Gateron Oil King Pink
Gateron Oil King Pink: a factory-lubed silent linear that carries the Oil King's nylon/ink housing and POM stem into a muted, deep-sounding switch.
How it feels
How it sounds
mutedFull review
Quick Summary
The Gateron Oil King Pink is a silent linear that borrows the much-loved Oil King recipe (nylon top housing, an ink-blend bottom, and a POM stem) and quiets it with mute rings on the stem rails. At roughly 45g actuation and factory lubed, it lands as an easy, low-effort silent switch with a deeper, rounder character than most dampened linears. It is a strong pick for anyone who wants the Oil King’s smoothness in an office-friendly, low-noise package.
Specs and Feel
This is a medium-weight linear with a 45g actuation, a 2.0mm pre-travel, and a slightly shortened 3.8mm total travel. The shorter throw is typical of silenced switches, since the dampening pads eat a fraction of the stroke. The 20mm black-plated spring gives a clean, consistent press with no early stack or spring crunch. Smoothness is the headline: factory lube plus the POM-on-nylon/ink pairing means the stroke is glassy from the first press, with no perceptible scratch. Stem wobble is well controlled, with only minor N/S play that disappears under keycaps. The sound is the trade-off: the mute rings deliver a soft, muted bottom-out that leans deep rather than clacky, giving up some of the original Oil King’s marbly resonance for genuine quiet.
Tuning
These do not need lube; they arrive smooth and consistent straight from the bag. If you want to lift the muted sound profile slightly, swapping to a thicker keycap material or a stiffer plate can add a touch more body, but films are unnecessary given the snug housing fit.
Verdict
Buy these if you want a silent linear that does not feel like a compromise. The Oil King Pink keeps the smoothness and deep tone of its namesake while genuinely cutting noise, making it ideal for shared spaces, late-night typing, or anyone who finds standard linears too loud. Skip it only if you specifically want that crisp, resonant clack; silencing always softens the sound, and this is no exception. For everyone else chasing a quiet, premium-feeling daily driver, it is an easy recommendation.
Frequently asked
Are the Oil King Pink switches silent?
Yes. They use mute rings on the stem rails to soften both the top-out and bottom-out, so they read as a true silent linear rather than just a quiet one. They are not totally inaudible, but the sharp plastic clack of a standard linear is gone.
How do they differ from the original Oil King?
They share the same nylon top, ink-blend bottom housing and POM stem that gave the original Oil King its deep, smooth signature, then add silencing pads. You keep much of the family character but trade some of the punchy pour-thick sound for a muted, dampened bottom-out.
Do they need lube out of the box?
No. They ship factory lubed and feel smooth as-is. Most people can build with them straight from the bag; hand-tuning is optional rather than required.
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