Thoughts on switches Part 3: Kiwi switches by C³Equalz and The Key Dot Company

  My switch preferences have changed so much over the years. Initially, preferring the sound and feel of clicky tactile switches, briefly using tactile switches, and now have come to prefer smooth, linear switches. I still take time to swap out switches from time to time, to enjoy the different feeling and sounds found with different switches. Sometimes, the experience is a surprise joy and other times it is lackluster, or even outright poor. It’s how we all are, we grow and change and develop new tastes and preferences over time. And, as with all things, preferences are subjective in nature. So, I went into using the Kiwis with that knowledge and expectation. I knew they were unlikely to supplant my short list of favorite linear switches, however, they might just end up being my favorite tactile switches, upstaging my previous favorite, Novelkeys Blueberry switches made by Kailh.

And the Kiwis certainly hold many similarities to Blueberries. They’re a stiffer switch, with a distinct and strong tactile bump that starts essentially immediately upon pressing the keys. That said, the switch feel is wholly different. Unlike the far more complicated feeling of Blueberries, Kiwis are a much more classic tactile design, compared most easily to the letter P. It has a sharp and immediate bump (like the top of the P) which is followed by a smooth increase in tactility until actuation where there is a quick fall off (the curve and bottom of the upper section of P). Finally, there is a linear section that continues until the switch is bottomed out (the stem of the P). They are made from the same housing as the previous C³Equalz and The Key Dot Company (TKC) switches with a T1 stem this time for the tactile design. Like those other offerings, they are also lightly lubricated from the factory. They carry a 67g actuation force, compared to 70g of the aforementioned Blueberries. However, owing to the T1 stem, Kiwi switches actuate at roughly 2mm rather than the deeper 3mm of Blueberry switches.

They are, in turn, highly tactile like other switches which utilize the T1 stem but retain much of the sound profile and feel of other TKC switches. As I only have Tangerines to compare them, they have the same bottom out sound, dulled somewhat because I’m not bottoming out the switches as much because of the tactile event. It’s not as deep as some other switches but owing to the factory lubrication, smooth housing, and tighter tolerances I find little spring ping and little scratch to them. In that regard, they have a pleasant clacking sound to them, not as pronounced as say Cream switches but more so than say the Kailh Pro Plum switches I have which are also a stiff and tactile switch. However, unlike the Plums which are only mildly tactile due to their heavy weighting and less pronounced stem, the Kiwi switches are comparable in tactility only to my Blueberry switches. Compared to those Kailh Pro Plum or Cherry MX Clear heavier weighted tactile switches the Kiwis are far more pronounced and begin their tactile event immediately on pressing.

When used, I find that as much as I enjoy that heavy tactility, really bringing to me that distinct feeling of pressure building up until actuation, that same feeling is also fatiguing over heavy use. Even compared to equally weighted 67g Tangerines the feel is more fatiguing to type on for me, especially for my pinky fingers. I don’t notice the feeling as much with Blueberries but both switches ultimately are tiring to use exclusively for long periods. For their part, I think because Blueberries have a sharper curve towards the very end, reducing bottoming out even more helps in that regard. Because the Kiwi switches are smoother and less steeply curved towards the end of the stems, I do find myself bottoming them out more frequently which when combined with their already heavy tactile bump makes for a stiff press followed quickly by a sharp fall to bottoming out.

For what they are, Kiwis are excellent. They’re massively tactile, have a good sound, are smooth, and well weighted for what they are. Stem wobble is low and consistent between switches and the housings are among the tighter and more secure for stock switches. For those seeking out those traits, I think the Kiwis at $0.65 a switch, are a clear winner. With Holy Panda clones often coming in northward of $0.70 a switch, they are a relative bargain in comparison, especially with the gold-plated switch leaf and spring. Add in some largely uniform and light lubrication and they’re honestly going to be one of the best heavily tactile switches to use as stock. And though I haven’t opted to lubricate them myself, I understand they smooth out even more, and lose only minor tactility depending upon your choice of lubrication and heaviness of application of course.

Ultimately, as it stands for my usage however, as much as I wanted to love them and end up switching back to tactile switches in the first time in roughly two years, I just don’t think they’re for me. Lightly tactile switches such as the Pro Plums simply feel rough and unpleasant but on the flip side Kiwis are so heavily tactile that they feel fatiguing to me and even writing up this review is somewhat wearisome. And, as well built as they are, and as lovely as my keyboard sounds and even feels with them, that’s not enough to sway me away from my linear switches. Perhaps I’ll like them more in a secondary keyboard, or one with more flex than the rather stiff combination of aluminum and brass that my DZ60 utilizes. I’m not getting rid of them, or retiring them, just waiting to see if I have a better place for them that matches my likes more than they do in this particular build at this particular time. Who knows, perhaps I’ll one day return to typing with heavy tactile switches again, but today isn’t that day. That said, if that day is here for you, I absolutely recommend these as one of the options you should definitely consider when it comes to heavy tactile switches.