Sho Labs N3 Keyboard Pre-Order

A Legacy in EC and Topre Design

For many enthusiasts in the EC and Topre community, Sho needs little introduction. Through Sho Labs, he has spent years quietly producing some of the most thoughtful and functional aftermarket designs for Topre and Realforce keyboards, earning a reputation for incredible quality and accessible pricing.

What makes Sho’s work special is that it has always been driven by enthusiasts rather than mass production. His projects appear in small numbers and are refined meticulously to meet hobbyist needs. The past year of collaboration, I have developed great respect for Sho's attention to detail and endless energy to bring about great outcomes for his customers. Sho loves design, and that much is clear from his work.

Earlier this year Sho had considered retiring from keyboards. While preparing for that possibility I worked closely with him to secure the remaining inventory of his existing projects. Thankfully, Sho ultimately decided that the journey wasn’t finished, and we’re proud to now support him as his partner as he continues developing new EC designs and brings them to market.

The N3

The Sho Labs N3 is the Classic / Hybrid counterpart to the N2: a precision CNC aluminium EC / Topre housing designed for the HHKB Classic and HHKB Hybrid series, as well as compatible third-party EC PCBs.

Where the N2 focuses on the HHKB Pro 2 platform, the N3 brings Sho’s newer design language to the more modern HHKB Classic / Hybrid ecosystem. That means the same sculptural aluminium approach and beautifully excessive swirl-machined bottom designed to show off engineering quality.

The N3 is available in several configurations, making it a little more flexible than the N2. You can choose the classic Standard HHKB layout, or go for WK or WKL versions if you want something that leans further into custom keyboard territory. The WK and WKL versions also have two plate layout options: regular 2U Backspace or Split Backspace, both using a 7U spacebar configuration.

Visually, this design is extremely "Sho". The anodised aluminium shell is clean and purposeful, while the 1.2mm brass plate adds a lovely warm contrast against the cooler case colours. The Blue Purple / Blurple colourway in particular stood out to me.

The underside of the N3 features Sho’s CNC swirl-machined finish: a circular toolpath pattern that gives the board a very distinctive industrial texture. It is a detail that will spend most of its life hidden on your desk, but it changes how special the case feels in the hand.

This is not a complete keyboard. It is a premium aluminium case and plate kit for EC / Topre builders who understand the HHKB Classic / Hybrid platform and want to build something much more substantial than the stock housing.

In short: it is Sho doing Sho things again. Heavy, clean, beautifully machined, and refined versus the Sho S60 V3.

Compatibility

Designed for:

• HHKB Classic series
• HHKB Hybrid series
• Compatible third-party HHKB Classic / Hybrid-style EC PCBs

Please note: this is for the N3, not the N2. The N2 is intended for HHKB Pro 2-style builds. The N3 is intended for HHKB Classic / Hybrid-style builds.

Layout options

The N3 is available in three main layout styles:

• Standard HHKB with exact HHKB proportions, fixed
• WK with a 7u spacebar and option for split backspace
• WKL with a 7u spacebar and option for split backspace

Build Note

This kit includes the case and plate only.

You will need compatible EC / Topre internals to complete the build, such as:

• EC60XSE PCB
• Either Metakeebs or Realforce domes
• Either Dynacap or Metakeebs sliders, stabilisers & housings
• Springs
• Keycaps, and any other required assembly parts.

Alternatively you can harvest the required parts from a complete HHKB Classic or Hybrid.

Specifications

What’s included

• Top case
• Bottom case
• 1.2mm brass plate
• Screws
• Anti-slip feet
• Carrying case

A note on the swirl-machined bottom

The bottom of the N3 uses a visible CNC swirl machining pattern. Some machining marks are expected and should be understood as part of the design and manufacturing approach, not as a flaw.

The swirl pattern is deliberately preserved as part of the character of the case. It is not intended to look like a flat, polished weight or a hidden unfinished surface.

Why buy it?

Because the HHKB Classic and Hybrid platforms are already excellent, but the N3 gives them the sort of case that makes the whole build feel properly special.

It adds mass, material quality, acoustic potential, and a much more premium physical presence, while keeping the spirit of the HHKB layout intact. For EC enthusiasts who want a more serious housing for a Classic / Hybrid-style build, the N3 is a very lovely bit of kit.