Drevo is a new name in the PC market. Slowly but steadily, they are making their way through. DREVO is keen on powering the global PC gaming community with unprecedented offerings. The ascension to the ranks of a glorious gaming warrior is more affordable than ever with DREVO.
The R&D team at DREVO doesn’t just design products; they design experiences. Each and every detail is crafted after some well-designed research based on user requirements. Their aim is to come up with products that have an identity in the market. Their main product lines are Keyboards, Storage drives, and accessories.
Today, we will be going through their 6 different keyboards and categorize them according to what we feel is appropriate for these keyboards. This is more of an overview and comparison of their keyboards than a dedicated review of any particular keyboard. Should you have any constructive feedback to contribute, feel free to mention that in the comments section, please.
The keyboards that will be under discussion are:
- Tyrfing V2 87/88-Key TKL
- Tyrfing V2 104-key
- BladeMaster TE 87-Key TKL
- BladeMaster Pro 87key TKL
- Durendal 104-Key
- Calibur 71/72-Key
Let’s start with the Mobile Segment. This is the segment where the users are looking for an on-the-go solution for a mechanical gaming experience. Something which is light weight and compact enough to be easily carried along. Though the TKL format is suited for this particular category but not all TKL format keyboards fulfill this particular requirement.
Drevo has been primarily focusing on TKL format keyboards though 104-Key format keyboards are also on the list for mainstream users. This also indicates the current market trend where compact design is making its way.
We have picked Drevo’s Calibur 71/72-key keyboard for this category. The Joyeuse could have been in this segment, but as the manufacturer is facing certain issues with the keyboard, it seems a remote possibility for further continuation hence paving the way to their popular Cailbur keyboard.
Why have we selected this particular model for this category? The reasons are obvious: it has dual connectivity, namely wireless and wired; second, it is somewhat compact enough to be carried, yet it features mechanical switches. Let’s start with the Calibur 71/72-Key TKL format gaming mechanical keyboard.
Drevo Calibur 71/-72-Key Gaming Mechanical Keyboard
Specification
The Calibur 71/72-Key is a compact gaming mechanical keyboard which features a Bluetooth 4.0 protocol for wireless connectivity making it ideal for on-the-go gaming requirements like taking it to the LAN events or even for the basic need of a wireless keyboard for browsing and other functions say on HTPC system.
The opportunities are endless with this particular design. Above all, it retains all the hardcore functionality that is available on any mechanical gaming keyboard plus it is RGB enabled one hence making it an ideal candidate for this particular segment.
Switch
The Drevo Calibur are using Outemu switches in Black, Red, Brown, and Blue colors.
| Switch | Operational Force | Travel | Pre-Travel |
| Red | 60±10 gf | 4.00mm | 2.20±0.6mm |
| Brown | 60±10 gf with 55±15gf tactile force | 4.00mm | 2.20±0.6mm |
| Black | 80±15 gf | 4.00mm | 2.20±0.6mm |
| Blue | 60±10 gf with 60±10gf tactile force | 4.00mm | 2.20±0.6mm |
These Outemo switches are rated 50M key presses and these are a less expensive alternative of premium Cherry MX switches. The use of less expensive but better quality switches has allowed the Drevo to bring almost cost effective but feature rich mechanical keyboards in the market.
Layout and Color
The Drevo Calibur keyboards come in the black and white colors in 71-key and 72-key versions. Following layouts are available for the Calibur keyboards. Make sure to check for the layout before buying.
- US Layout
- UK Layout
- French Layout
- Italian Layout
- German Layout
KeyCaps
The 71-key all color versions and 72-key black version are using ABS material for the keycaps and they have stem design, hence can be used with a majority of the switches in the market. These keycaps are transparent. The 72-key white color version has PBT keycaps which are not transparent.
Lighting
The Drevo Calibur mechanical keyboards feature 16.8M colors and offer true RGB backlit illumination with some vivid lighting effects. The lighting modes are:-
- Reactive Mode
- Wave Mode
- Ripple Mode
- Aurora Mode
- Snake Marquee
- Advanced Reactive Mode
- Breathing Mode
- Static Lighting Mode
Connectivity
The main selling feature of the Calibur is the wireless connectivity using Bluetooth 4.0. The effective range of the Bluetooth signal is 1.5m. The battery charging time is less than 2hrs with a wireless working time of impressive 20 hours before next recharge. The wireless standby time is 14 days.
