@Rackuur@babe letters on this keyboard aren't simply printed on top of the keys. They're done using the "dye sublimation" method where the plastic itself gets dyed in a way that's really long-lasting.
@tully I love double-shot, but for light-colour PBT keys, dye sublimation looks nearly as good. Plus it's a lot cheaper to produce - and custom special legends are possible without the expense of making a new injection moulding die :)
@kepstin@Rackuur@babe material also has implications here, in that some plastics hold up better than others in this application. inexpensive keycaps are usually made in ABS, which quickly shows mechanical and chemical wear; "premium" keyboards and aftermarket keycap sets often use PBT instead, which is costlier but relatively impervious
it's been ages since i used a model M and i no longer have one to check for material markings, but given they were built to a service life rather than a cost, PBT keycaps would be no surprise. certainly they're not ABS, which in a daily driver keyboard for me lasts maybe a year or two; none of my model Ms ever showed any keycap wear, despite heavy use both before and during their time with me
@kepstin@Rackuur@babe material also has implications here, in that some plastics hold up better than others in this application. inexpensive keycaps are usually made in ABS, which quickly shows mechanical and chemical wear; "premium" keyboards and aftermarket keycap sets often use PBT instead, which is costlier but relatively impervious
@alexis@kepstin@Rackuur Mine has had consistent heavy daily use for probably around 20 years and there's no sign of wear at all so I'd be very surprised if it weren't
Gregory's Server
@kepstin @Rackuur @babe doubleshot or nothing!...
*eyes hoard of PBT caps*