Spyderco D'Allara improvements?

Rnhood,

Thanx for the pix, that is the most recent variation.

Thanx for the input, appreciate.

We'll make notes for the next refinement of the design concept.

sal
 
I just got my new D'Allara DP a week ago. It's been my EDC all week.

First, I'll discuss the pros: I think the knife is superbly built and as smooth an opener as I've seen.

I really like the ball lock idea, as it operates great (under ideal environments). I think the grip on this baby is really sweet. It's a little rough in the pocket (a tad too grippy), but I'd rather it was more grippy, than not enough. The enlarged spyder-hole was nice too. The blade is razor shard and holds its edge well for my uses. The knife is very EDC-able, and I hardly noticed in my front pocket.

Now the cons: I got the PE, but found myself wanting for the CE, partially for the asthetics. The DP blade looks kinda funny to me now... However, I also think the CE might work better for my line of work. I don't like carrying a PE at work, lest I need to cut a seatbelt, etc...

I am not completely sold on the forward cant to the blade. It might work well for rescue applications, but any knife I carry has to also work well for SD. I don't think the blade shape is ideal for SD, but I'm no expert.

I think the ball-lock is very solid and functional. However, I have not yet gotten used to it. I can't make final judgement on that right now. It does appear a tad harder to operate than I feel it should. I don't like the 360 rotatio of the ball, but understand the engineering requirements behind it.

Also, I feel the ergos are off with the clip installed. I tried both sides, and the clip just makes the knife feel "off" to me. It gets in the way more so than my old fashioned Spydie clips. I'm sure this is due to the increased 3D girth. I think "hotspots" is the correct knife lingo?

Overall, I'm glad I purchased the knife... but I'm sure it won't last as my EDC knife for too much longer. Especially once I get my Manix in the mail.

Thanks for listening to us Sal. I've been a huge fan and advocate of your quality knives for years. I'm just now expanding my collection.
 
Overall, I've been satisfied with the D'Allara DP, I wanted to try VG-10 steel. I have found the choil to be a nuisance, I catch stuff on it when I'm cutting fabric or shrinkwrap. I changed the blade to a flat grind and it did improve cutting performance a bit. So far the steel has held up fairly well in use. You should consider making a sheath available, the knife is too wide for any commercial sheath I've found.
 
Hi Mahoney,

From the comments made, I think I'll have to lose the choil.

Do you mean a belt sheath for the folder?

sal
 
Sal Glesser said:
The most recent version of the D'Allara handle is in the drop point version. It is much thinner than the original version and the ball access opening was enlarged quite a bit. It is much easier to access the ball. How many of you are referring to this most recent version?

sal
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How much room is in the handle to give the drop point model more belly? More belly to the blade would make it more versatile for food prep. Get it low enough and you'd have a great folding kitchen knife. The blade grind is interesting and suits what I cut to a T. It offers some stoutness and is thin enough in a large area for some serious sharpness. I don't cut much stuff where the whole blade passes through the material. I use the Endura at work but the D'Allara surpasses it for most cuts that I use the Endura for. Sharpened at a low angle, the D'Allara DP is like a scalpel on steroids.
 
Yes, I like to sheath carry my EDC folder. I make most of my own sheaths, so I ultimately solved the problem, but the knife is so wide folded there isn't a commercially made one that I could find.

Glad to hear the choil will go away, I caught some plastic strapping in mine just today.
 
I have to be carefull when I'm offering feedback on a thread like this because I keep wanting each knife to conform to my ideal EDC - I think car manufacturers suffer the same malaise, which is why it's getting harder to tell models apart.

When it's open and in use I can't fault the D'Allara as working knife. It's a real 'tool knife'. The G-shock of knives, if you will. Spot on Smegs, it is a scalpel on steroids too.

I have no problem manipulating the ball bearing lock either (one handed, left and right handed and in gloves) - you guys who do must be club-fingered mastadons:D .

It doesn't quite make EDC for me becuase of it's handle thickness - I lean towards the Military and Endura 4 for this - and the Native 3D when I want something to stay in-pocket, rather than clipped.

So for me - take a little of the 'beef' out of the handle if possible and work out a way to get it a bit thinner when closed.

ps: I had a discussion with the safety manager of an oil company recently about the knives they issue (buck 110's) I recommended the D'Allara instead. Safer blade shape - stout and able to withstand being used as a scraper, jigererer/pokerer etc and comfortable clipped to the outside pocket of overalls etc, with much safer ergo's, something I reckon is crucial with knives.
 
Ming65 said:
ps: I had a discussion with the safety manager of an oil company recently about the knives they issue (buck 110's) I recommended the D'Allara instead. Safer blade shape - stout and able to withstand being used as a scraper, jigererer/pokerer etc and comfortable clipped to the outside pocket of overalls etc, with much safer ergo's, something I reckon is crucial with knives.
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Wow, most of the deepwater rigs I worked on didn't even allow employees to have knives, they had to use approved alternate cutting tools.

I don't have a D'allara, mostly because it's so big when folded. Changing that would mean a smaller hole & a repositioning of the pivot point, which I doubt will happen with the BB lock.
 
This was an FPSO Hardheart - and almost every operator had a Buck 110 in a leather sheath on their belt. Not sure of the practicality of that hollow ground skinning blade in that environment.

but sure enough, give them time and they'll ban knives altogether like I've seen elsewhere.
 
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