Substrate & Stem
About this publication
A plain-language guide to mechanical keyboards and desktop typing gear, written for people shopping overseas listings.
What we set out to do
Substrate & Stem is an affiliate publication. Our editorial purpose is narrow: read confusing seller listings and raw spec sheets, then restate them in the terms that actually affect your desk — how a board is built, how it is likely to sound, and whether the parts will fit together.
We aim to help desk workers and keyboard hobbyists choose durable, pleasant builds instead of guessing between listings that use the same words for different things.
Evidence in one line
Our work is specification research. We read what sellers publish and compare it with standard industry terms. We do not run a test lab, and we do not claim to have physically measured, disassembled or long-term tested the products discussed.
Who writes here, and how
Pages here are AI-assisted. Drafting and comparison work is produced with AI tools and published under the named editorial desks below. The names describe the subject each desk covers; they are not a claim of personal laboratory work, certification or fieldwork.
Julian Vance
Ergonomic Layout & Form-Factor Analyst
Layouts, keycap profile heights, low-profile mechanisms and compact sizes from 60% to 75%.
Clara Linwood
Acoustics & Mounting Architecture Editor
Gasket and spring mounts, plate materials, internal dampening and switch housing resonance.
Marcus Sterling
Hardware Components & Firmware Specialist
Hot-swap sockets, LED orientation, QMK/VIA mapping, switch mechanics and wireless hardware.
What we will not claim
- No invented testing, teardowns, endurance runs or acoustic measurements.
- No invented credentials, awards or industry positions.
- No product facts beyond what a seller publishes or a standard specification states.
- No guaranteed results — fit, feel and sound vary with your parts, desk and preference.
Where to go next
How we pick sources and correct mistakes is in our editorial policy. How products are compared, and the limits of that comparison, is in our review policy. How affiliate commission works is in our affiliate disclosure.