The wireless working current is rated at 50mA with a maximum requirement of 160mA and minimum of 32mA. The standby wireless current requirement is 3mA. When connected with the bundled USB cord, the keyboard draws 5VDC using standard 50mA current and maximum draw of 330mA and minimum draw of 30mA.
General Features
These keyboards have a dimension of 348x101x36mm. The weight is 600±20gm. The cord length is 180+1cm which is detachable. This keyboard can be used wirelessly and wired depending on the situation.
The user has the option to connect the keyboard to a maximum of 3 devices with each device having independent control and it is supported on Microsoft Windows, Mac OS, iOS, and Android platforms making it versatile keyboard to work in tandem with major platforms seamless. In wireless mode, there are 6-key NKRO available to the user while the wired mode has N-KRO option.
Being a compact design, multi-function per key was an obvious design constraint and requirement which is what we see on this keyboard. The top row has numbered keys starting from 1 to 9 and 0 followed by symbols keys. Same keys are used for F1 to F12 function keys which are used in tandem with the Fn key combination. Q, W, E are dedicated for the Bluetooth connectivity purposes.
Insert, Del, Pg Up, Pg Down, Home keys can be used in combination with Fn key to controlling the lighting modes. Same can be done via the software. The user has the option to customize the lighting effects per key and to save the lighting effect as well. The direction arrow keys at the bottom right side can be used with the Fn key to controlling the brightness of the lighting and speed of certain dynamic lighting modes.
Windows key can be locked/unlocked using the Fn key combination. The spacebar key has Drevo brand logo printed in the middle of it.
How to Establish Wireless Connectivity
Here is how to establish the wireless connectivity on the Drevo Calibur keyboards:
- Turn on the Bluetooth of the device to which the keyboard is to be connected.
- Press the Fn and Q key combination till the white light starts blinking rapidly.
- Tap/Click on the Scan button on the target device.
- The keyboard will appear in the list of the visible devices.
- Select the keyboard and pair it.
- When prompted, type the code on the keyboard that would be shown on the target device.
- Follow the procedure to complete the bonding and start using the keyboard wirelessly.
If you want to connect another device then the main procedure will remain the same but you would need to turn off the Bluetooth on the already connected device. As Q key is already used, take W key and repeat the above process. Use the E key for the third device.
Once all the devices are paired, you can turn on the Bluetooth on all the devices. To switch between the connected devices, simply press the Fn and corresponding allotted key from Q, W, and E keys.
Drevo Tyrfing V2 87/88-Key Gaming Mechanical Keyboard
Specification
The V2 in the naming convention clearly indicates that it is a second version of the Tyrfing with main differentiation being the RGB lighting on the V2. This keyboard is available in US/DE/UK/FR/IT/RU layouts depending upon the region of the availability. It is an 87/88-key TKL Mechanical Gaming Keyboard.
These keyboards have Red/Blue/Black/Brown Outemo switches. Keyboard’s color is black. Drevo’s focus is to bring their products with no compromise on quality yet at affordable prices and Tyrfing V2 is no exception to that. Drevo is marketing this keyboard among the best TKL Mechanical Gaming keyboards under $60/£49.99 price bracket.
Switch
The Drevo Tyrfing V2 is using Outemu switches in Black, Red, Brown and Blue colors. This is what we have seen on the Calibur.
| Switch | Operational Force | Travel | Pre-Travel |
| Red | 60±10 gf | 4.00mm | 2.20±0.6mm |
| Brown | 60±10 gf with 55±15gf tactile force | 4.00mm | 2.20±0.6mm |
| Black | 80±15 gf | 4.00mm | 2.20±0.6mm |
| Blue | 60±10 gf with 60±10gf tactile force | 4.00mm | 2.20±0.6mm |
These Outemo switches are rated 50M key presses and these are a less expensive alternative of premium Cherry MX switches. The use of less expensive but better quality switches has allowed the Drevo to bring almost cost effective but feature rich mechanical keyboards in the market.
Layout and Color
The Drevo Calibur keyboards come in the black color only in 87-key and 88-key versions. Following layouts are available for the Calibur keyboards. Make sure to check for the layout before buying.
