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Lubrication

While the HHKB Professional series build quality and manufacturing specifications are generally very high out of the box, many users prefer to lubricate the moving parts on their Happy Hacking Keyboards to provide an even smoother, quieter typing experience.

Different types of lubricants will provide a variety of end results, from a slight refinement of the OEM typing experience to a dramatic change in the feeling and sound. These characteristics change based on the consistency of the lubricant and the amount applied. Thinner lubricants applied sparingly represent the smallest deviation from a stock keyboard, where thicker lubricants applied liberally will have a much more pronounced impact.

A degree of experimentation will be required for you to determine your personal preference.

Slider Legs

Thick Lube

For thick lubricants, apply very sparingly around the outer edges of the slider legs (where they contact the housing). Ideally, the lube should be applied thin enough to be nearly invisible - just enough to catch the light.
Thick lube tends to change the feel more dramatically than thin lubricant, and results in a deeper sonic quality.

Common Choices

  • Krytox 205g0
  • RO-59
  • Tribosys 3204

Thin Lube

Thin lubricants are a bit easier to apply, and you don't have to take quite as much care with the application process. They should still be used as sparingly as possible. Thin lube changes the sound and feel less dramatically than thick lube, and is similar to stock (non-lubed) but a bit quieter and smoother.

Common Choices

Stabilizers

There are two points you can apply lubricant to the stabilizer assembly to smooth out the keypress and silence the rattle that comes from a non-lubed stabilizer wire.

Stabilizer Body

You can apply a very light coating of your slider lubricant to the outer edges of the stabilizer slider where it makes contact with the housing.

Use the same lubricant you use on your non-stabilized sliders.

Stabilizer Wires

HHKBs come stock with a thicker dry grease applied to the stabilizer where the wire comes into contact with the housing, but this can break down over time. You may also just prefer to remove it and re-lubricate with another grease or thick lubricant. Grease will reduce stabilizer noise more than a lower-viscosity lube.

Common Choices