Gateron CJ vs Gateron Oil King
Both are linear switches, so this comes down to weight, smoothness and sound. The Gateron CJ is lighter (50gf vs 55gf).
| Gateron CJ | Gateron Oil King | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Linear | Linear |
| Actuation force | 50 gf | 55 gf |
| Bottom-out force | 60 gf | 60 gf |
| Pre-travel | 2 mm | 2 mm |
| Total travel | 4 mm | 4 mm |
| Mount | 5-pin | 5-pin |
| Factory lubed | Yes | Yes |
| Stem | POM | POM (Ink v2) |
| Sound | Clean, deep, muted thock from the POM bottom housing. | Deep, clacky, low-pitched; the signature of the switch. |
| 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.