Keeping with the same Cream family molds used extensively in releases throughout 2022, the Cream+ switches have a minor amount of stem wobble in both directions that is consistent across the batch and not large enough to bother the vast majority of users. Sound A wonderful UK based operation which sells singles to switches that I’ve used above in my comparisons for collectors and the curious alike. Matt has gone out of his way to help me build out big parts of my collection, and buying something using this link supports him as well as my content! KeebCats UK

Seemingly born from nearly identical molds as the Cream family releases from 2022, these Cream+ switches have a minor amount of N/S and E/W stem wobble that is cross batch consistent and likely to bother very few, though still with much room to improve. Sound The Gateron Oil King switches are made with a unique oil-immersed design, which helps to reduce friction and improve the overall feel of the switch. This results in a smooth and consistent keystroke, with a satisfying linear feel. The oil also helps to prolong the life of the switch, making it more durable and long-lasting. Copper Inserts: I’m not entirely certain as to how this only showed up at 51,000 actuations, but the Cream+ switches with copper inserts almost appear to have a more amplified scratch and spring ping sound than either of the other inserts. I’m almost suspecting that this may be a batch-specific issue as the copper inserts didn’t have really any other points of note about them at other break-in times.At 34,000 actuations, the non-insert Novelkeys Cream+ switches do appear to become a noticeable bit smoother. While there is no real change in the size of the grain of scratch, it simply just seems to disappear altogether at this point in breaking in.

Overall, the Oil King switches feel more solid, cohesive, and perhaps hand-lubed than that of the CJ switches. While I normally use this in a negative sense in that switches that feel ‘hand-lubed’ are more gummy or overlubed, in a subtle way its definitely makes the switch feel more unique and smoother than the CJ switches. In terms of smoothness, the 8008 Inks have a consistent-grain scratch feel that is subtle, albeit significantly more noticeable when comparing side by side to that of the Oil King switches. Scores and StatisticsIn addition to the point about sounding more scratchy, the Cream+ switches at 51,000 actuations sound as if they may be slightly more pingy than their 34,000 actuation counterparts, but it’s hard to draw a definitive line. Silicone Inserts: While the same points can be made about the wobble and general push feel of the Cream+ switches with silicone inserts at 34,000 actuations, they surprisingly seem to reduce the presence of that spring ping that was beginning to creep in at this point. Silicone Inserts: In similar fashion as the 34,000-actuation set, the silicone insert Cream+ switches broken into 51,000 actuations do appear to have noticeably lesser spring ping to them than their non-insert counterparts broken in for the same length of time. In terms of straight up push feel, the no-insert Novelkeys Cream+ switches are about as average as one could expect. They have a very slight amount of small grain scratch, a decently well muted bottom out feeling, and a topping out that is slightly thinner due to mechanical differences. Just picture the most average linear switch you can and there you have it. Wobble Without the copper insert, the Novelkeys Cream+ switches are par for course in terms of modern linear switches – minor small grain scratch but overall smoothness and relatively firm housing collisions that are minorly unbalanced. However, the copper insert produces a firmer bottoming that is closer to nylon than POM while maintaining subtle metallic undertones that emphasize the unique nature of the bottoming out here. Wobble

To be entirely honest, the changes with respect to scratch between 34,000 and 51,000 actuations are both strange and outside of my ability to explain. While there is still that same noticeable improvement with respect to smoothness in push feel that was previously noted, the switches sound distinctively more scratchy at 51,000 actuations.The stem wobble, and especially that in the N/S direction is better in the Oil Kings than the 8008 Ink switches, which really stands to highlight the mold and design-based improvements that Gateron has made in the past few years.

Gateron Oil King switches are the perfect choice for anyone looking for a smooth and responsive typing experience while giving you the freedom to customize your keyboard exactly the way you want. In terms of both sound and feeling, the bottoming out of the Oil King switches is significantly better than that of the CJ switches. H1 The H1 switches are slightly more grainy and scratchy than that of the Oil King switches. While the H1s were definitely competitively smooth at the time of their release a few years ago, it really comes to show just how much factory lubrication techniques have improved across the board over the past few years, regardless of the manufacturer. Beyond the most notable change in housing collision pitch and volume, the switches don’t appear to change much beyond 17,000 actuations, save for the small increase in both N/S and E/W direction stem wobble that is certainly deserving of a notice at this point. 51,000 ActuationsThe Gateron Oil King switches are compatible with all standard mechanical keyboard plates and PCBs, making them easy to install and use. They are also compatible with a variety of keycaps, including Cherry MX style keycaps, which means you can easily personalize your keyboard with your favorite keycaps.