million key strokes on the W key already??

The 60 million keystroke thing is yet to be proven, if it has I was not aware of it.

 

60 Million keystrokes is A LOT of keystrokes. and I don't think Razer expected anyone to actually hit there keys 60 million times to test it.

[_Grid21]

The 60 million keystroke thing is yet to be proven, if it has I was not aware of it.

 

60 Million keystrokes is A LOT of keystrokes. and I don't think Razer expected anyone to actually hit there keys 60 million times to test it.

So am I to assume that the metal lock is worn out, but the spring is still working? 

[REX.exe]

So am I to assume that the metal lock is worn out, but the spring is still working? 

Yes, that is the most likely cause.

[_Grid21]

Yes, that is the most likely cause.

Should I feel worried? Is there reason to panic? Because this keyboard wasn't really cheap or anything and is there a way to replace the spring should it need it in future?

[Tedster]

So am I to assume that the metal lock is worn out, but the spring is still working? 

That might make sense.

I have typing statistics for me since 22nd August 2012. Let's see how those stack up:

So, I've done 12 million keystrokes in that time (roughly).  If I average that out per key (102-key Model M): ~120,000 keystrokes per key. Obviously this is more on some keys than others but you're right. Your 'w' key won't have been hit 60,000,000 times.

[_Grid21]

That might make sense.

I have typing statistics for me since 22nd August 2012. Let's see how those stack up:

So, I've done 12 million keystrokes in that time (roughly).  If I average that out per key (102-key Model M): ~120,000 keystrokes per key. Obviously this is more on some keys than others but you're right. Your 'w' key won't have been hit 60,000,000 times.

Well than, what is going on? Am I to fear that the spring will wear out soon too? I'm really kinda scared to play World of Tanks for fear of my losing the W key altogether.    :unsure:

[STRMfrmXMN]

Hey just a quick question from my fellow tech friends on here. I have a Razer Chroma Blackwidow Keyboard, I use the W key a LOT (who doesn't use it for all games), and I noticed something. What I noticed was that the W key doesn't make the clicking noise it once did. Now the key is still working ( as you can see since I just spelled the word W-orking). But is it normal for over time for mechanical keys to lose their clicking noise but still function as normal? The spring on the W key is still pushing the key up and all my games see input from the key. How do I maintain the keyboard? Didn't Linus do a video about how to clean and oil the metal catch system?

 

Let me know if this is a normal sign of wear, tear and good solid use. I really love this keyboard and I want to keep it working for years to come.

It might be that you whacked the switch around a bit, though I've never had this happen to me. It's normal for some to click louder than others based on where the key is placed, but this is new to me. Let it be noted that I never recommend the Blackwidow or any keyboard, for that matter, with Kailh switches in it as they aren't build to the same standard as Cherry switches.

 

If it's bothering you enough I'm sure Razer can fix it for you. I would ask @TheProfosist or @Charger as they have both built mechanical keyboards before and can probably tell you what to to

[_Grid21]

It might be that you whacked the switch around a bit, though I've never had this happen to me. It's normal for some to click louder than others based on where the key is placed, but this is new to me. Let it be noted that I never recommend the Blackwidow or any keyboard, for that matter, with Kailh switches in it as they aren't build to the same standard as Cherry switches.

 

If it's bothering you enough I'm sure Razer can fix it for you. I would ask @TheProfosist or @Charger as they have both built mechanical keyboards before and can probably tell you what to to

I contacted Razer last night and got an email this morning. They consider it defective. The trouble is they want me to also provide the serial number and I don't have the original box. I didn't realize they use Kailh switches. I thought I was buying a good keyboard, now I feel bad that I got something that may have an issue.

[Tuloth]

I contacted Razer last night and got an email this morning. They consider it defective. The trouble is they want me to also provide the serial number and I don't have the original box. I didn't realize they use Kailh switches. I thought I was buying a good keyboard, now I feel bad that I got something that may have an issue.

 

Shouldn't the serial also be printed on the bottom of the keyboard or something? 

[_Grid21]

Shouldn't the serial also be printed on the bottom of the keyboard or something? 

I found it. Thanks.

[jkraghify]

You got a good keyboard don't worry too much about it. I think the cherry switches may be better made but the Kalih switches are definitely not trash. My problem with the Razer boards is Razer--I don't like their style.

Good luck getting it repaired! It sounds like you've already done 90% of the work

[_Grid21]

You got a good keyboard don't worry too much about it. I think the cherry switches may be better made but the Kalih switches are definitely not trash. My problem with the Razer boards is Razer--I don't like their style.

Good luck getting it repaired! It sounds like you've already done 90% of the work

What are Kalih switches? I've never heard of them.

[Tuloth]

What are Kalih switches? I've never heard of them.

Basically they are mechanical switches that aren't Cherry MX's.  Cherry is the Cadillac of mechanical switches, Kalih are Kias.

