Support for Alternative Layouts
This is a summary of how alternative layouts have been supported by kits such as Colevrak and Homing. It is not a discussion of alt layout performance and development, but if that interests you I highly recommend starting with Pascal Getreuer’s A guide to alt keyboard layouts (why, how, which one?). It’s a concise and comprehensive overview with links to some great sites that go deeper. He also has a separate Links about keyboards page. The Keyboard layouts doc he recommends explains layout goals and metrics in detail, summarizing the alt layouts discussed here as well as more than one hundred others. Sculpted-profile The majority of custom keycap sets are sculpted-profile (Cherry, SA, MT3, KAT, etc. - more on profiles generally here) so let’s start there. Because each row has a unique keycap shape, alt layouts require a unique keycap for each legend that moves off its QWERTY row. At first there were two The Dvorak layout was patented in 1936 by August Dvorak & William L....
Apr 23, 2024
They're both very solid entry level options that won't break the bank and are easily customized with standard keycap sizes.
It's a shame that you missed out on the k-type the other month, because it sounds like it would be exactly what you're looking for. I'm sure it will be available again eventually though. If you decide to check out the WASD V2 or MagicForce 68 they're both here now and then and also available at wasdkeyboards.com, while the MagicForce 68 cnan be found on Amazon.
Here's a breakdown of the differences between the two: https://deskthority.net/wiki/ANSI_vs_ISO
The most comparable Cherry switch to Razer greens would be Cherry Blues. In fact before Razer started commissioning their own switches their Blackwidows used to use MX Blues. Putting some 40A-L o-rings on the keycaps or using sound dampening brackets on the switch housing would both really cut down on the noise from the switches, but it's still a clicky switch and will make some noise.
Cherry MX Browns are a tactile switch (it has a bump on the press down) that actuate at about the same force as Cherry Blues/Razer Greens, but are quieter since they're not a clicky switch. If you want a switch with a more noticable bump then Cherry Clears have that, but they require more foce to push and some people can find them fatiguing to type/game on (although I love them). There are also MOD switches but currently I think you'd have to buy a batch from Originative and solder them in yourself.
There are also Cherry clones like Kailh switches (which have improved their quality greatly in recent years). Boards with Kailh switches are typically cheaper and feel very similar to Cherry boards.
It's still currently available here on Massdrop though, so shipping could be cheaper for you here.
I think Swedish layout is similar? http://www.keyboardco.com/keyboard/swedish-finnish-filco-ninja-majestouch-2-tenkeyless-nkr-tactile-action-keyboard.asp
Not sure if that would be acceptable to you, or if the price is any cheaper for international shipping, but KeyboardCo is a UK company I've used before and are very good.
Vortexgear Pok3r keyboards are widely available everywhere, and I know have a Nordic layout option, but they might be a bit too compromised for you (no dedicated F keys, or cursor keys).