If you have spent any time browsing custom keyboard forums, you have probably run into the kohaku keyboard at some point. It shows up in build photos, resale listings and “endgame” discussions almost constantly, and for a board with a fairly quiet marketing presence, it has built an outsized reputation. This guide walks through what the Kohaku actually is, what it costs, how the different editions compare and what to check before you buy one, whether new or used.
What Is the Kohaku Keyboard?
The SINGAKBD Kohaku is a 65% custom mechanical keyboard known for its CNC machined case, gasket mounted construction, multiple plate and PCB configurations and a distinctive rear weight with a tempered glass panel. It is not a mass market product. It is a small batch, enthusiast focused board, which is part of why it keeps coming up in conversations about price and value in the custom keyboard space.
A 65% layout means the board keeps the main alphanumeric keys and arrow keys but drops the dedicated function row and most of the navigation cluster found on a tenkeyless or full size board. That makes the Kohaku noticeably smaller on a desk than a TKL, while still giving you arrow keys and a couple of extra keys that a 60% layout leaves out.
Official product pages from SINGAKBD place the Kohaku within its wider catalog of custom keyboards, alongside other collections in the Kohaku line that have grown since the original release. The brand itself is well known within the mechanical keyboard hobby for machining quality, which is a big part of why this particular board commands attention.
Kohaku Keyboard Specifications
Specs differ by edition. The table below reflects documented specifications for Kohaku versions, with differences noted where they matter.
| Specification | What to Expect |
|---|---|
| Brand | SINGAKBD |
| Form factor | 65% |
| Mount style | Gasket mount |
| Typing angle | 8 degrees |
| Case | CNC machined aluminum (polycarbonate on the PC version) |
| PCB | Hotswap or solder, depending on edition |
| Plates | Aluminum, carbon fiber, polycarbonate or FR4, depending on version |
| Weight | Brass or stainless steel, depending on edition |
| Back panel | Tempered glass (edition dependent) |
| Keycaps | Usually sold separately |
Unbuilt weight on the original run was documented at over 1.5 kilograms, with the fully built board coming in close to 1.9 kilograms once switches, keycaps and the internal weight are added. That heft is one of the first things people notice when they pick one up, and it is a direct result of the machining and materials rather than anything decorative.
Kohaku Keyboard Price: How Much Does It Cost?
This is where things get genuinely confusing if you only look at one listing. There is no single “Kohaku price” because the board has moved through group buys, limited drops and a very active secondary market, and each of those channels prices differently.
Original group buy pricing was set by SINGAKBD at the time of each release, and that number is not necessarily what you will pay today. Once a run sells out, the only way to get one is the aftermarket, and aftermarket prices depend heavily on condition, colorway and whether the board is built or unbuilt.
As a real world example, secondary market listings from 2024 showed a Kohaku R2 in Imperial Red selling for around 1,150 US dollars on Reddit, while a separate European listing for an R2 in Smoke Grey ranged from roughly 1,125 to 1,150 euros depending on build condition. These are individual resale data points from 2024, not an official price list and not current 2026 quotes. Resale prices can change substantially by year, edition, condition and availability, so treat these as historical reference points rather than what you should expect to pay today.
If you are budgeting for one, plan around the idea that original retail price and resale price are two different numbers, and that rare colorways or limited editions will generally sell above more common ones.
Why Is the Kohaku Keyboard So Expensive?
This question comes up constantly, and it has a fairly straightforward answer once you break it down. The high price comes from a combination of small batch production, custom CNC machining, premium materials, limited availability and consistent aftermarket demand.
A few specific factors worth understanding:
- Small production runs mean the per unit tooling and machining cost is much higher than a mass produced keyboard
- Brass or stainless steel weights add material cost that a plastic or basic aluminum board would not have
- Group buy and raffle style availability limits supply, which pushes resale value up once a run sells out
- Limited colorways and special editions become collector items, sometimes fairly quickly
Reddit discussions around the Kohaku collection frequently touch on scarcity and resale value as part of how the community talks about the board, though opinions on whether the premium is actually worth it vary quite a bit from one builder to the next. That is worth keeping in mind. This is a hobbyist market with real disagreement about value, not a board with a universally agreed upon price tag.