- US Layout
- UK Layout
- Russian Layout
- French Layout
- Italian Layout
- German Layout
KeyCaps
The keycaps are made of ABS material. The keys count is 87 for ANSI, US layout and 88 for ISO, EU. The legend is double-shot for ANSI, US layout and laser marking for IS, EU.
Lighting
The Drevo Tyrfing V2 RGB Backlit TKL Mechanical Gaming keyboard comes with RGB backlighting enabled. This is one of the differences between the V1 and V2 versions. The keyboard has 14 pre-defined lighting effects and 9 single colors on it. The user can configure and customize the individual keys backlighting either using the software or through the keys combination of the keyboard.
Drevo was considerate enough to provide the flexibility in customization options to the maximum possible. Here is how you can customize the individual keys backlighting using the keyboard itself without the software. Press the Fn+Backspace keys in combination. The keys with ~ and = start blinking rapidly. Press either of these keys. Now start pressing and setting the individual backlighting per key.
Once you are done, press the combination of Fn and Backspace keys to finish and save the customization.
The lighting modes are:-
- Advanced Reactive Mode
- Ripple Mode
- Cursor Mode
- Aurora Mode
- Water Drop Mode
- Radar Mode
- Meteor Mode
- Spectrum Mode
- Breathing Mode
- Marquee Mode
- Stars Mode
- Reactive Mode
- Halo Mode
- Wave Mode
In case you are wondering the Spectrum mode is the one that produces a rainbow effect. Besides these modes, there are 9 single colors on this keyboard as well which include white, red, green, blue, yellow.
Connectivity
The Drevo Tyrfing V2 is a wired keyboard with a cable having an approximate length of 1.8m. It is made of high-grade nylon braiding and has a golden USB connector. This keyboard has a cable management channel built on the top side. The user has the option to route the USB cable either through the middle or left/right sides.
This is a handy feature and I applaud their design team for giving so much attention to the details. There are two rubber feet that under the keyboard to raise the height from the top side of the keyboard.
General Features
The Drevo Tyrfing V2 is a simple and compact mechanical gaming keyboard with all the bells and the whistles that a gamer could think of. Not only it is providing all the necessary features that a regular mechanical gaming keyboard has but also has RGB lighting with 14 preset effects to it making it one heck of a good deal for any gamer who is looking to the best combination of the price, form, and function.
This is not all as Drevo has provided a comprehensive yet simple to use software to control the keyboard functionality and lighting effects as well. The dimension of the keyboard is 359x135x38mm with a weight of 760±20gm. The keycaps are made of ABS material.
There are 26 keys that work in combination with the Fn to give the stated outcome. Pressing them without the Fn key would give their normal output. The keys are almost in the same order as we see on any other standard mechanical keyboard except where the difference comes from the UK layout in particular.
This keyboard does not have dedicated media keys but this is expected given its size and TKL design format but Drevo has not skipped the multimedia implementation what so ever. There are dedicated keys for multimedia that work in tandem with the Fn key.
Fn is a major key on this keyboard controlling the aspects of defining/accessing Macros, changing lighting effects as well as creating new lighting effects from scratch, locking the Windows Start key. As soon as you press the Fn key the combination keys got to light up in the white LED regardless of the current lighting effect.
This is definitely a handy feature giving the user a visual aid. The keyboard has a metallic housing with the brushed aluminum plate covering the PCB on the top side of the keyboard. Keys are almost in a floating way layout.
F12 is a Macro key. Pressing the Fn+F12 will make the 5 keys on the keyboard blinking fast. These are Y U I O P. Pressing any of these keys will start the macro recording process. Once you are done recording the macro, press the Fn+F12 again to save the macro and assign its shortcut key to the corresponding key that you had typed at the start of the process.
This is as simple as it could get. Mind you, you are not limited to these 5 keys as using the software you can define more macros and define any combination of keys as a shortcut for those macros. In order to access the recorded macros on Y U I O P keys, press Fn+Y and this will activate the macro keys.
Like any other mechanical gaming keyboard, this keyboard has Anti-Ghosting, N-Key rollover feature which ensures that each keypress is registered no matter how many other keys are pressed at the same time. This is done by the keyboard hardware which detects or scan each key independently.
