Spyderco Vallotton: Dual Action or Manual???

Sharpmaker Mike · #1

Hey guys.

I've fallen in love with this knife recently, and want to pull the trigger on it soon.

My ONLY decision is whether to get the Dual Action version or the manual. Since the DA is TWICE the price, it's kind of a big decision!

I was wondering if I may ask those of you that either own, or have tried, both versions of this blade, which one did you go with and why???

Thanks again!

bh49 · #2

Did I miss somehow Dual Action Spyderco Vallotton? :confused: Or you are talking about custom?

Sharpmaker Mike · #3

Not custom, but a different (DA) version of the same model.

Here's a look: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BaaePvqxE9A

Peter1960 · #4

Roman you missed nothing, butthe Dual Action Sub-Hilt Valloton exists ... I played with it on a meeting with other aficionados some months ago :D

Clip · #5

Wow first time I've heard about two versions as well.

bh49 · #6

Peter1960 wrote:Roman you missed nothing, butthe Dual Action Sub-Hilt Valloton exists ... I played with it on a meeting with other aficionados some months ago :D

Peter, thank you. Was this in Amsterdam meet? I am jelous anyway.

Evil D · #7

Seen it, I could live with it or without it. This is one of the easiest thumb opening knives you'll ever handle..the ergos are superb. The added auto feature is really just a toy/gimmick in my opinion. As for as real world use, you'd be faster at using the thumb hole than thumbing around trying to slide that piece of G10 up.

Sharpmaker Mike · #8

Evil,
Thanks for your input. Your review was one of the ones I read while in the research phase of the purchase.

I have only seen youtube reviews of how the DA version worked, but never an in depth review of the actual knife. I was thinking (right or wrong) that the DA version can be opened with the same feel as the manual version, but had the added benefit of the auto feature for fun/cool factor/resale/etc.

I just wanted to hear from people who either had bought the DA after trying both, or see why they passed on it for any other reason than price.

Thanks again for the input so far guys, and please keep it coming!

Evil D · #9

Yeah that's true, if the need arose you can still use the thumb hole. What's the cost difference?

xceptnl · #10

I have handled DA and MA Microtech models and although the tolerances were impressive, I felt the MA was smoother than the Manual action on the DA. Is this a possible loss of opening smoothness due to the cam feature?

Sharpmaker Mike · #11

xceptnl wrote:I have handled DA and MA Microtech models and although the tolerances were impressive, I felt the MA was smoother than the Manual action on the DA. Is this a possible loss of opening smoothness due to the cam feature?

THIS is what I was wondering about. There has to be some difference in feel between them. I like smooth, but thought the "cool factor" of the DA was worth something as well.

Maybe I should get the MA first and see if I'm happy with that?

Holland · #12

wow i had no idea! as for the OP i would suggest not getting it, it will get old after a while and it just adds more parts that could potentially cause problems down the road

MarcusH · #13

bh49 wrote:Was this in Amsterdam meet?

No, it wasn't there, switchblades can be quite problematic in some european countries.
Even the possession would be illegal here in Germany (blade length is more than 8,5 cm) and Sal, Gail and Eric went to the IWA show in Nuremberg directly after the Amsterdam meet.
The Dual Action Vallotton can be purchased i.e. here:
http://www.bladehq.com/item--Spyderco-V ... -DA--15299

Peter1960 · #14

It's not a secret where I handled the D/A Vallotton: In Austria, where else? A good friend of mine bought in directly from Butch Vallotton and brought it with him. Compared to other European countries, Austrian knife-related-laws are still end-user-friendly :)

chuckd · #15

Get the manual. It is jsut an amazing knife, and while I have not even handled the auto in anyway, I absolutely love the manual. Fantastic knife.

Sharpmaker Mike · #16

Thanks for the input guys.

I just pulled the trigger on the Manual version.

After thinking about it for a while, I decided the DA version did seem gimmicky, and at TWICE the price, I just could not justify that!!!

Evil D · #17

Sharpmaker Mike wrote:Thanks for the input guys.

I just pulled the trigger on the Manual version.

After thinking about it for a while, I decided the DA version did seem gimmicky, and at TWICE the price, I just could not justify that!!!

Holy crap! Yeah screw that. Totally not worth it for what $150 extra?

The Deacon · #18

One thing to consider is that the DA conversion is done by Butch Vallotton, himself, making it, in effect, a Butch Vallotton "semi-custom". For some folks, that alone would justify the asking price. For others, all the legal baggage that comes with owning and carrying an automatic would make choosing the MA version a no brainer.

Evil D · #19

The Deacon wrote:One thing to consider is that the DA conversion is done by Butch Vallotton, himself, making it, in effect, a Butch Vallotton "semi-custom". For some folks, that alone would justify the asking price. For others, all the legal baggage that comes with owning and carrying an automatic would make choosing the MA version a no brainer.

That's a good point, probably far less than a custom from him directly.