Onibi TKL Keyboard

Design Features

Onibi is a TKL with a comfortable 6.5 degree typing angle, 18mm front height and a variety of attractive design elements, taking inspiration from Japanese folklore and architecture.

The side profile was designed to somewhat resemble a Shinto shrine, apt given the namesake.

Featuring beautiful variable filleted edges which, when viewed from the top, provide a distinct and alluring shape and a comfortably rounded front lip.

The aim of the design was to aptly reflect the theme of Onibi – a flaming spirit that guides lost souls to the afterlife – the Shinto shrine being what I imagine their ‘natural habitat’ would be.

The flaming skull is my interpretation of Onibi, and it’s presence can be seen externally and internally.

Aesthetic Design

We've incorporated extensive curved surface machining to elevate the overall aesthetic appeal of the keyboard. From the front, it transforms from a cold piece of metal into a work of art.

For a unique tactile experience, we've utilized a "super-silky" anodization process, featuring ultra-fine sandblasting and subtle anodization, allowing the keyboard to display varying textures under different lighting conditions.

Weight Design

This keyboard boasts a 3kg+ weight from a unique, through-body copper weight design, chosen over brass and stainless steel for its superior mass, machinability, and cost-effectiveness.
The design integrates sound channels and a continuous skull motif from the weight into the case.

External Screwless Design:

After seven revisions, and leveraging the advantages of the upper and lower case structure and dimensions, we adopted an internal screw locking design.

The benefit is clear: a clean, screwless external appearance. However, there's a trade-off: to access the screws, you'll need to remove the top and bottom rows of keycaps.

The Onibi's tilted screw specifications are smaller, and after full assembly, the top cover can be removed without desoldering the switches.

Cherry Lip Design:

The "Cherry lip" front edge is a tribute to the design of venerable Cherry OEM keyboards (similar to the G80-3000's front lip). This sloped front edge has been adopted in many custom keyboards, allowing the palm to rest more comfortably against the front of the keyboard, enhancing the typing experience.