KTT Pine vs. Jwick Splash Brothers
An in-depth look at the KTT Pine and the Jwick Splash Brothers switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
If you're in the market for a new mechanical keyboard switch, two options to consider are the KTT Pine and the Jwick Splash Brothers. The Pine is a linear switch that is best known for its medium-heavy feel and buttery smooth typing experience. With a polished, factory-lubed finish, it minimizes friction for effortless key travel. It is categorized as 'Bassy', 'Buttery', 'Creamy', and 'Low-pitched'. On the other hand, the Splash Brothers is also a linear switch, but it offers a different typing feel. Its shorter activation combined with a long pole stem gives it a unique speed and precision. Additionally, these switches produce a creamy sound signature. Categorized as 'Neutral', 'Mild', 'Snappy', 'Bouncy', 'Subtle', and 'Polished', they provide a versatile and satisfying typing experience. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the best switch for you.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
45g
Actuation force
N/A
Bottom-out force
58g
Bottom-out force
48g
Pre-travel
1.90 mm
Pre-travel
1.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
15.5mm gold-plated spring
Spring
Extended long spring
Housing materials
The housing materials of the KTT Pine and the Jwick Splash Brothers differ in their bottom housing. The Pine uses polycarbonate, which creates a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. This is because polycarbonate is a relatively stiffer plastic, resulting in a more clear and resonant sound. Additionally, its translucency is beneficial for those planning to use RGB lighting. In contrast, the Splash Brothers incorporates a nylon bottom housing. Typing on switches that use nylon elicits a deeper and fuller sound profile. Nylon being a softer plastic, absorbs more sound, leading to a duller and rounder sound. Therefore, the Pine's polycarbonate bottom housing offers a more distinct sound experience, while the Splash Brothers' nylon bottom housing provides a fuller and deeper sound.
On the other hand, the top housings of both the Pine and the Splash Brothers are made of polycarbonate. This material choice creates the same sound profile for both switches - a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper tone. Polycarbonate's stiffness contributes to a clear and resonant sound. The transparency of polycarbonate is especially advantageous for those wanting to utilize RGB lighting. Therefore, in terms of sound and aesthetic quality, the top housing of both the Pine and the Splash Brothers offer similar results.
When considering the overall sound experience of the switches, the bottom housing plays a crucial role in the bottom-out sound and feel. The polycarbonate bottom housing of the Pine creates a significant impact on the sound and sensation when pressing down on a key. The sharper and crisper sound profile provided by the polycarbonate bottom housing enhances the typing experience. In contrast, the nylon bottom housing of the Splash Brothers absorbs more sound, resulting in a duller and rounder bottom-out sound. On the other hand, the top housing, which is made of polycarbonate for both switches, has a greater influence on the sound when releasing a key. Therefore, the switches' bottom housing material determines the feel of pressing down the keys, while the top housing material affects the sound when letting go of a key.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the KTT Pine linear switch and the Jwick Splash Brothers linear switch, there are some notable differences. The Pine switch has an actuation force of 45 grams, which means that it requires a relatively light touch to trigger a keystroke. In contrast, the actuation force of the Splash Brothers switch is unavailable, making it unclear how much force is needed. However, the Pine switch has a bottom out force of 58 grams, which is slightly heavier than the 48 grams required for the Splash Brothers switch.
Considering weight, the Pine switch is on the medium side, offering a good balance between a light typing experience and a more substantial push feel. This can be beneficial for individuals who want to type for longer periods of time or engage in extended gaming sessions. On the other hand, the Splash Brothers switch is on the lighter side, which allows for a lighter and potentially faster typing experience.
In conclusion, while the actuation force and bottom out force of the KTT Pine and Jwick Splash Brothers linear switches differ, both offer their own advantages. The Pine switch provides a medium actuation force with a slightly heavier bottom out force, while the exact actuation force of the Splash Brothers switch is unknown but has a lighter bottom out force. Depending on individual preferences, one can choose a lighter or heavier force option to suit their typing needs.
