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【IC】Linedge 65% Keyboard

by DashanYYY

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byDashanYYY

Description

Hello everyone, this is CC. Today I would like to introduce a custom mechanical keyboard in a standard 65% layout: Linedge 65%.

The name Linedge directly reflects the design concept behind this keyboard: the collision between Line and Edge. Its design language is built around straight lines and chamfered planes, creating a distinctive visual form that sets it apart from conventional keyboards.

Note: All edges that may appear sharp in the renders will be properly refined and softened. There is no need to worry about them hurting your hands.

Design Details

“Constructing a strong sense of order through the most rational geometric language.”

With Linedge, I wanted to bring the design back to the purest form of geometric constructivism. By using the most fundamental geometric elements — points, lines, and planes — I aimed to break away from the traditional box-like keyboard form and build a completely different visual language with the simplest elements, expressing a strong sense of order.

From the side profile, Linedge adopts a strict parallelogram composition. In geometric constructivism, a rectangle represents stillness, while a parallelogram carries slope, direction, and momentum. Viewed from the side, Linedge presents a fundamentally different structural silhouette compared to most keyboards. Its parallelogram-based frame gives the overall outline a strong sense of dynamic motion.

It is somewhat similar to the wedge-shaped design language of Lamborghini supercars — even when standing still, it conveys a strong sense of speed and movement.
The soul of Linedge lies in the sense of order created by its sharp lines and chamfered planes.

On Linedge, the lines do not radiate randomly. They either remain strictly parallel to preserve visual order, or converge precisely toward an implied vanishing point.

The key to creating a sense of geometric order is maintaining perceivable regularity:
1. The visible thickness of the top case is consistently 3.0 mm.
2. The side lines expand according to a parallel rule.
3. The grille widths on the front and rear edges remain consistent.
4. The weight and bottom case adopt a floating design while maintaining continuity across the chamfered surfaces.
When these rules are viewed together, they do not merely create visual beauty — they also establish a sense of logical correctness.

Light and Shadow

Layering enhances the premium feel of a product, while the interplay of light and shadow enhances its sense of refinement. In essence, layering is a complete logical system involving information, behavior, and aesthetic construction.

After countless sketches, the final unconventional form language of Linedge was established: instead of following the usual top-case / bottom-case expression, the bottom case extends outward from both the front and rear directions. Through color contrast, this forms the core visual identity of Linedge.

The sharp edge lines become the boundaries between light and shadow. Under lighting, the shimmering highlights of the anodized glossy grilles, the ordered CNC machining marks, the multiple reflections of mirror-polished PVD, and the depth of the chamfered planes alternate between brightness and darkness. Together, they carve out a sculptural sense of three-dimensional depth within a compact form — this is the light and shadow of Linedge.

The weight uses an overall floating design, making the gap the ideal place to create atmosphere. Inside the floating gap, two RGB light strips are hidden. The light shines downward onto the weight, producing a diffused reflection — once again creating an ambient effect where you see the light, but not the LEDs themselves.

Since Linedge’s sharp lines and large chamfered surfaces already present such an assertive character, I decided to make the colorways bolder and more aggressive as well.

For Linedge, electrophoresis is not used. Instead, all case parts adopt anodized surface finishing. Warm tones have also been abandoned in favor of more eye-catching colors. The visual richness is created through the collision of matte dual-tone anodizing and the light reflections from mirror-polished PVD.

Colorway Summary

1.Purple / Silver
Purple CNC machining marks - Silver PVD stainless steel weight - Silver anodized glossy grille

2.Azure Blue / Flowing Gold
Azure blue CNC machining marks - Gold PVD stainless steel weight - Gold anodized glossy grille

3.Samui Red / Space Gray
Samui red CNC machining marks - Black PVD stainless steel weight - Space gray anodized glossy grille

4. Ink Green / Flowing Gold
Ink green CNC machining marks - Gold PVD stainless steel weight - Gold anodized glossy grille

5.Silver / Silver
Silver CNC machining marks - Silver PVD stainless steel weight - Silver anodized glossy grille

6.Black / Black
Black CNC machining marks - Black PVD stainless steel weight - Bronze anodized glossy grille

Note:
All colors listed above are anodized finishes. There will be no electrophoresis and no spray coating for this project. The anodized glossy grilles on the front and rear edges of the bottom case are machined using custom cutting tools.

Basic Information and Structure

In terms of sound and typing feel, Linedge leans toward an OG-style tuning direction. Through a silicone bean mounting structure for vibration damping, it preserves the raw, hard-hitting feedback of a no-foam build, achieving a balance between a modern structure and a vintage sound profile. The tuning goal is to restore the clean sound of the switches while providing a resilient and lively typing feel.

Typing angle: 7.5°
Front height: Bottom case front height 15.50 mm; top case front height 18.50 mm
Plate material: Aluminum, non-flex-cut
Mounting structure: Silicone bean PCB Gasket(With RGB Light)
PCB thickness: Currently planned as 1.6 mm, non-flex-cut
Software support: QMK wired-only PCB, supports Web VIA
Price: TBD

Current Progress

Current progress: the prototype has been received. Structural validation has been completed, and typing feel and sound testing are currently in progress.

Validation and testing objectives:
1.Test the overall structure and assembly rationality.
2.Test the sound and typing feel.
3.Test the RGB lighting effect.
[ Specified attachment is not available ]
After the above validation and testing are completed, the planned next steps are:
1.Further refine the drawings before submitting them to the factory for sampling.
2.Confirm the sample and start trial production.
3.Take real-life photos and arrange reviews.
4.Release real-life photos and begin GB warm-up.
5.Launch the GB.
6.......

IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN THIS PROJECT, PLEASE FEEL FREE TO JOIN OUR DISCORD FOR MORE INFORMATION: https://discord.gg/sev8DRHdJF

Thanks all.
PEACE & LOVE