MK Dose
The MK Dose is a dual-contact switch with two mechanical actuations per key — linear then tactile. A DIY-only oddity that needs a custom PCB. My review.
How it feels
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How it sounds
Full review
Quick Summary
The MK Dose is not a normal switch — it is a dual-contact, two-actuation switch aimed at DIYers building custom hardware. One keypress yields two separate mechanical signals: a linear first stage, then a tactile bump that triggers a second contact. It is the only multi-contact switch I know of that uses true mechanical leaves rather than magnets or optical sensors. Fascinating, but firmly for tinkerers — it needs a custom PCB and won’t work in a standard board.
Specs and Feel
The defining trait is the dual contact leaf system. The first actuation is linear; press past the tactile bump and a second leaf closes, registering an independent signal. That tactile event in the middle of the stroke is your feedback that you’ve crossed into the second stage. Crucially, this is not an MX-compatible switch: it has four data pins instead of the usual two, so it cannot be wired into a conventional matrix or hotswap socket. A custom-designed PCB is required, which is why it ships in packs of 10 and is marketed to makers. There are no published force-curve or travel figures, and given the two-stage design, conventional single-actuation specs wouldn’t tell the whole story anyway.
Tuning
Tuning in the usual sense — lube, films, springs — isn’t really the conversation here. The value of the Dose is its electrical behavior, not its hand feel, and opening it up risks disturbing the dual-leaf alignment that makes it work. The real “tuning” is in firmware and PCB design: how you map the two actuation points (for example, a soft first stage for one action and the deeper press for another). Treat the switch as a component, not a typing experience, and put your effort into the board you’re designing around it.
Verdict
Buy the MK Dose only if you’re a builder who wants two mechanical actuations per key and you’re prepared to design hardware around it. There is nothing else quite like it for layered or velocity-style input without resorting to Hall-effect or optical switches. For anyone wanting a switch to type on, this is the wrong tool entirely — look at any standard MX linear or tactile instead. As a niche maker component, though, it’s genuinely novel.
Frequently asked
Is the MK Dose compatible with normal keyboards?
No. It is not MX compatible, uses four data pins, and requires a custom-designed PCB. This is strictly a DIY and maker switch.
What does "two actuations" mean?
Each keypress has two distinct mechanical contact points — the first registers as a linear press, and pushing further past a tactile bump triggers a second, separate signal.
Who is this switch for?
Builders and hobbyists experimenting with layered inputs, velocity keys, or analog-style controls. It is not a drop-in switch for a normal build.
Compare MK Dose against another switch
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