Travel distance
The travel distance of the KTT Pine linear switch is 4 mm, while the Jwick Splash Brothers linear switch has a travel distance of 3.5 mm. Both switches have relatively short travel distances compared to the more traditional 4.0 mm. The shorter travel distance of the Splash Brothers switch may be preferred by gamers who prioritize faster response times. On the other hand, those who prefer a more substantial feel when pressing down on a key may opt for the Pine switch with its longer travel distance. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches depends on personal preference and the desired level of responsiveness or depth. Overall, the Pine switch has a longer travel distance than the Splash Brothers switch, offering a more hearty feel when typing.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The KTT Pine has an MSRP of $4.60 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Pine for $4.15.
The Jwick Splash Brothers comes in at $2.49 per 10 switches.
Here at Milktooth, we offer the best prices on switches (on average, 27% lower the competition). In addition, we offer free shipping on orders over $49.00. We also offer free returns and exchanges, so you can shop with guaranteed satisfaction.
That said, while price is an important piece of the puzzle, our opinion is that you should ultimately pick the option that most suits your unique preferences since you’ll be using these switches for years to come. In other words, finding something perfect for you is, in our view, the most important criteria.
Typing experience
When it comes to sound, the KTT Pine linear switch offers a deep and rich bassy sound profile during key presses. This lower frequency range gives the typing experience a sense of depth and richness. On the other hand, the Jwick Splash Brothers linear switch has a neutral sound profile. It falls within a moderate range, making it suitable for various purposes, whether you are a beginner or advanced user, and regardless of whether you are using the switches at home or work. It's important to note that the sound of a switch is also influenced by other factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps chosen. Overall, while the Pine provides a bassy and low-pitched sound, the Splash Brothers offer a more neutral sound experience.
In terms of feel, the KTT Pine linear switch is described as buttery and creamy. This suggests a smooth and fluid keystroke experience, where each keypress feels seamless, effortless, and uniform. The factory-lubed finish helps minimize friction, resulting in smooth key travel. On the other hand, the Jwick Splash Brothers linear switch provides a mild typing experience in a safe middle-ground zone. It offers a gentle feel with a subtle resistance, allowing for a comfortable and approachable typing experience. Additionally, the Splash Brothers switches are described as snappy and bouncy, providing a super responsive and lively feel with a spring-like feedback sensation. The Pine switch is also polished, indicating a smooth and refined finish that ensures reduced friction and smooth key travel. Overall, the Pine switch offers a buttery and creamy typing experience, while the Splash Brothers switch provides a mild and responsive feel with some bounciness.
In conclusion, the KTT Pine linear switch and the Jwick Splash Brothers linear switch offer different subjective qualities in terms of sound and feel. The Pine switch provides a bassy and low-pitched sound, accompanied by a buttery and creamy typing experience. On the other hand, the Splash Brothers switch offers a neutral sound profile and a mild and snappy typing feel with some bounciness. Depending on your personal preferences and typing style, you can choose the switch that resonates with you the most. However, both switches are designed to ensure a smooth and effortless typing experience. So, if you enjoy smooth key travel and a comfortable feel, you can expect similar results from both switches. Ultimately, it's important to consider various factors such as sound, feel, and personal preferences when selecting the ideal mechanical keyboard switch for your needs.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you are looking for a switch with a medium bottom out force and a smooth typing experience, the KTT Pine linear switch would be a great choice. The Pine switches are known for their buttery smoothness and effortless typing experience, thanks to their polished, factory-lubed finish that minimizes friction. In terms of sound, the Pine switches offer a bassy and low-pitched sound profile, which can provide a deeper and richer typing experience. On the other hand, if you prefer a lighter switch with a more gentle typing experience, the Jwick Splash Brothers linear switch would be a suitable option. These switches have a bottom out force of 48 grams, making them lighter compared to the Pine. The Splash Brothers switches are described as mild, snappy, bouncy, subtle, and polished, offering a safe middle-ground typing experience with their characteristics. Additionally, the Splash Brothers switches have a neutral sound profile, making them suitable for various purposes and environments. Ultimately, the choice between the KTT Pine and Jwick Splash Brothers switches depends on your preference for bottom out force, typing experience, and sound profile. Depending on your needs and preferences, you can select the switch that best suits your typing style.
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