Aflion Blush vs. Durock Ice King Tactile
An in-depth look at the Aflion Blush and the Durock Ice King Tactile switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the Aflion Blush and the Durock Ice King Tactile stand out for their unique features and characteristics. The blush, a linear switch, is praised for its smooth and snappy feel thanks to its longer, two-stage spring and long pole design. It offers a poppy sound signature and is categorized as low-pitched, creamy, silky, buttery. On the other hand, the Ice King Tactile, a tactile switch, is celebrated for its creamy smoothness combined with a pronounced tactile bump, providing a truly satisfying typing experience. It is categorized as silky, frictionless, subdued, stepped, polished. Each switch has its own strengths and qualities that appeal to different preferences and typing styles. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the best switch for you.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
N/A
Actuation force
58g
Bottom-out force
58g
Bottom-out force
68g
Pre-travel
N/A
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.30 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Factory lubed
No
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
Nylon
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Dual-stage stainless steel spring
Spring
Gold-plated progressive long spring
Housing materials
The housing materials of the Aflion Blush and the Durock Ice King Tactile differ in terms of their composition and resulting sound profiles. The Blush's polycarbonate top housing produces a sharper, higher-pitched sound compared to the Ice King Tactile's nylon top housing, which elicits a deeper and fuller sound. While polycarbonate is known for its stiffness and clear, resonant sound, nylon is softer and absorbs more sound, creating a duller and rounder sound. This contrast in top housing materials contributes to the overall typing experience of each switch.
On the other hand, both the Blush and Ice King Tactile feature nylon bottom housings, providing a similar deep and full sound profile when typing on the switches. The use of nylon in the bottom housing of the switches absorbs more sound than harder plastics, resulting in a duller and rounder sound. This consistency in bottom housing material between the two switches indicates that they may share some similarities in sound and feel during typing, despite their differences in top housing materials. The split between the qualities brought by the bottom and top housings contributes to the overall typing experience of each switch.
Overall, the choice of housing material in a keyboard switch plays a crucial role in determining the sound and feel of typing. While the Aflion Blush's polycarbonate top housing creates a sharp, crisp sound, the Durock Ice King Tactile's nylon top housing produces a deeper and fuller sound. The contrast between the top housing materials highlights the different sound profiles each switch offers, contributing to the overall typing experience. Both switches' nylon bottom housings contribute to a similar deep and full sound, indicating a potential similarity in overall typing feel between the two switches.
Weight
The Aflion Blush linear switch and the Durock Ice King Tactile switch differ in their actuation force and bottom out force. The Aflion Blush has a light actuation force of None grams and a bottom out force of 58 grams, making it ideal for those who prefer a lighter typing experience. In contrast, the Durock Ice King Tactile has a higher actuation force of 58 grams and a heavier bottom out force of 68 grams, providing a more substantial typing feel for users who enjoy a stronger push. While the actuation force of the Ice King Tactile is the same as the bottom out force of the Blush, the overall typing experience will still be quite different due to the varying bottom out forces. Ultimately, choosing between the two switches will depend on individual preferences for typing style and force requirements.
Travel distance
The Aflion Blush linear switch has a travel distance of 3.3 mm, while the Durock Ice King Tactile tactile switch has a slightly longer travel distance of 3.5 mm. Both switches fall within the range of shorter travel distances, with the Blush being slightly shorter than the Ice King Tactile. Gamers looking for faster response times may prefer the Blush due to its shorter travel distance, while those who prefer a more substantial key press may opt for the Ice King Tactile. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on individual preferences for key feel and response.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Aflion Blush has an MSRP of $6.00 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Blush for $4.07.
The Durock Ice King Tactile has an MSRP of $5.80 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Ice King Tactile for $4.20.
Here at Milktooth, we offer the best prices on switches (on average, 27% lower the competition). In addition, we offer free shipping on orders over $49.00. We also offer free returns and exchanges, so you can shop with guaranteed satisfaction.
That said, while price is an important piece of the puzzle, our opinion is that you should ultimately pick the option that most suits your unique preferences since you’ll be using these switches for years to come. In other words, finding something perfect for you is, in our view, the most important criteria.
Typing experience
When it comes to sound, the Aflion Blush linear switch provides a low-pitched, bass-heavy tone with a poppy sound signature due to its long pole design. On the other hand, the Durock Ice King Tactile tactile switch offers a subdued sound, producing a dampened and subtle sound signature that adds to the typing experience.
In terms of feel, both switches offer a silky smooth typing experience. The Aflion Blush linear switch is described as creamy, silky, and buttery, providing a smooth and seamless typing sensation. With its two-stage spring design, it offers an impressively smooth and snappy feel. On the other hand, the Durock Ice King Tactile tactile switch is also described as silky and polished, offering a refined and frictionless typing experience. Its stepped design adds a unique tactile bump that enhances the overall typing feel.
Overall, both the Aflion Blush linear switch and the Durock Ice King Tactile tactile switch offer exceptional typing experiences with their smooth, creamy, and silky feel. The Blush excels in providing a poppy sound signature with its long pole design, while the Ice King Tactile offers a subdued sound that complements its tactile typing experience. Depending on personal preference for sound and feel, both switches can provide a satisfying typing experience for newcomers to the mechanical keyboard world.
Conclusion
To sum up, when considering whether to choose the Aflion Blush linear switch or the Durock Ice King Tactile tactile switch, it ultimately comes down to your preference in terms of feel and sound. If you are looking for a smooth and snappy typing experience with a poppy sound signature, the Blush linear switch would be a great choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a creamy and silky typing feel with a pronounced tactile bump and subdued sound, the Ice King Tactile tactile switch would be the ideal option. Both switches offer unique qualities that cater to different preferences, so it is important to consider what type of typing experience you value most when making your decision. Ultimately, the choice between the Blush linear switch and the Ice King Tactile tactile switch depends on your personal preference for typing feel and sound.
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