Paul Haddad Mar 20, 2025
I own an embarrassingly large number of Topre keyboards, typing right now on one I just got this week. This is beyond insanity.
https://www.theverge.com/keyboards/633344/norbauer-seneca-3600-keyboard-peek
The $3,600 keyboard that’s optimized for joy.

The Verge
Show threadJohn GruberMar 20, 2025
@paul Tell me a good Topre keyboard to buy so I don't buy this $3600 one. Please help.
Show threadPaul Haddad Mar 21, 2025

@gruber RC1 I really like, but you have to be able to deal with the slightly odd shift row layout. R3 is good for a more standard TKL or 100% layout.
https://mechanicalkeyboards.com/collections/realforce

Some folks really dig the HHKB ones but I refuse to use a keyboard without arrow keys. Though they do look really nice.
https://hhkeyboard.us/hhkb/pro-hybrid-type-s

Leopold FC660c is a personal favorite but is no longer made.

Start with a 45g + silent switch (which should be the most common these days) and then you can branch out.

Realforce

Show threadJohn GruberMar 21, 2025

@paul Yeah, same for me with HHKB — I just can’t without arrow keys.

Realforce: man, that logo…

Show threadPaul Haddad 

@gruber Right. The R2/R3S have less obtrusive logos.

R2 is discontinued and isn't programable. R3S has laser printed keycaps. Both have really long built in USB-A cables.

You can, as I did with the one at the top of the picture, swap the R3S caps with the R2 caps and then do some minor surgery to add a USB-C port.

Mar 21, 2025 at 1:12pmWeb
Show threadJohn GruberMar 21, 2025
@paul Me: resists urge to commission my own keyboard like @codinghorror did with the Code keyboard…
Show threadStuart GibsonMar 21, 2025

@gruber @paul @codinghorror

You're allowed to do it after you donate $1m to Let's Encrypt.

Show threadPaul Haddad Mar 21, 2025
@gruber that's actually surprisingly doable Topre wise this year, there's a guy making clone domes/sliders/springs which previously were only available from REALFORCE.
Show threadGuillaume RossMar 21, 2025
@gruber @paul @codinghorror While you Kickstarter that, I'll go make one for a Magic Keyboard for Vision Pro which is just the bottom half of a laptop.
Show threadtylercheungMar 22, 2025
@gruber @paul @codinghorror the sad part is WASD is out of business i think
Show threadJim LutherMar 22, 2025
@tylercheung @gruber @paul @codinghorror They are? That’s too bad. I guess it’s good I bought a 10-pack of extra switches a year or so ago for my code keyboard.
Show threadJohn GruberMar 22, 2025
@jimluther @tylercheung @paul @codinghorror Alas: https://support.wasdkeyboards.com/hc/en-us/community/posts/27398762768791-Is-WASD-Keyboard-done
Show threadoverstrikeMar 22, 2025
@jimluther @tylercheung @gruber @paul @codinghorror I was under the impression WASD used off-the-shelf Cherry MX switches?
Show threadJim LutherMar 22, 2025
@overstrike @tylercheung @gruber @paul @codinghorror they are. WASD was just an easy place to get keyboard parts.