SA A History of Violets | Extras now at SPKeyboards!

SA A History of Violets


Vendors
US - Extras at SPKeyboards
EU - Presale at CoffeeKeys (Sold out)
UK - Extras at ProtoTypist
US - Interrobang at Saber Keebs



Inspiration
Violets came about out of a desire to recreate the bygone era of the early and mid-2010s; a period of the hobby I missed out on, when sets came with amazingly flexible and extensive coverage, offered through a large number of specialized kits.



I've tried to recreate the look of early SA sets, with retro full-word legends, the formerly ubiquitous lotus icon dating all the way back to SA Commando 23, and layout options rarely seen in post-pandemic era. Colemak and Dvorak support, ergo modifiers, and macro columns are all available; alongside retro terminal legends, NorDe coverage, and vivid purple cadet alphas.

I pitched this design with no fewer than a dozen extremely niche kits, and I'm happy and grateful that such a large number of those survived the interest check phase, and are now available for purchase as a part of this run.

Additionally, switchbox.studio has contributed a new violet novelty, designed to match the look of the vintage lotus flower.


Colors and Materials
Doubleshot ABS, in Signature Plastics stock colors
RDR Purple
REC Dark Purple
WCK Cream


Colors in indirect and direct sunlight


Dates
Now! Presale beginning May 1, 2025
Shipping approximately 8-12 weeks later (barring unforeseen circumstances)


Pricing (USD though SPKeyboards)
Base: $145
Extension and Macros: $27
Numpad and Numerals: $28
40% and Ortho: $36
Violet and Lotus Novelties: $35
NorDe: $22
Cream Alert: $23
Typist: $31
Ergo Mods: $54
Vim/Emacs: $50 (SPKeyboards exclusive)
Monokit Bundle: $212


Kitting
SP is offering this both as individual kits for more flexible customization, or a giant monokit bundle containing a mix of keys from multiple kits.


Monokit Bundle

A "greatest hits" collection combining multiple individual kits for convenience. Includes UK ISO, Cream Alert row, Alice split bars, improved 40% coverage versus the standalone base, some novelties, numpad and cadet numerals, and a selection of minibars.

Individual Kitting Base

Includes UK ISO, split Alice bars, and basic 40% support.

Extension with Macro Columns

Includes cadet pointer novelties, HHKB support, and macro columns.

Numpad and Numerals

Includes 108-key coverage via cadet numeral keys.

40% and Ortho

All bars are convex (as are the larger bars included in other kits.)

Violet and Lotus Novelties

Switchbox.studios violet novelty, and classic lotus flower novelty, in various rows and sizes.

NorDe

Note that the row 1 keys are purple, and so won't match with either the monokit or the Cream Alert accent kit.

Typist (Colemak and Dvorak)


Ergo Modifiers

Featuring weird, retro terminal legends from the SP archives.

Cream Alert Accent Row

One concession to the 2020's - the mandatory accent numrow.

Limited Edition Vim/Emacs

Adds the Vim keys from the IC, along with Emacs keys and a few other keys to expand the Typist kit's coverage.


Additional Board Renders


Thanks
Switchbox.studio for the Violet novelty design; MadMax13, Mori, and all of the denizens of the Keyboard Designers Forum Discord; the folks from the SPKeyboards Keycap Design Ideas channel; Dvorcol for help fixing the Typist kit; Will and Melissa at Signature Plastics; Francesco at CoffeeKeys; PotatoWire for the Vim molds; BodyOrgan for making the Vim/Emacs kit happen; and everyone else who helped with feedback on this over these past six months.