Aflion Blush vs. Gateron Oil King (V2)
An in-depth look at the Aflion Blush and the Gateron Oil King (V2) switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
The Aflion Blush and the Gateron Oil King are two popular mechanical keyboard switches that offer a smooth typing experience. Both switches fall under the category of linear switches, which are known for their consistent and linear keystrokes. The Blush is highly regarded for its impressive smoothness and snappy feel, thanks to its longer, two-stage spring. Additionally, it produces a distinctive poppy sound signature. On the other hand, the Oil King is praised for its buttery smoothness and a sound profile reminiscent of snapping a dark chocolate bar. It offers a polished and bassy typing experience. Both switches share similar characteristics such as being low-pitched, creamy, silky, and buttery. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond these generalities so you can make an informed decision on which switch would best suit your preferences.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
N/A
Actuation force
55g
Bottom-out force
58g
Bottom-out force
65g
Pre-travel
N/A
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.30 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Factory lubed
No
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Proprietary INK blend
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Dual-stage stainless steel spring
Spring
Color coated
Housing materials
The housing materials of the Aflion Blush and the Gateron Oil King differ significantly. The Blush features a polycarbonate top housing, while the Oil King utilizes a nylon top housing. Polycarbonate is a relatively stiffer plastic, resulting in a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. In contrast, nylon is a softer plastic that absorbs more sound, leading to a deeper and fuller sound profile. Therefore, the Blush's polycarbonate top housing would provide a more clear and resonant sound, while the Oil King's nylon top housing would elicit a duller and rounder sound.
Moving on to the bottom housings, both the Blush and the Oil King use nylon as the material. Nylon is known for creating a deeper and fuller sound profile due to its ability to absorb more sound. Therefore, typing on switches with nylon bottom housings in both the Blush and the Oil King would result in a similar sound experience, with a deeper and fuller sound profile.
However, it is worth noting that if the top and bottom housings are different for a switch, each housing material brings unique qualities to the overall sound profile. When pressing down on a switch, the bottom housing's impact on the bottom-out sound and feel would be more pronounced. Conversely, the top housing would have a greater impact on the sound when releasing a key. Therefore, while the Blush and the Oil King may have similar nylon bottom housings, the different top housing materials would still contribute to variations in sound when using either switch.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Aflion Blush linear switch and the Gateron Oil King linear switch, there are notable similarities and differences. The actuation force of the Blush is currently unknown, while the Oil King has an actuation force of 55 grams. In terms of bottom out force, the Blush requires 58 grams, which can be considered as a medium force, while the Oil King has a slightly heavier bottom out force of 65 grams, categorizing it as medium-heavy.
Considering weight, some individuals may prefer a lighter actuation force, as it allows for longer typing periods and is ideal for situations like bringing a keyboard to work or engaging in extended gaming sessions. On the other hand, those seeking a more substantial typing experience may opt for a switch with a heavier force.
In terms of actuation force, as the Blush's force is currently unavailable, it is difficult to directly compare it to the Oil King's 55-gram actuation force. However, if the Blush's actuation force is similar or lighter, it would provide a similar experience to the Oil King. For bottom out force, the Blush requires a lighter force of 58 grams compared to the Oil King's heavier 65 grams.
In conclusion, while the actuation force comparison is inconclusive due to the unavailability of the Blush's force, the Oil King offers a slightly heavier actuation force. In terms of bottom out force, the Blush is lighter with 58 grams, whereas the Oil King requires a heavier force of 65 grams. Ultimately, the decision between these switches should be based on personal preferences for typing experience and desired force requirements.
Travel distance
The Aflion Blush linear switch and the Gateron Oil King linear switch have different travel distances. The Blush has a travel distance of 3.3 mm, while the Oil King has a travel distance of 4 mm. The Oil King has the longer travel distance, making it the more traditional option. On the other hand, the Blush has a shorter travel distance, which is preferred by gamers who value faster response times. If you prefer a more responsive feel when pressing down on a key, the Blush would be the ideal choice. However, if you prefer a deeper and more substantial travel distance, the Oil King would be more suitable. It's important to consider personal preferences when choosing between these switches to ensure the best typing or gaming experience.
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 Gateron Oil King (V2) comes in at $6.50 per 10 switches.
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
In terms of sound, both the Aflion Blush and Gateron Oil King switches have a low-pitched tone. Low-pitched switches typically offer a more bass-heavy and mellow sound compared to higher-pitched switches. Additionally, the Oil King switch has a bassy sound profile, which adds to the depth and richness of the sound. It's important to note that the sound of a switch can also be influenced by factors like the keyboard board and keycaps used.
When it comes to feel, both the Blush and Oil King switches are described as creamy, silky, and buttery. These descriptors indicate a smooth and effortless typing experience with minimal resistance when pressing and releasing keys. The switches offer a seamless and uniform sensation, allowing your fingers to glide across the keys with ease. Additionally, the Oil King switch is mentioned to have a polished finish, which further enhances the smoothness and refined feel during typing.
Considering all the available information, it can be concluded that both the Aflion Blush and Gateron Oil King switches offer similar subjective qualities in terms of sound and feel. Both switches provide a low-pitched sound profile and a smooth, buttery typing experience. The only notable difference is that the Oil King switch has a bassy sound profile and a polished finish, which may slightly enhance its overall feel. Ultimately, the choice between the Blush and Oil King switches would come down to personal preference and the specific keyboard setup one desires.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you're looking for a medium-bottom out force and an impressively smooth, full, and snappy typing experience, the Aflion Blush linear switch is the way to go. Its longer, two-stage spring and long pole provide a poppy sound signature that adds to the overall typing satisfaction. Additionally, the Blush switch offers a low-pitched sound profile, providing a bass-heavy and mellow tone during key presses. In terms of feel, the Blush is described as creamy, silky, and buttery, ensuring a smooth and effortless keystroke experience. On the other hand, if you prefer a medium-heavy-bottom out force and a buttery smoothness with a sound profile reminiscent of a dark chocolate bar snapping, the Gateron Oil King linear switch is a great choice. The Oil King switch also offers a low-pitched sound profile, but with an added bassy characteristic, giving a deeper and richer sound during key presses. Similar to the Blush, the Oil King switch provides a creamy, silky, and buttery typing experience, thanks to factory lubrication and smooth materials. Overall, both switches offer exceptional performance, so it ultimately comes down to personal preferences in terms of bottom out force and sound profile. Happy typing!
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