Keygeek Keygeek Raw vs. Everglide Tourmaline Blue
An in-depth look at the Keygeek Keygeek Raw and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When considering mechanical keyboard switches, the Keygeek Raw and Everglide Tourmaline Blue stand out as excellent options. The Keygeek Raw is praised for its unique material blend, combining Nylon, UMPE, and Silicon to create a creamy yet lightweight switch that provides a slightly textured feel right out of the box. On the other hand, the Tourmaline Blue is celebrated for its deep and thocky sound profile, featuring a lengthened single-stage spring for a bouncy feel with each keystroke. While the Keygeek Raw offers a more textured and mild typing experience, the Tourmaline Blue provides a buttery and easy-to-press sensation. 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
N/A
Actuation force
59g
Bottom-out force
57.5g
Bottom-out force
67g
Pre-travel
1.40 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.40 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Factory lubed
No
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Nylon & UPE blend
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
UMPE & Si blend
Bottom housing material
Polycarbonate
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
22mm single-stage spring
Spring
Gold-plated
Housing materials
The Keygeek Raw and Everglide Tourmaline Blue both feature unique housing materials that contribute to the overall sound profile and feel of the switches. While the Keygeek Raw utilizes a Nylon & UPE blend for the top housing and a UMPE & Si blend for the bottom housing, the Everglide Tourmaline Blue opts for polycarbonate for both the top and bottom housings. The polycarbonate material in the Tourmaline Blue provides a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile, thanks to its stiffness which leads to a clear and resonant sound. On the other hand, the Keygeek Raw's blend of nylon, UPE, Si, and UMPE offers a unique combination that may yield a different tactile experience.
In terms of aesthetics, the Everglide Tourmaline Blue's clear polycarbonate housing allows for RGB lighting to shine through, adding a visually appealing element to mechanical keyboards. On the other hand, the Keygeek Raw's exclusive blend of housing materials may offer a more unique and specialized look for those seeking a switch that stands out from the crowd. Additionally, the different materials used in the top and bottom housings of the Keygeek Raw may provide a more balanced tactile experience, with each material contributing to different aspects of the switch's performance.
In terms of sound and feel, the housing materials of the Keygeek Raw and Everglide Tourmaline Blue play a significant role in determining the overall experience of using these switches. While both switches aim to provide a sharp and crisp sound profile, the specific blend of materials used in the Keygeek Raw may offer a different tactile response compared to the polycarbonate housing of the Tourmaline Blue. Ultimately, the choice between these two switches will depend on personal preference for sound, feel, and aesthetics, as each housing material brings its own unique characteristics to the table.
Weight
In comparing the Keygeek Raw linear switch and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switch, the Keygeek Raw requires no specific actuation force, making it lighter in terms of initial pressure needed compared to the 59 grams required by the Tourmaline Blue. However, when it comes to bottom out force, the Keygeek Raw is heavier at 57.5 grams compared to the Tourmaline Blue at 67 grams, which makes the Tourmaline Blue the heavier option. Both switches fall within the medium to medium-heavy range, offering a balance between typing comfort and tactile feedback. Depending on personal preference, the lighter actuation force of the Keygeek Raw may be more suitable for extended typing sessions, while the heavier bottom out force of the Tourmaline Blue may provide a more substantial typing experience for those who prefer a stronger push feel. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on individual typing preferences and desired key feel.
Travel distance
Comparing the travel distance of the Keygeek Raw linear switch and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switch, we can see that the Keygeek Raw has a shorter travel distance of 3.4 mm compared to the Tourmaline Blue's 4 mm. The Keygeek Raw is better suited for those who prefer a more responsive key press, like gamers looking for faster response times. On the other hand, the Tourmaline Blue offers a deeper key press experience, which may be more preferable for those who enjoy a more substantial feel when typing. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference and typing style, with the Keygeek Raw being the shorter option and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue offering a longer travel distance.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Keygeek Keygeek Raw has an MSRP of $5.00 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Keygeek Raw for $3.51.
The Everglide Tourmaline Blue has an MSRP of $6.86 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Tourmaline Blue for $3.89.
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, both the Keygeek Raw and Everglide Tourmaline Blue switches are described as having a neutral sound profile. This means they have a moderate actuation force requirement and sound profile, making them suitable for a wide range of users and typing environments. Keep in mind that the sound of a switch can also be influenced by factors like the keyboard and keycaps used.
When it comes to feel, the Keygeek Raw switch is noted for its textured feel right out of the box, providing a slightly textured typing experience. On the other hand, the Everglide Tourmaline Blue switch offers a buttery and easy-to-press feel, with a smooth and fluid keystroke experience that requires minimal force to activate. Both switches fall within the realm of mild switches, offering a gentle typing experience that is approachable to most users.
Considering the available information, both the Keygeek Raw and Everglide Tourmaline Blue switches offer unique qualities that cater to different preferences. While the Keygeek Raw switch emphasizes a textured feel, the Everglide Tourmaline Blue switch focuses on a buttery and easy-to-press typing experience. Ultimately, choosing between the two switches would depend on personal preference for either a slightly textured feel or a smoother, buttery keystroke. However, overall, both switches are suitable for a variety of typing needs and can provide a satisfying typing experience based on the user's preferences.
Conclusion
To sum up, when deciding between the Keygeek Keygeek Raw linear switch and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switch, it all comes down to personal preference and typing style. If you enjoy a slightly textured feel with a creamy yet lightweight switch, the Keygeek Raw may be the one for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a bouncy and satisfying typing experience with a deep thocky sound profile, the Tourmaline Blue could be your ideal choice. Consider factors such as bottom out force, material blend, sound profile, and typing feel to make the best decision for your mechanical keyboard setup. Ultimately, both switches offer unique qualities that cater to different preferences, so choose the one that aligns best with your typing habits and preferences.
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