D'Allara DP VS Griptilian

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Vivi

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For those that have owned both of these knives, could you give a pro / con list of each stacked up against the other, as well as your preference in general? Considering one of these models. Thanks.
 
The Axis Lock on the Grip is slightly easier to use than the ball lock on the D'Allara.

Blade deployment on both knives is butter smooth. I probably slightly favor the Grip due to it's thumbstud feature and it's location in relation to the hand when gripping the knife to open the blade. It's just second nature to operate this knife. Purely preference but, I slightly favor it over the hole in the D'Allara. Still, this is a close call. That 14mm hole in the D'Allara is awefully nice.

Blades are mostly a draw but, in some ways I had a slight preference for the Grip blade. However, I need to qualify this statement because I have the Ritter RSK version. It's blade is slightly different than the mainstream Grip and, is made from S30 steel.

The D'Allara handle is slightly more comfortable in the hand. Actualy, quite a bit more comfortable. But, that doesn't mean the Grip is uncomfortable because it's not. In fact I thought it was an easy knife to hold and use. But I give the advantage to the D'Allara on this one. It is extremely comfortable to hold. If you need to hold a knife for significant periods of time, the D'Allara would be my choice between these two knives because other features are so close.

I like the pocket clip on the D'Allara slightly better than the mainstream clip on the Grip.

Which do I prefer after all is summed up? Probably the Grip (Ritter RSK version) today. Ask me tomorrow and it might well be the D'Allara. Both are relatively inexpensive knives and, my recommendation is to get the Ritter Grip now and, the D'Allara later. Or, get the D'Allara now and, the Grip later. The D'Allara is less expensive than the Ritter RSK.
 
I've had both, and I prefer the d`allara dp...it's better, in my opinion, in most ways except for closed size....the closed size is so disporportionately big that I had to sell my d`allara as I couldn't carry it...but I loved the clip, the frn was in a grippy native vg10 texture, I've always liked vg10...blade shape was nice, spyderhole, I like the bb lock and axis pretty comparably actually...use them both all the time, although I must say I think the bb lock is probably slightly stronger and I like how it looks a lot more. A little harder to use though.

If you can fit the D`allara in your pocket, I think that's the one you should go with. But if we had a mini d`allara, it'd be my primary EDC.
 
Size isn't a problem, I carry 110's and my Manix with me often and it doesn't bother me at all.

If I were going to get a grip, I'd get the standard version first. Ritters are a little more than I want to spend at the moment.

Overall I'm leaning towards the Spyder right now, feels like a better package for the money. I really should get around to owning a benchmade though.
 
I've got the advantage that when I have to decide on these, I've already handled Grips and the SFO is about 12 miles from me.
 
Vivi said:
Size isn't a problem, I carry 110's and my Manix with me often and it doesn't bother me at all.
Click to expand...

It is really a different issue than the Manix or a 110 style knife. Due to the lock, the pivot position on the D'A puts a lot of the blade outside the handle when closed, making a very, very wide package. The knife is just not suited for pocket carry.
 
Well, if the size definitely isn't a prob, the only real concern that might keep you away right now is the bb lock, which some people are really not fond of. I can use it just fine, even with gardening gloves on, but alas, you may not agree. If you can't find a d`allara nearby, find a dodo or poliwog. They have the same kind of lock, except that it's smaller--if you find those easy to use, then the d`allara will be no problem at all (the ball is easier to grip on the d`allara). Get the d`allara here, and get a higher end Benchmade like a 960 down the road.
 
I wonder why the BB is so large on the DP, it's huge. It seems to leave so little bladesteel around the pivot. Maybe if they had less frn around the lock section the BB could have been a smaller diameter.
 
I believe the FRN "casing" of the BB in d`allaras, starting with the old Rescue editions, has been increasingly cut out to make the ball easier to grip...but I might be mistaken. But man, does it look cool.
 
I like my Grip much more than the D'Allara because it feels smaller in the hand. I also much prefer the Axis Lock over the Ball Bearing Lock of the Spyderco. I found it very difficult to use.
 
I prefer the Griptilian over the D'Allara for a few reasons. I think the Axis lock is better than the Ball bearing lock. I can't flick the D'Allara open by pulling the lock back with my finger like I can with the Grip. I think the D'Allara has better handle ergonomics the the Grip but is a little bulky. I also think the D'Allra could have used a thicker liner, when I grip it the sides bow in. I like both of them but if I had to choose one over the other I'd take the Grip.
 
Does the ball bearing lock keep the knife closed under spring tension, as the axis lock does? Or does the ball bearing lock just rely on a ball detent?
 
Nice video. I didn't realise the D'allara had full steel liners. Very nice, but it does look like its pushing the overall size limit for pocket carry.
 
Well I should be getting one in a trade. I'll post thoughts and see if I can't find a store to handle a Griptilian and compare. Maybe I'll trade it for a grip so I can do just that if I can't. This will be my first Axis lock type of knife.
 
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