Mechanical Keyboard Sound Isn't That Simple
Figure 1: I couldn't think of a more literal way to represent this article if I tried... Looking back just a few years ago, there’s no doubt that the huge influx of people that joined the hobby at the peak of the COVID pandemic were drawn to keyboards by way of YouTube, TikTok, and other audio-visual content platforms. Even as the output from these content creators has waned in recent months, their collective impact and legacy on the keyboard hobby is rather firmly etched in the history books. As a result of all of their sound tests, build logs, and opinion videos, the message is clear to any new person joining the hobby: mechanical keyboards are all about the sound. Thock this, clack that. Whether it’s keyboards, keycaps, or even singular switches, seemingly everyone new to the hobby meticulously pores over each component of their keyboard not in an attempt to figure out how it will feel in hand, but how it will sound as they’re furiously grinding their way out from...
Mar 27, 2024
One other thing, be sure to install the feet before you add the key caps otherwise you'll find you need to uninstall the key caps to install them and you further expose yourself to this issue.
I do like the keyboard but disappointed about this issue (and lucky I had some extra switches lying around to fix the ones that ripped apart).
One thing I found that helps with this is to wiggle the keycap back and forth with your pullet while lightly pulling up. This tends to let you pull the keycaps out properly.
EDIT: Per @WhisperingWindsOfShit " I did do an experiment on one cap, where I applied a thin, even coat of Super Lube to the stem of the cap, and the corresponding area inside the switch stem. I suspect that this did help, as that was the ONLY cap I was able to get off without damaging either the cap or the switch, but that could have just been luck and it still required an uncomfortable amount of force to remove it. Not recommending you do this, as I am unsure if there may be negative consequences for doing so, but if I had to do again I would probably go ahead and try lubing them all "
I'll get some samples in the office to test out as well.
I did do an experiment on one cap, where I applied a thin, even coat of Super Lube to the stem of the cap, and the corresponding area inside the switch stem. I suspect that this did help, as that was the ONLY cap I was able to get off without damaging either the cap or the switch, but that could have just been luck and it still required an uncomfortable amount of force to remove it. Not recommending you do this, as I am unsure if there may be negative consequences for doing so, but if I had to do again I would probably go ahead and try lubing them all.
Overall very happy with the quality of the kit, Matias stems are just a PITA.