[Keyboard Rabbit Hole] Corne V4 Cherry | Introducing My Recipe!! 2025 Latest Edition

Hello, I'm Emu.
Thank you for reading this article!

Introduction

Emu: "Welcome to the keyboard rabbit hole."

Yes, I have finally dipped my toes into custom mechanical keyboards. The destination where keyboard enthusiasts end up. A bottomless swamp filled with madness and chaos. I say it like that, but for me, it's a utopia. I don't need anything else. Just being there makes me feel happy.

This is a note where I will document how I customize my custom keyboards and how I fall deeper into the rabbit hole. (Along with my inner voice) I hope you will watch over me until the end...

Corne V4 Cherry Final Form

Keyboard Body

Corne V4 Cherry

I bought the PCB and case on Amazon and Mercari. Perhaps because the case was made with a 3D printer, the exterior finish is a bit rough, but that actually gives it a nice DIY feel. If you are concerned about that, I recommend visiting Yusha Kobo, a go-to shop for custom keyboardists, to see the real thing before purchasing. I want to visit there myself someday...

☑Features of the Corne V4 Cherry

• 40% split layout

• No soldering required

• Hot-swap compatible

• Compatible with customization tools

"The 40% split layout is quite quirky🤩"

Personally, I thought the 65% layout was easy to handle and that anything smaller would be difficult to use. The 40% split layout has only the bare minimum of physical keys. However, you can set it to your liking using a customization tool. Also, the ergonomic layout makes typing comfortable.

>>The customization tool I use▼

Key Switches

EPOMAKER Shadow Black

It seems to be out of stock 🥲

You need two sets of 35. Even so, you can buy them for under 4,000 yen. They are linear silent switches with a pleasant typing feel. The bottom-out sound is a bit loud, but installing silent O-rings on the keycaps increases the silence. Recommended for those who want to pursue silence.

Keycaps

Cherry MX compatible XVX keycaps

Keycaps determine the first impression of the look.

If it's a keyboard with a 60% layout or larger, you don't have to worry much, but with a 40% keyboard, there are many worries. First, there are few keycaps that suit your taste. (Profile, color, legends, etc.) The BS key size might be large, or the profile might not match. I am trying out XDA or XVX profiles.

>>Silent O-rings to attach to keycaps▼

USB Cable

SZSL Magnetic USB C Adapter

I saw many keyboardists using magnetic adapters, so I copied them. It reduces the worry of damage and looks good too. I'm not sure if it's true, but it's said to support USB 4.0. For the USB cable, I use a Daiso USB A to C cable.

TRS Cable

UGREEN 3.5mm Audio Cable

The left and right keyboards are connected with a 3.5mm TRS (3-pole) or TRRS (4-pole) cable. Opinions are divided between L-shaped and straight, but after trying both, if it's straight, this cable is my favorite. The housing part is slim and the design is cool. I use the 0.5m length.

Tenting Stand

Daiso Door Stopper DOS-1

It's an ideal angle!

The tilt angle is about 20 degrees. I use four of these and double-sided tape. The 40% split layout uses the thumb a lot. By adding an angle, it becomes easier to press with the thumb, and stress on the hands, wrists, and forearms is reduced. If you haven't tried it, please do!

Wrist Rest

Side3 Separate Wrist Rest

Split Keyboard

Total cost to complete

• Keyboard body: 8,880 yen

• Key switches: 3,600 yen (1,800 yen x 2)

• Silent O-rings: 1,100 yen

• Keycaps: 3,280 yen

• USB cable: 300 yen

• USB magnetic adapter: 749 yen

• TRS cable: 1,199 yen

• Tenting cost: 500 yen

• Wrist rest: 2,780 yen

• Total: 22,388 yen

This is a recipe I'm satisfied with for now. There are many listings on Mercari, but they are actually often resales from AliExpress. If you are hesitant to buy from AliExpress, Mercari might be good, but if you want to get serious about it, buying from Yusha Kobo is recommended.

Finally

"Everyone, why not start building your own keyboard? 😋"

The real thrill of custom keyboards is being able to build them until you are completely satisfied. It's not a keyboard I can recommend to everyone, but I definitely want those who are interested to try it out.

Thank you for reading until the end. I will try to update my note every day, so I would be happy if you could click the like button, follow me, and turn on notifications.

Wishing you all a great gadget life!

See you later.

>>The gadgets introduced this time▼

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