KTT Pine vs. Gateron Silent Ink Black
An in-depth look at the KTT Pine and the Gateron Silent Ink Black switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
Introduction:
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, enthusiasts and professionals alike always strive to find the perfect combination of comfort, smoothness, and noise levels. This is where the KTT Pine and the Gateron Silent Ink Black come into play. The KTT Pine is a linear switch that is best known for its medium-heavy weight, buttery smoothness, and effortless typing experience. With its factory-lubed finish, this switch minimizes friction, resulting in a smooth key travel. On the other hand, the Gateron Silent Ink Black is also a linear switch but is specifically designed for those seeking a quieter typing experience. It offers a cushy bottom-out feel and minimal audio feedback, making it ideal for environments that necessitate reduced noise levels. Each switch brings its own unique characteristics and advantages. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond these generalities so you can best decide on the perfect switch for you.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
45g
Actuation force
60g
Bottom-out force
58g
Bottom-out force
70g
Pre-travel
1.90 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 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
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Proprietary INK blend
Bottom housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Proprietary INK blend
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
15.5mm gold-plated spring
Spring
Color coated
Housing materials
The KTT Pine and the Gateron Silent Ink Black differ in terms of their housing materials.
The Pine utilizes a polycarbonate top housing, which results in a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. This is because polycarbonate is a stiff plastic that produces a clear and resonant sound. Additionally, the polycarbonate top housing allows for RGB lighting to shine through, making it visually appealing for those who want to incorporate lighting effects in their setup. On the other hand, the Silent Ink Black features a proprietary INK blend top housing by Gateron, which creates a pointed and relatively high-pitched sound. While not overly sharp, this blend still offers a satisfying thin and clacky sound.
In terms of their bottom housings, both the Pine and the Silent Ink Black share the same polycarbonate material. This means that they will have similar qualities in terms of sound profile and feel when pressed down. Polycarbonate, being a stiffer plastic, leads to a sharper and crisper sound when bottoming out the key, resulting in a more clear and resonant sound profile. Additionally, the translucency of polycarbonate allows for an aesthetically pleasing visual effect, especially when paired with RGB lighting. Likewise, both the Pine and the Silent Ink Black feature Gateron's proprietary INK blend in their bottom housings, again offering a pointed and relatively high-pitched sound that is described as clacky.
Overall, the differences between the housing materials of the KTT Pine and the Gateron Silent Ink Black lie primarily in their top housings. The Pine utilizes polycarbonate, which creates a sharper and crisper sound profile, particularly suitable for those who prioritize a clear and resonant sound. On the other hand, the Silent Ink Black incorporates Gateron's proprietary INK blend, producing a satisfying thin and clacky sound that is pointed and high-pitched. However, when it comes to the bottom housing, both switches share the same polycarbonate material, resulting in a similar sound profile and feel when pressed down.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the KTT Pine linear switch and the Gateron Silent Ink Black linear switch, there are notable differences. The Pine switch has a lighter actuation force of 45 grams compared to the Silent Ink Black's 60 grams. This means that the Pine switch requires less force to register a keystroke, making it more suitable for those who prefer a lighter touch when typing or gaming. On the other hand, the Silent Ink Black has a heavier actuation force, providing a stronger push feel for users who prefer a more substantial typing experience.
In terms of bottom out force, the Pine switch has a slightly lighter bottom out force of 58 grams, whereas the Silent Ink Black has a heavier bottom out force of 70 grams. This means that when fully pressing the keys, the Silent Ink Black requires more force to reach the bottom compared to the Pine switch.
Overall, the Pine switch offers a lighter touch experience with both its actuation and bottom out forces being lower than the Silent Ink Black. On the other hand, the Silent Ink Black provides a heavier and more substantial typing experience with higher actuation and bottom out forces. Users who prioritize a lighter switch for extended typing sessions or gaming may prefer the Pine switch, while those who enjoy a stronger push feel may opt for the Silent Ink Black.
Travel distance
Both the KTT Pine linear switch and the Gateron Silent Ink Black linear switch have a travel distance of 4 mm. This means that when you press down on a key, you will feel the same distance of switch travel for both switches. Therefore, in terms of travel distance, you can expect similar results from both switches.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
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.
The Gateron Silent Ink Black has an MSRP of $8.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Silent Ink Black for $8.35.
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, the KTT Pine linear switch is best described as bassy and low-pitched. This means that the sound produced by these switches is deeper, richer, and has a lower frequency range, resembling the depth and richness associated with bass tones. On the other hand, the Gateron Silent Ink Black linear switch is described as muted, producing a softer and quieter sound compared to regular or clacky switches. If you're looking for a quieter typing experience, the Silent Ink Black will be a better choice, while the Pine will provide a deeper and more bass-heavy sound. It is important to note that the sound of a switch can also be influenced by factors such as the keyboard and keycaps being used.
In terms of feel, the KTT Pine linear switch is often described as buttery and creamy. These switches provide a smooth and fluid keystroke experience, allowing for a seamless and effortless typing sensation. They have a lubricated finish, reducing friction and ensuring a uniform typing experience. On the other hand, the Gateron Silent Ink Black linear switch is described as silky and polished. This means that typing on these switches feels exceptionally smooth, with minimal resistance when pressing and releasing keys. The polished finish and possible factory lubrication result in reduced friction and smooth key travel.
Based on the available information, the KTT Pine linear switch and the Gateron Silent Ink Black linear switch offer different subjective qualities in terms of sound and feel. The Pine switch provides a bassy and low-pitched sound profile, along with a buttery and creamy typing experience. On the other hand, the Silent Ink Black switch offers a muted sound and a silky and polished feel. Both switches aim to provide a smooth typing experience, but with different sound profiles. If you prefer a quieter typing experience, the Silent Ink Black is the better option, while the Pine switch will provide a deeper and more bass-heavy sound. Ultimately, the choice between these switches will depend on your individual preferences and the overall aesthetic and performance you desire from your mechanical keyboard.
Conclusion
To wrap up, when deciding between the KTT Pine linear switch and the Gateron Silent Ink Black linear switch, there are a few factors to consider. If you prioritize a medium-bottom out force, a smooth and effortless typing experience, and a deeper, bassy sound profile, then the KTT Pine switch may be the right choice for you. These switches are factory-lubed to minimize friction and offer a creamy, buttery feel. On the other hand, if you value a slightly heavier bottom out force, a silent typing experience, and a silky smooth feel, then the Gateron Silent Ink Black switch could be the better option. These switches have a pillow-like bottom-out feel and produce a muted sound to minimize noise in quiet environments. Ultimately, the decision comes down to your personal preferences for typing feel, sound, and bottom out force.
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