Opinions On the D'Allara

J

JNieporte

Joined
Nov 1, 2004
Messages
3,352
I'm about to buy a D-Allara drop point, plain edge (C82BK2). A few questions first...
1. What is the general opinion of this model? I have other Spydercos, so I know about the company's quality.
2. I have no expereince with the ball-bearing lock. It seems like it would get cruddy or filled with pocket lint rather quickly; any thoughts?
3. Also, can the ball-bearing lock be opened one-handed, like the Axis lock?
4. How is the wire pocket clip? Any possibility of it coming loose?
5. I can't find the grind style... hollow / flat / what?
6. Can I see LOTS of pictures of the D'Allara, possibly next to some other folders for comparison?
 
I've only seen this knife online. It looks really nice. I can't really comment on it, though; I've never handled one, nor have I ever handled a knife with Spyderco's ball bearing lock.

The grind appears to be hollow.

Spyderco themselves are actually selling this knife at the price other e-tailers are, roughly $65:

http://spyderco.com/catalog/details.php?product=202

If you want one, I suppose you best get one now since they're to be discontinued.
 
I have a d'allara DP. It's a pretty tough, medium sized folder.

I had zero issues with the ball lock, no maintenence necessary other than a drop of clp here and there.

The grind is markedly hollow.

If one pinches the ball with thumb and forefinger, flicking is easy.

Wire clip - on par with most other spydie clips in terms of retention, with the added benefits of being less noticeable and less snag prone, and less apt to taking a set when snagged.

No dice on the pics, sorry.
 
Well, I don't have alot of pictures of it, but here are a few.
PICT1333.jpg

PICT1405.jpg

PICT1412.jpg

PICT1417.jpg

PICT1412-1.jpg
 
I've been edc'ing mine for about a week as a change from my cf milli. Its a solid, very nice pocketknife. I like the ball lock mechanism - no wiggle at all and its easy to open and close. I was drawn to it by the discontinuation prices. I might have to pick up one more.
My favorite part is how ergonomic the handle is -- although it is a bit wide in the pocket.
 
Thanks everybody. Shaggy's video really helped, especially the shot of the ball-bearing lock being shown in motion at a slower speed. Looks like I'll be getting one.
 
The D'Allara is one of my favorite folders, period. The ball lock is axis-smooth, and easy to manipulate with just a little practice. It has the best FRN handles I've ever encountered; the texture is just perfect and the palm swells make it very sure in hand. It has a very deep hollow grind. The wire clip has several advantages, and is my preference on Spydies. It's a fantastic knife - too good to be discontinued - yet they didn't sell. Maybe nobody could pronounce it? :confused:
 
I just recieved the drop point D' Allara and I am somewhat disappointed. The video I saw gave me the impression that this knife's handle and blade are thicker with more heft however the D' Allara I got today has a blade that seems to be a standard thin 1/8 inch thick that tapers toward the point. The liners look a little thinner too but I am not sure. I was hoping for something more robust. It also feels light.

I also have the D' Allara sheepsfoot serrated version which I love that knife has a thicker blade and more heft.

I know some favor thin blades and lightweight knive but if these "great" improvements are implemented on a particular model of knife I would sure appreciate being told.

I like the sheepsfoot model I hope they didn't chinsey that one down too.
 
OK I did a side by side comparison and most of my reservations are visual deception it seems the drop point version has the same handle and liners as the sheepsfoot version and the thickness of the blades are about equal.

The blade of the sheepsfoot version does not taper taper to a point like the drop piont version giving the overall apearance of more heft. The handle on the sheepsfoot version does seem to feel more stiff I don't know why.

I guess I am a stickler for sharpened prybars I would love the drop point model if it had a spine with almost no taper and came to a more abrupt point. I can figure that it is more expensive to grind the drop point model (more grinding to create a taper to a point) this design may make it a more practical user (better slicer etc) but I am still a thick blade fanatic. I may change my mind if I had to carry and use it more, but I doubt it since I belive I am incurable derranged thick blade fanatic (just joking ???)
 
I like the fact that the stainless steel liners run the full length of the handles and the way the ball bearing lock and spring are housed in an all steel enclosure that is bolted to the liners with torx screws supplementing the stregnth of the ball lock with the liners together.

This enclosure tapers and runs the full length of the bottom of the knife bolted at the front middle and rear.

I also notice the knife uses phospher bronze washers on each side of the blade.

This knife is very well designed and is probably stronger than the BM Griptilian which I have as well. The coil spring used for the ball bearing lock should not give way any time soon either.

Now all that needs to be done is to turn this knife in a fat heavy clunker, and it would be a perfect EDC for someone like me.
 
I used a D'Allara last week to vivisect an old mattress that I wanted to throw out with the garbage. Cut the thing in 4 pieces. The blade profile and nice meaty grip made it pretty easy. Something thin like an Endura (for example) is a little easier to carry, but when it comes to actual cutting, a nice, full grip is good. This is a real knife made for real cutting.
 
Improvements I would suggest.

1) Make the blade 3/16" thick and don't start the taper until 3/4 of the legnth of the blade and make the taper slight so that it can accomadate and abrupt angle at the tip for a strong point (keep the blade the same legnth.)

2) Make the liners 1/16" thick

3) Although not really necessary make the ball bearing follower out of metal

4) Put a little more thickness in the lock area at the bottom (spine side) area of the knife

5) Leave a smooth tiny hump of metal sticking out from the bottom rear edge of the handle to facilitate car side window breaking

6) Offer the option of your famouse fully serrated spyderedge for this new and improved drop point model

7) Are there any custom makers out there that can create one to these specs ?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top