Owlab Tungsten Switches: Usage Report
This is a usage report of the Owlab Tungsten Mechanical keyboard switches.
I brief on the usage experience of yet another long pole linear, the Owlab Tungsten Switches. I do apologize for the overdose of long pole linears. I intend to write upon something else the next time.
Introduction and Structure
These switches are designed by Owlab and manufactured by JWK. The switch consists of a linear long pole stem made up of POM (polyoxymethylene), a 63g (bottom out) 17mm long JWK gold plated stainless-steel spring, a grey colored Nylon PA6 top housing, and a white colored Nylon PA66 bottom housing.
The stem itself is neither too long to shorten the travel distance, nor too short to prevent it from hitting the bottom housing. This enables the stem to make decent enough contact with the bottom housing, producing the characteristic sound.
The housing itself is very tight (probably one of the tightest I’ve seen) and it required considerable effort to open them for lubing and inspection. I tried filming one or two switches and decided not to continue for the same reason.
The stem wobble is present in the North-South direction and it causes a generous but unwanted agitation on 1.5u and 1.75u keys. The East-West stem wobble is minimal and well managed.
Switch Press and Typing Feel
The stock stem travel is smooth (looks like JWK is being very consistent in this regard). However, the stock JWK spring has too much crunch and it takes away the positives of the smooth stem travel. Here is a sound clip of the same: link. The same problem applies for the stock sound as well. The spring ping is so harsh that it deafens the bottoming out of the pole as well.
For the typing test, I used a Tofu 65 (E-white) with DCP PBT keycaps. The Tofu had a mix of Durock and C3 stabs, along with poron case and plate foams.
I lubed the switches with Krytox 205g0 and spring swapped them with oiled 55g Durock gold plated springs. The spring ping almost reduced completely, and the housing was smoother than before. Here is the a sound clip of the same: link.
Post lubing, I was also able to hear the clacky sound of the POM stem hitting the Nylon bottom housing and the switch sound did not contain any harsh notes either.
Conclusion
The Owls are not starter friendly switches. They cannot be used in stock form nor do they offer some tolerance to overlubing.
However, careful lubing and spring swap can bring out the best from these switches resulting in snappier & clackier bottoming out coupled with an unabridged travel distance.
This will be my daily driver for quite a while.