These keys are gorgeous!
Another keycap review? Didn’t I say everything I wanted to say in the last one? In part. You see, while my MaxKey SA keycap review touched on the SA profile, sound the keys make, and appearance, it was only just one brand that’s making the SA profile. In fact, the primary brand for this profile is Signature Plastics. They made this custom keycap set, which I ordered from MassDrop. It’s a pleasing mixture of a teal blue and black keys. It’s also my favorite keycap set, and not just because it looks much cooler than the Portland keycaps from MaxKey (which are now on my work keyboard). They’re better in every way. Here’s why.
Improvements Over MaxKey
The Signature Plastics SA keycaps have a better texture than the MaxKey keycaps. The black color is shiny, and seems like it’s actually black, rather than dark gray. It’s like the difference between an OLED and LCD screen. That smoother feel doesn’t just make the keys look better, but also feel better. It’s as though you actually have more grip on each key than the matte textured MaxKey keys.
The keys are also a little bit thicker, it would seem. The sound they make is deeper. It makes my keyboard sound more robust, more like an expensive piece of machinery (which it is). These keycaps change the sound more than I expected. It’s as big as a leap between the DSA profile caps, which are thin and lightweight, and the MaxKey SA keycaps. I was shocked when I listened to the recordings. There’s a real difference here, and the Signature Plastic keys come out on top.
The Keycaps
The only problem I have is one that’s more with MassDrop and Signature Plastics. You’d think alphas and modifiers would be enough to cover your entire keyboard. You’d also think they’d include a blank or single novelty key with the order. But they do not. So, when you buy on MassDrop, you have to buy three kits to fill up even just a 68% board like my Tada68. You need the alphas, modifiers, and the novelties. Otherwise, you likely won’t have the right keys to cover your entire board. Those novelties usually go for around $30. You’re looking at spending 33% more for your board because you have fewer keys to cover than a full set.
Note the delete key is for the row 2/4 profile, but the keys on this row use the row 3 profile.
I’m actually using a single SA keycap from my MaxKey set for the Page Up key. My Tilde key is a row 1 key, so it sticks out more, and my Command, Fn, and Control keys on the right side are row 4 modifiers, rather than row 3 like the rest of the board. I intend to order blank keys from Signature Plastics in the row 3 profile, once the colors I want are back in stock.
Overall
Overall, this is my favorite keycap set. It looks gorgeous, it has a luxurious feel, and it sounds amazing. Unless you love a matte feel, higher pitched sound, and lighter keys, the Signature Plastics SA kits are the best choice to go with. Unfortunately, they don’t come in as many colorways as the MaxKey keycaps, so you’ll likely have to go with those. That’s not a terrible thing. The MaxKey caps are still fantastic. But I prefer the Signature Plastics keys. They look, sound, and feel better.
You’ll just have to remember to check in on MassDrop once a day to see if anyone is releasing a colorway you like, because, otherwise, they can be hard to come by. Right now, the only three designs you can get are the Nuclear Data, Lime, and Ice Cap sets. Unless you find one on MassDrop, that is.