"To own a Razer Artisan Keycap is to display one’s allegiance, a mark of belonging within the cult of Razer," says the marketing gumph for the company's first artisan keycap. I've read a lot of ambitious press releases in this job, but that's definitely the strangest sentence I've parsed this year.
That being said, I do like the look of the Razer Artisan Keycap - Triple-Headed Snake Edition. Because as the name suggests, it's made up of a twisting coil of snakes. Indiana Jones wouldn't approve, but as for Andy-ana Edser? Aye, it's alright by me.
Razer's slippery new keycap is resin-cast, has been individually hand-painted (I'd genuinely enjoy that job), and subjected to a two-stage quality control process that makes sure no dust or bubbles are left on the final product.
It's been designed to fit on MX-style, cross-stem switches, so it should be compatible with most keyboards. Even if you haven't bought into the cult of Razer and gone for a competitor's product instead. Which is probably some form of heresy in Razer's eyes, I would imagine.
The keycap is also "the next step towards the ultimate expression of keyboard customisation," and "a statement of identity," apparently. My goodness. There was me thinking it was a little trinket you could shove on one of your lesser-used switches and admire on occasion between games.
If you want one for yourself, Razer has a signup form for the initial batch on the product page, complete with a neon-green countdown timer that wouldn't look out of place in NASA mission control. In much smaller font underneath is the price: $90, which makes it one of the most expensive keycaps I think I've ever covered on this site.
"One of a kind. One of the cult," says Razer. Sure thing. Can I just enjoy my pricey keycap in peace, instead?
1. Best overall:
Wooting 80HE
2. Best budget:
Gamakay x Naughshark NS68
3. Best 60%:
Wooting 60HE v2
4. Best 75%:
Keychron K2 HE
5. Best mechanical:
Asus ROG Strix Scope II 96 Wireless
6. Best silent:
Be Quiet! Light Mount
7. Best ergonomic:
Kinesis Freestyle Edge RGB
8. Best membrane:
Glorious GMBK 75%
