Longer springs result in a flatter (or slower) force curve. This means that with a long spring, your finger will feel almost the same amount of force throughout the entire keypress.

For example, let's say we have a switch containing an average 14mm spring that bottoms out at 60g. The actuation force for this switch may be around 50g. If we then spring swap this switch with a 22mm spring that also bottoms out at 60g, the actuation force may now be 55g instead of 50g. Therefore, this spring swap has flattened the curve / slope. For the more graph-oriented learners, we drew this up:

Due to the above information, these extra-long springs may end up feeling heavier than what you're used to. We typically recommend ordering springs ~5-10% lighter than your preferred 14mm weight. For instance – if your regular spring weight preference is about 70g, try 64g Longboi Springs (~8% lighter). If your regular spring weight preference is about 64g, try 58g Longboi Springs (~9% lighter).

A longer spring also results in a much snappier return. Its flatter force curve results in a top-out weight that is only slightly lighter than its bottom-out weight, when compared to a regular spring. This more consistent weight throughout the entire keypress causes this snappier return. A snappier return results in a slightly louder and cleaner top-out sound from the stem contacting the top housing.

For a more in-depth read on force curves, check out A Beginner’s Guide to Force Curves, written by ThereminGoat.

Carbon Steel wire, also known as music wire, has great memory properties and is of a stronger material than Stainless Steel. However, Carbon Steel needs to be electroplated to add corrosion resistance. In addition, plating allows us to add color to the spring, which is why these springs have an obsidian tint. Plating also causes a slightly rougher feel to the spring, which can cause slightly more spring crunch (can be removed with lube). 

Stainless Steel wire does not need to be plated. This means that the material is smoother and causes less spring crunch in its stock form.

Longer springs have a tendency to buckle when compressed. That's why our Longboi Springs are segmented into multiple stages to help with this instability. In theory, our Three-Stage springs should provide even greater stability than the Two-Stage springs, but it all comes down to preference in the end.

These represent bottom-out weights - the amount of force exerted while the spring is fully depressed within a typical mechanical switch (4mm).

Our spring weights have a rated tolerance of +/- 3g. The actual tolerance is often tighter than this; however, we aim to be honest with our product descriptions and not upsell tolerances that aren't true 100% of the time.

This is very much dependent on your preference. We suggest choosing a Longboi Spring weight that is ~5-10% lighter than your usual spring weight preference. You'll find that our Longboi Springs have an extremely flat curve, even when compared to other extra-long springs. This means that the spring will likely feel heavier than what you're used to at the same bottom-out weight.

If you're newer to the hobby and aren't sure what your preference is yet, we recommend going with 53g or 58g springs, since these will feel a bit more similar to most stock springs, in terms of weight.

Springs often get tangled in bags. Please exercise caution when untangling. Do NOT pull the springs apart forcefully. Instead, turn them carefully until they loosen from one another.

With certain switches, these long springs may rub against the center pole area of the housing. We recommend lubing any segmentation sections of the spring with thicker lube (such as 205g0) to reduce friction here.

Yes, we recommend lubing all springs. We prefer applying Krytox 205g0 to the ends and the center segmentation sections of each spring, but bag lubing with Krytox 105 Oil works as well.

Please note that for carbon steel springs, we recommend lubing the spring's center segmentation coil with a thicker lube to avoid any unwanted noise from it rubbing against the switch housing's center pole.

Doesn't matter. These springs are symmetrical, so both sides are identical.