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I have watched an embarrassing number of switch sound test videos this year. Somewhere around the fifth or sixth “thock” comparison, one switch kept coming up next to boutique names that cost three or four times as much: the Leobog GrayWood V4, which YMDK sells for under $8 for a small pack.
So I pulled the actual product listing, cross-referenced it against an independent switch review site, and dug through the sound test community to see whether the hype is deserved.
What the GrayWood V4 actually is
The Leobog GrayWood V4 is a 5-pin linear switch built from POM (polyoxymethylene), a plastic known in the switch world for producing a deeper, less scratchy sound than the more common polycarbonate housings. YMDK’s own listing puts the operating force at 40gf and the bottom-out force at 50gf, both with a tolerance of about 3 grams, and a total travel distance of 3.6mm.
It ships factory pre-lubed, which matters for a budget switch since a lot of cheaper linears arrive dry and scratchy until someone hand-lubes them. The V4 revision specifically adds an improved light guide column and two shaft feet, small changes aimed at reducing stem wobble, one of the most common complaints about budget linears in general.
YMDK sells it in bundles from 10 pieces up to 110 pieces, at $7.99 and up depending on quantity. As of this writing, every quantity option is showing as sold out on YMDK’s own listing, which happens often with their switch runs. The button below will take you to the live listing so you can check current stock or catch the next restock.
What independent testing found
Switch review site Click and Thock ran the GrayWood V4 through its standard test suite and scored the smoothness at 8 out of 10, a solid result for a switch in this price range. Their measurement recorded noise output around 80 decibels during testing, and noted the switch is built from a PA12 stem inside a PC and PA66 housing blend, pre-lubed from the factory just like YMDK’s listing states.
Across sound test videos and comparison clips from the switch community, the consistent description is a deep, “thocky” sound with a bit of scratch texture layered underneath, rather than the smoother, more muted tone of premium POM switches that cost several times more. That scratchy edge is the main trait separating it from top-tier boutique linears, and it’s the trade-off you’re making at this price.
Where it holds up
- Sound for the price. Getting a genuinely deep, thocky profile under $8 a pack is rare. Most switches with this sound signature cost noticeably more.
- Factory lube. You can drop these straight into a hot-swap board and get a reasonably smooth feel without buying separate lube and a switch opener first.
- Stability improvements. The V4’s two shaft feet and improved light guide column specifically target the wobble issue that budget linears are usually criticized for.
Where it doesn’t
The scratchy undertone in the sound is the switch’s clearest limitation. If you’re chasing a completely clean, boutique-level thock, this isn’t that switch, and reviewers are consistent on that point. It’s also worth repeating that this is a budget switch: build tolerances on inexpensive linears vary more pack to pack than premium options do, so expect the occasional outlier switch in a batch rather than perfect consistency across all 70 or 110 pieces.
Availability is the other real caveat. Because YMDK runs these in limited batches, catching the GrayWood V4 in stock takes some patience or a bit of luck with timing. If it’s sold out when you check, YMDK’s other switch brands like Gateron and TTC are worth browsing while you wait, and I compare the broader kit and switch lineup in my guide to buying authentic YMDK parts.
Who should buy it
If you’re building or upgrading a hot-swap board and want a deep, satisfying thock without spending boutique money, the GrayWood V4 is a genuinely smart pickup, especially since it comes pre-lubed. If you’re chasing the cleanest possible sound with zero scratch, save up for a premium POM linear instead and treat this as a very good budget alternative rather than a direct substitute.
For picking the right board to actually put these switches in, my guide to choosing a YMDK kit walks through matching a hot-swap PCB to your budget, and my care and maintenance tips cover how to keep switches and keycaps feeling good long after the first install.
Keep reading
Curious whether YMDK as a whole is worth building around? Start with my full YMDK review, my guide to buying authentic YMDK parts, and my kit-picking guide for matching a board to this switch.