Alps SKCM Blue

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Alps SKCM Blue
Manufacturer Alps Electric
Family Alps SKCL/SKCM series
Product code SKCMAG
Precedes Alps SKCM White
Switch type Clicky
Sense method Metal leaf
Rated lifetime 20 M
Actuation force 70 gf
Total travel 3.5 mm
Keycap mount Alps mount
Switch mount Plate mount
Patents US4642433 (1985)

Alps SKCM Blue, complicated blue Alps, or simply blue Alps, is a clicky switch in the Alps SKCL/SKCM series.

Description[edit | edit source]

Complicated blue Alps are highly regarded for their smooth feel. The reason for this is the now-discontinued Threebond TB2581P lubricant.<ref name="Threebond-lube" /> Before the name was known, Sandy reported finding the dry lubricant applied to the sliders of an Acer KB-101A.<ref name="Sandy-lube" />

Blue Alps switches are normally branded only on the bottom. Identification is assisted by the unusual greyish-blue colour of the slider; while there are Alps clone switches with blue sliders, none of them have the same shade of blue slider, preferring teal and vivid blue.

The switchplate is typically grey full-height, Rarely black full-height, also white (Short and full-height) switchplates have been found in blue Alps switches.

Specifications[edit | edit source]

The following image, taken by alps.tw,<ref name="KBT-visit" /> contains the only known official documentation on the blue Alps switch:

The image shows a heading of "Mechanical Contact with Tactile CM(KCM) Series"; it is likely that Alps meant to write "Mechanical Contact with Tactile Feedback: CM(KCM) Series" or "Mechanical Contact with Tactility: CM(KCM) Series". "CM Series" here refers to the switches. KCM Series may be a general term for all Alps-made keyboards with these switches.

Variants[edit | edit source]

Known variants include:

Switchplate Color Switchplate Length Alps Logo Generation
Black Long No Logo Pine (with slits)
Grey Long No Logo Pine (with slits)
White Long No Logo Pine (with slits)
White Long Logo Pine (with slits)
White Short Logo Pine (with slits)

"Pale/Sky" Blue Variant

At least three examples have been found of unique Blue Alps in Acer keyboards containing sliders with a paler "sky" blue color and ridges on the inside of the stem. They have tentatively been named "Pale" or "Sky" Blue Alps.

The first example was found in a Tektronix rebranded Acer KB-101A/TK <ref name="SkyBlueAlps1" />, a second example was found in an Acer branded 6023 <ref name="SkyBlueAlps2" /> and a third example was found in an Acer branded KB-101A <ref name="SkyBlueAlps3" />.

  • "Pale/Sky" SKCM Blue Alps contain these ridges on the inside of the stem, differentiating them from regular SKCM Blue Alps.
    "Pale/Sky" SKCM Blue Alps contain these ridges on the inside of the stem, differentiating them from regular SKCM Blue Alps.
  • Comparison with other various Blue Alps switches, highlighting differences in dye consistencies vs. the paler "Pale/Sky" blue stem.
    Comparison with other various Blue Alps switches, highlighting differences in dye consistencies vs. the paler "Pale/Sky" blue stem.

Keyboards[edit | edit source]

Clones[edit | edit source]

Simplified Alps Type III is a clone of the Alps SKCMAG. The switch appears to be an earlier Hua-Jie AK-CN2 adapted to use a shell derived from an Alps SKCMAG; unlike most clones, Type III is clearly intended to fool people into mistaking it for a real Alps product, aided by Alps having neglected to visibly brand their switches.

The most obvious difference between the clone and genuine article is that the clone switch has a vivid blue slider, instead of the blue-grey of the Alps product. The clone switch replicates the telltale slits in the slider hole as well as the long side tabs that normally indicate a genuine Alps switch. The upper shell may be derived directly from an Alps moulding, as a plastic support plate was required to support the contact plates where normally the shell has dedicated recesses. A similar switch has been found with a custom shell with the proper recesses.

