I previously ran a group buy for Curve0, a 60% curved keyboard. I am very happy with how the keyboard turned out and I am excited to announce another round.
Here is Curve0 v2 75%:
More photos:
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Previous ICPrevious GBkbd0.com/item/curve0What's newV2 brings minor changes, most notably:
- New body style with exposed screws
- Easier assembly, with the possibility for a hotswap option (fill out the IC if interested!)
- Flat bottom row (previously it was only the spacebar)
This time, the layout is 75%. The arrow key cluster is flat and all the new keys are minimally spaced to keep the keyboard compact.
About Curve0Curve0 offers a truly curved typing surface in a simple construction to keep it affordable. The material is stainless steel with a brushed finish.
Curve0 is intended to be built with uniprofile keycaps. It is designed specifically for DSA keycaps but others should work too (if they are taller, the curve will be a bit more pronounced and the keys will feel closer together vertically).
With DSA keycaps, the typing surface of Curve0 is similar to that of MT3.
Why curve More
A flat typing surface is not very ergonomic. This is why most keycaps are profiled.
You may have noticed that all profiled keycaps share a common characteristic: the overall typing surface is in the general shape of a curve.
(original photo from https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=68550)Changing the keycap surface angles (in order to achieve a curved typing surface) has flaws:
- The angle of the force applied to the key is not in line with the translation axis of the switch. As a result:
- Only the component of the force that is parallel to the switch action actually contributes to moving the switch. The operator therefore needs to press harder to move the switch (vs flat keytop):
- The perpendicular force component becomes friction. This makes the key travel less smooth.
- Additionally, the added friction resists the movement of the switch, making the operator have to press even harder!
- The angled keycaps also need to be taller. The perpendicular force component therefore has greater leverage, which increases its added friction (which decreases smoothness and makes you have to press even harder):
To fix these flaws, Curve0 has the switches themselves at an angle. This achieves a curved typing surface with flat keycaps.
Another advantage of having the switches at an angle is that your finger actually moves in the direction of the press during the keytravel, which feels more comfortable (in my opinion at least).
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With DSA keycaps, Curve0 has a total home row height of about 25.5mm and spacebar height of about 27.5mm.
Measuring the angle is not as straightforward as other keyboards since each row has a different angle. With the default rubber feet, the home row has no angle (parallel to table). However, I find that the keyboard angle is better represented by the tangent of the curve between the home row and the row above it, as this is the center of the actual typing surface (without the spacebar row). This has an angle of 5°. The extra rubber feet can be used to add (or subtract, if you put them on the front) 3-4°.
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- Split backspace and left shift
- Standard bottom row
- ANSI enter only. ISO enter is not yet supported as it would require a different case and PCB
- Stainless steel case/plate assembly
- PCB, daughterboard, and their connecting cable
- Screws and standoffs, rubber feet
You will need your own: switches, uniprofile keycaps, PCB-mount stabilizers.
Assembly requires soldering and flashing firmware. QMK and Via firmware will be provided and flashing is simple (the PCB uses RP2040 so it is basically drag and drop).
PriceExact amount TBD. Previous GB was $75
Interest check formIf you are interested, fill out the
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