[Charger]

What are Kalih switches? I've never heard of them.

they are clones of cherry mx switches. People don't really like that company because they were making clones before cherry's patent expired so a lot of people distrust them as a result of that

[_Grid21]

Basically they are mechanical switches that aren't Cherry MX's.  Cherry is the Cadillac of mechanical switches, Kalih are Kias.

Well look what I found. (I love using Google) http://www.kailh.com/en/company.asp

[jkraghify]

What are Kalih switches? I've never heard of them.

Basically cherry clones. Cherry is made in Germany while Kalih in China. Kalih switches are made with cheaper materials that do break easier than cherry switches, although to break either you still have to drop the board on the stem or abuse it in some way.

Kalih keyboards are usually much more affordable than cherry boards due to the cheaper switch, so they appeal to a different customer. I paid $200 for my keyboard but I also type like 26 hours per day

Kalih switches are great switches. They are not "excellent," but they cost less too. I think it's a fair trade off, especially since they are strong enough for normal use. Then again, this is from my research and not my experience.

Reddit sub Cherry vs Kalih: https://www.reddit.com/r/MechanicalKeyboards/comments/2dzg2d/kailh_vs_cherry_switches/https://www.reddit.com/r/MechanicalKeyboards/comments/2dzg2d/kailh_vs_cherry_switches/

[_Grid21]

Basically cherry clones. Cherry is made in Germany while Kalih in China. Kalih switches are made with cheaper materials that do break easier than cherry switches, although to break either you still have to drop the board on the stem or abuse it in some way.

Kalih keyboards are usually much more affordable than cherry boards due to the cheaper switch, so they appeal to a different customer. I paid $200 for my keyboard but I also type like 26 hours per day

Kalih switches are great switches. They are not "excellent," but they cost less too. I think it's a fair trade off, especially since they are strong enough for normal use.

So why would Razer consider that my keyboard is defective if it's a lower cost switch? I game on this a lot and the W key is the one that most games use to move forward. If it's still responding and the computer reads it, why would Razer say other wise? Also why didn't they just use Cherry MX switches instead of these other types?

[Charger]

So why would Razer consider that my keyboard is defective if it's a lower cost switch? I game on this a lot and the W key is the one that most games use to move forward. If it's still responding and the computer reads it, why would Razer say other wise? Also why didn't they just use Cherry MX switches instead of these other types?

it lowers their cost to make the keyboard but didn't effect what they sell the keyboard for is why they stopped using cherry. If the switch doesn't work right it is defective and razer has a name to stand behind so they will fix their stuff most times.

[_Grid21]

it lowers their cost to make the keyboard but didn't effect what they sell the keyboard for is why they stopped using cherry. If the switch doesn't work right it is defective and razer has a name to stand behind so they will fix their stuff most times.

It's a good thing my warranty is still good. Also I just notice that not only my W key, but also my Y and G keys lost their clicking noise. But they still working all the same. 

[jkraghify]

So why would Razer consider that my keyboard is defective if it's a lower cost switch? I game on this a lot and the W key is the one that most games use to move forward. If it's still responding and the computer reads it, why would Razer say other wise? Also why didn't they just use Cherry MX switches instead of these other types?

They probably wanted to widen the profit margin by selling more keyboards. It costs a lot to produce the switches so cutting corners there can cut the cost of the board down considerably.

It's defective because even though it's a cheaper switch, it should not have broken. Even Cherry has defects, and the bump dissapeaing with normal use is a defect.

[_Grid21]

They probably wanted to widen the profit margin by selling more keyboards. It costs a lot to produce the switches so cutting corners there can cut the cost of the board down considerably.

It's defective because even though it's a cheaper switch, it should not have broken. Even Cherry has defects, and the bump dissapeaing with normal use is a defect.

So really, by comparison, Cherry MX Red can get defective just as much as Kailh switches? I have kinda a heavy weight hand, meaning I kinda push harder then needed on certain keys by I don't do it on purpose, when I game and when playing World of Tanks, you use the W a lot to drive. Would Cherry Red stand up longer then the Kailh switches? Or are they all prone to wear out? 

[Charger]

So really, by comparison, Cherry MX Red can get defective just as much as Kailh switches? I have kinda a heavy weight hand, meaning I kinda push harder then needed on certain keys by I don't do it on purpose, when I game and when playing World of Tanks, you use the W a lot to drive. Would Cherry Red stand up longer then the Kailh switches? Or are they all prone to wear out?

red switches are linear so you get no feed back when you type so you wouldn't notice if the bump was gone because it was never there. Brown switches have a bump and blue switched have a bump and make a click sound. As I recall razer makes green switches which are cherry mx blue clones and orange switches which are cherry max brown clones.

I'm typing on black switched that I got out of a keyboard that was more then likely used in a police car for years before I got it with out any problems and I'm making a keyboard with vintage cherry mx black switched that were made around 1985 and expect no problems from them but anything can fail and defective parts can make it into keyboards.