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This is already the second piece I’ve written recently about my favorite peripherals. When I’m this productive on a single topic, it’s clear that it really grabbed my attention. Here’s why the GamePro Asgard Drakkar became the only mechanical keyboard I’ve adopted for regular use.
Read also: Gaming Keyboard Reviews
TABLE OF CONTENTS:
Video about KAT and GamePro Asgard
And it seems I’ve found the reason. It’s called KAT, a keycap standard – not just for height, but also for shape. I touched on this briefly in my previous review, but now I’m dedicating a full discussion to it.
The Main Issue
Before getting the Drakkar, I was a dedicated fan of low-profile, scissor-switch, or membrane keyboards. So I’ll reiterate a point I tried to make in my previous video: the shape of the keycaps affects satisfaction and the overall typing experience almost as much as the switches themselves, the plastic type, or even the size of the keyboard.
To demonstrate my point, I asked GamePro for keyboards I had already reviewed, but in colors that were new to me. Since in the Asgard series different colors also come with different keycap shapes, I specifically requested the models I wanted to compare.
Perhaps my dislike of small keyboards also depends on the keycaps, who knows?
A refresher
To recap the setup: the GamePro Asgard Drakkar, Asgard Yord, and Asgard Ragnar are three models developed in collaboration with Keychron. All three – MK285BL, MK305BL, and MK266BL – feature the Blue color option and PBT SA keycaps with a Cherry-profile mount.
All three keyboards support three connection profiles, feature a 5000 mAh battery, Type-C port, 2.4 GHz wireless, RGB lighting, and high-quality software. They can also charge via cable while in use.
Keycap profiles
Now, directly about the keycaps. On the white and black versions of Drakkar, Ragnar, and Yord, the keycap profile is Cherry, as mentioned earlier. However, on the blue versions (BL), the keycap profile is SA.
Keyboard profiles differ not only in the overall height but also in the angle of each row. The row heights themselves can vary as well. Generally, higher-end keyboards tend to feature more ergonomic profiles. This is primarily due to manufacturing considerations: non-standard or taller keycaps are more complex and costly to produce.
There are some notable nuances. For instance, OEM and Cherry profiles are quite similar. Although Cherry keycaps are slightly smaller and lower, which can make typing more comfortable, the vast majority of keyboards – including non-mechanical ones – use the OEM profile. The widespread continued use of OEM is largely due to its long-established presence; users have become accustomed to it over many years.
The main point is that there is no single “best” keyboard profile. Certain profiles may be better suited to different users or purposes – gaming, typing, visual preferences, or even cost considerations. Even a simple forward tilt of the keyboard, according to standard design, significantly affects the need for keycaps of varying heights. It should be noted that the tallest keycaps are sculpted rather than uniform, with those further from the center having a greater forward angle.
KAT Profile
Now, regarding the KAT profile: this is the profile used in the BL version of the GamePro Asgard keyboards, all three models. It is derived from the SA profile, which is considered a retro design and among the earliest keycap profiles. Compared to SA, KAT features noticeably softer angles, and the height of the first row is 13.5 mm rather than 16.5 mm.
The advantage of this softer design becomes apparent in practical use. For users who do not touch-type, finger placement tends to be somewhat inconsistent, with typing generally relying on the middle fingers within a certain keyboard area. A consistent forward angle and uniform key spacing help maintain a steady typing position.
When typing at very high speed, fingers do not move strictly up, sideways, and down in sequence; they follow either a low arc or may press the next key while still sensing the previous one if it is nearby. Keys with less pronounced edges reduce the likelihood of catching on adjacent fingers. The chamfered corners serve this purpose – there is less surface for fingers to snag on.
To be honest, it is unclear whether this has any effect on touch typists. I tried typing without looking, and within a minute my wrists began to feel sore. When typing in a more casual, non-touch style, the wrists remain in a natural position, whereas touch typing tends to keep them more tense.
One thing I can say with confidence is that I typed more than half of this text on a 75% keyboard without any noticeable drop in typing speed. The key factor was using the GamePro Asgard Yord BL. This is the first compact keyboard that allowed me to maintain both high speed and accuracy.
Conclusions on KAT
The shape and profile of keycaps should not be overlooked, as they can significantly influence the overall typing experience. The KAT profile is well-suited for typing, even on high-profile models such as the GamePro Asgard Drakkar or the GamePro Asgard Yord.
However, this is not a universal recommendation; different users may prefer different keycap profiles. Fortunately, quality mechanical keyboards take this into account, and the GamePro Asgard lineup provides a reasonable range of options.
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