The new narrow-pitch model has been updated to a cooler, trendier “new spec.
takashicompany will present its new keyboard “PalmSlave” at Japan’s largest keyboard exhibition and sale, Keyboard Market Tokyo 2025 (a.k.a. Keyket), to be held on March 22, 2025.
We conducted an advance review of the product in order to bring you a glimpse of its appeal.
PalmSlave is a wonderful further sublimation of the “narrow pitch” that is a major characteristic of the keyboards released by takashicompany.
Why not pick one up when you visit Keoket?
Representative of GreenEchoes Studio
He launched his own media as a site operator and web writer, and now plans and manages multiple corporate media. He often types heavily in his work, and in his search for greater efficiency, he became addicted to the keyboard swamp and established “GreenKeys”.
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PalmSlave Product Information
Name: Palmslave (miniDivide v2)
- Compact segmented keyboard with a narrow pitch of 0.8u (16mm), smaller than conventional keys.
- Its small size and thinness make it easy to carry and perfect for “typing on the go.
- It is especially well suited for use with smartphones. It can also contribute to saving space on your desk for everyday use.
- Choc v1 and v2 (Lofree) key switches can be installed. The key switch socket can also be installed to facilitate key switch replacement.
- Wireless operation with BLE Micro Pro is also supported.
Set contents and selling price
- Basic kit + 3D printed case ¥20,000
- Basic kit only ¥10,000
Place of sale:
- Kequet E-11 Booth (Narrow Pitch Keyboard Association)
- Online store (to be added to the product lineup in due course)
Click here for the official website of Keeket ▷▷▷.
Completed PalmSlave
First, let’s take a look at the assembly.
PalmSlave Actual Device Review
Let’s get started and review the actual PalmSlave device.
This review content does not include “how to assemble” instructions. Please see the Build Guide for assembly instructions.
The product offered this time is a “3D printed case set” that will also be sold at Kiket.
Contents include three sets of board parts set (white box), case (6 parts in total: left and right portions, top case, bottom case, and microcomputer cover), and key caps.
The logo with the PalmSlave shape is stylish.
The contents of the white box look like this.
All the necessary parts for use are provided, and you are to assemble it by yourself by soldering.
Then let’s look at the case.
The case was not self-printed, but ordered from JLC3DP.
The material used is resin, which appears to be a spray paint service.
There are no color spots, and the finish is very clean.
The case shape is also aesthetically pleasing, with the corners and other details carefully considered.
The bottom side has a daringly edgy shape, which is also very crisp.
Let’s look at keycaps next.
There are no color spots here as well as in the case.
Despite the low profile, the slope of the slope varies from row to row in this particular way.
The stem shape was a cross corresponding to Kailh choc v2 and fitted well with the keyswitch.
The substrate is reversible shape.
The previous miniDivide was designed to be soldered, but this time, it is all socket-compatible and hot-swappable.
KawamuraI can’t believe you can use a socket of this size.
Click here for a comparison with the previous miniDivide.
In addition to being socketed, the LEDs have been omitted.
Other minor updates to the board were also made throughout the details.
The outer diameter of the board and the inner diameter of the bottom case also fit just right.
This feels good.
Incidentally, although this work is “Kailh choc v2” compatible, choc v1 keyswitches are also available.
The difference in the shape of the switches is in the thickness of the central leg.
This is what it looks like when the keyswitch is engaged.
We chose Lofree x Kailh Hades Silent Linear.
When the microcomputer cover is covered, it is completely identical in color.
Still, this modeling is very beautiful.
Attach rubber feet to the bottom in four places.
Location is your choice.
The just-fit modeling of this hex nut is really great.
It is not often that you come across a keyboard that is fun to look at, but this is “it”.
PalmSlave Highlights
Now that we have a general overview of the product, let’s look at what makes PalmSlave so attractive.
- Fully wireless and can be used for iPhone and iPad.
- Minimalist and adorable.
- Pop color lineup makes your desk gorgeous.
- Keymap can be changed on GUI
Fully wireless and can be used for iPhone and iPad.
On the bullet train
– takashicompany (@takashicompany) January 5, 2025
Keyboard: #Palmslave (miniDivide v2) acrylic plate case
Switch: Lofree Hades
Keycap: #Zero8SlimFitMX Black#KEEB_PD#KEEB_PD_R230#Homebrew Keyboard#Narrow Pitch Keyboard Association pic.twitter.com/0NOG30zLaW
The best part, after all, is that it is fully wireless and can be used with devices such as iPads and iPhones.
The 16mm pitch, ultra-small size, and left-right split, as well as the wireless connection between the left and right sides, allows for stylish and efficient typing even in small spaces such as cafes.
Minimalist and adorable.
The magic of the 16mm pitch still resides in the “minimal” part.
Since the pitch is about 3 mm smaller than the normal pitch, the size difference increases as the number of keys increases.