It is helpful while gaming to give the user a better and fluid gaming experience without any hiccup. This keyboard features the anti-ghosting technology in tandem with the N-Key rollover. Please, note that there are models of the mechanical keyboards in the market with roll over feature applicable to only a few keys which are normally the keys that are used frequently while gaming.
Let’s start with the full key version of the popular Tyrfing V2 87/88-Key gaming keyboard namely Tyrfing V2 104-Key gaming mechanical gaming keyboard.
Specifications
The Tyrfing V2 104-keys keyboard is an extended version of the Tyrfing V2 87/88-key keyboard.
It has retained all the perks and privileges of the TKL version but going full length has given Drevo an opportunity to cover the market segment where the users would want everything a gaming mechanical keyboard has to offer in full keyed version at much affordable pricing.
We have a dedicated numpad on this keyboard which is not available on the TKL version.
Switch
The Drevo Tyrfing V2 104 key keyboards are using the same Outemu switches in Black, Red, Brown and Blue colors as the TKL version is using
| Switch | Operational Force | Travel | Pre-Travel |
| Red | 60±10 gf | 4.00mm | 2.20±0.6mm |
| Brown | 60±10 gf with 55±15gf tactile force | 4.00mm | 2.20±0.6mm |
| Black | 80±15 gf | 4.00mm | 2.20±0.6mm |
| Blue | 60±10 gf with 60±10gf tactile force | 4.00mm | 2.20±0.6mm |
These Outemo switches are rated 50M key presses and these are a less expensive alternative of premium Cherry MX switches. The use of less expensive but better quality switches has allowed the Drevo to bring almost cost effective but feature rich mechanical keyboards in the market.
Layout and Color
The Drevo Tyrfing V2 104-key keyboards come in the black color only. Following layouts are available for these keyboards. Make sure to check for the layout before buying.
- US Layout
- UK Layout
- Russian Layout
- French Layout
- Italian Layout
- German Layout
KeyCaps
The keycaps are made of ABS material. The legend is double-shot for all layouts.
Lighting
The Drevo Tyrfing V2 104 Backlit Mechanical Gaming keyboard comes with RGB backlighting enabled. The keyboard has 14 pre-defined lighting effects and 9 single colors on it. The user can configure and customize the individual keys backlighting either using the software or through the keys combination of the keyboard.
Drevo was considerate enough to provide the flexibility in customization options to the maximum possible. Here is how you can customize the individual keys backlighting using the keyboard itself without the software:
- Press the Fn+Backspace keys in combination.
- The keys with ~ and = start blinking rapidly.
- Press either of these keys.
- Now start pressing and setting the individual backlighting per key.
- Once you are done, press the combination of Fn and Backspace keys to finish and save the customization.
The lighting modes are:-
- Advanced Reactive Mode
- Ripple Mode
- Cursor Mode
- Aurora Mode
- Water Drop Mode
- Radar Mode
- Meteor Mode
- Spectrum Mode
- Breathing Mode
- Marquee Mode
- Stars Mode
- Reactive Mode
- Halo Mode
- Wave Mode
In case you are wondering the Spectrum mode is the one that produces a rainbow effect. Besides these modes, there are 9 single colors on this keyboard as well which include white, red, green, blue, yellow.
Connectivity
The Drevo Tyrfing V2 104-key is a wired keyboard with the cable having an approximate length of 1.8m. It is made of high-grade nylon braiding and has a golden USB connector. This keyboard has a cable management channel built on the top side. The user has the option to route the USB cable either through the middle or left/right sides.
This is a handy feature and I applaud their design team for giving so much attention to the details. There are two rubber feet that under the keyboard to raise the height from the top side of the keyboard.
General Features
The Drevo Tyrfing V2 104-key is a simple and compact mechanical gaming keyboard with all the bells and the whistles that a gamer could think of. Not only it is providing all the necessary features that a regular mechanical gaming keyboard has but also has RGB lighting with 14 preset effects to it making it one heck of a good deal for any gamer who is looking to the best combination of the price, form, and function.
This is not all as Drevo has provided a comprehensive yet simple to use software to control the keyboard functionality and lighting effects as well. The dimension of the keyboard is 440x135x3mm with a weight of 1290±20gm. The keycaps are made of ABS material. There are 26 keys that work in combination with the Fn to give the stated outcome. Pressing them without the Fn key would give their normal output.
