Breaking Down Keygeek's Latest Mold Improvements

Hello everyone! This is Dashan. I know it's been a while, but I am back and ready for more blog posts. During the past 2-3 months, plenty of mold upgrades and modifications took place at both Keygeek and HMX; Writing down all the changes in one post is going to be pretty messy, so we will focus on Keygeek this time and talk about HMX a bit later on.

History of Keygeek's Mold Design

 

Mold 1 (Dust-proof Stem)

Implementation Time Frame: 2022-present

Typical switches that used Mold 1: Keygeek Raw, Keygeek Muguet Rose, Xiaoxin switch, and Jade switch etc. 

Switch Traits: 

1. Bottom-out Feel: Soft and dampened

2. Sound Profile: Quiet and deep asdf

3. Stem Wobble: Minimum stem wobble

4. Stem Tip Shape: Both flat and spherical tips available.

Comment: The dust-proof stem switch mold was Keygeek's earliest mold, and it was the only switch mold Keygeek had during the early days. Keygeek Raw switches brought it to people's attention.

 

Mold 2 Version 1 (MX Stem)

Implementation Time Frame: March, 2024 - June, 2024

Typical switches that used Mold 2: Keygeek Y1, Keygeek Avalon, Keygeek Jasmine Milk Tea

Switch Traits: 

1. Bottom-out Feel: A little bit squeaky

2. Sound Profile: Un-pleasant sound with plenty of noises during travel and bottom-out

3. Stem Wobble: A lot of stem wobble

4. Stem Tip Shape: Both flat and spherical tips available.

Comment: The biggest problem with Mold 2 Version 1 is that it comes with a wide top housing opening followed by a loose stem pole tolerance. The stem unnecessarilly moves a lot during travel creating squeaky noises; Also because of the loose stem tolerance, keypresses feel very unstable and shakey.

 

Mold 2 Version 2 (MX Stem)

Implementation Time Frame: June, 2024 - December, 2024

Typical switches that used Mold 2: Hachiware (old), Dusk, Dusk Horizon, Soda, Iced Latte, Keygeek Y1X (old), Keygeek Y3 (old), Keygeek Mirror Lake, Keygeek Purple Dawn, Keygeek Uni, Keylin, Lila, Strawberry Bunny, Briny (old), Tipsy Red, Azure, Oat, Etc.

Switch Traits: 

1. Keypress Feel: Feels a bit sticky and stuck at the beginning of each press. 

2. Bottom-out Feel: Very solid and firm bottom out.

3. Sound Profile: Very concentrated and no unwanted noises

4. Stem Wobble: Minimum stem wobble

5. Stem Tip Shape: Both flat and spherical tips available.

Comment: Mold 2 Version 2 comes with huge improvements on the issues that version 1 had. Keygeek modified the design of the top housing latch as well for easier installation. Top housing opening and stem pole tolerance were also adjusted to stabilize the stem during travel. Such change eliminated the squeaky feeling and noises. However, mold 2 version 2 was still not perfect; All the switches come with a sticky feeling at the beginning of each keypress. It is very obvious when pressing the switches on hand. This was caused by the tight top housing tolerance. Apparently, tight tolerance solves a lot of issues, but also cause new ones too. Both Keygeek and HMX have proven this to be true.

Mold 2 Version 3 (MX Stem)

Implementation Time Frame: December, 2024 - present

Typical switches that used Mold 2: Matcha Pudding, Keygeek Cyan, Higanbana, Pomkin, Little Ghost, new Y3, new Y1X, new Briny, New Hachiware etc.

Switch Traits: 

1. Keypress Feel: The sticky and stuck feeling is gone. Feels smoother and more linear now.

2. Bottom-out Feel: Very solid and firm bottom out.

3. Sound Profile: Very concentrated and no unwanted noises

4. Stem Wobble: Minimum stem wobble

5. Stem Tip Shape: Both flat and spherical tips available.

Comment: There is only one difference between mold 2 version 2 and mold 2 version 3; Keygeek slightly adjusted the size of the top housing opening and polished all new top housings to eliminate the sticky keypress feeling. New switches now feel smoother.

 

How To Tell The Differences Between the Different Versions of Mold 2

If you have read the article about HMX's molding difference, you would remember that we could differentiate HMX's molds by simply looking for certain design traits on the housing. However, the case is completely different for Keygeek; Keygeek didn't design and develop different generations of molds; They simply kept making modifications to Mold 2 Version 1. The result is that there are barely any significant visual differences between the different versions. 

 

Differences between Mold 2 Version 1, Version 2, and Version 3

One visual difference: The top housing latches on Version 1 sticks out when you view the switch from the side. Keygeek re-designed the latches for version 2 and version 3 to make sure they don't stick out. This ensures easier switch installation.

Mold 2 Version 1:

Mold 2 Version 2 and Version 3:

Other Differences: Unfortunately, above is the only visual difference we could refer to when examining the housings and stems. Otherwise, the 3 versions of Mold 2 only differ in sound and feel. This actually makes things simpler as I will provide the answer by listing the switches made with different versions of Mold 2.

Mold 2 Version 1: Keygeek Y1, Keygeek Avalon, Keygeek Green Milk Tea, Avocado, Red Velvet, Karman Line, Candling Dragon V2, Purple Begonia

Mold 2 Version 2: Hachiware (old), Dusk, Dusk Horizon, Soda, Iced Latte, Keygeek Y1X (old), Keygeek Y3 (old), Keygeek Mirror Lake, Keygeek Purple Dawn, Keygeek Uni, Keylin, Lila, Strawberry Bunny, Briny (old), Tipsy Red, Azure, Oat.

Mold 2 Version 3: Matcha Pudding, Keygeek Cyan, Higanbana, Pomkin, Little Ghost, new Y3, new Y1X, new Briny, New Hachiware etc.