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
K3 is the most legit cap maker IMO.
Whereas on these it was really like "wtf am I looking at? Oh that's Jack.. Riiiight." I definitely have an appreciation for the nicer ones, especially those of games I play - having one for the windows key on/off switch would be sweet.
P.S. Really not knocking the drop team & their acquisition of this drop - I'm just not pro-Jack Nicholson enough to truly appreciate this drop (=
To explain the cost. Aside from the setup molding process. Each of these keys takes me about 3 hours of work and then another 6 hours of waiting until they are done curing. Some of my keys like the Hungrkey take over 24 hours to produce.
https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=78637.0
I have to hand measure, mix, and pigment each color you see in this drop barring the optically clear resin with no pigmentation. There are no machines that place the colors, mix, or meter the ratio of chemicals. It's all done by me and my wife.
The people who are buying these have suggested numerous times that the price is increased to deter scalpers from buying for say $15-25 and selling for $100+. That's tough for me to ask so much of people, but to my surprise it has worked in keeping the 2nd hand market from getting so ridiculous. People who want them are buying them instead of people who are trying to profit from my hard work.
I know artforms are all very strange to encounter and even the criticisms you bring to light are ones I will consider as I move forward with my projects. Please look into my work and process. I have not only produced a library of over 15 different designs, but in 3 years I have made a little over 3000 keycaps, trained 4 people to cast (two were out of state), designed a tool to assist people in creating better keys with fewer defects, and most recently successfully prototyped my own hybrid design to make keycaps both MX and Topre compatible.
K3KC has 0 designs of his own. The caps he sculpts look like bad knockoffs of Bro Caps/Clack Factory. IMO, he's not as talented.
I don't hate on people for owning K3KC caps. If you want a popular design, K3KC is the cheapest alternative, but calling him the most legit cap maker is erroneous.
Also, after owning caps from almost everyone, K3 has the highest quality feel. Deal with it, Dont, I couldnt care less. But K3 makes legit stuff, Stuff that is ACTUALLY limited, Unlike the false rarity produced by Bro..
I think K3 definitely has talent (it's not easy to make handmade caps), but he's literally copying the same design from another seller just to make a quick buck--at least, that's how he started off. The best comparison I can think of is this: There's a local artist I really like who does a lot of artwork around a central image. Everyone here in the local artist community knows his trademark design. The artist constantly does variations of this work, and sells prints off of them. Then somebody, knowing how popular that design is, copies it line by line only because some supporters were unable to get the original prints (or too impatient to wait for the next run), and they really want it just to hang in their living room; they aren't supporting the artist, however, and are sort of doing a disservice.
If K3 came up with his own designs, I may be interested; I love having an adorning cap on my board to accentuate the ensemble. However, he is literally copying the cap design and selling them for the original prices CC used to sell them.
K3 made a direct 1:1 copy of the BroBot v2 and sold them to the vietnamese market (Vietnam Mechanical Keyboard Club). After Bro found out, there was bickering and arguments between everyone. They both messed about making copies of each others stuff (Bro with K3's Lobo, K3 with the Bro's Reapers and Reaper Vintage). Eventually Bro and GH had enough and got K3's PayPal revoked as he'd broken PayPal's rules.
Basically K3 was a dick to Clack and Bro, Clack ignored him, Bro got a bit miffed (understandable) and it ended up with people always arguing about K3 when ever he's mentioned. If you think K3's okay for making copies of other artisans work, that's fine, but justifying it infront for Bro and Clack supporters isn't going to get you into their good books. Keycaps is a rough market, support who you think is in the right, but be nice about it!
Sorry for the long reply, and sorry Binge for ransaking this thread. I get pissy when K3's about. ; )
[some more edit] In my opinion; people like Binge are who you should support, they try their hardest to satisfy the community even if it's at their loss. The artwork is his (and wifes) own creation and you're paying for products from a sublime artist. Each key should have meaning, a representation of the community you're all in, and Binge capures that perfectly. <3
You do realize that copyrights mean close to nothing across country lines? It's a morality issue. You are only viewing this as what is best for the consumer, not what is best for the consumer + maker.
You guys cant honestly think that Paypal is just Bros personal army that will shut down peoples account at a whim, FOREVER!!
I don't know if you realize it but people acting like sheep from either side of this off-topic argument have acted poorly in a large way. It would sit much better with me if you had any grievance with our artwork, business, or practices if you were to contact us at info@hungerwork.studio instead of fueling this argument. Please take with you that the facts and opinions you have shared so far are being considered, but we would be much more receptive of your ideas/ideals if contacted instead of humiliated.