How the Gradient Flows

The color transition runs vertically across the board rather than horizontally. Alphas start at a muted wine red (near Pantone 1945 C) on the bottom row, shifting through true cherry red in the home row, softening to coral-pink by the number row, and finishing in an almost salmon-tinted off-white on the function keys and top modifiers. This creates a subtle flame-like effect when viewed from above, with the darker base visually anchoring the board while the lighter upper rows recede. The modifier keys follow the same vertical progression—Shift and Enter keys match their row's position in the gradient rather than maintaining uniform color.

The double-shot legends use a slightly lighter or darker shade of each row's base color, ensuring contrast without breaking the monochrome flow. No secondary colors, no accent keys, no novelty caps—just the uninterrupted red spectrum.

What's in the Box

• Profile: Cherry (sculpted, cylindrical top)
• Material: PBT plastic
• Process: Double-shot injection molding
• Keys: 136 total
• Weight: 400g
• Compatibility: Cherry MX cross stem and clones (Gateron, Kailh, Akko, etc.); fits 61/68/84/87/96/98/100/104/108-key layouts

The 136-key count includes standard ANSI coverage plus additional modifiers for compact layouts (1.75u Shift for 68%, 1u Alt/FN/Control for 61%, etc.) and a 7u spacebar option. No ISO enter or split spacebar support.

Typing Feel

Cherry profile's lower height compared to OEM reduces the vertical distance between rows, which pairs naturally with the PBT's inherent texture. The result is a surface that grips fingertips slightly—no polished smoothness, no slip during rapid use. The 1.4mm wall thickness typical of double-shot PBT adds a muted, solid bottom-out sound compared to thinner ABS alternatives.

The sculpted rows mean each finger falls to a slightly different plane: home row sits lowest, number row highest, with a 0.5-1mm differential between adjacent rows. This encourages minimal finger extension for touch-typists, though the effect is less pronounced than steeper profiles like SA.

Common Questions

Does the red gradient work with non-black keyboards?

The burgundy-to-blush range pairs most naturally with black, dark gray, or silver cases where the darker alphas can blend with the case color and let the lighter upper rows provide contrast. On white or cream boards, the effect reverses—the pale top rows disappear visually while the wine-red base dominates. Wood cases split the difference acceptably. Avoid pairing with blue, green, or yellow chassis; the red spectrum clashes rather than complements.

Double-shot vs. dye-sub PBT—which matters more for a gradient?

For solid colors and gradients without fine detail, dye-sub can achieve similar visual results at lower cost. The advantage here is durability: double-shot legends are physically separate plastic pieces fused during molding, so the character shapes remain even if the keycap surface wears down over years. Dye-sub legends sit on the surface and can eventually show wear. At $34.99, this set sits at the lower end of double-shot pricing where the durability upgrade over dye-sub becomes notable.

Is Cherry profile too low if I'm used to OEM?

The total height difference is approximately 2mm at the home row, with a steeper angle on the top rows. Most users adapt within 1-2 days of typing; the more significant adjustment is the cylindrical top surface (slight dish) versus OEM's flatter curve. If your current OEM set feels tall or you bottom out heavily, Cherry profile often reduces finger fatigue. If you rest fingers heavily on key edges, the lower profile may feel less supportive initially.