Gazzew Lavender $5.50 / 10

The Gazzew Lavender occupies the same Boba housing platform as the U4T and U4, but with a UHMWPE stem — creating a tactile switch that is sharper and smoother than either sibling in a specific way. Where the U4T uses a POM stem for its characteristic thocky bump and the U4 uses UHMWPE for silent operation, the Lavender combines the UHMWPE stem with a non-silenced housing to deliver a tactile that is simultaneously smooth and pronounced.

The bump characteristics on the Lavender are similar to the U4T but with a slightly different texture. UHMWPE's lower friction means the stem approaches the bump with less pre-travel friction and the bump itself feels cleaner — you hit it without any build-up of stem resistance, then the tactile event snaps through crisply. At 65g actuation (slightly lighter than the U4T at 67g), the Lavender is a bit more accessible for moderate-weight typists.

Sound is thocky and resonant — what you expect from the Boba Nylon housing. The UHMWPE stem changes the acoustic contribution slightly compared to a POM stem; some listeners describe the Lavender as having a cleaner, slightly more crystalline component to the thock compared to the U4T. The difference is subtle and board-dependent.

Lubing follows the same rules as all tactile switches: lube the stem rails only, avoid the bump area, and use 3203 or 3204 rather than 205g0. The UHMWPE stem actually needs less lube than POM — its inherent slipperiness means you are primarily smoothing the housing contact rather than the stem. Light lube application produces the best result.

The Lavender is for builders who want the Boba housing quality and sound profile but prefer UHMWPE stem characteristics over POM. If you own U4Ts and want to try the same housing with a different stem feel, Lavenders are the direct comparison. If you are new to Boba switches, the Lavender sits between the U4 (silent) and U4T (louder, slightly sharper) in a comfortable middle position.