Weekend Project: The Real Punk Keyboard

So I got a new keyboard from Un Kyu Lee, the builder/designer of Micro Journals (Hmm I think I will make a dedicated post about Micro Journal).

Like the other keyboards,  I have to try on few set of keycaps before I decide which one is the best, visually and experience-wise.

My other Micro journals, the rev.6 and rev.2 revamp use retro punk keycaps, which are keycaps that resemble classic typewriter's buttons.  I really like the esthetic and I think it fits the retro futurism concept of Micro Journals.  The keycap set is cheap, and if you don't mind buying from 1688 you can get it in various colors, it also has Russian, Thailand, European version. BUT it is designed for full keyboard with ANSI layout.  Micro Journal is designed in Italy so, it use ISO layout, with a J-shape Enter key.  And the ortholinear Micro Journal needs some 1u sized keycaps, so the set doesn't have ctrl, cmd, opt, tab keys that are short like the alphabet keys. 

Micro Journal Rev.2 and Micro Journal Rev.6

My Microjournal rev.6 and rev.2 were using the other unused keys to replace ctrl, cmd, etc.  Since both rev.6 and rev.2 are using 40% ortholinear keyboard,  I have 60% keys that unused.

I would love to get another retro punk keycaps but money doesn't grow on trees.  Dang! I AM SO LUCKY that money doesn't grow on tree.  I am terrible at keeping the plants alive.  

Anyway.. since I have a lot of unused keycaps... I got an idea, to used the leftover keys for my new keyboard.  I am still the same as before, I still hate printing.  I can get keyboard stickers but I don't like the idea of sticking stickers.  What if I get bored?  I thought of using fabric because I like fabric, maybe I can add embroidered letter.  But I scratched that idea, considering the texture of embroidered fabric might be uncomfortable for typing.

So I took the IKEA catalog that has been sitting on the floor since... last year and making a serial killer keycaps real punk keycaps.  The texture of the catalog paper is nice and I don't mind if the paper ruined or faded later, I can get another IKEA catalog.  After all there is no guarantee that I wouldn't get bored of it right?  And the best part is, it is not sticking to the keycaps, so it is removable. Perfect for me.

And I think... It looks wonderful right.  I don't know why the retro punk keycap is called retro punk, but now with the collage the retro punk keycaps look more punk!

Now I feel bad about the Evangelion keycap set (the previous set that I used).  It is pink, it is cute but I still haven't find a keyboard that fits for the keycaps.  I thought that pink keycaps would fit the pink keyboard but I didn't like it.  The punk keycaps are not pink but somehow I like it better than the pink keycaps. It gives personality although I am not a punk.