Gateron Oil King Purple

Quick Summary

The Gateron Oil King Purple takes the materials that made the original Oil King a favorite and reworks them into a silent tactile switch. You get the same nylon top and ink-blend bottom housing paired with a POM stem, now tuned for a quiet, cushioned keystroke with a real tactile bump. It is a strong pick for anyone who wants tactility without the clack: shared offices, late-night sessions, or a calmer desk.

Specs and Feel

These are medium-weight silent tactiles, actuating around 55g over a 1.5mm pre-travel and a slightly shortened 3.8mm total travel. The bump is present and defined without being fatiguing, sitting in friendly everyday territory rather than the heavy, sharp tactility some switches chase. Silencing comes from mute rings on the stem rails, which soften both the top and bottom out so the switch lands with a muffled thud instead of a hard tap. Thanks to the POM stem against the nylon-and-ink housing, travel feels smooth and consistent, with very little scratch and tight, low stem wobble. Factory lube is applied well enough that the keystroke reads as polished straight away.

Tuning

There is little to fix here. The factory lube and mute rings already do the heavy lifting, so most builders should run them stock. If you want a touch more deadened sound you can experiment with switch films or a slightly thicker hand-lube on the rails, but it is optional and the gains are marginal.

Verdict

If you want tactile feedback that stays quiet, the Oil King Purple is an easy recommendation. It carries the Oil King’s smooth, premium-feeling construction into a silent format without watering down the bump, and it asks for almost no post-purchase work. Skip it only if you prefer a heavier, more pronounced tactile event or a fully linear feel. Otherwise it is one of the more satisfying silent tactiles in its price range.