Gateron Oil King vs Cherry MX Black
Both are linear switches, so this comes down to weight, smoothness and sound. The Gateron Oil King is lighter (55gf vs 60gf).
| Gateron Oil King | Cherry MX Black | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Linear | Linear |
| Actuation force | 55 gf | 60 gf |
| Bottom-out force | 60 gf | 80 gf |
| Pre-travel | 2 mm | 2 mm |
| Total travel | 4 mm | 4 mm |
| Mount | 5-pin | 5-pin |
| Factory lubed | Yes | No |
| Stem | POM (Ink v2) | Black POM |
| Sound | Deep, clacky, low-pitched; the signature of the switch. | Deeper and fuller than MX Red, smooth linear with no click or bump |
| Price tier | $$$ | $$ |
Whichever wins, put it in something worth building.
I hand-build small-batch programmable macropads (QMK/VIA) in Barcelona, and repair keyboard PCBs. Pick your switch, pick your layout with the Shortcut Library, and stop reaching for chords.