What is SpaceFN and why you should give it a try
The SpaceFN concept - setting up your space key as a layer switch when held - is probably one of the most useful tweaks in the keyboard hobby. Let me explain how it works. My SpaceFN article on kbd.news made some rounds recently - quite surprisingly given the age of this concept. This piece you're reading is a condensed version of the full post. If you're left with unanswered questions, you'll most likely find the info you're looking for in the original write-up. On my imaginary top list of the most useful keyboard features, tweaks and hacks, SpaceFN would deserve a podium finish for sure. But what makes it so special? In short: SpaceFN is easy to implement, easy to learn, costs nothing, can be used with any keyboard, and can improve your productivity instantly. I will list its benefits below, but can state right at this point that the SpaceFN concept, setting up your space key as a layer switch when held, is clearly one of the most useful tweaks in the keyboard hobby....
Apr 30, 2024
That said I don't want anybody to think I'm knocking Hammer's work in any way, these caps are beautiful & I'd join the drop in a heartbeat if the prices commiserated with similar offerings from other makers. I'm sure he/she put a lot of hard work & dedication into them which does show in the final product, but unfortunately the asking price is just to high in mine & many other's opinions to justify purchasing any.
TBH the price gouging is one of the big reasons I am shifting away from collecting artisans & focusing more on building/collecting the KBs themselves. Although that was more a part of the 2nd hand market & it does happen with all rarer/limited mech KB paraphernalia, I knew eventually some the makers themselves would start to want more money for their items seeing some of the rarer more desired ones fetch stupid prices in the 2nd hand market. That is something I can not nor will not support because the overpricing of rarer artisan caps & key sets has become a very toxic element to the mech KB community IMHO.
I'm all for a maker or designer to make a reasonable profit on their creations & work put into bringing them to the public. But when I feel that an item reaches a price where you know an obnoxious amount of profit is being made from a purchase I will flat avoid buying it no matter how much I like it. Not 100% sure if that is the case here, but if something like a special material was used or many extra steps were needed to get to a finished product is what caused the retail price to be driven beyond normal pricing for similar products. That should be clearly explained to potential buyers to avoid sticker shock & the subsequent bad word of mouth that follows it.
I agree with you.
Each maker/artisan has their own way and reason to price their keycap. There are more than one party involve in the the process of making a keycap and then deliver it to your keyboard. Each of us have a different way of creating keycap as well . We are not comparing ourselves with other and vice versa. The value of each keycap is on the beholder eyes. With us, purchasing thing with a listed price is an agreement. Maker makes some profit to put food on their table, buyer has a new keycap for themselves, and we are both happy with that. We have updated our side. You can visit and look at our price range for reference :).
Sidenote: "sanding & buffing each individual cap to a shine overkill" - besides sanding and buffing we does apply some other method to ensure the quality of the keycap surface.