Gateron Oil King Linear Switches

The Gateron Oil King is a linear mechanical switch designed for users who want smooth keystrokes and a quiet, deep sound. It suits gamers seeking fast, consistent keypresses and typists who prefer a muted, thocky acoustic experience without tactile bumps. The switch comes factory-lubricated, reducing the need for additional tuning or break-in time.

Feel and Sound

• Offers a very smooth, linear keystroke with no tactile feedback.
• Produces a low-pitched, bassy thock sound, which is quieter and less sharp than typical clicky or tactile switches.
• Bottoming out feels solid and snappy due to the long-pole stem design, providing satisfying feedback without harshness.

Actuation Characteristics

• Requires moderate force to actuate, balancing responsiveness and fatigue for extended use.
• Pre-travel and total travel distances support both fast input and deliberate typing.
• Bottom-out force is higher than actuation force, giving a noticeable but not jarring end to the keypress.

Build Quality

• Uses a nylon bottom housing and a proprietary polycarbonate blend top housing, contributing to sound dampening and durability.
• The stem is made from POM with a longer pole, enhancing smoothness and bottom-out feel.
• Factory lubrication applies a proprietary oil to reduce scratchiness and spring ping, common noises caused by switch internals.

Trade-Offs

• Linear design lacks tactile feedback, which may be less suitable for users who prefer noticeable actuation points.
• Higher bottom-out force could cause finger fatigue for some during long typing sessions.
• Unknown how well the switch responds to further modifications like additional lubing or filming.

Use Cases

• Well-suited for high-speed gaming where smooth, consistent keypresses aid performance.
• Good for office or home typing where quiet operation and low noise are priorities.
• Less ideal for users who want tactile or clicky feedback or very light keypresses.