KTT Pine vs. Aflion Windy Shadow
An in-depth look at the KTT Pine and the Aflion Windy Shadow switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing between the KTT Pine and the Aflion Windy Shadow mechanical keyboard switches, both linear switches offer unique features and benefits to enhance your typing experience. The KTT Pine is praised for its medium-heavy feel, buttery smooth key travel, and effortless typing experience. Its factory-lubed finish minimizes friction, resulting in a smooth and consistent typing feel. On the other hand, the Aflion Windy Shadow stands out with its neutral sound profile and distinctive bounce from the extended spring, providing a comfortable medium-light feel with a 55g bottom-out. While the Pine is described as having a bassy, buttery, creamy, low-pitched sound, the Windy Shadow is characterized by a low-pitched, mild, and neutral sound. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond these generalities so you can best decide on the switch that suits you.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
45g
Actuation force
N/A
Bottom-out force
58g
Bottom-out force
55g
Pre-travel
1.90 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.50 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
19.7mm double-stage spring
Housing materials
The KTT Pine and Aflion Windy Shadow both feature polycarbonate top housings, which are known for creating a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. This is due to the relatively stiffer nature of polycarbonate, which leads to a more clear and resonant sound. Additionally, the translucency of polycarbonate makes it ideal for switches that utilize RGB lighting. On the other hand, while the Pine also incorporates a polycarbonate bottom housing, the Windy Shadow utilizes a nylon bottom housing. Nylon is softer than polycarbonate and absorbs more sound, resulting in a deeper and fuller sound profile when typing on switches that use this material.
In terms of sound profile, both the KTT Pine and Aflion Windy Shadow will have a sharp and crisp sound due to their polycarbonate top housings. However, when it comes to the tactile feel and sound when pressing down on the switch, the material of the bottom housing plays a crucial role. The Pine's polycarbonate bottom housing will contribute to a clearer and resonant sound upon bottoming out, while the Windy Shadow's nylon bottom housing will create a softer and more rounded sound. This shows that the choice of material for the bottom housing can significantly impact the overall typing experience and sound produced by the switch.
While the top housings of the KTT Pine and Aflion Windy Shadow are both made of polycarbonate, their bottom housings differ in material, with the Pine using polycarbonate and the Windy Shadow using nylon. This variation results in a different feel and sound profile when typing on each switch. The split qualities of the housing materials mean that the bottom housing has a greater impact on the bottom-out sound and feel, while the top housing influences the sound when releasing a key. Ultimately, the choice between polycarbonate and nylon bottom housing will depend on personal preference for sound and typing experience.
Weight
In comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the KTT Pine linear switch and the Aflion Windy Shadow linear switch, we see some differences. The Pine has a slightly higher actuation force of 45 grams compared to the unknown force of the Windy Shadow. However, the Windy Shadow has a lighter bottom out force of 55 grams compared to the Pine's 58 grams. Both switches are in the medium to medium-light range in terms of force required. Some may prefer the Pine for its slightly heavier actuation force, providing a more substantial typing feel, while others may lean towards the Windy Shadow for its lighter bottom out force, allowing for longer typing or gaming sessions without fatigue. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference for typing experience and force required.
Travel distance
The KTT Pine linear switch has a travel distance of 4 mm, while the Aflion Windy Shadow linear switch has a travel distance of 3.5 mm. In terms of length, the KTT Pine has a slightly longer travel distance compared to the Aflion Windy Shadow. The Pine would provide a slightly deeper keypress feel compared to the Windy Shadow. However, both switches fall within the range of traditional travel distances, with the Pine being on the longer side. Ultimately, choosing between the two would depend on personal preference for keypress depth and responsiveness. Gamers may lean towards the Windy Shadow for its shorter travel distance and quicker response times, while those who prefer a more substantial keypress may opt for the Pine.
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 Aflion Windy Shadow has an MSRP of $5.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Windy Shadow for $3.91.
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 profile, providing a deep and rich tone during key presses. In contrast, the Aflion Windy Shadow linear switch also has a low-pitched sound profile but is described as neutral, making it suitable for a variety of users and settings. Both switches aim to provide a pleasant auditory experience during typing, with the Pine focusing on a deeper bass sound and the Windy Shadow aiming for a more moderate and versatile tone.
When it comes to feel, the KTT Pine linear switch is praised for its buttery and creamy typing experience, offering a smooth and fluid key response that feels effortless and uniform. On the other hand, the Aflion Windy Shadow linear switch is described as mild, providing a gentler typing experience that falls within a safe middle-ground zone in terms of sound and feel. Both switches are designed to enhance typing comfort and overall user satisfaction, with the Pine offering a more luxurious and silky sensation while the Windy Shadow aims for a more approachable and comfortable feel.
Overall, while the KTT Pine linear switch and the Aflion Windy Shadow linear switch offer different sound and feel profiles, both switches are geared towards providing an enjoyable typing experience with their respective characteristics. Whether you prefer a deep and rich bass sound with a buttery typing feel or a more neutral and mild sound profile with a comfortable key response, both switches are designed to cater to different preferences and user needs in the mechanical keyboard community. Ultimately, choosing between the Pine and the Windy Shadow will depend on individual preferences for sound and feel, but either switch is sure to deliver satisfying results.
Conclusion
To sum up, when considering whether to choose the KTT Pine linear switch or the Aflion Windy Shadow linear switch, you should first assess your preferences and typing needs. If you prefer a slightly heavier bottom out force at 58 grams and enjoy a buttery smooth typing experience characterized by a bassy and low-pitched sound profile, then the Pine switch may be the better choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a lighter bottom out force at 55 grams and value a neutral sound profile with a distinctive bounce from an extended spring, then the Windy Shadow switch could be more suitable for your typing style. Ultimately, both switches offer unique features and qualities that cater to different preferences, so it's important to consider what factors are most important to you in a mechanical keyboard switch before making a decision.
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