The GK6 Is a No-Frills Mechanical Keyboard for Minimalists

Like anything else you use frequently, your computer setup is a reflection of your needs and tastes. If you just don’t care about computers, your setup might simply include the keyboard, mouse, and monitor that came with your Dell computer. But if you care about the feel of your keyboard, then you’re almost certainly using a mechanical keyboard. And, if you’re a minimalist who cares about aesthetics, then Gizmo Engineering's new GK6 mechanical keyboard is for you.

If you haven’t yet jumped onto the mechanical keyboard bandwagon, you are missing out. Most cheap keyboards have “switches” underneath the keys that are essentially just mushy silicone domes that you pushy down to make contact. Mechanical keyboards, as the name suggests, have actual mechanical key switches. These feel far more pleasant when typing, as you get a nice tactile “click” each time you press a key. Not only are they more enjoyable to use, mechanical keyboards can potentially help to prevent repetitive stress injuries that can occur when you push keys down further and harder than you need to.

The GK6 keyboard just launched through Kickstarter, and it will make any mechanical keyboard loving minimalist drool. It is incredibly compact with a 58-key ortholinear layout, which will take some practice to type efficiently with if you’re not used to it. The benefit of this layout is that it saves a lot of space and looks very clean. All of the keys are backed by high-end Kailh KT Pro key switches, with three specific model choices available so you can get exactly the feel you’re looking for. If you purchase the DIY kit version of the GK6, you can assemble it with Cherry MX key switches if they’re your preference.

A fully-assembled GK6 will cost Kickstarter early birds $242. Yes, that is definitely expensive for a keyboard, but the GK6 is very well made. The case is machined from a solid block of aluminum and the key plate is made from laser-cut steel sheet. Both are finished in Cerakote, which is an extremely durable ceramic coating that is often used for guns, wheels, and other rugged applications. The GK6 is available in three Cerakote colors: Yellow Mellow, Black Knight, and Desert Tan. The only key cap color option currently available is white. Those are PBT plastic with a DSA profile and a sublimated legend for the different keyboard layers.

Both the firmware and schematics for the GK6 are open source, and the keyboard is controlled by a Microchip ATmega32u4. That’s the same microcontroller used in the Arduino Leonardo, which means it is easy for users to reprogram and customize. It is fully compatible with the popular QMK (Quantum Mechanical Keyboard) firmware, so experienced users should be able to easily transfer their existing profiles. If you want the GK6 keyboard, Gizmo Engineering's Kickstarter campaign will be running until January 4th, 2021 and rewards are expected to be delivered in June of 2021.