D'allara mixed feelings

Nosetotail

Nosetotail

Joined
Jun 10, 2007
Messages
398
So I just got my D'allara last night, and I really like the knife design and blade shape. I was even more pleased the first time I slid it open and it kind of popped open effortlessly.

However, I'm a little less pleased with the ball lock. I have to either grip the ball between my index and thumb, or press hard with either using my fingertip and nail. I only played with it a little and had to put it down. Now my finger and thumb are a little sore. I'm wondering if any one else experienced this, and does it go away, kinda like playing a guitar?

I see that Spyderco now has a caged ball lock, but I wanted to get one of the original locks before I got a caged one.

I'm not trying to complain, I'm just noting that I use little or no effort on my back lock and axis lock, but this requires a little set up and discomfort to operate.
 
Well I remember Sal saying that the ball lock is the strongest of the locks. I personally havent; had a problem with it but it might just be that you have an exeptionally strong spring or something. I could do a Dodo no problem, do you know if they are the same lock?

Tom
 
I noted the same thing on mine but it got better the more I played with it. I think it partly is developing the right angle to push the ball and partly the mechanism breaking in. I now find it to be totally natural, quick, and pain-free.
 
I agree that it is a strong lock. I am even more concinced that out of all of the common locks available that this one would be the most difficult to accidentally operate during use.
 
Because it's a bit different than what you (we) are used to in regards to the Ball-Lock, it takes a little getting used to. I played with mine for several days and it became a lot easier opening and closing. Keep playing with it.
 
Well, with a little bid of edc use today, I think I have it down. It is natural to palm the handle and use the tip of my thumb with my thumbnail. It causes a little discomfort, but much less than last night. I love how easy this knife opens, and closing was a bit more effortless and natural today.
 
I recently picked up A PE Drop Point model as a gift for someone that I ended up not giving them (don't worry they got something else they wanted more instead I swear!) Since then I have had the chance to handle it a little and I have to say I am impressed with it. The only knife that I own that I could really compare it to in terms of size is my Para. The D'Allara is thin in the pocket but not as flat, what was really different was how wide it is. The knife when closed it's definitely wider but as a result the spydie hole is right out there and easy to find even with gloves on. The handle ergos are great and feel very natural for my medium sized hands. I have no issues with the ball lock, I know it will break in a little but even as new I don't find it difficult to manipulate, it reminds me of the way I have to close the axis locks I have. As for opening it's like buttah....Overall I prefer the blade shape of the Para though. In short I am a a fan of the D'Allara, Idon't think I would edc it in my pocket but I would definitly keep it around my camping gear/glove box, or leave it in my coat :)
 
Sorry for the delayed response. I had a long holiday at the inlaws. I carried the D'allara exclusively for the week, and grew quite fond of it. The smooth suttle pop as I slide it open was almost theraputic(Of course I can say that of all my knives). The ball lock didn't cause any discomfort, and that was my only hangup. I do have to admit that it is a very wide knife, but I only noticed that when I looked at it.

When I got home and slid open my Endura and Native, they felt like crusty old abandoned knives that had been on the shelf for about 20 years, not to mentioned I instinctively reached for the ball to close them. I can't get over how smooth the D'allara is. I have handled a couple of Axis locks for a couple of days, and I did find that much easier to operate than the ball lock, but I can't say if they were as smooth as the ball lock using my thumb to slide open. I didn't use the thumb studs on the axis locks, I just pulled the axis back and kinda flipped them open. I found it considerably easier to pull the axis back with my index fingertip, and I didn't have to use my nail. I can just barely operate the ball with my index fingertip and nail. I have to use my thumb and nail. I'm not trying to rate the two, because given the choice to carry a Dallara or Grip, I think I would stick with the Dallara now after carrying it for a week. That insanely smooth opening is just addictive.
 
I got a D'Allara for Christmas, and I've operated the lock with my middle finger and thumb from the start (using my index finger to close the blade). I think the lock is more difficult to operate than the Axis lock, but still works very well.
Personally I like it the way it is, it has more "personality" and aesthetic appeal with the ball bearing exposed.
 
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