Gateron Ink Black V2 vs. KTT Pine
An in-depth look at the Gateron Ink Black V2 and the KTT Pine switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
Introducing the Gateron Ink Black V2 and KTT Pine mechanical keyboard switches, two popular linear switches that offer unique features for an enjoyable typing experience. The Ink Black V2 is renowned for its smooth downstroke and rich clack, making it a long-time favorite within the community. With a low-pitched, bassy, chirpy, mild, and polished feel, this switch offers a classic linear switch experience. On the other hand, the KTT Pine switches boast a translucent, forest green design that adds a touch of elegance to any keyboard setup. Known for being medium-heavy and buttery smooth, these switches provide an effortless typing experience. With their bassy, buttery, creamy, and low-pitched feel, the KTT Pine switches also offer a factory-lubed finish to minimize friction for a smoother key travel. Both switches have their unique qualities that make them appealing, 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
60g
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
70g
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
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Proprietary INK blend
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Proprietary INK blend
Bottom housing material
Polycarbonate
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Color coated
Spring
15.5mm gold-plated spring
Housing materials
The Gateron Ink Black V2 and the KTT Pine differ in terms of their housing materials. The Ink Black V2 features a proprietary INK blend top and bottom housing, while the Pine utilizes polycarbonate for both its top and bottom housing. In terms of sound profile, both switches offer a clacky and higher-pitched sound. However, the Ink Black V2's INK blend top housing is described as pointed and relatively high-pitched without being overly sharp, while the Pine's polycarbonate top housing creates a sharper and crisper sound profile. The use of polycarbonate in the top housing of the Pine switch is especially useful for those who plan to use RGB lighting due to its translucency.
In terms of aesthetics, the Pine switch's clear polycarbonate housing allows for a more visually appealing switch, especially when paired with RGB lighting effects. The translucency of the polycarbonate material enhances the illumination provided by the lighting, creating a vibrant and eye-catching experience. In contrast, the Ink Black V2's INK blend top housing does not offer the same transparency, limiting the visual impact of RGB lighting. So, if you prioritize aesthetic customization and want to showcase dynamic lighting effects, the Pine switch with its polycarbonate top housing may be the better choice.
When it comes to the impact on key press and release, the housing materials play a role in the overall sound and feel of the switch. The bottom housing has a greater impact on the bottom-out sound and feel, while the top housing affects the sound when you let go of a key. As both switches utilize different materials for their bottom housing, the Ink Black V2's proprietary INK blend and the Pine's polycarbonate will bring distinct characteristics to these aspects. Therefore, the experience of using these switches may differ slightly, with the Ink Black V2 offering a satisfying thin and higher-pitched sound, while the Pine delivers a sharper and more resonant bottom-out sound and an equally crisp sound upon key release.
Weight
When comparing the Gateron Ink Black V2 linear switch and the KTT Pine linear switch, there are noticeable differences in their actuation force and bottom out force. The Ink Black V2 has a slightly heavier actuation force of 60 grams, while the Pine requires a lighter force of 45 grams. This means that the Pine switch will trigger a keypress with a lighter touch, providing a smoother and potentially faster typing experience. In terms of bottom out force, the Ink Black V2 requires 70 grams to fully press the key down, while the Pine requires 58 grams. While both switches fall into the medium range, the Ink Black V2 offers a slightly heavier bottom out force. This may be preferred by those who enjoy a more substantial and tactile typing sensation. It's worth noting that if a lighter actuation force is desired, the Pine can provide similar results as the Ink Black V2, as both switches have a comparable medium bottom out force. Ultimately, the decision between the two switches will depend on personal preferences and the desired typing experience - whether one prefers a lighter touch or a more substantial push feel.
Travel distance
The travel distance of a switch is an important factor to consider when choosing a mechanical keyboard. In the case of the Gateron Ink Black V2 linear switch and the KTT Pine linear switch, both switches have a travel distance of 4 mm, resulting in a similar tactile experience. When pressing down on a key equipped with either of these switches, you can expect to feel a consistent 4 mm of travel distance, providing a satisfying feedback. Thus, in terms of travel distance, both the Gateron Ink Black V2 and KTT Pine switches offer similar results.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Gateron Ink Black V2 has an MSRP of $7.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Ink Black V2 for $7.24.
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
When it comes to sound, both the Gateron Ink Black V2 and the KTT Pine switches offer a deep and rich profile during key presses due to their bassy characteristics. They both have a lower frequency range, giving off a sense of depth and richness associated with bass tones. Additionally, the Ink Black V2 is known for its low-pitched switches that create a more bass-heavy and mellow tone, while the Pine switches also have a low-pitched sound. However, the Ink Black V2 switches have a unique characteristic of being slightly chirpy, which sets them apart from other switches. It's important to note that the sound of a switch can be influenced by factors such as the keyboard and keycaps used.
In terms of feel, the Ink Black V2 switches provide a mild typing experience that falls within a safe, middle-ground zone. This means that the switches offer a more gentle feeling compared to switches with more pronounced characteristics. Additionally, the Ink Black V2 switches have a polished finish that results in a sleek typing experience. The smooth and refined finish, combined with factory lubing, reduces friction and promotes smooth key travel. On the other hand, the KTT Pine switches offer a buttery and creamy typing experience. They provide a seamless and effortless keystroke sensation, almost like gliding your fingers across the keys. It's likely that the Pine switches achieve this smoothness through either factory lubrication or specific materials used.
Considering all the available information, both the Gateron Ink Black V2 and KTT Pine switches offer subjective qualities that make them desirable linear switches. In terms of sound, they provide a deep and rich profile with bassy characteristics. The Ink Black V2 switches have the additional touch of being slightly chirpy, giving them a unique acoustic signature. In terms of feel, the Ink Black V2 switches offer a mild and polished experience, while the Pine switches provide a buttery and creamy sensation. These switches have been designed to bring effortless typing experiences and smooth key travel. Ultimately, if you choose either of these switches, you can expect similar results in terms of sound and feel, ensuring a satisfying typing experience.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you are someone who prefers a slightly heavier bottom-out force and enjoys a classic linear switch, then the Gateron Ink Black V2 would be a great choice for you. This switch offers a smooth downstroke and a rich clack, providing a satisfying typing experience. Additionally, if you appreciate low-pitched and bassy sound profiles, the Ink Black V2 will deliver the deep and mellow tones you are looking for. Moreover, if you prefer a switch with a mild and polished feel, the Ink Black V2 fits the bill with its gentle typing experience and reduced friction due to factory lubing.
On the other hand, if you prefer a slightly lighter bottom-out force and want a switch that offers a buttery smooth typing experience, then the KTT Pine linear switch would be a better option for you. Designed for effortless typing, the Pine switches provide a seamless and uniform keystroke sensation. Furthermore, if you enjoy low-pitched and bassy sound profiles, the Pine switches will also deliver the deep and rich tones you desire.
Overall, both switches have their unique qualities and are well-regarded within the mechanical keyboard community. Ultimately, the choice between Gateron Ink Black V2 and KTT Pine boils down to personal preference in terms of bottom-out force, typing experience, and sound profile. So, it's important to consider your own preferences and typing style when making the decision.
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