The keys are almost in the same order as we see on any other standard mechanical keyboard except where the difference comes from the UK layout in particular.
Despite being a full key version, it does not have dedicated media keys but this is expected given its price category but Drevo has not skipped the multimedia implementation what so ever.
There are dedicated keys for multimedia that work in tandem with the Fn key. Fn is a major key on this keyboard controlling the aspects of defining/accessing Macros, changing lighting effects as well as creating new lighting effects from scratch, locking the Windows Start key. As soon as you press the Fn key the combination keys got to light up in the white LED regardless of the current lighting effect.
This is definitely a handy feature giving the user a visual aid. The keyboard has a metallic housing with the brushed aluminum plate covering the PCB on the top side of the keyboard. Keys are almost in a floating way layout.
F12 is a Macro key. Pressing the Fn+F12 will make the 5 keys on the keyboard blinking fast. These are Y U I O P. Pressing any of these keys will start the macro recording process. Once you are done recording the macro, press the Fn+F12 again to save the macro and assign its shortcut key to the corresponding key that you had typed at the start of the process.
This is as simple as it could get. Mind you, you are not limited to these 5 keys as using the software you can define more macros and define any combination of keys as a shortcut for those macros. In order to access the recorded macros on Y U I O P keys, press Fn+Y and this will activate the macro keys.
Like any other mechanical gaming keyboard, this keyboard has Anti-Ghosting, N-Key rollover feature which ensures that each keypress is registered no matter how many other keys are pressed at the same time. This is done by the keyboard hardware which detects or scan each key independently.
It is helpful while gaming to give the user a better and fluid gaming experience without any hiccup. This keyboard features the anti-ghosting technology in tandem with the N-Key rollover. Please, note that there are models of the mechanical keyboards in the market with roll over feature applicable to only a few keys which are normally the keys that are used frequently while gaming.
Durendal 104-Key Gaming Mechanical Keyboard
Next keyboard in this segment is newly released Durendal which is a 104-key having 16.8M backlit illumination per key and features a built-in rest palm for comfortable writing experience. It has an aluminum alloy frame which really adds to the looks and makes it premium looking keyboard.
Specifications
The Durendal is a newly released full keyed keyboard from Drevo featuring the same switches as we have seen on a majority of their keyboards i.e Outemu. The keyboard has an aluminum alloy top panel which adds to the overall rigidity of the frame and looks to the keyboard. We have double shot ABS keycaps with a suspended key design.
There is a built-in rest palm which in my opinion should have been detachable.
Switch
The Drevo Drendal 104 key keyboards are using the same Outemu switches in Black, Red, Brown and Blue colors as is on the majority of their keyboards.
| Switch | Operational Force | Travel | Pre-Travel |
| Red | 60±10 gf | 4.00mm | 2.20±0.6mm |
| Brown | 60±10 gf with 55±15gf tactile force | 4.00mm | 2.20±0.6mm |
| Black | 80±15 gf | 4.00mm | 2.20±0.6mm |
| Blue | 60±10 gf with 60±10gf tactile force | 4.00mm | 2.20±0.6mm |
These Outemo switches are rated 50M key presses and these are a less expensive alternative of premium Cherry MX switches. The use of less expensive but better quality switches has allowed the Drevo to bring almost cost effective but feature rich mechanical keyboards in the market.
Layout and Color
The Drevo Durendal 104-key keyboards come in the black color only. Following layouts are available for these keyboards. Make sure to check for the layout before buying.
- US Layout
- UK Layout
- Nordic Layout
- French Layout
- Italian Layout
- German Layout
- Spanish Layout
- Korean Layout
- Japanese Layout
KeyCaps
The keycaps are made of ABS material. The legend is double-shot for all layouts.
Lighting
The Drevo Durendal 104 Backlit Mechanical Gaming keyboard comes with RGB backlighting enabled. The keyboard has 13 pre-defined lighting effects and 8 single colors on it. The user can configure and customize the individual keys backlighting either using the software.
Drevo was considerate enough to provide the flexibility in customization options to the maximum possible. For the first time, the RGB lighting needs to be activated using the Drevo Power Console (DPC) software which is kind of a bizarre limitation.
