The Cherry MX swap is, arguably, one of the vital mechanical keyboard switches of all time. Some would possibly argue it’s one of many finest mechanical switches ever. No different swap has fairly the identical legacy. It’s been round for many years and is without doubt one of the few switches that run the entire gamut of keyboards. You can discover it in all the pieces from point-of-sale systems, office cubicles, and police cars to gaming setups and even premium, limited-run custom keyboards.

Until lately, almost each mechanical gaming keyboard shipped with MX Reds, Browns, or Blues. For a very long time, Cherry’s switches have been the most suitable choice—mechanical swap or in any other case—for constructing a keyboard, they usually had a status for his or her excellent typing really feel and longevity when in comparison with their rubber dome and scissor-switch contemporaries.

I’ve a love for the unique Cherry MX switches. They nonetheless have a character and appeal no different swap has been capable of replicate. I kind on them often, nearly day by day, and at all times discover them a deal with to make use of, regardless of their shortcomings. So it got here as a shock when Cherry introduced a successor with the MX2A. How might one of the beloved and long-lasting mechanical switches out of the blue change so drastically? Could these modifications make the MX higher?

Cherry’s Legacy

The Cherry MX Black is the mechanical swap. It’s a reasonably heavy linear swap made fully of Cherry’s proprietary mix of plastics and has been in manufacturing since 1983 with solely minimal modifications till now. Cherry charges its MX switches for 100 million keypresses, and it’s not unparalleled for MX Blacks to be in operation even after 20 years of near-constant use. They ultimately grew to become a signifier of high quality: If you noticed a keyboard with MX switches, you could possibly be fairly positive that it might be each dependable and fulfilling to kind on.

As the {custom} keyboard scene began to kind within the early 2000s, individuals realized one thing attention-grabbing—the longer you used MX switches, the smoother they have been to kind on. This was true for all of them however most noticeably for MX Blacks. They have been the most typical in high-use workplace and point-of-sale methods and had a heavier spring that required extra drive to be pushed down, ensuing within the plastics seeing giant quantities of wear and tear.

These “vintage” MX Blacks—which needed to be desoldered from older keyboards—grew to become extremely sought out by lovers for his or her smoothness, and their shortage elevated demand even additional. At the time, Vintage MX Blacks have been the very best switches doable for a custom-built keyboard equipment.

It’s price noting that these worn-in switches are pretty scratchy by at this time’s requirements. Modern switches, constituted of higher-end supplies and lubed from the manufacturing unit, are leagues forward of MX switches in smoothness. However, many keyboard hobbyists at this time see the MX Black as having a “good” scratch in comparison with the scratchiness of different switches. It’s constant, delicate, and somewhat charming so long as you don’t anticipate perfection. There aren’t any sudden bumps or catches, however as a substitute a constant friction that feels extra “real” and satisfying than one thing engineered for good smoothness.