Spyderco D'Allara

C

Cliff Stamp

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This is a very solid heavier work knife from Spyderco, not well suited to light precision work, a very different class from the UK Pen and Calypso Jr. It has a much thicker tip profile, heavier handle and in general is more robust, the FRN grip even has full steel liners.

The partially serrated section comes with a very aggressive pointy style pattern which while it can catch on softer and loose materials tends to work very well when the materials are under tension and a lot of force is used. This tends to make sense from the point of view of an emergency situation.

Initial sharpness is very high, cutting ability similar, solid ergonomics and grip security. Carries well, and the opening is easy and smooth. The ball lock is stable and strong, extended use is needed to check long term security.

Ref :

http://www.physics.mun.ca/~sstamp/knives/d_allara.html

-Cliff
 
Great knife. One thing to note is that the price is amazingly low for such a solid piece of machinery. Barely costs more than an Endura.
 
The price is pretty impressive, and is a nice move up from the FRN line without reaching the cost of some of the G10 models which can put some people off. I look forward to getting out with this one, I am fairly curious about the serrations for wood work in general.

-Cliff
 
Guess that's it then, will have to order two.

Can you compare its size to an unmodified paramilitary for me please?
 
I have a Para and an original Rescue D'Allara here. The D'Allara is bigger than the Para in almost all respects. In fact the only way a Para is bigger is when it's open--and even then it's a fraction of an inch longer overall, thanks to its less efficient use of handle space (which I don't think is a bad thing).

The D'Allara is considerably heavier thanks to the full steel liners and thicker blade. It's also thicker from the side of one scale to the side of another (filling your palm), and far wider from spine to backspacer when closed in your pocket. The pictures don't do it justice; almost everyone who gets one seems to say "wow--this thing is huge."

From what I understand, the Drop-Point D'Allara is a little lighter than the original, but much of the above comparison should still apply.

Artful: Since you like opening knives with Magic Wrist Action, I should add that the D'Allara is easily my most flickable knife--even a little more than my 710. The combo of the Ball Bearing lock and heavy blade makes flicking amazingly easy. You don't have to adjust the closed knife in your hand at all to flick it open. On many knives, you need to move things just a little so the centrifugal force acts on the business end of the blade instead of the pivot end, which doesn't move. Not so on the D'Allara. It just opens no matter what you do.
 
It is about 1/4" or so longer and 3/8" greater in handle width, and about 50% thicker in the grip.

-Cliff
 
Haha, magic wrist action (TM). I like that.

Sounds great, though this thing may be TOO big--not for me, for a family member I'm ordering it for. He played with my para and wanted one for christmas (this was at a family reuinion) and my mother haphazardly offered one, which I plainly cannot afford. This seems to be a good compromise, especially since he wanted a true 50/50 serrated, which you can't get in the para as far as I know.

Bigger than the para...man...that's almost inconcievable. Do you think a guy who had no problems with the size of the para would have a problem with the size of the d`allara?

Maybe I'll have to go to a Delica or Endura....which do you think a para fan would like more? I'm trying to steer clear of them because I personally think they look cheap (even though I respect them).
 
Artfully Martial said:
Maybe I'll have to go to a Delica or Endura....which do you think a para fan would like more?
Click to expand...

The Endura is closer basic style wise in size and general usage, a Delica / Calypso Jr. relationship is similar.

I'm trying to steer clear of them because I personally think they look cheap ...
Click to expand...

The plastic throws some people, some of the knives can also have some gap issues with the scales which can bother some.

-Cliff
 
Are there are any good Spyderco sub 80 dollar alternatives to the para? The more similar the better...I feel terrible about not getting him the one he wants, but this one is out of my hands....I'm buying knives for four people, not including myself this Christmas..I could only barely afford the para myself.
 
Artfully Martial said:
Are there are any good Spyderco sub 80 dollar alternatives to the para?

Wal Mart is currently selling Spyderco Natives with S30V blades and FRN handles for @$40. I bought 2 as Christmas presents (and of course 1 for myself).
Click to expand...
 
I would get him one, for sure (almost did) but he wants true 50/50 serrated.

Though I am definitely buying one for one famiily member and probably one for myself sooner or later.
 
Updated this with a decent amount of wood work, noting the use of the serrated section for some applications. This is one of the lesser discussed Spyderco models but is very solid for its class.

-Cliff
 
So what class is that? Somewhere in between the Endura and the Manix? Is it slightly better ground than the Endura? It has steel liners for the ball-lock? From one of the pictures, it looks like it has a steel backspacer too? I'm sure it's solid, but I find it a little unpersuasive. It just somehow doesn't have any appeal. Sort of like a thick and gritty fiber supplement drink, you take it if you need it...
 
The hollow ground goes higher than the grinds on a Delica / Endura. Ful steel skeletonized liners and steel spine, similar to a Manix. It never caught my eye when I'd look at spydercos line-up, but after using it, and especially after comparing it to the much raved about Griptilian, I think it's a great knife for the price. Kind of in between an Endura and Manix I'd say.
 
Hhhmmm this knife has me VERY interested. The only problem i'm having is deciding is between plain edge and combo edge. I like combo edges for utility so i might go with combo.

What style would you all get?
 
I have the plain edge D'Allara but, if I was doing it over again I might....that is "might", get the combo edge. The issue with serrations is that they can be difficult to sharpen. But, I do like the cutting ability of a combo blade better especially for the heavier duty type chores that this knife is likely to be used for.

The handle on the D'Allara is extremely comfortable.
 
I am a big fan of Spyderco, but there are a couple of things I don't like about the D'Allara, the wire clip and the way the cutting edge ends near the tang with that little notch. I tend to snag whatever I cut using this type of blade. I much prefer the standard clips and Endura type blades. I must confess, the ball bearing lock looks interesting.
 
Yesterday the Rescue flavor of the D'Allara saved me some grief when I was digging a post hole. Ran into some thick cedar roots that the post hole digger had no chance against. Was at an impasse, and my lower back had locked up like a bank vault. Got down in there with the D'Allara and sawed away at the roots thru the dirt and muck. Didnt much care at that point if I destroyed the knife, but it came thru unscathed. Thats the first time I've ever had any real use for a SE blade, but when you need it, you really need it.

peace
 
rnhood said:
I have the plain edge D'Allara but, if I was doing it over again I might....that is "might", get the combo edge. The issue with serrations is that they can be difficult to sharpen. But, I do like the cutting ability of a combo blade better especially for the heavier duty type chores that this knife is likely to be used for.

The handle on the D'Allara is extremely comfortable.
Click to expand...

Well i'm gonna go with combo edge then. :)
 
IUKE12 said:
I am a big fan of Spyderco, but there are a couple of things I don't like about the D'Allara, the wire clip and the way the cutting edge ends near the tang with that little notch. I tend to snag whatever I cut using this type of blade. I much prefer the standard clips and Endura type blades. I must confess, the ball bearing lock looks interesting.
Click to expand...

The sharpening choil is the one reason that I have not bought a D'Allara. I have the same problem with sharpening choils catching on many things I cut.
 
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