r/HHKB

nothing like an hhkb and a ball

Preface (TLDR: Have experience with keyboards, HHKB best):

I've been involved in buying and building keyboards for a while now - it all sort of started with the HHKB Pro 2 and then I went down the rabbit hole of building my own with varying success.
I would say I'm a Topre diehard.

Built a Rama Thermal with Gateron Black Inks (amazing), a Ducky Viper 2 with Tealios (amazing), a Tofu with a switch I can't recall (okish), and an Inett Square X (okish) with another linear switch I can't remember (maybe Tangerines).

It was a lot of fun and they all still feel great to this day.

However, I found myself going back to the HHKB Pro 2 every single time.

That's when I decided to go the Heavy Grail route - a very expensive housing from Norbauer for the HHKB.
Funnily enough, this was probably the least straight forward build, even though it was just a transplant in essence, but the result is fantastic.
This has been my daily driver for the last 3 years.

BUT I would still consider the HHKB Pro 2 in its plastic housing to be the best typing experience - at least sound-wise if you care about that.
While I enjoy the Grail myself, I could never recommend that to anyone and would always say: Just buy an HHKB.

Enter the Studio (TLDR: It's my new favourite):

I don't know what made me so desperate to try this thing, especially since it kind of had a mixed to negative reception, due to the lack of Topre switch as well as some questionable features that people don't seem to want as much.

But I think I was fascinated by its looks and the programmable "mouse" buttons on the front - as well as the scroll wheel type pads on the sides.
I work in text editing, and these things are convenient as heck (and yes, they are SO convenient holy moly).

I did a lot of research, watched a lot of youtube videos, and everyone came to the same conclusion: not really recommended.
So I truly got influenced here to not get a product for once.

In any case, I got bored and bought it anyway recently.
I think I just wanted to try it myself, maybe see that it's actually not so bad.

Turns out it's my favourite keyboard ever - both in feel as well as sound.
They really managed to capture a similar vibe to the Topre switch, albeit still very different of course.
Whatever they did here, it's absolutely amazing to me.
Perhaps it was the extremely low expectations that made me think I'd get some low tier HHKB wannabe, but I've never experienced a more premium feeling keyboard straight out of the box in my life.
It feels like a lot of work went into making this as pleasant to type on as possible and I'm utterly confused why so many reviewers didn't seem to get that same vibe.

I remember lubing switches and doing various shenanigans to stab to get a fraction of sound and feel what this comes with.

By the way, the Bluetooth connection is perfect as well, likely only because I use an extender and have the dongle very close to the keyboard on my desk - still hidden of course.
I have no latency issues at all.

Anyway this thing is awesome and I love it.
Maybe if you're a Topre fanboy (like I am, to be honest) you could give this a shot regardless, but the standard HHKB is still totally awesome in my book and I'll always keep it for when I travel.
The Studio is too heavy for that purpose, but I like it being heavier as my daily driver at home.

https://makerworld.com/models/2520103?appSharePlatform=copy

I have gone through a collection of trackballs and keep coming back to the L-Trac. These are my four setups between home and my offices. First photo is my home setup, and that one is still my favorite by far. Last photo is the Realforce setup, so close enough, but HHKB and trackball is still the setup that does it for me.

My main setup has the bearing mod with the 2.25" Aramith Tournament Black 6-dot cue ball, plus my HHKB in the Sho aluminum case with URSA keycaps. That setup just feels right. Simple, solid, functional.

Still trying to figure out the perfect travel setup (currently HHKB Hybrid and Elecom Ist Pro), but for an actual desk setup, this is it for me.

The HHKB fits just right on top of the E14 keyboard. No need to put anything in between.

2011 HHKB Professional 2 Type S with beige blanks and sakura arrow accents

yep, here’s my quota

My trusty HHKB Pro Classic (silenced by me).