Mechlands Blade 101 Review: MAJOR THOCK, but Major Misses Too

⌨️ Mechlands Blade 101: https://amzn.to/442zYUq

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Direct Link: https://www.mechlands.com/products/mechlands-blade101?sca_ref=8040342.kTcOD8IT6F

If you’ve been following the mechanical keyboard scene, you’ve probably heard of the Mechlands Blade 75—a compact, knob-equipped board that earned praise for its solid build and excellent typing experience. So when the Mechlands Blade 101 came across my desk, I was excited. Bigger layout, more keys, and maybe even a refined follow-up to an already impressive keyboard.

But after spending time with it, I’m left wondering: Who is this keyboard for? Because while it sounds fantastic, it’s also one of the loudest, most oddly designed boards I’ve tested in a while.

Let’s break it down.

🔧 Design & Build Quality

The Blade 101 sports a 96% layout—which means you get the full number pad, arrow keys, and navigation cluster, all without the extra width of a full-size board. It’s a layout aimed at productivity users, spreadsheet lovers, and those who want more keys in less space.

On paper, that’s a good thing.

But in practice? The key positioning feels awkward. Delete, Print Screen, and Page Up/Down are shuffled in ways that make muscle memory cry. For programming or gaming, this layout feels cramped and unfamiliar. It’s a layout that tries to please everyone but doesn’t quite work for anyone.

That said, the aluminum case is solid and weighty, with a premium feel. It’s definitely built like a tank.

🎨 Keycaps & Aesthetics

Here’s where things get weird.

The Blade 101 features MOA-style keycaps in a cherry profile, meaning they look and feel a bit like low-profile caps—despite the board not being low-profile. The insets on the top give them a wooden or toy-like vibe. It’s a bold choice, but one that may not appeal to everyone. The result is a very loud typing experience with a hollow metallic ring that feels at odds with its otherwise high-end look.

The RGB bar on the front is a nice touch. It’s bright, customizable, and adds flair—but it’s purely cosmetic and doesn’t add functionality.

🔊 Sound Test: MAJOR THOCK!

Here’s where the Blade 101 shines. It sounds thocky, aggressive, and deep—but almost to a fault.

Every row of keys produces a different sound profile, with some being muted, others sounding hollow, and some modifiers coming across like they have dampeners (even though they don’t). It’s inconsistent and odd. The spacebar in particular? Wildly loud and hollow—like typing on an empty tin can.

This board is not for shared spaces or quiet offices. It’s LOUD.

If you’re into that signature “mechanical keyboard” sound and don’t mind inconsistency, this might be your jam. But for most users, the volume alone is a deal-breaker.

🔌 Connectivity

You get tri-mode wireless connectivity:

Bluetooth
2.4GHz Wireless (with a dongle that stores underneath)
USB-C Wired

There’s a physical toggle to switch between modes, and everything connects smoothly. That’s a plus.

However, the USB-C port is recessed, and most third-party custom cables won’t fit. It forces you to use the included (cheap-feeling) cable. Not great for aesthetics or personalization.

🧠 Software & Features

Here’s the kicker: the Blade 101 isn’t supported by its own software—yet. At the time of review, the keyboard wasn’t even recognized in the Mechlands software suite, making it impossible to remap keys or customize RGB via software.

You’re stuck with basic function shortcuts for lighting and layout changes until software support is added. For power users and tinkerers, this is a huge con.

Also missing? The knob. One of the Blade 75’s standout features has been removed in this version. Why? We’re not sure.

⚖️ Pros & Cons

✅ Pros:

Solid aluminum body with premium weight
MAJOR THOCK typing experience
Tri-mode wireless with strong connectivity
Bright RGB bar and clean lighting effects
Hot-swappable switches
Unique MOA-style keycaps (if you’re into that)
Good battery life with 8000mAh capacity

❌ Cons:

Inconsistent sound between keys
Extremely loud—unsuitable for quiet environments
No knob (unlike the Blade 75)
Poor third-party cable compatibility due to recessed port
Layout is awkward for programming and productivity
Software isn’t ready—no remapping or custom RGB
Modifier keys sound strange and unbalanced
USB dongle placement is awkward

📝 Final Verdict: Skip This One

The Mechlands Blade 101 is trying to be everything at once—and in doing so, it loses focus. If you want a loud, fun-sounding keyboard with an unusual design and don’t care about layout logic or software customization, you might enjoy this.

But for the average user? It’s a hard sell.

At $109, it doesn’t outperform the cheaper, better-balanced Blade 75. And it doesn’t offer the refinements needed to justify the price.

If Mechlands had added a knob, refined the keycap acoustics, and made the layout more intuitive, we’d be having a different conversation. But as it stands, this board feels like a step backward.

Your money’s better spent elsewhere.

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Got the Blade 101 already? Love it? Hate it?