Durock Ice King Linear vs. KTT Vanilla Ice Cream
An in-depth look at the Durock Ice King Linear and the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When considering mechanical keyboard switches, the Durock Ice King Linear and KTT Vanilla Ice Cream linear switches both offer unique qualities that cater to different preferences. The Ice King Linear is praised for its silky smooth typing experience, thanks to its full nylon construction and generous factory lube. On the other hand, the Vanilla Ice Cream stands out for its use of POK in both the stem and bottom housing, providing typists with a smooth and creamy feel reminiscent of its dessert namesake. While the Ice King Linear is categorized as 'Silky' and 'Frictionless', the Vanilla Ice Cream is described as 'Buttery' and 'Creamy'. Both switches offer distinct characteristics that appeal to different tastes, making them suitable choices depending on individual preferences. 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
52g
Actuation force
43g
Bottom-out force
62g
Bottom-out force
48g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.90 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
Nylon
Stem material
POK
Top housing material
Nylon
Top housing material
Proprietary KTT blend
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
POK
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Gold-plated progressive long spring
Spring
Stainless steel 18mm spring
Housing materials
In comparing the housing materials of the Durock Ice King Linear and the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream switches, we can see distinct differences in the sound profiles they offer. The Ice King Linear utilizes nylon for both its top and bottom housings, resulting in a deeper and fuller sound profile with a duller and rounder tone. On the other hand, the Vanilla Ice Cream switch features a proprietary KTT blend for its top housing, providing a high-pitched and clacky sound signature. This contrast highlights how the choice of housing material can significantly impact the overall typing experience and sound output of a switch.
Additionally, the bottom housings of these two switches further contribute to their unique characteristics. The Ice King Linear's nylon bottom housing continues the trend of a deeper and fuller sound profile, enhancing the typing experience with its softer plastic properties. In contrast, the Vanilla Ice Cream's POK bottom housing offers exceptional smoothness and durability, with a coefficient of friction that surpasses other materials like LY and POM. This difference in bottom housing materials showcases how the choice of material can affect the overall feel and durability of a switch, in addition to its sound profile.
Overall, while the Durock Ice King Linear and the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream switches have different housing materials for both their top and bottom housings, they both aim to provide a unique typing experience. The Ice King Linear excels in creating a deeper and fuller sound profile with its nylon housing, while the Vanilla Ice Cream focuses on delivering a high-pitched and clacky sound signature with its KTT blend top housing. Despite these differences, both switches prioritize sound quality and tactile feedback, showing how housing materials play a crucial role in shaping the overall feel and performance of a mechanical switch.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Durock Ice King Linear switch and the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream switch, it is evident that they offer different weight options to cater to various preferences. The Ice King Linear has a medium actuation force of 52 grams and a bottom out force of 62 grams, providing a balanced typing experience. In contrast, the Vanilla Ice Cream switch offers a lighter typing experience with an actuation force of 43 grams and a bottom out force of 48 grams. Those who prefer a lighter touch may opt for the Vanilla Ice Cream switch, while users who prefer a more substantial typing feel may lean towards the Ice King Linear switch. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on individual preferences for typing comfort and desired level of force required for keystrokes.
Travel distance
The travel distance of the Durock Ice King Linear switch and the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream linear switch are both 3.5 mm, making them equal in this aspect. When comparing the travel distance of these two switches, it is evident that both provide a consistent typing experience in terms of the distance the switch travels from the top to the bottom. This ensures that users will get similar results in terms of the feel of pressing down on a key, regardless of which switch they choose. Overall, the travel distance of both switches offers a smooth and satisfying typing experience for users who prefer a linear switch with a travel distance of 3.5 mm.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Durock Ice King Linear 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 Linear for $4.20.
The KTT Vanilla Ice Cream has an MSRP of $5.78 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Vanilla Ice Cream for $4.60.
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 Durock Ice King Linear switch offers a more subdued and dampened typing experience, while the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream switch delivers a high-pitched and clacky sound signature. The Ice King Linear is ideal for those who prefer a more subtle and quiet typing experience, while the Vanilla Ice Cream switch is perfect for typists who enjoy a sharper and crisper sound profile. Both switches offer unique sound qualities that cater to different preferences, so your choice will ultimately depend on your personal preference in sound.
Moving on to feel, the Durock Ice King Linear switch is described as silky, frictionless, and offering a polished typing experience. These qualities provide an exceptionally smooth and effortless typing feel, minimizing resistance and enhancing overall smoothness. On the other hand, the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream switch is described as buttery and creamy, delivering a smooth and fluid keystroke experience reminiscent of its dessert namesake. Both switches offer a luxurious typing experience, with the Ice King Linear focusing on a refined and polished feel, while the Vanilla Ice Cream switch offers a more buttery and creamy sensation.
In conclusion, the Durock Ice King Linear and KTT Vanilla Ice Cream linear switches each have their own unique qualities in terms of sound and feel. The Ice King Linear switch provides a subdued sound and silky typing experience, while the Vanilla Ice Cream switch offers a high-pitched sound and buttery feel. Depending on your preference for sound and feel, you can choose between the two switches to tailor your typing experience to your liking. However, both switches promise a smooth and satisfying typing experience, ensuring that you'll get comparable quality in terms of performance and comfort regardless of your choice.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you prefer a medium bottom out force and a subdued sound profile with a silky typing feel, the Durock Ice King Linear switches would be the ideal choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a lighter bottom out force, a high-pitched and marbly sound profile, and a buttery typing experience, the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream linear switches would be more suited to your preferences. Ultimately, the decision between these two switches comes down to your personal typing preferences and the kind of typing experience you are looking for. Both switches offer unique qualities that cater to different tastes, so choose wisely based on what matters most to you in a mechanical keyboard switch.
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