Cherry MX This switch is probably one of the most important mechanical keyboard switches of all time.Some might argue that it is one of the the best An unprecedented mechanical switch. No other switch has the exact same legacy. It's been around for decades and is one of the few switches that can run the full range of keyboards. You'll find this keyboard in everything from point-of-sale systems, office cubicles, and police cars to gaming setups and even limited edition premium custom keyboards.
Until recently, almost all mechanical gaming keyboards came in MX red, brown, or blue. For a long time, Cherry switches have been the best choice for building keyboards, mechanical or otherwise, with superior typing feel and longevity when compared to their contemporaries, rubber dome and scissor switches. It was well known for its long length.
I have a soft spot for the original Cherry MX switches. These still have a personality and charm that no other Switch can replicate. I type these on a regular basis, almost every day, and despite their shortcomings, I always find them fun to use. So it was a surprise when Cherry announced his MX2A successor. Why would one of the most beloved and long-standing mechanical switches suddenly change so dramatically? Do these changes improve MX?
cherries legacy
Cherry MX black is of mechanical switch. This is a fairly heavy linear switch made entirely from Cherry's proprietary plastic mixture and has been produced with minimal changes from 1983 to the present. Cherry rates his MX switches as able to withstand his 100 million keypresses, and it's not unheard of for the MX Black to still work after his 20 years of near-continuous use. They ended up representing quality. When you see a keyboard with MX switches, you can be sure it will be reliable and fun to type on.
When the custom keyboard scene started forming in the early 2000s, people noticed something interesting: Using MX switches for a long time made typing smoother. This was true for all of them, but most notably the MX Blacks. These were most common in high-use office and his point-of-sale systems, and the heavier springs required more force to push down, resulting in a lot of plastic wear.
These “vintage” MX Blacks had to be desoldered from old keyboards, and their smoothness made them incredibly sought after by enthusiasts, and their rarity made them even more in demand. At the time, the Vintage MX Black was the best switch possible for a custom-built keyboard kit.
It's worth noting that these well-worn switches are quite fragile by today's standards. Modern switches are made from high-end materials, are factory lubricated, and are far superior to MX switches in terms of smoothness. However, many keyboard enthusiasts today consider the MX Black to have “good” scratches compared to the fragility of other switches. It's consistent, subtle, and quite attractive, as long as you don't expect perfection. There are no sudden jolts or catches, but instead a consistent friction that feels more “real” and satisfying than something designed for perfect smoothness.