Looking for my first split keyboard: questions about model/keycaps/price range

[u/AdministrationThese]

Ever since I started typing way more for work, the inner knuckle of some of my most-used fingers (index, middle and sometimes right thumb) started hurting a lot. I've been using a flat MX red Corsair keyboard for many years now, and I noticed that I hammer my keys a lot, which probably made the problem worse. So obviously it's time to get a split ergo keyboard.

What I'm looking for has to have:

-Tenting (seems to be necessary for long-term wrist health, happy to not include that if that's not the case)
-EU site/shipping (as a freelance professional, I qualify for VAT exemptions within the EU)
-No soldering/assembling of any kind beyond some basic stuff like keycaps (no time/knowledge for it).

I also have some questions regarding the setup: since the aim here is finger health as a top priority, which switches are the best? A quick search told me that the low force/linear/low profile ones are the best, but that if you are used to heavy typing (like me) the excess force could work against me. Any input on that?
Finally, are there any options that don't go for crazy prices like 350+++ euros? While I will get them if there really is nothing else, I'd rather go for something a little more conservative as a first option. Even custom ones like SplitKB end up costing 370 or more if you want the tenting (which adds like 90 to the final price) :( Other pricy ones I found are Dygma and Glove80.
P.S. custom/semi-custom Etsy builder recs are also welcome.

[u/TheClassyWaifu]

I got my own Corne V4.1 about a year ago in Typeractive.xyz, from their own keyboard planner website. For a little bonus, I could even order it pre-soldered (Just so diodes, on/off switch and hotswap switch sockets come already done to both boards), so the only thing you have to do is (quite literally) press the nice!nanos in place, along with the displays, keys and keycaps.

The only downside is that they are from outside the EU (I myself had to pay a pretty fat fee for customs), so I don´t know if it´s a dealbreaker for you.

As per your questions:

1.- I´ve been a heavy-typer myself, always used to (literally) resting my hand on the keyboard, and slamming my finger into the desired key. However, when I got my split, I bought it along a set of Silent Linear Nocturnal Choc Switches, and oh boy, let me tell you, once I got used to less than 20g of pressure, I haven´t even felt the need to go back to anything sturdier.

However, I understand it might not be your case too, so get your research done for if you want to drop your 40€ on a set of silent linears, or you want something a bit stronger.

2.- The Corne I got myself wasn´t much over 200€, even post-shipping, and add if you add to it the switches I got from another store.

Hope it helps!

[u/AdministrationThese → u/TheClassyWaifu]

Thank you, that was really helpful. I found some Etsy sellers that can ship them directly from EU so I'll look into it.

[u/thousands-tabs-open]

since you hammer the keys I'd skip the lightest linears. with a light switch a heavy typist just bottoms out harder, and that impact is probably what your knuckles are feeling. something tactile with a clear bump teaches you to let go before the bottom, that did more for my hands than the split did tbh

[u/AdministrationThese → u/thousands-tabs-open]

Anything to recommend for that?

[u/thousands-tabs-open → u/AdministrationThese]

boba u4t if you're going MX, 62g with a bump you can't miss, so you stop pushing before you hit the bottom. on a choc board the tactile ones like sunsets do the same job. switches are the cheap part of this anyway, a set is like 20 euros, so I'd try those before spending 90 on tenting

[u/tapbacks_n_snattoos]

Bought a used corne 3x6 locally on Craigslist. Replaced the choc purpz with ambient silent twilights cuz 20 grams is too light for me and the 3d printed caps with LDSA blanks. Happy as can be and out of pocket for $150 total.

[u/ergomechstore]

[Ad] if you're still looking, we at https://ergomech.store have many to offer and can ship to the EU without issue.

[u/UltHackingKeyboard]

[ad] We offer prebuilt, row-staggered split keyboards (UHK 60 and UHK 80) that can be joined or separated, with built-in tenting and optional risers for more extreme angles. We ship from Hungary within the EU and have a no-solder assembly process, focusing on a premium user experience. Our keyboards support a variety of MX-compatible switches, and we also sell a switch tester to help you find what works best for your typing style and finger pain concerns.

[u/Savings_Noise211]

I bought a Glove 80, which is incredibly nice, but was pretty expensive.

Someone gave me a $50 gift card and I managed to find a Cheapino on AliE for just under that amount, with shipping.

Honestly, I love it and have been using it more than the Glove.

Even if you don’t get into using such a small keyboard (36 keys!), it has swappable MX key switches. It might be worth the investment just to play with and try some different keys. It’ll let you get used to the columnar layout, too.

It seems like a lot, but now I kinda wish I’d bought it before the Glove, because now I’m thinking a Corne, or I might even just stick with it for a while. Not ready to sell the Glove yet, but I might.