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TTC Brother vs. KTT Cabbage Tofu

An in-depth look at the TTC Brother and the KTT Cabbage Tofu switches—which one is the best fit for you?

Overview

When considering mechanical keyboard switches, the choice between the TTC Brother clicky switch and the KTT Cabbage Tofu linear switch presents an intriguing dilemma. The Brother clicky switch is celebrated for its lightweight actuation of just 37g, providing a tactile experience that is both crisp and precise. Its satisfyingly crunchy sound signature will delight fans of clicky switches, offering a perfect balance of tactile feedback without being overwhelming. On the other hand, the Cabbage Tofu linear switch boasts improved tactility and responsiveness thanks to its lengthened 22mm spring, allowing for swift rebounds between keystrokes. The sound profile of the Cabbage Tofu is described as reminiscent of Mahjong tiles colliding, adding a unique auditory experience to typing. 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

37g

Actuation force

45g

Bottom-out force

N/A

Bottom-out force

53g

Pre-travel

2.20 mm

Pre-travel

1.90 mm

Total travel

3.50 mm

Total travel

4.00 mm

Factory lubed

Yes

Factory lubed

Yes

Stem construction

Partial box

Stem construction

Standard

Stem material

POM

Stem material

POM

Top housing material

Polycarbonate

Top housing material

Polycarbonate

Bottom housing material

Nylon

Bottom housing material

Nylon

Mount type

Plate (3-pin)

Mount type

Plate (3-pin)

Spring

17.5mm spring

Spring

22mm spring

Housing materials

Both the TTC Brother and the KTT Cabbage Tofu utilize polycarbonate for their top housing, creating a similar sharpened, higher-pitched sound profile. The use of polycarbonate in top housings allows for greater clarity and resonance in sound production, especially when paired with RGB lighting due to its translucency. This material choice ensures a crisp sound experience with a visually appealing aesthetic. However, their bottom housings differ with the Brother featuring a nylon bottom housing for a deeper, fuller sound profile, while the Cabbage Tofu also uses nylon for a rounder, duller sound experience.

In terms of sound production, the material choice of nylon for the bottom housing in both the TTC Brother and the KTT Cabbage Tofu impacts the overall typing experience. Nylon is known for absorbing sound, creating a softer and fuller sound profile when compared to harder plastics. This results in a more muted sound when pressing down on the keys, contributing to a deeper and more satisfying typing experience. Despite both keyboards having different top housings, the shared use of nylon for the bottom housing ensures a consistency in the typing sound and feel, highlighting the importance of this material choice in creating a unique typing experience.

The combination of polycarbonate top housing and nylon bottom housing in the TTC Brother and KTT Cabbage Tofu keyboards showcases the importance of material selection in creating specific sound profiles. While both keyboards offer a sharp and clear sound due to their polycarbonate top housing, the difference lies in the bottom housing material. The Brother provides a deeper and fuller sound experience with its nylon bottom housing, while the Cabbage Tofu offers a rounder and duller sound. Overall, the choice of materials in each housing component plays a crucial role in shaping the overall sound and feel of these mechanical keyboards.

Weight

The TTC Brother clicky switch has a lighter actuation force of 37 grams compared to the KTT Cabbage Tofu linear switch, which has a slightly heavier actuation force of 45 grams. However, the bottom out force for the Brother switch is unknown, while the Cabbage Tofu switch has a bottom out force of 53 grams, which is considered medium-light. This means that the Brother switch may provide a lighter typing experience overall, while the Cabbage Tofu switch might offer a slightly more substantial feel when typing. If the bottom out force of the Brother switch is similar to its actuation force, it may provide a consistent and lighter typing experience overall compared to the Cabbage Tofu switch. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches would depend on individual preferences for actuation and bottom out forces.

Travel distance

The TTC Brother clicky switch has a travel distance of 3.5 mm, while the KTT Cabbage Tofu linear switch has a travel distance of 4 mm. This means that the Cabbage Tofu switch has a slightly longer travel distance compared to the Brother switch. A shorter travel distance can be preferred by gamers looking for faster response times, while a longer travel distance may provide a more satisfying keypress for some users. Both options offer choices for different preferences, with the Brother switch being slightly shorter and the Cabbage Tofu switch being slightly longer in travel distance. Ultimately, the choice between the two will depend on individual preferences for key feel and responsiveness.

Price comparison

Which switch is more bang for your buck?

The TTC Brother has an MSRP of $5.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Brother for $3.30.

The KTT Cabbage Tofu has an MSRP of $3.25 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Cabbage Tofu for $2.75.

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, the TTC Brother clicky switch is best described as offering a crunchy sound signature that is highly satisfying to enthusiasts of clicky switches. Each click is delivered with clear, crisp precision, akin to stepping on piles of crisp and crunchy autumn leaves. On the other hand, the KTT Cabbage Tofu linear switch provides a clacky and high-pitched sound profile, reminiscent of Mahjong tiles colliding, creating a sharp and snappy sound that is bright and percussive. Depending on personal preference and other factors such as keyboard and keycaps, users can choose between the satisfying crunch of the Brother or the sharp clack of the Cabbage Tofu.

Moving on to feel, the TTC Brother clicky switch is lauded for its easy-to-press nature, with a breezy actuation of just 37g that requires minimal force to activate. This lightweight feature enhances the typing experience by offering a low-impact typing feel that reduces finger fatigue during extensive typing sessions. The tactile bump in the Brother switch provides a stepped sensation, where users can feel some pre-travel and post-travel, striking a balance between gentle resistance and a mild tactile experience. Conversely, the KTT Cabbage Tofu linear switch offers typists a creamy and polished typing experience, providing a smooth and buttery sensation that feels like gliding fingers effortlessly across the keys. The silky and snappy properties of the Cabbage Tofu switch allow for quick rebound after actuation, enhancing the overall responsiveness and smoothness of the typing feel.

In conclusion, both the TTC Brother clicky switch and the KTT Cabbage Tofu linear switch offer unique sound and feel profiles that cater to different preferences in the mechanical keyboard community. While the Brother excels in delivering a satisfyingly crunchy sound and an easy-to-press tactile experience with a balanced tactile bump, the Cabbage Tofu stands out for its clacky and high-pitched sound profile, along with a creamy and polished typing feel that is smooth and responsive. Ultimately, the choice between these two switches will depend on individual preferences for sound, feel, and typing experience.

Conclusion

To sum up, when considering whether to choose the TTC Brother clicky switch or the KTT Cabbage Tofu linear switch, it ultimately comes down to your preference for typing experience. If you're looking for a clicky switch with a lightweight actuation force, clear and crisp sound profile, and a perfectly balanced tactile bump, then the Brother switch is the ideal choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a linear switch with improved tactility, swift rebound after actuation, and a sound profile reminiscent of Mahjong tiles colliding, then the Cabbage Tofu switch is the way to go. Remember that your typing feel and sound preference play a crucial role in determining which switch suits you best. Ultimately, the decision rests on what qualities you prioritize in a mechanical keyboard switch.

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