In other words, the one-handed 5-row PalmSlave is 15 mm = 1.5 cm smaller than a regular pitch one-handed 5-row keyboard such as the Corne mini or Keyball39, allowing it to enjoy a minimalist look.
Pop color lineup makes your desk gorgeous.
Look at this pop color lineup!
The PalmSlave kits that will be available at Keeket are as follows
- Basic kit + 3D printed case ¥20,000
- Basic kit only ¥10,000
Preparing for #Keechet
– takashicompany (@takashicompany) March 2, 2025
Keyboard: #Palmslave (miniDivide v2) Orange Yellow Matt & Ultramarine Matt
Switch: Lofree Ghost switch
Keycap: Zero8 Slim-Fit MX#KEEB_ PD #KEEB_PD_R239 #Homebrew Keyboard #MechanicalKeyboard #Narrow Pitch Keyboard Association pic.twitter.com/RXFGwvIbOC
The colors are not finalized at this time, but they plan to bring in 3D printed cases in multiple colors.
This is pop and stylish!
KawamuraAnother major advantage of purchasing only the basic kit and using a print service that includes painting for the case, such as JLC3DP, would be the ability to order a case in the color of your choice.
I am using “orange yellow (matte)” as my sample for this project.
Keymap can be changed on GUI
PalmSlave is a very small keyboard with 19 keys on each hand and 38 keys in total.
The basic idea is to place the alphabet on the front layer and other keys such as symbols and directional keys on the back layer.
This is where “keymap customization” becomes important.
This customization can be done with a web application called “Remap”.
It is a very easy-to-use keymap modification software that does not require the installation of a specific application and can also call up keymaps registered by the user.
Conventional “keymap change” requires programming knowledge, but this can be done visually, so there is no need to write code.
Even beginners of self-made keyboards will be able to operate them without any problems at all.
PalmSlave’s little point of concern
From here, we will look at the “points of interest” of PalmSlave.
- Many soldering points
- Separate tools and parts are required for assembly
- Pitch is narrow and may take some time to get used to
- QAZ layout requires some ingenuity in keymap
KawamuraNot so much a “disadvantage,” but something you should know before you buy.
Many soldering points
PalmSlave is a “homebrew keyboard kit”.
Therefore, all parts must be soldered by themselves.
All parts to be implemented are included in the package, but expect it to take 2-3 hours to assemble them all.
KawamuraThis soldering is fun, but it may be quite a difficult task for those who are looking for a finished product.
Separate tools and parts are required for assembly
Tools are required to assemble this kit.
Since it is necessary to prepare a soldering set (soldering iron with temperature control, iron stand, work mat, thread solder, solder cleaner, etc.), those who are thinking of taking on this challenge will need to be a little more enthusiastic.
If you wish to go wireless, you will need to purchase an additional part, the “BLE micro Pro”.
Pitch is narrow and may take some time to get used to
PalmSlave may take some time to get used to because of the narrower feel between keys compared to a regular keyboard.
The pitch of a normal keyboard is approximately 19 mm (≈19.05 mm), a difference of 3 mm.
It is only a 3mm difference, but human fingers are surprisingly delicate, and it may take some people some time to get used to this narrowness.
We recommend that you try before you buy, especially if you have large hands or fat fingers.
KawamuraWomen with thin fingers or standard hand size will have no problem typing.
I am one of those with relatively large hands, but I had no problems.
(Approx. 16 cm from thumb to pinky finger with hand maximally extended)
QAZ layout requires some ingenuity in keymap
The “QAZ layout” refers, simply, to a five-row, one-sided layout with the left-hand side alphabetical keys having a QAZ at the end.
Let us focus on the left hand.
In most cases, keys such as “ESC,” “Tab,” and “Shift” are usually pressed with the pinky finger.
However, in the QAZ layout, such modifier keys are not on the edge of the keyboard to begin with, so you will need to consider the way you have been typing.
For example, Remap has a function called “Mod-Tap” that allows different keys to be entered by “single press” and “long press”.
If we were to assign this to “Z” hypothetically, and assign “Z” for “single press” and “Shift” for long press, the shift key for the left little finger would be able to be entered without any problem.
However, this is not available for the original single-press “ESC” and “Tab” keys, so they must be placed on the back layer in the same position, for example.
KawamuraOne of the joys of the small keyboard is this “determine your own keymap”.
At first glance, this is where you might think, “That looks like a lot of work,” but it is also the best part of making your own keyboard.
summary
This is our review of PalmSlave.
It is a super-niche specification, unmarked and compact, with a QAZ layout, but this compactness is uniquely appealing.
If you are even a little bit interested, why don’t you give it a try?
You may be captivated by the charm of “narrow pitch.”
Please visit the E-11 “Narrow Pitch Keyboard Association” booth on the day of the Key Ket.
