Key Bored / Journal
Journal
Shop Notes from the Key Bored workshop. Long reads on switches, materials, and the small details that make a desk object feel right.
What is a single-key mechanical keyboard?
A single-key mechanical keyboard is one real keyboard switch and keycap in a small body, made to press and carry. What's inside, why people love them, and how to spot a good one.
4 min readLinear vs tactile vs clicky switches: how each one feels
Linear switches are smooth, tactile switches have a bump, and clicky switches add an audible click. A plain-language guide to picking the switch you'll actually like.
3 min readBrass vs aluminum: why weight changes how a key sounds
Brass is about three times as dense as aluminum. In a keyboard or a single key, that extra mass makes the sound deeper and the feel more solid. Here's why, and where each metal makes sense.
3 min readHow to choose a desk fidget for focus
The best desk fidget is one you'll keep reaching for: quiet enough for where you work, solid enough to feel good, and small enough to keep nearby. How to choose one that lasts.
3 min readWhat is anodized aluminum? Color that won't chip
Anodizing grows a hard oxide layer out of aluminum itself, then dyes and seals it. The color becomes part of the surface, so it doesn't chip or peel like paint. Here's how it works.
3 min readCherry profile keycaps, explained
Cherry profile keycaps are low and sculpted, with a cylindrical top that cradles your fingertip. How they compare with OEM, SA, and flat profiles, and what the plastic and legends mean.
3 min readHow NFC tags work, and why every OneKey has one
An NFC tag is a tiny chip and antenna with no battery. Your phone powers it from a few centimeters away and reads what it stores. How it works, why metal is tricky, and what it does in OneKey.
3 min readHow small-batch pre-orders work
Small makers use pre-orders to build exactly what people order. What that means for timelines, payment, numbered batches, and what to check before you buy.
2 min read