  • Type III simplified, disassembled
    Type III simplified, disassembled

Gallery[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]

<references> <ref name="Sandy-lube">A Little bit of Keyboards — acer kb101a Posted 2004-06-03.</ref> <ref name="Threebond-lube">Alps Lubricant FOUND! — Threebond TB2581P Posted 2020-05-07.</ref> <ref name="KBT-visit">KBtalKing — ㊣㊣台灣黑軸與台灣白軸的樣式㊣㊣ Dated 2014-01-17. Retrieved 2015-07-21.</ref> <ref name="Focus_FK555">Geekhack — $2 Goodwill keyboard with Blue Alps? Posted 2014-05-26. Retrieved 2015-07-21.</ref> <ref name="SkyBlueAlps1">Deskthority — KB-101A/TK Posted 2018-11-04.</ref> <ref name="SkyBlueAlps2">Deskthority — Alps Appreciation Posted 2019-05-09.</ref> <ref name="SkyBlueAlps3">Imgur — "Sky" Blue Alps SKCM Switches in Acer KB101A Posted 2022-01-22.</ref> <ref name="Deltagold">Imgur — Deltagold Posted 2018-09-01.</ref> <ref name="Nisemono">Deskthority — Nisemono Model M Posted 2018-08-21.</ref> <ref name="KB-123">YouTube — Acer KB-123 Keyboard Typing Video Posted 2019-10-24.</ref> <ref name="SPC">Imgur — SPC KB-5170 Posted 2014-02-12.</ref> <ref name="BIOSexpress">Sandy55 — BIOS Express KCME907L Updated 2004-09-05.</ref> <ref name="QTRONIX">Deskthority — Qtronix QX201 Posted 2019-09-19.</ref> <ref name="Leading92014">Imgur — Leading Edge 92014 Blue Alps Posted 2022-03-31.</ref> <ref name="Chicony5170">Imgur — Chicony 5170 Blue Alps Posted 2022-03-31.</ref> <ref name="Keytrak">Imgur — Keytrak KM94/95 Posted 2022-03-30.</ref> <ref name="K2AX">Deskthority — The Monterey K2AX Has Landed In....You Guessed It - Canada. Posted 2017-03-27.</ref> <ref name="Jameco">Deskthority — Question about a Monterey/Jameco JE1015 Posted 2017-04-02.</ref> <ref name="Focus_727_747">Deskthority — Need help (anyone with a Focus FK-727 or 747) Posted 2019-06-30.</ref> <ref name="Datatech">Geekhack — Datatech SPK-100: solid board with metal back, blue alps(?) Posted 2016-01-13.</ref> <ref name="SIIG_K101">Geekhack — Suntouch SIIG K101 - Are these really SKCM Blue Alps?? Posted 2018-10-11.</ref> <ref name="SIIG_K84">Imgur — SIIG Suntouch K84 (Alps SKCM Blue) (Credit: kralcifer) Originally posted 2020-08-16.</ref> <ref name="PowerMate">Imgur — NEC PowerMate Portable (SKCM Blue Alps) (Credit: Jonnyadler) Posted 2022-04-03.</ref> <ref name="Datacomp">YouTube — Datacomp DFK-515AT review (Alps SKCM Blue) Uploaded 2017-02-25.</ref> <ref name="Packard">Geekhack — Packard Bell T9102 - SKCM Blue Alps at it's Finest Posted 2016-12-03.</ref> <ref name="CanonAK202">Imgur — Canon AK202-WAK (Alps SKCM Blue) Uploaded 2022-04-25.</ref> <ref name="CanonC202">Imgur — Canon C202-AKB (Alps SKCM Blue) Uploaded 2022-04-25.</ref> <ref name="Multitech">Imgur — Multitech KB097 (Alps SKCM Blue) Uploaded 2022-06-22.</ref> <ref name="Deltagold1">Imgur — Deltagold DGK-200 Blue Alps Uploaded 2022-07-02.</ref> <ref name="elonex">Deskthority — Got lucky - Alps SKCM Blues Posted 2021-04-03.</ref> </references>

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