The lighting modes are:-
- Retro Snake
- Neon Stream
- Reaction
- Sine Wave
- Fixed On
- Respire
- Rainbow
- Flash Away
- Raindrops
- Rainbow Wheel
- Ripples Shining
- Stars Twinkle
- Shadow Disappear
- Game Mode
It is obvious that the Rainbow mode is the one that produces a rainbow effect. Besides these modes, there are 8 single colors on this keyboard as well which include white, red, green, blue, yellow.
Connectivity
The Drevo Durendal 104-key is a wired keyboard with a cable having an approximate length of 1.6m. This keyboard has cable management channel built on the top side. The user has the option to route the USB cable either through the middle or left/right sides.
This is a handy feature and I applaud their design team for giving so much attention to the details. There are two rubber feet that under the keyboard to raise the height from the top side of the keyboard.
General Features
The Durendal is a newly released gaming mechanical keyboard from the Drevo. It is a 104-key version available in the black color only at the time of the release. The dimension of the keyboard is 415x225x45mm and it weighs 1080+20gm. It is compatible with the Windows 7/8/10.
There are many selling features of this keyboard besides being a fully mechanical keyboard. The top plate of the keyboard is made of black anodized aluminum alloy which not adds rigidity to the rest of the frame but also adds to the looks and neutral accent of the keyboard.
This neutral accent is definitely helpful in even color diffusion on the surface. There is an integrated style palm rest with firm support for comfortable typing, gaming, and programming experience. The only Con that I could see of it is that it is not detachable and one is forced into using it.
The ABS double shot keycaps are durable for long-term use without diming the printed letters/numbers. Another feature is the suspended keycap design which is helpful for the colorful lighting effects on the keyboard.
Like any other mechanical gaming keyboard, this keyboard has Anti-Ghosting, N-Key rollover feature which ensures that each keypress is registered no matter how many other keys are pressed at the same time. This is done by the keyboard hardware which detects or scan each key independently.
It is helpful while gaming to give the user a better and fluid gaming experience without any hiccup. This keyboard features the anti-ghosting technology in tandem with the N-Key rollover. Please, note that there are models of the mechanical keyboards in the market with roll over feature applicable to only a few keys which are normally the keys that are used frequently while gaming.
The lighting effects need to be activated using the software. The Fn+Insert key combination is used to switch among the modes. The Fn+Del key combination is used to switch among the static colors. The F1 to F8 keys have a dual purpose as they are the multimedia keys as well which can be activated using the Fn key combination.
Fn+PrtSc combination will turn the backlit lighting off. There are Gaming backlit modes which can be activated using the Fn+1 to 5 numbered keys (not on the num pad). The customized backlit lighting effects can be created and saved using the Fn+Home combination.
The keyboard draws power in the range of 4.5 to 5.5V where the standard keyboards draw standard 5VDC. The backside of the keyboard has honeycomb styled designing. I am not sure if this is purely for aesthetics or has some contribution in the overall design topology. Macros can be recorded using the software.
Drevo BladeMaster TE/Pro Gaming Mechanical Keyboard
We are covering the BladeMaster TE in the mainstream segment and BladeMaster Pro in the Enthusiast segment. As both bear the same design, hence we will be covering both in the same section.
Specification
Every successful product in the market has a reason. The inspiration for the exterior design of the BladeMaster is a culmination of the designers’ consolidated work, which includes elements from various fields such as electronics, arms, biology, fashion, and automobile.
To sum up, the BladeMaster’s appearance is a harmony of several things that in your daily life but not one, which will make it a fabulous keyboard. The design concepts that Drevo has concluded from the elements are humility, dynamic, sharp, lightsaber, and shield.
You will notice that the intricate details in the appearance are a concrete explanation of the abstract design concept.
Switch
The Drevo Blade Master TE keyboards are using Gateron KS-9 switches in Black, Red, Brown and Blue colors.
| Switch | Operational Force | Travel | Pre-Travel |
| Red | 60±10 gf | 4.00mm | 2.20±0.6mm |
| Brown | 60±10 gf with 55±15gf tactile force | 4.00mm | 2.20±0.6mm |
| Black | 80±15 gf | 4.00mm | 2.20±0.6mm |
| Blue | 60±10 gf with 60±10gf tactile force | 4.00mm | 2.20±0.6mm |
These Outemo switches are rated 50M key presses and these are a less expensive alternative of premium Cherry MX switches. The use of less expensive but better quality switches has allowed the Drevo to bring almost cost effective but feature rich mechanical keyboards in the market.
