Happy November, everyone! Can you believe there are only two more months until 2025? As we near the end of the year, I thought it’d be good to do a roundup of some of the switches we recommend if you're looking to build a thocky keyboard!
Now hold up a second–what even is thock? What does it mean? What is it supposed to sound like? “Thocky” is a very specific term unique to the custom mechanical keyboard community that refers to a relatively deep-pitched and sometimes muted sound. While it’s true that switches produce much of the sound from a keyboard, it’s the various combinations of switches, keycaps, and board configurations that can allow us to experience different sound profiles, such as thock. Even if some switches are on the clackier side, it’s sometimes possible to make them sound creamier and less high-pitched with lube and film. If you’re hesitant about performing these mods yourself, Thock King offers a wonderful hand-lubing and film service for most switches! Anyways, without further ado and in no particular order, here are some of our store’s thockiest switches.
Boba U4T V2 Thocky Tactiles
Manufacturer: Outemu
Type: Tactile
Price: $10.85 for 10 (Hand Lubed)
Thock King is proud to be one of the few vendors around that keeps regular stock of Gazzew switches. The Boba U4T V2 Thocky Tactiles in particular are a highly praised and accredited switch and have been favored by hobbyists and enthusiasts alike for many years. We currently offer different spring weight options in 62g, 63.5g, and 68g. The 63.5g long springs are the ideal sweet spot for office work and gaming so we recommend those if you can’t decide between the three! At this time, we do not offer these switches stock, only lubed.
Oil Kings
Manufacturer: Gateron
Type: Linear
Price: $6.75 for 10
Gateron Oil Kings are another famed switch in the community, loved by many for it’s stealthy, all-black housing and snappy return. These switches are available stock at the storefront with improved factory lube, but they may still benefit from some additional hand-lubing using Krytox 205g0.
POM Piano Linears
Manufacturer: Durock
Type: Linear
Price: $5.95 for 10
Durock POM Piano Linears are a super smooth switch that not only have a deep, satisfying sound profile, but also a 48g actuation force which makes them relatively light and easy to type on. We highly recommend hand-lubing these as they come dry from the factory!
NK Creams
Manufacturer: Kailh
Type: Linear
Price: $6.95 for 10
The Kailh x NovelKeys Cream Linears are a personal favorite of mine and have received a bit of attention on several of my social media platforms! They’re a bit on the heavier side so some of your fingers might tire out if you do a lot of typing, but the trade off is an incredibly creamy and deep sound profile that I haven’t been able to replicate with any other switch (yet). I definitely recommend lubing them as they’re a bit scratchy stock, but I would avoid film as they’re already pretty tight.
Milky Yellows
Manufacturer: Gateron
Type: Linear
Price: $2.45 for 10
The Gateron Milky Yellows are a well-known budget switch with great payoff. With a bit of lube, they become a comfortable and pleasant switch to type on. The milky housing acts as a diffuser of sorts for RGB boards, creating slightly softer colors. These are a great starter switch set for those just entering the hobby and don’t want to break the bank putting together a build–you can buy enough for a full-sized board for well under $30!
