KTT Pine vs. Everglide Tourmaline Blue
An in-depth look at the KTT Pine and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, two popular options that frequently come up are the KTT Pine and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue. The KTT Pine is a linear switch that is best known for its medium-heavy weight, buttery smoothness, and effortless typing experience. Its polished, factory-lubed finish minimizes friction, resulting in a smooth key travel. In contrast, the Everglide Tourmaline Blue is also a linear switch but stands out with its deep and thocky sound profile, creating a satisfying typing experience. With a lengthened single-stage spring, it provides a bouncy feel with each keystroke. The Tourmaline Blue strikes a balance with its standard spring weight, making it enjoyable and accessible to a wide range of users. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond these generalities so you can make the best decision on the ideal switch for your needs.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
45g
Actuation force
59g
Bottom-out force
58g
Bottom-out force
67g
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
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Polycarbonate
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
15.5mm gold-plated spring
Spring
Gold-plated
Housing materials
The KTT Pine and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue both feature polycarbonate as the material used for their top and bottom housings. This similarity means that both switches will have a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. The relatively stiffer nature of polycarbonate contributes to a clearer and more resonant sound. Additionally, the translucency of polycarbonate makes it an ideal choice for switches that incorporate RGB lighting.
However, if we examine the top and bottom housings separately, we can see some potential differences between the Pine and the Tourmaline Blue. The qualities of the bottom housing have a more significant impact on the bottom-out sound and feel when pressing down on a key. This means that if there are any variations in the design or construction of the bottom housing between these two switches, it could potentially affect the overall typing experience.
In contrast, the top housing has a greater influence on the sound when releasing a key. Since both switches utilize polycarbonate for their top housing, they should produce a similar sound profile when keys are released. Therefore, the typing experience in terms of the sound generated when releasing keys may be comparable between the Pine and the Tourmaline Blue.
Ultimately, while both the KTT Pine and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue share the benefits of using polycarbonate for their housing materials, any distinctions in the design or construction of their individual housings may result in subtle differences in the overall sound and typing experience.
Weight
When considering the actuation force and bottom out force of the KTT Pine linear switch and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switch, it becomes evident that there are notable similarities and differences. In terms of weight, the Pine switch is lighter than the Tourmaline Blue switch. This lighter weight allows for longer periods of comfortable typing, making it an ideal choice for those who require extended keyboard usage, whether it be for work or marathon gaming sessions. On the other hand, the Tourmaline Blue switch offers a heavier actuation force and bottom out force, providing a more substantial typing experience. This stronger push feel may be preferred by individuals who desire a tactile feedback when typing.
In terms of specific forces, the Pine switch has an actuation force of 45 grams and a bottom out force of 58 grams, both falling within the medium range. Comparatively, the Tourmaline Blue switch requires a higher actuation force of 59 grams and a bottom out force of 67 grams, placing it in the medium-heavy category.
Despite their differences, both switches offer a similar functionality by requiring an actuation force to trigger a keystroke and measuring the force exerted during bottoming out. Therefore, those seeking a similar experience can expect comparable results from both switches. Each switch's specific characteristics will cater to different preferences and typing styles, allowing users to choose the option that best suits their needs and desired typing experience.
Travel distance
The KTT Pine linear switch and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switch both have a travel distance of 4 mm. This means that when you press down on a key equipped with either of these switches, you will feel the same distance traveled from the top to the bottom. The travel distance plays a crucial role in determining the tactile feedback and overall feel of a keyboard. Therefore, whether you choose the Pine or the Tourmaline Blue, you can expect a similar level of key travel and typing experience.
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 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
When it comes to sound, the KTT Pine switches are best described as bassy and low-pitched. These switches offer a deep and rich sound profile during key presses, characterized by a lower frequency range reminiscent of bass tones. On the other hand, the Everglide Tourmaline Blue switches have a more neutral sound profile. They fall in the middle of the spectrum, neither too high nor too low in pitch. The Tourmaline Blues strike a balance with their standard spring weight, providing an enjoyable and accessible typing experience for a wide range of users. However, it's important to note that the sound of a switch is also influenced by other factors such as the keyboard they are used in and the keycaps, so individual results may vary. Overall, both switches offer satisfying sound qualities, but the Pine switches lean towards a deeper and richer sound, while the Tourmaline Blues provide a more neutral sound.
Moving on to feel, both the KTT Pine and Everglide Tourmaline Blue switches are described as buttery. This implies a smooth and fluid keystroke experience, providing a seamless, effortless, and uniform typing sensation. The Pine switches are also described as creamy, offering a silky sensation as you glide your fingers across the keys. This is likely due to the lubricant applied at the factory or specific materials used in their construction. The Tourmaline Blue switches, on the other hand, are not specifically described as creamy, but they are mentioned to be easy-to-press and provide a gentle resistance during key presses. This makes typing effortless and comfortable, reducing finger fatigue during extended typing sessions. Additionally, the Tourmaline Blues are categorized as mild switches, offering a more gentle typing experience compared to switches with more pronounced characteristics. In terms of feel, both switches offer a smooth and buttery typing experience, with the Pine switches having a slightly more creamy feel and the Tourmaline Blues providing an easy-to-press and mild typing experience.
In conclusion, the KTT Pine linear switches are best known for their smooth and effortless typing experience, with a deep and bassy sound profile. The Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switches, on the other hand, offer a satisfying typing experience with a more neutral sound profile and a bouncy feel thanks to their lengthened single-stage spring. Both switches provide a buttery feel, with the Pine switches leaning towards a creamy sensation and the Tourmaline Blues being easy-to-press and mild. While there may be slight differences in sound and feel, both switches offer enjoyable and accessible options for a wide range of users.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you are looking for a medium-heavy switch that provides a buttery smooth typing experience, the KTT Pine linear switch is a great choice. It has a bottom out force of 58 grams and offers a polished, factory-lubed finish for minimal friction and smooth key travel. The Pine switch is known for its bassy and low-pitched sound profile, providing a deeper and richer tone during key presses. It is also described as buttery and creamy, offering a seamless and uniform typing sensation.
On the other hand, if you prefer a medium switch with a bouncy feel and a satisfying thocky sound profile, the Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switch is the way to go. With a bottom out force of 67 grams, the Tourmaline Blue strikes a balance with its standard spring weight, making it enjoyable and accessible to a wide range of users. It is described as buttery and easy-to-press, offering a smooth and fluid keystroke experience with minimal force required to activate the keys. The Tourmaline Blue switch also has a mild and approachable feel, making it suitable for most typing preferences.
Ultimately, the choice between the KTT Pine linear switch and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switch depends on your personal preferences. Consider factors such as bottom out force, sound profile, and typing feel to determine the best switch for your needs. Whether you prioritize a smooth and effortless typing experience or prefer a bouncy feel with a satisfying sound, both switches offer unique qualities that can enhance your overall typing experience.
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