HMX Jammy vs. KTT Pine
An in-depth look at the HMX Jammy and the KTT Pine switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, two popular options to consider are the HMX Jammy and the KTT Pine, both of which are linear switches. The HMX Jammy is characterized by its softer nylon housings and medium-weight design, providing a typing experience that is both muted and deeply satisfying. On the other hand, the KTT Pine Linear Switches are known for their translucent forest green color, medium-heavy weight, and buttery smooth feel, thanks to a factory-lubed finish that minimizes friction for smooth key travel. While the Jammy offers a softer typing experience, the Pine provides a creamy and low-pitched feel. 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
57g
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
63g
Bottom-out force
58g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.90 mm
Total travel
3.70 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
Nylon
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Polycarbonate
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
22mm single-staged spring
Spring
15.5mm gold-plated spring
Housing materials
The HMX Jammy and the KTT Pine both utilize different housing materials for their top and bottom housings, with the Jammy featuring a nylon top and bottom housing and the Pine featuring a polycarbonate top and bottom housing. The Jammy's nylon housing creates a deeper and fuller sound profile due to its softer plastic properties, absorbing more sound and resulting in a duller and rounder sound. In contrast, the Pine's polycarbonate housing leads to a sharper and crisper sound profile, thanks to its stiffer plastic composition that provides a clear and resonant sound experience. Despite these differences, both switches offer unique sound profiles based on their respective housing materials.
In terms of aesthetics, the clear polycarbonate top housing of the Pine switch allows for RGB lighting to shine through, enhancing the visual appeal of the switch. On the other hand, the nylon top housing of the Jammy may not offer the same level of translucency for RGB lighting effects. However, both housing materials have their advantages in terms of sound characteristics, with nylon providing a deeper sound and polycarbonate producing a higher-pitched sound. Whether it's a preference for a duller, fuller sound or a sharper, crisper sound, both the Jammy and Pine switches cater to different sound preferences based on their housing materials.
When considering the overall typing experience, the qualities of each housing material are split between the top and bottom housings of the switch. The bottom housing has more of an impact on the bottom-out sound and feel, influencing the overall typing experience while pressing down on a key. Conversely, the top housing plays a role in the sound produced when releasing a key, showcasing the nuances in sound profiles that each housing material brings to the table. Despite the differences in housing materials between the HMX Jammy and KTT Pine, both switches offer a unique typing experience based on the characteristics of their nylon and polycarbonate housings.
Weight
The HMX Jammy linear switch has a slightly heavier actuation force of 57 grams compared to the KTT Pine linear switch, which has an actuation force of 45 grams. However, when it comes to the bottom out force, the Jammy requires 63 grams of force while the Pine requires 58 grams. Both switches fall into the medium weight category. For those who prefer a lighter typing experience, the KTT Pine may be the better option as it has a lighter actuation force. On the other hand, the HMX Jammy may be preferred by those who enjoy a slightly heavier push feel for a more substantial typing experience. Ultimately, the choice between the two will depend on personal preference and the desired typing or gaming experience.
Travel distance
The HMX Jammy linear switch has a travel distance of 3.7 mm, which is shorter than the KTT Pine linear switch with a travel distance of 4 mm. The Jammy provides a slightly quicker response time due to its shorter travel distance, making it ideal for gamers looking for fast actuation. On the other hand, the Pine offers a bit more depth in its travel distance, which may be preferred by those who enjoy a more pronounced keystroke feeling. Both switches fall into the category of shorter travel distances, with the Jammy being slightly shorter than the Pine. Overall, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference for either a quicker response or a more substantial keystroke feel.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The HMX Jammy has an MSRP of $3.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Jammy for $2.99.
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, the HMX Jammy linear switch offers a muted and deeply satisfying typing experience, but specific descriptors are not available. In contrast, the KTT Pine linear switch is known for its bassy and low-pitched sound profile, providing a deeper and richer tone during key presses. Depending on personal preference, the Jammy may offer a quieter typing experience compared to the Pine, which provides a more resonant sound that some users may find more satisfying.
Moving on to feel, the Jammy linear switch is described as providing a typing experience with a softer and glittery nylon housing, creating a medium-weight feel without specific descriptors. On the other hand, the KTT Pine linear switch is known for its buttery and creamy feel, offering a smooth and fluid keystroke experience that is effortless and uniform. The factory-lubed finish of the Pine minimizes friction for a seamless typing sensation. Users who prefer a smoother and more effortless typing experience may find the Pine switch more appealing compared to the Jammy.
Overall, when comparing the subjective qualities of the HMX Jammy linear switch and the KTT Pine linear switch, it is evident that they offer distinct typing experiences in terms of sound and feel. While the Jammy may provide a muted and softer typing experience, the Pine offers a more resonant and smooth feel with buttery and creamy characteristics. Ultimately, the choice between these switches will depend on individual preferences for sound, feel, and typing experience. But, based on the information available, both switches provide unique qualities that can enhance the overall typing experience to a similar degree, resulting in satisfying results regardless of personal preference.
Conclusion
To sum up, when considering whether to choose the HMX Jammy linear switch or the KTT Pine linear switch, it all comes down to personal preference. If you prefer a slightly heavier bottom out force and a typing experience that is muted yet deeply satisfying, then the Jammy switch with its medium-weight and glittery nylon housing would be ideal for you. However, if you prefer a smoother key travel with a lower bottom out force, the Pine switch with its medium-heavy weight and factory-lubed finish would be the better choice. Ultimately, the decision between the HMX Jammy and KTT Pine switches will depend on your specific preferences for sound and feel while typing.
Mentioned in this article
