I discovered the mechanical keyboard community in 2018, just before finishing high school, and was instantly drawn in by its creativity and depth. One of the first boards that really caught my eye was the Zlant—a uniquely shaped, staggered 4x12 layout with a striking parallelogram profile. Around the same time, I was also drawn to the Atomic, which created an aesthetic juxtaposition on the ortholinear grid layout with its 2U shift, backspace, and enter keys.

Soon after, I built my first keyboard: the Nyquist by keeb.io, a 5x12 split ortholinear board. That experience inspired me to go deeper. I designed and built my first custom keyboard—a split ergonomic board—using handwiring and 3D printing. I eventually ran a group buy for the Zplit, a 4x12 symmetrical split ortholinear keyboard that paid homage to the Zlant while emphasizing ergonomics and symmetry.

The ZT60 has been a long time in the making. I began prototyping it near the start of the COVID-19 pandemic and have been refining it over the years, while finishing my engineering degree. This keyboard brings together the design language that first inspired me, with the refined, meticulous details I’ve adapted from some of the most iconic keyboard releases over the years.

Whether you're a seasoned ortho user or just curious about alternative layouts, I hope the ZT60 offers both the beauty and functionality you're looking for. Thank you for supporting this project and for being part of such a thoughtful and creative community.

~ Jason | creator of the ZT60