Long time lurker, first post. More pics here.
My design has elements we are familiar with: columnar stagger, the Dactyl "scoop" (concave shape), and some splay (columns angled outward). But I've added an element I haven't seen in any keyboard before (though I did get some hints from this community).
Try this: look at your nails with your palm facing toward you (so your fingers will be pointing down toward your wrist). Notice that the tips of your fingers form a curve like a smiley-face. 🙂 That's the "scoop".
Now notice the angle of your fingers - they point inward. This is what your fingers do when they are curled over the keyboard (photo). Sculpted boards I've seen either have none of this angle, or they follow the concave scooped shape and set it in the opposite direction.
Keen to hear your thoughts, and I'm open to name suggestions!
EDIT: Changed photo
EDIT: Don't like how loud the hollow body sounds, going to explore a quieter body design.
yay, two pinky gang!
Personally I prefer still having 3 keys on the inner index column as I find it easier to hit inner column keys if they are part of one of the rows (and I only use the homerow pinky + don't like chords, so having 3 inner column keys per half is preferable to me).
Naming wise, you could always go for silly portmanteaus like "scoolp" (scoop + sculpted) or "scoob / scooboard" (scoop + keeb / keyboard) ;)
Thanks! With that much stagger on the pinky column, and the pinky being significantly shorter, it just made sense to me.