I started using blank keyboards about three years ago and it did in fact force me to touch type and has increased my typing speed a lot. Even after ten years of programming I was a 4-6 finger hunt & peck typist. Once I started using a blank keyboard I quickly broke the habit of looking at the keys and picked up proper touch typing form naturally.

Plus it is badass.

The only reason I can think of is to confuse your coworkers. Maybe it's to force people to learn to touchtype by going cold turkey on the visual aid?

As far I as I can tell it's just an overpriced gimmick.

I think the price is fairly standard for a mechanical keyboard... not that it is cheap.

When I was about 15, I painted over my key caps with a few coats of acrylic paint to create a blank keyboard, with the same idea - a forcing function to learn to touch-type. It especially prevents you from subconsciously looking down for the occasional key, e.g. the rarer symbol keys.

It didn't hurt that I was using Dvorak layout - the alphabetic keys would be misleading in any case. I chose Dvorak for similar reasons, so that looking would not give any benefit. (I type about 110wpm.)

Badass feeling - forcing yourself to remember the most obscure symbols - ultimate customizability

I can agree on that.

I actually did have a blank keyboard as a teenager, and altho I type pretty fast (90+ wpm) my technique is bad: only using my index and middle finger on the right hand. I don't know why really, just got used to it and never bothered to rethink.

Anyone recognize themselves?

BTW: After reading your blog post Maxim, I ordered a Das keyboard myself. I still think it's overpriced, but hey, I guess we all need our gadgets.. dont we? :)

We'll I'm still a teenager just about - so maybe it's a phase. I hope you enjoy it!