I decided to go all in and get myself an artsey.io Bluehand: https://taoofmac.com/space/blog/2023/08/08/1230

And yes, I actually use it.

You mentioned modding the switches to make them quieter, have you tried the factory-silent chocs which were released since then?

https://lowprokb.ca/products/ambients-silent-choc-switches

Nope. Had no idea they existed.

Niches inside of niches. I’m one of the few who enjoys a split ergo with > 60 keys and low-pro caps that doesn’t want to build it myself. The sofle choc looks promising as does the pinky4[1] if it can be made with all chocs.

[1]: https://github.com/tamanishi/Pinky4

Yeah I dont wanna build one either. Where can I buy this thing?

Sadly, I don't know anyone selling pre-assembled ones.

How are the rotary encoders, in your experience?

From observation - the deeper down the split keyboard rabbit hole you go, the fewer keys there are. They all seem to ditch rotary encoders in favor of more thumb buttons.

I keep forgetting that I have volume mapped to my rotary encoder. I still use it as a button, albeit one that requires comparatively large amounts of force to depress and register as compared to standard switches.

My brain can't make low-keycount boards work, personally.

Ended up designing a 64-key one with displays: https://github.com/tzarc/keyboards/tree/main/Djinn -- can't see myself going any fewer than that.