(Group Buy) Seal Keyboard Kit

Closing Date: 23th December 2024

Expected Shipping time: Q2 2025

篆Seal designed by XINGZHI x QIN / Co-produced by VERTEX

About the Designer:

Xingzhi is a fresh rookie in keyboard design from China. This full-size newcomer is a collaboration between Xingzhi and his friend Qin, produced by the Vertex team of 'Angle,' a brand that you might be familiar with.

Both Xingzhi and Qin are avid collectors of vintage keyboards, such as those from IBM and Cherry. In the realm of classic keyboards, the full-size format has always been the dominant choice. The Cherry G80-3108, with a key positioned on the top right, is an iconic design that was emulated by Apple and WYSE in their products. This classic design inspiration is what led to the creation of Xingzhi's debut keyboard.

Furthermore, what often haunts Xingzhi is the question of how to incorporate Chinese aesthetics into a keyboard design, something that is traditional and understated. If calligraphy is considered an introduction to ancient art, then the Seal Script from the very first Qin dynasty immediately comes to mind. This is the inspiration behind the first design by Xingzhi and Qin, which features a signature badge called 'Seal'. The 'Seal' badge allows for personal customization with one's name or a favorite Chinese character, much like an artist's engraving in his masterpiece.

Extras Available Here

Overview:

Structure: Why Top Mount?

Stability and reliability are paramount in keyboard design. In fact, these qualities have been dominant themes from the very beginning of the history of customized keyboards. The performance of a keyboard is highly sensitive to all variables, including the plate, PCB, switch, and keycap. These components directly affect the keyboard's behavior, response, and even amplify subtle changes, providing a more authentic typing experience.

In terms of quality, the keyboard's performance can also reveal the true craftsmanship of the device. Personally, rather than viewing it as a conservative structure, one might consider it a form of purity.

One of the Vertex team's ongoing projects includes a solution where they've inserted a PC cushion between the screw and the case to absorb the quiver when typing. This might raise questions about its necessity. Interestingly, a friend named Lolo discovered minor differences when switching the PCB and plate of a MAJA keyboard from a PC case to an aluminum one, finding a slightly better feel in the PC environment. To replicate that slight improvement, they installed this small PC experiment to optimize the bounds and sounds  

Next, they, like others, split the PCB and plate into main and numeric keypad sections, which is a common design choice nowadays. Additionally, users might want to try with two types of switches, as they can be allocated from separate areas.

Size: Full Size 100% - 437.35 x 135.72 x 36.49mm

Weight: 3.5 - 3.7kg (Fully Built)

Front Height:  9°

Case Material:

• Anodised Aluminium in 6 Colours
  • Silver
  • Black
  • Red
  • Very Peri
  • Brown
  • Blue
• E-Ccoated in 2 Colours
  • Cold Grey
  • Pink

Plate:

• Aluminium
• FR4
• PC

Weight:

• Brass AF
• Brass Patina
• PVD SS Milled
• Copper AF

Support:

ANSI / ISO, Soldering / Hotswap, PCB based on QMK, supporting VIA3.0&VIAL

Included in the Kit:

• Aluminium case Top & bottom x 1
• Brass badge x 2
• Aluminium badge(inner) x 1
• Carry pack x 1
• Plate x 1
• PCB & cable x 1
• PC cushion x 10
• Daughter board and JST x 1
• Rubber feet x 1

Please Note: 

Seal and its PCB supports ALPS, but it was not possible to provide a compatible plate during the group buy period. The team plans to open-source the ALPS plate file at a later date.