KTT Pine vs. KTT Vanilla Ice Cream

Overview

When considering mechanical keyboard switches, the KTT Pine and KTT Vanilla Ice Cream linear switches both offer unique features that cater to different preferences. The KTT Pine is known for its medium-heavy actuation force, buttery smooth key travel, and effortless typing experience. With a factory-lubed finish that minimizes friction, this switch provides a smooth and creamy feel while offering a low-pitched sound signature. On the other hand, the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream stands out for its use of POK in both the stem and bottom housing, resulting in a remarkably smooth and creamy typing experience reminiscent of the dessert it's named after. Additionally, these switches deliver a high-pitched and clacky sound that sets them apart from the competition. Both switches offer a buttery and creamy typing experience, but the Pine provides a lower-pitched sound compared to the Vanilla Ice Cream's higher-pitched resonance. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the best switch for you.

By the numbers

KTT Pine Linear

KTT Vanilla Ice Cream Linear

$4.60

$4.15 per 10

$5.78

$4.60 per 10

Learn moreLearn more

Housing materials

The KTT Pine and the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream both have unique housing materials that contribute to their sound profiles. The Pine features a polycarbonate top housing, which creates a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. This is due to polycarbonate being a relatively stiff plastic that leads to a clear and resonant sound. On the other hand, the Vanilla Ice Cream's proprietary KTT blend top housing offers a high-pitched and clacky sound signature. While both materials contribute to a sharp and clear sound, the Pine's polycarbonate may provide a slightly different tone compared to the Vanilla Ice Cream's proprietary blend.

In terms of bottom housings, the Pine's polycarbonate material offers a sharp and high-pitched sound profile similar to its top housing. The durability and shock resistance of polycarbonate contribute to a strong and reliable bottom housing for the Pine switch. On the other hand, the Vanilla Ice Cream's POK bottom housing, made of polyketone, offers a smooth and clacky feel with exceptional durability. The coefficient of friction of POK is higher than other materials, making it one of the smoothest available. While both bottom housings have their unique qualities, the Pine's polycarbonate and the Vanilla Ice Cream's POK material provide a different tactile experience for users.

Overall, the top and bottom housing materials play a significant role in the overall sound and feel of a switch. The differences in material between the Pine's polycarbonate and the Vanilla Ice Cream's proprietary blend and POK contribute to variations in sound profiles and tactile feedback. While the Pine may offer a sharper and crisper sound due to its polycarbonate housing, the Vanilla Ice Cream may provide a smoother and clacky feel with its POK bottom housing. However, if the housings are the same for a given switch, such as both being polycarbonate, users can expect to experience similar results in terms of sound and feel throughout the switch mechanism.

Weight

When comparing the KTT Pine linear switch to the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream linear switch, it is evident that the actuation and bottom out forces differ between the two. The Pine switch has a slightly higher actuation force of 45 grams compared to the Vanilla Ice Cream's 43 grams, making the Pine slightly heavier. Additionally, the bottom out force of the Pine switch is also higher at 58 grams compared to the Vanilla Ice Cream's 48 grams, indicating that the Pine switch requires more force to fully press down. For those who prefer a lighter typing experience for extended periods, the Vanilla Ice Cream switch may be more suitable due to its lower actuation and bottom out forces. However, for users who prefer a more substantial typing feel, the Pine switch with its slightly heavier forces may be the preferred choice. Ultimately, the weight of the switch plays a vital role in determining the typing experience based on individual preferences.

Travel distance

The KTT Pine linear switch has a travel distance of 4 mm, while the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream linear switch has a travel distance of 3.5 mm. In terms of travel distance, the Pine linear switch has a slightly longer distance compared to the Vanilla Ice Cream linear switch. The Pine switch may provide a more traditional typing experience with its 4 mm travel distance, while the Vanilla Ice Cream switch offers a slightly shallower 3.5 mm travel distance. Depending on personal preference, some users may prefer the shorter travel distance of the Vanilla Ice Cream switch for quicker response times, especially in gaming scenarios. On the other hand, those who enjoy a more substantial key press may opt for the longer travel distance of the Pine switch. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on individual typing preferences and desired keyfeel.

Price comparison

Typing experience

When it comes to sound, the KTT Pine linear switch offers a bassy and low-pitched profile, providing a deeper and richer tone during key presses. On the other hand, the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream linear switch has a high-pitched, marbly, and resonant sound signature, offering a sharp and crisp sound that sets it apart from other switches. The choice between the two would depend on your preference for sound, with the Pine providing a deeper tone and the Vanilla Ice Cream offering a cleaner and sharper sound experience.

In terms of feel, both the KTT Pine and Vanilla Ice Cream linear switches are described as buttery and creamy, providing a smooth and effortless typing experience. The Pine switch is known for being medium-heavy and buttery smooth, offering an effortless typing experience with its factory-lubed finish minimizing friction for smooth key travel. Similarly, the Vanilla Ice Cream switch stands out for its remarkably smooth and creamy feel, thanks to the use of POK material in both the stem and bottom housing. Both switches offer a silky sensation, allowing for a seamless and uniform typing experience that can enhance your overall typing speed and comfort.

In conclusion, the KTT Pine and Vanilla Ice Cream linear switches both offer unique qualities in terms of sound and feel. The Pine switch provides a bassy and low-pitched sound profile, while the Vanilla Ice Cream switch offers a high-pitched, marbly, and resonant sound signature. Both switches boast a buttery and creamy feel, ensuring a smooth and effortless typing experience. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will come down to personal preference in terms of sound profile and typing feel, but rest assured, both options will deliver a satisfying typing experience.

Conclusion

In closing, when considering whether to choose the KTT Pine linear switch or the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream linear switch, you should take into account your preference for bottom out force, sound profile, and typing feel. If you prefer a medium bottom out force and a bassy, low-pitched sound profile with a buttery typing feel, then the Pine switch would be the ideal choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a lighter bottom out force and a high-pitched, marbly, or resonant sound profile with a buttery and creamy typing feel, then the Vanilla Ice Cream switch would be more suited to your preferences. Ultimately, the decision between these two switches comes down to your personal typing preferences and the overall typing experience you are looking for.

Mentioned in this article

KTT Pine Linear

$4.60

$4.15 per 10

Learn more

KTT Vanilla Ice Cream Linear

$5.78

$4.60 per 10

Learn more