The Pro version comes with premium Cherry MX switches. These are Silent Red, Speed Silver, Brown, Blue, Red, and Black.
| Switch | Operational Force | Travel | Pre-Travel |
| Red | 45±15 cN | 4.0-0.4 mm | 2.0±0.6mm |
| Brown | 45±20 cN with 55±25cN tactile force | 4.0-0.4mm | 2.0±0.6mm |
| Black | 60±20 cN | 4.0-0.4mm | 2.0±0.6mm |
| Blue | 50±15 cN | 4.0-0.5mm | 2.2±0.6mm |
| Silent Red | 45±15 cN | 3.7-0.4mm | 1.9±0.6mm |
| Speed Silver | 45±15 cN | 3.4-0.4mm | 1.2±0.4mm |
Layout and Color
This keyboard is 87-key TKL (Ten Key Less) design. Kindly note that there are different keys versions in different regions subject to the layout. The 87-key is using ANSI for US, KR whereas the 88-key is using ISO for UK FR, DE, IT, SP, ND. The 91 keys version is using ISO for JP. The BladeMaster is available in a single color which is black.
KeyCaps
The keycaps are made of ABS material.
Lighting
The Drevo BladeMaster TE RGB Backlit TKL Mechanical Gaming keyboard comes with RGB backlighting enabled. The keyboard has multiple pre-defined lighting effects and 7 single colors on it.
The user can configure and customize the individual keys backlighting either using the software or through the Genius Knob for which the corresponding mode needs to be activated using the Fn and mentioned keys.
The lighting modes are:-
- Spectrum
- Rainbow
- Power Gauge
- Breathing
- Twinkling Stars
- Marquee
- Reactive
- Aurora
In case you are wondering the Spectrum mode is the one that produces a rainbow effect. Besides these modes, there are 7 single colors on this keyboard as well which include white, red, green, blue, yellow.
Connectivity
There are in total three modes of connection in the BladeMaster (depending upon the version).
- USB based wired connection [Type-C for Pro]
- 2.5GHz Wireless connection
- 4.0 Bluetooth connection
Please, note that TE version has only wired USB 2.0 based connectivity. The Pro version has all three connection possibilities better yet the wired one is following the Type-C format. This combination of the connectivity options as allowed for true RGB backlighting implementation on the Pro version as well. Ths USB cable has a length of 1.8m with a golden connector.
General Features
The dimension of the keyboard is 369x136x45mm with a weight of 940gm without cable. There are 13 keys that work in combination with the Fn to give the stated outcome. Pressing them without the Fn key would give their normal output.
The keys are almost in the same order as we see on any other standard mechanical keyboard except where the difference comes from the UK layout in particular. This keyboard has RGB LED lighting and I have found the lighting effects on this keyboard subtle and pleasing to eyes.
Light is diffused very well across the keys and they don’t spread over. This keyboard has 16MB of built-in storage capacity to house the user’s saved settings making the keyboard ready for on-the-go.
This keyboard does not have dedicated media keys as there is no need for any, many thanks to the Genius Knob. The user can experience the multimedia using the genius knob for which they will need to activate the multimedia functionality on the knob by pressing the Fn and Pg Up keys combination.
Fn is a major key on this keyboard controlling the aspects of defining/accessing Macros, changing lighting effects as well as creating new lighting effects from scratch, locking the Windows Start key.
As soon as you press the Fn key the combination keys got to light up in the white LED regardless of the current lighting effect. This is definitely a handy feature giving the user a visual aid.
The keyboard has a metallic housing with the overall layout and design in total cohesiveness. Keys are in a floating way layout. Keys from F1 to F3 have dual functionality as indicated by the double markings on the keycaps. These are the three keys to store/load the users’ defined settings on the onboard memory.
Being a compact size keyboard the BladeMaster TE does not come with the wrist pad and there is no such provision on it to attach any There are 5 rubber paddings on the backside to avoid scratching on the surface where the keyboard will be used. There is a large size Drevo logo embossed in the middle. There is a serial no sticker pasted under the DIP switch.
