KTT Pine vs. Jerrzi Violet
An in-depth look at the KTT Pine and the Jerrzi Violet switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the KTT Pine and Jerrzi Violet offer two distinct experiences for users. The KTT Pine is a linear switch that is medium-heavy, buttery smooth, and designed for effortless typing. It features a polished, factory-lubed finish to minimize friction, resulting in a smooth key travel experience. On the other hand, the Jerrzi Violet is a tactile switch known for its smooth actuation and pleasingly poppy tactility. It offers a balanced and enjoyable typing experience with a neutral sound signature. While the Pine is categorized as bassy, buttery, creamy, and low-pitched, the Violet is categorized as stepped and neutral. If you prefer a smooth and buttery typing experience, the Pine may be the switch for you. However, if you appreciate a tactile feel and poppy feedback while typing, the Violet could be the better choice. Let's dive a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can decide which switch is best for you.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
45g
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
58g
Bottom-out force
N/A
Pre-travel
1.90 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.70 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
15.5mm gold-plated spring
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
Both the KTT Pine and Jerrzi Violet feature a polycarbonate top housing, which is known for creating a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile due to its stiffness. Additionally, the translucency of polycarbonate makes it ideal for switches that incorporate RGB lighting, enhancing the overall aesthetic appeal of the keyboard. However, while both switches share this top housing material, the bottom housing is where they differ significantly. The Pine utilizes a polycarbonate bottom housing, similar to its top housing, while the Violet opts for a nylon bottom housing. This distinction results in a deeper and fuller sound profile for the Violet due to nylon's softer nature, which absorbs more sound compared to polycarbonate.
In terms of sound profile, the KTT Pine and Jerrzi Violet take different approaches with their housing materials. While the polycarbonate top housing of both switches creates a sharp and clear sound, the bottom housing nuances set them apart. The Pine's polycarbonate bottom housing contributes to a more resonant and impactful bottom-out sound and feel, aligning with the characteristics of its top housing. In contrast, the Violet's nylon bottom housing results in a duller and rounder sound, showcasing the softer nature of this material. This contrast in bottom housing materials gives each switch a unique sound signature, catering to different preferences among keyboard enthusiasts.
Overall, the choice of housing materials in the KTT Pine and Jerrzi Violet plays a crucial role in shaping their sound profiles and overall typing experience. While both switches feature polycarbonate top housing for a sharp and crisp sound, the differentiation in bottom housing materials brings distinct characteristics to each switch. The Pine's polycarbonate bottom housing maintains the clear and resonant qualities of the top housing, resulting in a consistent sound profile throughout key presses. On the other hand, the Violet's nylon bottom housing offers a deeper and fuller sound, creating a unique typing experience that complements its softer top housing material. Ultimately, the selection of housing materials is a key factor in determining the overall feel and sound of mechanical switches like the KTT Pine and Jerrzi Violet.
Weight
The actuation force of the KTT Pine linear switch and the Jerrzi Violet tactile switch is the same at 45 grams, providing a consistent typing experience in terms of initial key press. However, the bottom out force of the Pine switch is heavier at 58 grams compared to the Violet switch, which has an unknown bottom out force. This means that the Pine switch will require a bit more force for a full key press compared to the Violet switch. If weight is a crucial factor in your decision-making process, the Pine switch may be better suited for those who prefer a slightly heavier feel for a more substantial typing experience, while the Violet switch may cater more to those who prefer a lighter touch for prolonged typing or gaming sessions. Ultimately, both switches offer a similar actuation force, but the bottom out force varies, allowing users to choose based on their preference for typing feel.
Travel distance
The KTT Pine linear switch has a travel distance of 4 mm, while the Jerrzi Violet tactile switch has a travel distance of 3.7 mm. In this case, the Pine has a slightly longer travel distance compared to the Violet. A 0.3 mm might seem minimal, but it can make a difference in how a key feels when pressed. Those who prefer a more traditional travel distance may lean towards the Pine, while those looking for a slightly quicker response time might prefer the Violet. Both switches offer a different typing experience due to their slightly different travel distances, catering to different preferences among keyboard users. Ultimately, the choice between the two will depend on personal preference and typing style.
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 Jerrzi Violet has an MSRP of $2.79 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Violet for $2.30.
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 offers a bassy and low-pitched experience, providing a deeper and richer sound profile during key presses with a more bass-heavy and mellow tone. On the other hand, the Jerrzi Violet tactile switch provides a neutral sound signature, suitable for various typing preferences and environments. This means that while the Pine switch will offer a more distinct and potentially deeper sound, the Violet switch will provide a more balanced and versatile sound experience, catering to a wider range of users.
When it comes to feel, the Pine linear switch is known for its buttery and creamy typing experience, offering a smooth and fluid keystroke sensation that is effortless and uniform. In contrast, the Jerrzi Violet tactile switch is described as stepped, providing a tactile bump that feels more mild compared to some other tactile switches. Both switches offer unique tactile experiences; the Pine switch excels in providing a silky sensation akin to gliding your fingers across the keys with ease, while the Violet switch offers a distinct tactile bump that can enhance typing feedback.
Overall, the KTT Pine linear switch and the Jerrzi Violet tactile switch present different subjective qualities in terms of sound and feel. The Pine switch offers a bassy, low-pitched sound profile with a buttery, creamy typing experience, delivering a deeper and richer sound with smooth and effortless key presses. On the other hand, the Violet switch provides a neutral sound signature and a stepped tactile feel, offering a balanced typing experience with a mild tactile bump. Ultimately, the choice between these switches will depend on personal preferences for sound, feel, and typing style, but rest assured that both switches will deliver high-quality performance in their respective categories.
Conclusion
To sum up, when choosing between the KTT Pine linear switch and the Jerrzi Violet tactile switch, consider your preference for bottom out force, sound profile, and typing feel. If you prefer a medium bottom out force and a smooth, buttery typing experience, the Pine linear switch is a great option. On the other hand, if you enjoy a gentle tactile feedback with a poppy tactility and a neutral sound signature, the Violet tactile switch might be more to your liking. Ultimately, the decision comes down to personal preference and what type of typing experience you are looking for in your mechanical keyboard switches.
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