Kohaku R1 vs R2 vs R3
The Kohaku has gone through more than one generation, and the differences matter if you are trying to figure out which version you are looking at.
Kohaku R1 was the original release, built around the initial 65% design, aluminum case and a copper weight option. It established the look and construction style that later editions would build on.
Kohaku R2 followed in 2023 and expanded the options considerably. It introduced additional colorways, more PCB choices, aluminum, carbon fiber and polycarbonate plate options, and brass or stainless steel weight variants along with the tempered glass back.
Kohaku R3 is where you need to be careful. Keyword data and current marketplace chatter both reference an R3, and 2026 secondary market discussion mentions terms like “R2/R3” and Singa PCB compatibility, but I could not verify a current official R3 specification sheet from the sources reviewed. If you come across an R3 listing, verify the details directly with the seller or the official SINGAKBD channels rather than assuming it matches R1 or R2 specs.
Polycarbonate Kohaku vs Aluminum Kohaku
The polycarbonate, or PC, Kohaku is documented as its own variant rather than just a color option on the standard aluminum case.
| Feature | Aluminum Kohaku | Polycarbonate Kohaku |
|---|---|---|
| Case material | Aluminum | Polycarbonate |
| Appearance | Metallic, anodized finish | Translucent |
| Weight | Heavier | Generally lighter |
| Sound | Depends on plate and build | Depends on plate and build |
| Typing feel | Depends on plate and mount | Depends on plate and mount |
It is worth resisting the urge to make blanket claims like “PC always sounds deeper” or “aluminum always sounds better.” One PC Kohaku owner on Reddit described noticeable differences in spacebar and alpha key sound compared to an aluminum build, while still rating the overall typing experience highly. That kind of firsthand, mixed feedback is more useful than a flat statement either way.
Kohaku Keyboard Colors and Editions
Rather than treating every color as its own topic, it helps to see them as part of specific editions.
| Color or Edition | Typical Version |
|---|---|
| Red | R1 and select later editions |
| Smoke Grey | R2 |
| Lunar Black | R2 |
| British Racing Green | R2 |
| Autumn Lilac | R2 |
| Imperial Red | R2 Special |
| Berry Maroon | R2 Special |
| Yale Blue | R2 Special |
| White | PC and newer editions |
| Pink and White | Beloved edition |
Beyond the core R1 and R2 lineup, SINGAKBD has released several limited editions worth knowing about. The Beloved edition has appeared in official galleries and community showcases. Gundamhaku is an officially licensed crossover with Mobile Suit Gundam SEED, released in blue and white versions. Rubrehaku and the SMKX edition are more recent additions to the collection. Terms like “Kalam Kohaku” or “Spirited Away Kohaku” show up occasionally in long tail search data, but they are not established, verified SINGAKBD products, so treat any listing using those names with some skepticism until you can confirm what it actually is.
Kohaku Keyboard Case, Weight and Build Quality
When people search for “kohaku keyboard case,” they are usually asking about the housing itself rather than a carrying case, so that is the focus here. The case is CNC machined, which gives it tighter tolerances than injection molded alternatives. The gasket mount system sits between the plate and the case to soften the typing feel, and the 8 degree typing angle is consistent across most versions.
Final weight is affected by more than just the case. The plate material, the internal weight, whether the PCB is hotswap or solder, and even the switches and keycaps you install all contribute to the total. That is why you will see built weights reported anywhere from the high 1,000 gram range and up, rather than one fixed number.
Where to Buy a Kohaku Keyboard
Availability shifts constantly in this niche, so treat any “in stock” claim as a snapshot rather than a guarantee.
Your main options are:
- The official SINGAKBD site, when a current collection or drop is live
- Group buys and raffle style releases announced through official channels
- Mechanical keyboard marketplaces and community trading spaces
- Reddit communities such as r/mechmarket, where individual sellers list used boards
- General resale platforms like eBay, where pricing and authenticity vary widely
If you check the official shop and nothing is currently listed, that does not mean the Kohaku line is discontinued. It usually just means you are between drops.
