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65% (68 keys) Aluminum Keyboard Made in Canada
I have over 40 years of programming experience using a variety of languages over the course of my career to develop real-time solutions for real-world problems.
Keyboards connect us to the world and, as a keyboard enthusiast, I am searching for the ideal keyboard.
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Keyboards put the world at our fingertips, and the one we choose can significantly affect our proficiency in typing. All keyboards are not created equal, and the ideal keyboard has yet to be found.
The Artificer Essense will be the first Made-In-Canada keyboard in my collection. As tariffs continue to plague our economy, buying Canadian was an unexpected and welcome opportunity.
The keyboard boasts a striking, minimalist presence, featuring aircraft-grade aluminum keycaps that are devoid of legends. The keyboard also features:
Tri-mode connectivity: USB-C Wired, 2.4 GHz Wireless, Bluetooth Wireless.
RGB - Full customizable RGB backlighting with multiple modes and adjustable brightness.
Rechargeable lithium-ion battery.
Stabilizers - Plate Mount (Lubricated).
Switches - Gateron Brown Tactile.
I received notice on Wednesday, September 3, 2025, that my Artificer keyboard is on its way, and I received it a few days later.
The keycaps are everything I expected them to be, although the keyboard itself fell short of my expectations. The CNC machining and finish of the keycaps are exceptional. However, from time to time, their shape gives cause for my fingers to catch the edges of neighbouring keys. A stepped CAPS LOCK key and a PCB that supports it would help to minimize this problem.
Without a doubt, the keycaps, covered by a lifetime warranty, make this keyboard the gem that it is. As for the remaining components, one year!
The RGB lighting dances off the sides of the keycaps, creating an ambience filled with colour. Fn + Arrow key combinations control the brightness (up/down) and speed (left/right). Other lighting controls, such as colour and mode, are also managed using Fn+<Keys>.
When I connected the keyboard to my computer for the first time, the RGB lighting shut off after only a few minutes of use. I changed the settings in Windows Startup Apps to re-enable MSI True Color, restarted my computer, and the backlighting is now working as expected.
The documentation is a single-page, quick-start/user’s guide that offers minimal guidance and a very short “cheat sheet” of “Fn + <key>” combinations. Since the keyboard is not QMK/VIA or VIAL compatible, reassigning keys is not an option. That the keyboard commands a premium price for the materials and CNC machining, paying a little extra for a premium-grade PCB that also supports split keys (backspace, left/right shift, and spacebar), and a stepped Caps Lock key should be an option.
The plain shape of the case and legendless keycaps give the keyboard a modern, minimalist aesthetic. Unfortunately, there is no provision to store the 2.4GHz dongle on the keyboard itself. The keyboard weighs 2.5572 lbs (1159.9 grams) with the rod-style riser installed.
I rarely, if ever, use tactile switches. The Gater on Browns are quieter than expected and have a nice, comfortable feel. However, I prefer Gateron’s Silver Smoothie switches, which have a lower actuation point and shorter total travel, which may also reduce the incidence of clipping adjacent keys while typing.
Two options are available to set the typing angle: a riser bar or two separate feet. The keyboard sounds great with or without the riser “bar,” and offers a pleasant typing experience.
As a Canadian, I was intrigued to see a “Made in Canada” keyboard, and it was one of the reasons I decided to make the purchase. I suggest offering a compatible selection of PCBs and a choice of switches. Overall, the quality of the materials and craftsmanship is excellent; however, the keyboard would benefit from a premium PCB to further enhance the exceptional experience it delivers.