Key switches

A friend of mine and I are researching building our own keyboards.
He's an electronics tech, I'm a long-time keyboard (and computer)
geek.  I'm a huge fan of the IBM Model M - the tactile feedback, not
the noise - but these days I mainly use a Kinesis Advantage because I
love the hand separation, the straight rows, and the heavy use of
thumbs.  I've never been entirely sure if I was a fan of the dishing
on the Kinesis (also seen on the Maltron).  Ergonomically correct, but
... well, it's a moot point as we're going to have to go with flat
boards for whatever we construct.

We've been talking about key switch selection: if anyone knows a
source for buckling key switches (not entire keyboards, just the
switches) I'd very much like to hear it.  So far the likeliest
substitute is the Cherry MX Blue: the Blue is tactile and noisy.  I'd
chose it over the Cherry MX Brown which is tactile and quiet because
the Brown has the lowest activation force and I actually like a high
activation force - again, the IBM Model M is the standard I'd go by.

So does anyone know of a company selling individual buckling key
switches?  (I'm already looking at $1 each for the Cherry switches, so
if the price is brutal I think I'm ready for it ...)  Thanks!

-- 
Giles
http://www.gilesorr.com/
[email protected]