Both versions of the BladeMaster are equipped with the programmable Genius Knob. Implementation of this button has been quite challenging for the Drevo, particularly its physical placement on the final product and related internal circuitry. This added more to the equation given that it was implemented vertically.
In a nutshell, this single button has multiple functions. It is going to take over what was previously possible with the keys combination. The user can now access the same functionality with just rolling the button forward/backward or single/double clicking. It is obvious that one would need software support to avail this functionality. Where it has pros, cons are also there. I will mention them later in the content.
The position of the knob on the left side of the keyboard makes more sense as the majority of the gamers are using their left hand to use WASD keys for gaming.
Users can quickly tune themselves to learn and adapt this addition of the knob in the left-hand operations and without even worrying about looking at the keyboard to press certain key combinations for the desired action in the game, they can have all this functionality coming from the knob.
This knob is not fine-tuned to the gamers but it has implications in the multimedia control and desktop applications like MS Word etc as well. The 4 default commands of the Genius-knob are PageUp, PageDown, Home, and End.
By entering “Key Settings”, you can assign any operation to the knob. Taking the example of PUBG, you can get superior functions by assigning this way: Energy Drink – PageUp, Bandage – PageDown, First Aid Kit – Home, and Painkiller – End. The Genious Knob functionality is summed up in the below table:
| Key Combination | Forward/Backward rolling | Single Click | Double Click |
| Fn+INS | Switch between different lighting modes. | Turn on/off the lighting on the keys. | Turn on/off on the sides of the keyboard. |
| Fn+DEL | Adjust backlighting brightness. | Turn on/off the lighting on the keys. | Turn on/off on the sides of the keyboard. |
| Fn+HOME | Accelerate/Decelerate the speed of dynamic lighting effect. | Turn on/off the lighting on the keys. | Turn on/off on the sides of the keyboard. |
| Fn+END | Switches between the static colors. Static mode must be loaded beforehand. | Turn on/off the lighting on the keys. | Turn on/off on the sides of the keyboard. |
| Fn+PG UP | Increases/Decreases the volume in the value of 2. | Play/Pause the soundtrack. | Loads the next track. |
| Fn+PG DN | Page Up/Page Down | Home | End |
This keyboard has a unique yet handy implementation to change the keyboard’s layout from its default one. There is 4-pin DIP switch on the backside of the keyboard. All DIPs are by default in off position. Following table describes the combination and behavior:
| DIP Position | Result |
| DIP 1 is On | Interchange the left Ctrl and Caps Lock |
| DIP 2 is on | Interchange the Alt and Win keys |
| DIP 3 is on DIP 4 is off | Loads the Dvorak Layout |
| DIP 3 is on DIP 4 is on | Loads the Colemak Layout |
| DIP 3 is off DIP 4 is on | Loads the Minimak Layout |
Like any other mechanical gaming keyboard, this keyboard has Anti-Ghosting, N-Key rollover feature which ensures that each keypress is registered no matter how many other keys are pressed at the same time. This is done by the keyboard hardware which detects or scan each key independently.
It is helpful while gaming to give the user a better and fluid gaming experience without any hiccup. This keyboard features the anti-ghosting technology in tandem with the N-Key rollover. Please, note that there are models of the mechanical keyboards in the market with roll over feature applicable to only a few keys which are normally the keys that are used frequently while gaming.
Summary
This was our take on the Drevo keyboards and an attempt to classify them into certain categories. There are multiple factors besides pricing that play important role in the selection of the keyboard some of which are form factor, RGB Lighting, connectivity, Switch types, keycaps quality, legend, layout, warranty, customer service, accessories.
Since Drevo has been using Outemu switches on the majority of their keyboards and warranty on all these keyboards is same i.e 1 year limited, it was an easy picking based on the pricing and form factor.
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[Hardware Reviewer]
After many years of exploiting various pieces of hardware, Abdul Hannan now serves as an editor at Tech4Gamers. He’s been in the PC hardware reviewing industry for almost a decade, and his staff of passionate geeks and reviewers is second to none.
Abdul Hannan is constantly seeking new methods, you will always see him running into New Computer Courses to improve the performance of his computer components since he is an ardent overclocker. He is well-known for providing the most extensive and unbiased analysis of the newest and greatest hardware for PC gaming, including everything from GPUs to PSUs.
