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2022-09-29 16:45:20 Edit this switch on GitHub

Alpaca

Manufacturer: JWK
Brand: JWK

Alpacas are a re-colour of Durock's incredibly smooth linear based on the SA Bliss colorway by Minterly, designed by Prime Keyboards.

A very popular and sought after switch, especially around mid-2020.

Also available in silent version.

"V1" and "V2" Alpacas do not exist. Alpacas will always be made with the latest iteration of mold design. "V2" releases are smoother than earlier versions.

— g
62g
2.00mm
4.00mm
POM
Coloured (opaque)
PC
Coloured (opaque)
Nylon
Coloured (opaque)

Quotes, thoughts and opinions

Stats and figures are one thing but here are some quotes, thoughts and opinions we've been able to find from across the web regarding these switches.

Really great value. Impressed by both sound & feel when stock or tuned. When considering price/performance; Alpaca > Gateron Ink.

/u/MrFiskers

These Alpaca switches comes pre-lubed, so they’re already super smooth, as smooth as Tealios & Inks. They sound amazing stock. I think part of the reason is that the stem is a bit longer like the Halo & Cream switches (not as long as them though). This makes them a bit louder which I personally prefer. This combined with SA caps & the acrylic case make them sound very nice and creamy. I love these switches. Highly recommended.

newtonapple

Alpacas just feel so smooth out of the box, and they sound great as well. It's sort of like typing on marshmelllows, with a great sound. Honestly, the best part is that you don't really have to lube them since they already feel great when you get them. They pretty much opened my eyes to linears

/u/Data_Scholar
Alpaca VS Durock/JWK POM by Prime Keyboards
RAMA M60-A Kuro w/ unlubed Alpaca Linear by Fiskers
Custom Mechanical Keyboard - TX87SE with Lubed (205g0) and Filmed Alpaca Switches by Andy V Nguyen
Savage65 w/lubed Alpaca Linear switches sound test by Andrew Craig
TGR Alice w/ lubed Alpacas by Fiskers
KAT Alpha w/ Alpaca linears type test by Andrew Craig
Keycult No. 2 Rev. 1 with lubed Alpacas by Koen Romers
Verne Custom Mechanical Keyboard Build with Alpacas! by TaeKeyboards
My Dream Keyboard // The Kyuu w/Alpacas Inside.. by Brandon Taylor
Noxary 268.2 with lubed Alpacas by Koen Romers
Rukia with Lubed Alpaca Switches Typing Sounds by Andy V Nguyen
Matte Black Acrylic Prime_E w/ Alpaca Switches (lubed) & Maxkey SA Leviathan Typing Test by newtonapple
Keychron Q1 Durock Alpaca Sound Test by qwertykey
Alpaca Switch Sound Test by KlickyClack
NK65 EE | ALPACA V2 | BUILD SOUND TEST by Josh Chapman
Alpaca v2 Switch Review + Typing Test (GMK+SA) by Barry Boards
Smooth Criminals - Alpaca V2 Switch Review by Turboards
GHS.RAR w/ Tuned Alpaca Switches Sound Test + Build Vod by alexotos
Linear Keyboard Switches - Are the Mauves, H1s, and Alpacas the same? - FINAL VERDICT by Andy V Nguyen
Lubed and Filmed Alpaca V2 Sound Test | KBD8XMKII E-White | PC Plate by Jaeyou Park
Cannonkeys Bakeneko60 / FR4 Plate / Alpaca Linear Sound Test by TofuTypes
Banana Split vs Alpaca v2 by wabi sabi
1 Min Switch Reviews - Alpaca V2 by tomtypes
Alpaca Switches Review and Sound Test. by bored bear
7V - Lubed Alpaca Switches Sound Test by alexotos
Alpaca Linear Review: Premium Smoothness by headtr1p
Linear
Switch Type icon
Linear switches have a smooth and linear feeling from top to bottom when pressed.

Mount type

PCB
5-pin
Switch Mount icon

Spring

Gold-plated

Volume

Switch Volume icon
normal
Standard switch with no dampers, can be further silenced with lubrication or O-rings.

Lubrication info

Factory lubed icon
Factory lubed? Slight factory lube
Notes

A thin oil lubricant is applied to 3 sides of the stem instead of just the legs as in the past.

Looking for switch lubrication advice? Here's a great start

Switch film

Switch Film icon
Yes, this switch in particular is vastly improved when switch films are used.
Notes

0.125mm films recommended - apexkeyboards.ca

Why use switch film? Here's a good explanation and a great demonstration.

More info on films and Thicc films by Jinra.

Stem construction

Stem icon
Standard
The stem on this switch is of the standard variety.

ThereminGoat switch score

Alpaca
32
/35
Push Feel
22
/25
Wobble
9
/10
Sound
16
/20
Context
8
/10
Other
87
/100
Total
View full score card on GitHub View full review on ThereminGoat.com

Want to try this switch out for yourself?

Buy a single Alpaca sample switch
from our friends at...
Small disclaimer: This is an affiliate link. Switches.mx receives a small commission if you make a purchase after clicking this link. This helps us to cover costs and support us :)
Regardless, we highly recommend Mechbox for your switch needs, and encourage you to support Mechbox.

Where to buy

Prime Keyboards Prime Keyboards
0.55 US
MyKeyboard.eu MyKeyboard.eu
0.59 BE
ApexKeyboards ApexKeyboards
0.68 CA
HippoKeys HippoKeys
$0.70 US
protoTypist protoTypist
0.53 GB
Mecha Store Mecha Store
$1.25 SG
KeyCrox UK KeyCrox UK
£0.55 GB
iLumkb iLumkb
0.80 SG
Daily Clack Daily Clack
0.86 AU
KeebCats KeebCats
£0.58 GB
LandingPad LandingPad
$1.00 SG
Custom Keyboard Co. Custom Keyboard Co. Hand-lubed
$0.88 US
Loobed Loobed Hand-lubed
$1.29 US
The Keyboard Store The Keyboard Store
$0.80 SG
Delta Key Co. Delta Key Co.
€0.68 FR
from... 0.55
These prices are subject to change at any time and should be used only as a rough guide (plus, quite often switches are not sold individually and can sometimes include discounts for larger quantities).

This information is not automatically updated.

Related Links

[Review] Alpaca Linear Switch by /u/MrFiskers reddit.com
Alpaca Linear switches Review and Complete Guide-( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°) by techbullish.com techbullish.com
Alpaca Switches: Review and Guide {Better than Cherry MX?} by teksbit.com teksbit.com

Found a bug or issue?

Raise a new issue on GitHub
Issue

Want to get in touch?

Email k@switches.mx
Discord BOWLER#2802