Maybe the name of the sub is kind of the problem - it’s dramatic and gets attention but in the end is kind of vague and also hyperbole, which means that there are a huge range of possible interpretations about what it means. So internal fighting starts almost immediately and in the end whatever direction the sub (or movement) goes, most people will be pissed off that it’s going off the rails.

Exactly like “Abolish the police” in 2020. Wow, so dramatic! What does abolish really mean though? Queue 2+ years of infighting while every reasonable person who would have supported the movement walks away.

My Zyliss one is not appreciably harder to turn, FWIW

Yeah. Definitely construction makes a big difference. Actually, a keyboard I quite like using is an old CoolerMaster TKL with Cherry Brown switches... which I filled almost entirely with silicone caulking (the GE Silicone II type that doesn't destroy electronics as it cures). Like, you can't see it from the outside but the whole case is filled up. It makes the whole thing super heavy and solid, with a very satisfying (almost Topre-like?) sound. With that mod the browns are quite enjoyable to type on, even though nothing has changed about the switches.

Ehh, one person is recreating a complex mechanical/electronic product from scratch. I would not say quality has issues (the quality of the parts is fantastic) but sometimes some work is required to get everything working smoothly. Like re-seating springs etc. There’s a reason rubber domes took over - they just work, not maintenance or setup required.

It’s not a mass produced product.

It’s all a matter of taste. I do dislike most ‘clicky’ cherry style switches (eg cherry blue) because the click feels sort of fake compared to buckling springs. There are a ton of new options out there most of which I haven’t tried though.

Never “got” Topre myself, just felt like rubber domes to me, but objectively Unicomps are generally cheaper than Topre boards. Subjectively I think they’re better too, but that’s just me.

Probably the Model F Labs reissue of the Model F.

They didn’t exactly spin it off - they sold what they considered to be an obsolete keyboard design and tooling to a small company, Unicomp.

I’m simultaneously grateful Unicomp has continued to plug away making the best keyboard you can buy for under $400, and a bit frustrated they have so little actual interest in the keyboard community. Their changes have all made the keyboards uglier and cheaper looking.

An actual nice looking modern (or tastefully retro) buckling spring board at an attainable price would be a huge hit