KTT Pine vs. TTC Silent Bluish White (V2)

Overview

When it comes to choosing a mechanical keyboard switch, there are a plethora of options available, each with its own unique characteristics. Two popular choices to consider are the KTT Pine, a linear switch, and the TTC Silent Bluish White, a tactile switch. The KTT Pine is renowned for its smoothness and effortless typing experience. With a medium-heavy feel and a polished, factory-lubed finish, these switches minimize friction and provide a buttery smooth key travel. On the other hand, the TTC Silent Bluish White offers a medium tactile feel, providing a satisfying level of resistance when pressed for a precise and comfortable typing experience. Additionally, these switches are designed to be as quiet as possible, making them perfect for office or shared living space use. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond these generalities, so you can best decide on the perfect switch for your needs.

By the numbers

KTT Pine Linear

TTC Silent Bluish White (V2) Tactile

$4.60

$4.15 per 10

$6.60

$4.63 per 10

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Housing materials

The KTT Pine and the TTC Silent Bluish White both utilize polycarbonate in their top housing, which results in a similar sound profile. The polycarbonate material creates a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound when typing on the switches. It also allows for the translucency of the housing, making it ideal for those who plan to use RGB lighting. Whether it's the Pine or the Silent Bluish White, the polycarbonate top housing will provide a clear and resonant sound experience.

In terms of the bottom housing, the Pine uses polycarbonate while the Silent Bluish White incorporates nylon. The polycarbonate bottom housing in the Pine offers a stiffer plastic that enhances the overall sound profile. The relatively stiffer nature of polycarbonate creates a more clear and resonant sound when typing on the switch. On the other hand, the nylon bottom housing in the Silent Bluish White brings a different dynamic to the experience. Nylon is known for its ability to absorb more sound compared to harder plastics, resulting in a deeper and fuller sound profile. This means that typing on the Silent Bluish White will elicit a duller and rounder sound compared to the Pine.

However, it's important to note that the top housing has a more significant impact on the sound when releasing a key, while the bottom housing plays a bigger role in the bottom-out sound and feel when pressing down on the switch. So while the Pine and Silent Bluish White might have different bottom housings, the overall typing experience may still be similar due to the shared polycarbonate top housing. Both switches will provide a sharp and crisp sound profile when releasing a key but will have slightly different characteristics when it comes to the bottom-out sound.

Weight

When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the KTT Pine linear switch and the TTC Silent Bluish White tactile switch, we can see some notable differences. The Pine switch has a slightly higher actuation force of 45 grams, while the Silent Bluish White requires slightly less force at 42 grams. In terms of bottom out force, the Pine switch requires a heavier push at 58 grams, whereas the Silent Bluish White is lighter with a bottom out force of 50 grams.

These differences in force may have an impact on the typing experience. Those who prefer a lighter touch may find the Silent Bluish White more suitable, as it requires less force to trigger a keystroke and to bottom out. This lighter actuation and bottom out force can be beneficial for long typing sessions or extended gaming periods, as it allows for a smoother and faster typing experience.

On the other hand, individuals who prefer a more substantial and tactile typing experience may opt for the KTT Pine switch. With its slightly higher actuation and bottom out force, it provides a stronger push feel and a more satisfying feedback when pressing the keys. This can be particularly appealing for those who enjoy a tactile response and prefer a bit more resistance while typing.

In conclusion, the KTT Pine linear switch and the TTC Silent Bluish White tactile switch differ in their actuation and bottom out forces. The Pine switch is slightly heavier in both aspects, providing a more substantial typing experience, while the Silent Bluish White is lighter, offering a smoother and faster keystroke. Depending on personal preferences and typing style, individuals can choose the switch that aligns with their desired typing experience.

Travel distance

When comparing the travel distances of the KTT Pine linear switch and the TTC Silent Bluish White tactile switch, we can see that the Pine has a travel distance of 4 mm, while the Silent Bluish White has a slightly shorter travel distance of 3.5 mm. The Pine's 4 mm travel distance falls into the more traditional range, providing a standard depth that many users are accustomed to. On the other hand, the Silent Bluish White's 3.5 mm travel distance is on the shallower end, catering to those who prefer a shorter travel distance for faster response times, such as gamers. While both options offer their own advantages, it ultimately comes down to personal preference. If you value a more responsive key press, the Silent Bluish White with its shorter travel distance may be the better choice. However, if you prefer a deeper and more substantial feel when typing, the Pine's longer travel distance would be more suitable.

Price comparison

Typing experience

In terms of sound, the KTT Pine linear switches offer a bassy and low-pitched sound. These switches produce a deeper and richer sound profile during key presses, resembling the depth and richness associated with bass tones. On the other hand, the TTC Silent Bluish White tactile switches are described as muted. They produce a softer and quieter sound compared to regular or clacky switches. The sound of both switches is also influenced by other factors such as the choice of keyboard and keycaps. Overall, if you prefer a deeper and richer sound profile, the Pine switches would be a good choice, while if you prefer a softer and quieter sound, the Silent Bluish White switches are more suitable.

In terms of feel, both the KTT Pine linear switches and the TTC Silent Bluish White tactile switches are described as buttery. This implies a smooth and fluid keystroke experience, providing a seamless and effortless typing sensation. The Silent Bluish White switches are also described as mild, which means they offer a more gentle typing experience compared to switches with more pronounced characteristics. They have qualities that stand in a safe middle-ground zone, making them approachable to most users. The Silent Bluish White switches also have a stepped feel, which means they provide a mild tactile feedback with some pre-travel and/or post-travel. Additionally, the Silent Bluish White switches have a subtle resistance and a polished finish, resulting in a gentle and smooth typing experience with reduced friction and smooth key travel. Overall, both switches offer a comfortable typing experience, with the Silent Bluish White switches providing a slightly more gentle and refined feel.

In conclusion, the KTT Pine linear switches and the TTC Silent Bluish White tactile switches offer different subjective qualities. The Pine switches produce a bassy and low-pitched sound, while the Silent Bluish White switches have a muted sound. Both switches provide a buttery feel, but the Silent Bluish White switches also have qualities such as being mild, stepped, subtle, and polished. These additional qualities make the Silent Bluish White switches more suitable for users who prefer a quieter typing experience and a more gentle and refined feel. However, if you prefer a deeper and richer sound profile, along with a smooth and fluid keystroke experience, the Pine switches would be a good choice.

Conclusion

To sum up, if you are looking for a switch with a medium-bottom out force and a smooth typing experience, the KTT Pine linear switch would be a great choice for you. With its medium-heavy feel and a buttery smooth keystroke, it offers an effortless typing experience. The Pine switch has a low-pitched and bassy sound profile, providing a deeper and richer sound during key presses. On the other hand, if you prefer a lighter switch with a medium-bottom out force and a precise typing experience, the TTC Silent Bluish White tactile switch is the way to go. These switches offer a satisfying level of resistance while remaining quiet and suitable for office or shared living spaces. The Silent Bluish White switch has a mild and stepped feel, providing a more gentle and accessible typing experience. It also has a muted sound profile, producing a softer and quieter noise compared to regular mechanical switches. Ultimately, the choice between the KTT Pine linear switch and TTC Silent Bluish White tactile switch would depend on your preference for switch weight, typing experience, and sound profile.

Mentioned in this article

KTT Pine Linear

$4.60

$4.15 per 10

Learn more

TTC Silent Bluish White (V2) Tactile

$6.60

$4.63 per 10

Learn more