TTC Gold Pink vs. KTT Pine
An in-depth look at the TTC Gold Pink and the KTT Pine switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
Introducing the TTC Gold Pink and the KTT Pine, two popular mechanical keyboard switches known for their smooth and effortless typing experience. The Gold Pink, with its 37g actuation force, is one of the lightest switches available, perfect for those who value fast and rapid typing or gaming. It provides a satisfying feedback with its clacky sound, offering a light and lively typing experience. On the other hand, we have the KTT Pine, a medium-heavy switch with a buttery smooth feel. These switches are designed to minimize friction with their polished, factory-lubed finish, ensuring smooth key travel. Their translucent, forest green design adds a touch of aesthetics to your keyboard setup. Both switches fall under the linear switch category, known for their smooth and consistent keystrokes. 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
45g
Bottom-out force
58g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.90 mm
Total travel
4.00 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
Polycarbonate
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
15.5mm gold-plated spring
Housing materials
The housing materials of the TTC Gold Pink and KTT Pine switches show some similarities and differences. Both switches use polycarbonate for their top housing, which provides a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. This is because polycarbonate is a stiffer plastic that enhances clarity and resonance. Additionally, the translucence of polycarbonate makes it ideal for switches that utilize RGB lighting. Therefore, users can expect similar sound profiles and aesthetic benefits from the top housing of both switches.
However, when it comes to the bottom housing, the two switches differ in their materials. The Gold Pink adopts a nylon bottom housing, known as a classic switch housing material. Typing on switches with nylon housing produces a deeper and fuller sound due to the softer nature of nylon, which absorbs more sound and creates a duller and rounder sound profile. On the other hand, the Pine switch utilizes polycarbonate for its bottom housing, which aligns with the characteristics of the top housing. The stiffness of polycarbonate contributes to a clear and resonant sound. Therefore, the bottom-out sound and feel of the two switches will differ.
Overall, while the top housing materials of the TTC Gold Pink and KTT Pine switches are the same and offer similar sound profiles and aesthetic advantages, their bottom housing materials provide contrasting experiences. The nylon bottom housing of the Gold Pink results in a deeper and fuller sound, while the polycarbonate bottom housing of the Pine produces a sharp and crisp sound. Therefore, the choice between the two switches may depend on personal preferences regarding the keypress sound and feel.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the TTC Gold Pink linear switch and the KTT Pine linear switch, there are notable differences. The Gold Pink has a lighter actuation force of 37 grams, while the Pine requires a slightly stronger push with an actuation force of 45 grams. Similarly, the bottom out force of the Gold Pink is 45 grams, whereas the Pine has a heavier bottom out force of 58 grams. This means that the Gold Pink provides a lighter and more effortless typing experience compared to the Pine. For individuals who prefer a keyboard that is easier to type on for extended periods of time, the Gold Pink would be a suitable choice. On the other hand, the Pine offers a more substantial and stronger push feel, making it a better option for those who prefer a more tactile typing experience. It is evident that weight or force is an important factor to consider when selecting a switch, as it greatly impacts the typing feel and overall user experience.
Travel distance
The TTC Gold Pink linear switch and the KTT Pine linear switch have the same travel distance of 4 mm. This means that both switches offer a consistent and tactile experience when you press down on a key. The travel distance is the distance that the switch travels from the top to the bottom, and in this case, both switches provide a 4 mm distance. This similarity ensures that the typing experience will be similar on both switches, allowing for comfortable and precise keystrokes. Therefore, whether you choose the TTC Gold Pink or the KTT Pine, you can expect to get similar results in terms of travel distance.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The TTC Gold Pink has an MSRP of $4.80 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Gold Pink for $4.28.
The KTT Pine has an MSRP of $4.60 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Pine for $4.15.
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 Gold Pink linear switch offers a clacky sound, providing a satisfying level of feedback. On the other hand, the KTT Pine linear switch is described as bassy and low-pitched, offering a deeper and richer sound profile during key presses. Both switches have their own unique sound characteristics, and the choice depends on personal preference and the overall setup of the keyboard. It is important to note that the sound of a switch is also influenced by other factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps used.
Moving on to the feel of the switches, both the Gold Pink and Pine switches are described as buttery, indicating a smooth and fluid keystroke experience. They provide a seamless and effortless typing sensation. Additionally, the Gold Pink switch is described as mild, feathery, subtle, and polished. These qualities suggest that it offers a gentle typing experience with light actuation force, reducing strain on the fingers and allowing for comfortable extended typing sessions. The Pine switch, on the other hand, is described as creamy, providing a silky sensation and effortlessly melting into each keystroke. Again, the choice between the two switches comes down to personal preference in terms of the desired amount of smoothness and typing experience.
Based on the available information, the TTC Gold Pink linear switch and the KTT Pine linear switch offer their own subjective qualities in terms of sound and feel. The Gold Pink switch provides a light and lively typing experience with a clacky sound, while the Pine switch offers a deeper and richer sound profile with a creamy and smooth feel. Both switches are designed for an effortless typing experience, but the choice ultimately depends on the individual's preference for sound and feel. It is important to consider other factors such as keyboard board, keycaps, and personal typing style to achieve the desired result.
Conclusion
To sum up, the TTC Gold Pink linear switch is a great option if you prefer a light and lively typing experience. With a bottom out force of 45 grams, it offers a fast and effortless typing experience, making it perfect for rapid typing or gaming. The Gold Pinks also provide a satisfying level of feedback with their clacky sound. On the other hand, if you prefer a slightly heavier switch, the KTT Pine linear switch is a good choice. With a bottom out force of 58 grams, it offers a medium typing experience. The Pine switches are buttery smooth and designed for an effortless typing experience, thanks to their polished, factory-lubed finish. In terms of sound, the Gold Pink switches have a clacky sound, while the Pine switches have a bassy and low-pitched sound. In terms of feel, the Gold Pink switches are described as buttery, mild, feathery, subtle, and polished, providing a smooth and refined typing experience. The Pine switches, on the other hand, are described as buttery and creamy, offering a silky and effortless typing sensation. Ultimately, the choice between the TTC Gold Pink and KTT Pine switches comes down to personal preference for typing experience, sound profile, and feel.
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