Durock Mamba vs. Gateron Oil King (V2)
An in-depth look at the Durock Mamba and the Gateron Oil King (V2) switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to linear switches, both the Durock Mamba and the Gateron Oil King offer unique features that make them stand out from the crowd. The Mamba is well-known for its association with Kobe Bryant and provides a gliding typing sensation, accompanied by a rich and creamy auditory experience. Categorized as 'Neutral', 'Mild', 'Thocky', and 'Polished', the Mamba switch offers a balanced and satisfying typing experience. On the other hand, the Oil King is celebrated for its buttery smoothness and a sound profile reminiscent of a dark chocolate bar snapping. With categorizations like 'Low-pitched', 'Creamy', 'Silky', 'Bassy', 'Buttery', and 'Polished', the Oil King promises a sensory delight. 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
55g
Bottom-out force
60g
Bottom-out force
65g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
Ly
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Polymer nylon and UHMWPE blend
Top housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
POM
Bottom housing material
Proprietary INK blend
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Extended long spring
Spring
Color coated
Housing materials
The housing materials of the Durock Mamba and the Gateron Oil King have distinct characteristics that contribute to their unique sound profiles. The Mamba's Polymer nylon and UHMWPE blend top housing offers a pleasant and bright sound profile. It is not particularly sharp, providing a comfortable typing experience. On the other hand, the Oil King's nylon top housing elicits a deeper and fuller sound. The relatively softer nylon material absorbs more sound, resulting in a rounder and slightly duller sound. Although they have different sound profiles, users can expect similar results in terms of sound quality and typing experience from both switches.
Moving on to the bottom housings, the Mamba features a POM bottom housing that creates a deep and relatively muted sound. This results in a more subdued typing experience. Meanwhile, the Oil King boasts a proprietary INK blend bottom housing. This unique blend is characterized by a pointed and high-pitched sound, often described as clacky. The higher-pitched sound adds a distinct clicky feel to the typing experience. While both bottom housings have their own sound profiles, they collectively contribute to the overall sound and feel of the switch, especially during the bottom-out action.
In terms of the impact on sound, the bottom housing has a greater influence during the bottom-out action, while the top housing is more significant when releasing a key. The bottom housing of the Mamba emphasizes a deeper sound upon pressing down, providing a satisfying feel. In contrast, the Oil King's bottom housing enhances the clicky sound, giving a distinct clacking sensation. On the other hand, the top housing of the Mamba contributes to a brighter sound when the key is released, while the nylon material of the Oil King's top housing creates a fuller and duller sound.
In summary, the Durock Mamba and the Gateron Oil King differ in their housing materials, resulting in distinct sound profiles. The Mamba's Polymer nylon and UHMWPE blend produce a pleasant and slightly bright sound, while the Oil King's nylon creates a deeper and fuller sound. The POM bottom housing of the Mamba delivers a deep and muted sound, while the INK blend bottom housing of the Oil King adds a clacky and higher-pitched sound. However, both switches offer similar typing experiences and overall sound quality, with the bottom housing contributing more to the bottom-out action and the top housing influencing the sound when releasing the key.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Durock Mamba linear switch and the Gateron Oil King linear switch, there are some notable differences. The actuation force of the Mamba is unavailable, while the Oil King has an actuation force of 55 grams. This means that the Oil King requires a slightly lighter touch to trigger a keystroke compared to the Mamba. However, both switches have a similar bottom out force, with the Mamba measuring at 60 grams and the Oil King at 65 grams. This means that when pressing the keys all the way down, they both offer a medium to medium-heavy typing experience.
When considering weight, it becomes a matter of personal preference. Those who prefer a lighter touch may find the Oil King more suitable for longer typing sessions or extended gaming sessions. On the other hand, those who prefer a stronger push feel and a more substantial typing experience may lean towards the Mamba or other options with heavier actuation forces. While the exact actuation force of the Mamba is unknown, users can expect similar results to the Oil King, albeit potentially with a slightly heavier touch. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on an individual's specific typing preferences and desired typing experience.
Travel distance
The Durock Mamba linear switch has a travel distance of 3.5 mm, while the Gateron Oil King linear switch has a travel distance of 4 mm. The Mamba offers a slightly shorter travel distance compared to the Oil King. A travel distance of 4.0 mm is considered traditional, while 3.0 mm is more shallow. However, shorter travel distances are becoming increasingly popular, especially among gamers who value faster response times. For those seeking a more responsive typing experience, the shorter travel distance of the Mamba would be a better choice. On the other hand, individuals who prefer a deeper key press may find the longer travel distance of the Oil King more appealing. Both switches offer distinct advantages based on personal preferences and the desired level of depth in typing experience.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Durock Mamba has an MSRP of $6.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Mamba for $5.17.
The Gateron Oil King (V2) comes in at $6.50 per 10 switches.
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
The Durock Mamba linear switch offers a gliding typing sensation and a rich and creamy auditory experience. It has a neutral sound profile, which means it has a moderate sound with a satisfying "thocky" sound when pressed and released. The Mamba switch also has a mild feel, providing a gentle typing experience that is approachable to most users. It is described as polished, resulting in a smooth and refined finish that offers reduced friction and smooth key travel.
On the other hand, the Gateron Oil King linear switch is known for its buttery smoothness and a sound profile reminiscent of a dark chocolate bar snapping. It has a low-pitched sound with a deeper and richer sound profile, resembling the depth and richness associated with bass tones. The Oil King switch provides a creamy, silky, and buttery typing experience, where the keys effortlessly melt into each keystroke. It is also described as polished, offering reduced friction and ensuring a sleek typing experience.
Based on the information provided, it is clear that both the Durock Mamba and Gateron Oil King linear switches provide excellent qualities in terms of sound and feel. While the Mamba switch offers a gliding typing sensation and a rich and creamy auditory experience, the Oil King switch provides buttery smoothness and a sound profile reminiscent of snapping dark chocolate. Both switches have polished finishes, resulting in reduced friction and smooth key travel. Whether you choose the Mamba or the Oil King, you can expect a satisfying typing experience with each switch.
Conclusion
In conclusion, both the Durock Mamba linear switch and the Gateron Oil King linear switch have their own unique qualities that cater to different preferences. If you value a slightly lighter bottom out force, the Mamba with its 60-gram bottom out force would be a good choice for you. On the other hand, if a slightly heavier bottom out force is more appealing, the Oil King with its 65-gram bottom out force would be a better fit.
For sound enthusiasts, the Mamba offers a neutral and thocky sound profile, which makes it suitable for various settings and user levels. It provides a moderate sound level and a satisfying deep sound when pressed. On the other hand, the Oil King offers a low-pitched and bassy sound profile, creating a more mellow and rich tone during key presses.
In terms of feel, the Mamba provides a mild and polished typing experience. With its gentle characteristics and smooth finish, it offers a safe and approachable option for most users. The Oil King, on the other hand, offers a creamy, silky, and buttery typing experience. These switches provide a smooth and effortless keystroke sensation, allowing your fingers to effortlessly glide across the keys.
Ultimately, the choice between the Durock Mamba and the Gateron Oil King depends on your personal preferences for bottom out force, sound profile, and typing feel. Consider the qualities that are most important to you and select the switch that aligns with your desired typing experience. Both switches are highly regarded in the mechanical keyboard community, and you can't go wrong with either choice.
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