What to Check Before Buying a Used Kohaku
Buying secondhand in this hobby comes with real risk if you skip the basics. Before sending payment for a used Kohaku, go through this checklist:
- Ask for timestamped photos showing the seller’s username and the current date
- Confirm the exact PCB, whether hotswap or solder
- Confirm the plate material, since this affects both feel and value
- Confirm the weight material, brass versus stainless, since pricing differs
- Check whether the keyboard is built or unbuilt, since this changes both price and what is included
- Ask whether original accessories or an authenticity card are included
- Inspect photos closely for dents, scratches or anodization wear
- Clarify upfront whether switches and keycaps are included in the sale
- Factor in shipping cost and any import taxes before agreeing on a final price
This step alone will save you from a meaningful share of the problems people run into when buying custom keyboards secondhand.
Is the Kohaku Keyboard Good for Gaming and Typing?
The honest answer depends on what you are optimizing for. The 65% layout keeps arrow keys, which matters for some games, while trimming the function row to save desk space. That makes it a reasonable fit for both typing heavy work and general use gaming, though competitive players who rely on a dedicated function row for macros may prefer a larger layout. For everyday typing, the gasket mount and plate options give you a lot of room to tune the feel to your preference, which is part of why the custom keyboard community treats board selection as a personal, configurable choice rather than a single best answer.
If you are comparing the Kohaku against other gear on your desk, it is worth thinking about the broader setup too. A guide to current gadgets worth knowing about covers some of the other hardware categories enthusiasts tend to upgrade around the same time as a new keyboard.
Kohaku Keyboard vs Other Custom 65% Keyboards
Rather than declaring a single “best” 65% board, it is more useful to compare on a few criteria: machining quality, weight options, plate and PCB flexibility, community support and resale liquidity. The Kohaku scores well on machining and resale demand specifically because of SINGAKBD’s reputation and the limited nature of its runs. Other custom 65% boards may offer lower entry prices or different aesthetic choices, so the right pick really comes down to budget, desired look and how much you value the specific build quality SINGAKBD is known for. If you are new to comparing hardware specs side by side, the same approach used in a phone comparison like the Galaxy A vs M vs F series applies here too: line up the features that matter to you before you look at price.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a Kohaku keyboard cost?
Prices vary by edition, condition and whether you are buying new or on the resale market. Original group buy pricing differs from aftermarket listings, and rare colorways typically sell for more.
Why is the Kohaku keyboard so expensive?
Small batch production, custom CNC machining, premium materials like brass and stainless steel weights, and strong aftermarket demand all contribute to the price.
What is the Kohaku keyboard?
It is a 65% custom mechanical keyboard made by SINGAKBD, known for its machined aluminum case, gasket mount design and tempered glass back panel.
What is the difference between Kohaku R1 and R2?
R1 was the original release. R2 followed with more colorways, additional plate and PCB options, and expanded weight material choices.
Where can I buy a Kohaku keyboard?
Options include the official SINGAKBD site during active drops, group buys, keyboard marketplaces, and secondary market spaces like r/mechmarket or eBay.
Does the Kohaku come with keycaps?
Usually not. Like most custom keyboards, keycaps are typically sold and chosen separately from the board itself.
Is there a Kohaku R3?
The term shows up in keyword data and some marketplace listings, but there is no confirmed official specification sheet for an R3 at this time, so verify details directly with any seller before buying.
Final Thoughts
The Kohaku Keyboard is not a board you buy on impulse, and that is kind of the point. Between the machining, the weight options, the glass back and the limited availability, it occupies a specific place in the custom keyboard market that is more about small-batch craftsmanship than mass appeal. Whether you are chasing your first custom build or comparing R2 colorways for a resale purchase, knowing the real differences between editions, and doing your homework before buying used, will save you both money and frustration.
For more community perspective on builds, sound and resale experiences, the ongoing Kohaku discussion threads on Reddit are a useful place to see how actual owners talk about the board day to day.
