REVIEW – If you’ve read any of my keyboard reviews, you’ll know I’m a keyboard nerd. I love a good mechanical keyboard. A while back I even got the opportunity to build my own. In the end, though I was a little disappointed with the keycaps. I was going to use a set I already had but some of the caps were just too big and others were missing. So I settled for a set that was just ok. Then the Glorious GPBT Kabuto keycaps came up for review and I knew I had to have them. Maybe they could make me truly happy with my keyboard. There was only one way to find out. If you’re curious to know, and I assume you are if you’ve made it this far, read on!
What is it?
The Glorious GPBT Kabuto keycap set is a limited edition of KeyCapsules made from PBT and sporting Samurai-inspired novelty caps and Japanese Hiragana sub-legends
What’s included?
- 142 Cherry profile keycaps
- Keycap puller
- Sticker
- Registration card
Tech specs
Click to expand
Individually Numbered Packaging
Samurai-inspired Novelty Keycaps
Japanese Hiragana Sub-legends
Durable PBT Polymer
Crisp, Custom Dye-sub Legends
142 Cherry-Profile Keycaps
Mac Compatible
Compatible with: Most Full-Size, TKL, and Compact ANSI and ISO mechanical keyboards, including all ANSI and ISO GMMK models
Design and features
The first thing I want to call out about the Glorious GPBT Kabuto keycaps is they’re made from PBT plastic. I like PBT because keycaps made from it tend to resist shine and wear much better than ABS. The GPBT Kabuto keycaps feel great. They have a little more texture to them than any other keycap set I’ve owned or reviewed. I’m a tactile kind of guy so that little extra gription ticks a box for me, making it that much nicer to type on my keyboard.
One weird thing I noticed about the keycaps though is no mention of being double-shot. On the Glorious website, they say the Kabuto keycaps have crisp dye-sub legends and look like this.
The set I received is certainly crisp but appears to be double-shot at least for construction if not for the white legends. So if anyone can explain to me what’s going on here, let me know in the comments.
The next thing took me by surprise a bit. I didn’t realize these keycaps were a limited run. They only made 1000 sets and I got #131. Pretty cool!
I love the look of this set. I read the James Clavell Shogun long before the show ever came out, watched a lot of Akira Kurosawa films, and just love the whole samurai history and aesthetic. So, the Kabuto set was right up my alley.
With the set including 142 separate keycaps, they are compatible with all kinds of layouts, including most full-sized, TKL, and compact ANSI and ISO mechanical keyboards. That’s where I ran into issues before. The original set I was going to use for my build didn’t have the small ALT and CTRL keycaps for the right side of my keyboard. Glorious took care of that for me.
The feel and sound of the keycaps work fantastically on my build. I’m quite happy with their performance. My keyboard is not that thocky but it’s not what I would call loud either. I have non-silent tactile switches but the sound I get from my keyboard now is pleasing to my ears. And, since I work from home I don’t have to worry about someone else hearing it.
What I like about Glorious GPBT Kabuto keycaps
- Samurai!
- PBT
- Texture
- Sound
- Looks
What needs to be improved?
- Nothing, but I would like to know if they are double-shot or not.
Final thoughts
Since I’ve installed the Glorious GPBT Kabuto keycaps on my build, I’ve used it as my daily driver. My keyboard feels and sounds better now. I was looking for a different profile before but I think now I have the perfect set of keycaps for my board. Also, being a keyboard nerd, I feel a little snooty by saying I have a limited edition set but hey, I have a limited edition set! The Glorious GPBT Kabuto keycaps are set to drop Aug 6th, so if you’re interested head on over and grab yours.
Price: $59.99
Where to buy: Glorious
Source: The sample of this product was provided for free by Glorious. Glorious did not have a final say on the review and did not preview the review before it was published.
