Vintage MX Blacks - smoothness due to use, manufacture or something else?

[directheatedtriode]

I've done a decent amount of searching and it seems like this is either controversial, or no real consensus on what makes the vintage (pre-1994 or whatever) blacks smooth - is it due to heavy use or variance in manufacturing?

At some point I've even read comments where the person replying admitted as much that he was passing on information he'd read elsewhere with regard to taking one side or another.

So I'm curious what 2020 will have in store for opinions

[Jesseg]

I believe there was some changes to the materials used in the early 90s. I have NOS vintage blacks and modern MX blacks and they are nothing alike I don't know how the modern ones are so scratchy!
as for the specific change in the materials, who knows.

[Yasu0]

Chyros posted a mic comparison on YT where you can hear the difference between two switches clear as day. Sample size disclaimer and all that withstanding, my oldest (early 80's) is my smoothest mx black board.

[directheatedtriode]

Just to clarify I don't mean the differences between vintage MX blacks and ones that are made after 1994 (but before the retooling from a few years ago). I mean differences among vintage MX blacks themselves

[Ilostmytoeinvietnam]

a lot of people seem to have the misconception that mx linear switches really fell off, and now they are worse then ever. this is not true. the only reason that vintage blacks are so highly praised is because they are vintage, and have been used a lot. retooled blacks were a viable solution, until about one or two years ago when the retooled black batches started to fall off considerably. that is at least what I believe, and I don't doubt that the manufacturing process and materials might have been different, but the mechanism has not changed for cherry switches

[davkol]

derp

[zrrion]

I'm pretty sure the molds were in better shape and the plastic was slightly different. Worn blacks vint blacks are ridiculously smooth though

[davkol]

derp

[directheatedtriode]

Worn blacks vint blacks are ridiculously smooth though

If wear was the deciding factor, commonly used keys would feel significantly different from rarely used keys.

I haven't noticed that, and my finest keyboards have been in pristine condition.

That has been my experience as well, I've now broke down a few WYSEs and the smoothness is all over the place.