Looks super interesting. I hadn't heard of this

 

It probably won't fit on my equipment racks. I also have edgeit attachment so it may not work

 

We flip to edge all the time, grabbing the shaft. That thing would just be in the way

 

I just spent 2 more hrs. this afternoon nonstop mostly cutting sloped ditches and I'm totally blown away at the difference this thing makes. I can flip it to any angle as usual and the bar never got in the way. Holding it completely vertical, upside down, horizontal still no problem whatsoever. Everything I did was much faster and easier than before and I cut this about every 10 days.

When cutting along a slope or ditch, walking to the right you can hold trimmer vertical with left hand on Darwin's Grip, and instead of holding throttle grip with right hand on top as normal, hold throttle grip from bottom side and hold throttle trigger with little finger. I always did this before but had to be in stooped position bending over to reach 4-5 ft. down slope of ditches. With the DG I could stand straight up and reach bottom of slope.

That's the best $50 I've spent to improve efficiency and comfort.

I did notice an obvious improvement that could be made to the tubing to make it even more user friendly. Where the handle is attached the the long tube at top it appears to be welded together and forms a 90 degree angle with a sharp corner. Basically the whole time I was using it my left hand seemed to gravitate to the sharp corner which would push against my palm. I could feel it through padded gloves. To avoid that I had to make a continuous effort to keep hand on black grip. When trimming on flat ground that would not be a problem. When trimming on flat ground I could stand completely upright swinging trimmer left to right as fast as I could walk.

Also where the DG tube attaches to trimmer shaft there is the same 90 degree angle where the parts are joined. It looks like they would have used 1 piece of tubing and instead of the sharp angles just made a smooth bend at each end. That would eliminate the sharp corner at handle and seems to me it would would cost less to produce. Instead of 3 pieces joined together, 1 piece with 2 bends.

When trimming on flat ground I could stand completely upright swinging trimmer left to right as fast as I could walk.

Based on my 2 days experience so far with the DG if you spend much time using a string trimmer, do yourself a favor and get one.

I think I asked when placing my order about their customer satisfaction return policy, I'm almost positive they said 30 days. I always ask that question when I order anything.

BTW, I placed my order on 6-29-20 and just received it on 8-16-20. I was told the DG was on back order and once received the orders would be fulfilled in the order they were received.

I received the following email from Lindsey Ballard on 7-28-20 in regards to the delay. Below is a copy and paste of the email. I'm so glad I didn't cancel my order, it was worth the wait. Maybe now this is not a problem.

Email from Ballard:
I wanted to write to give an update on where we are with your current order for our Darwin's Grip Trimmer Handle. This item has been on backorder since mid April as we've been unable to keep up with demand and production with everything that is going on in our country with COVID and US Trade negotiations. We were supposed to start shipping the last batch weeks ago, but the shipment got delayed. Once we received the shipment, we performed a quality control check and found that the aluminum on every single handle was bad and simply could not be shipped out to our customers in that condition. Our latest shipment is currently sitting in California and has been for the last 10 days. We are trying everything in our power to get the shipment released and headed to us so that we can assemble and begin the shipping process to you. Trust me when I say this has been a complete nightmare on our end and we would love nothing more than to be shipping these out to all of you! This is so frustrating and embarrassing for us as this is not the way that we do business, but this is 100 % out of our control at this point. Please let me know if you would like to continue to wait (hopefully not more than 2 more weeks) or if you would like me to issue a full refund to you. Please feel free to use coupon code VIPCUSTOMER for 10% off any future orders on our website. We truly appreciate your support, thank you and stay safe!

 

I dunno, I don't really see it being too in the way when edging. I flip to edge currently as well.

I will say, only two weeks in, this thing looks really appealing. lol Their website says they're sold out, though.

 

I had to wait a while to get my three pack a couple months ago, absolutely a huge difference in back issues or lack thereof and a good improvement in control as well IMO. Can trim all day long if needed.

Using them on a 94r, km94r with string trimmer and km131r with straight edger.

They are compatible with equipment defender and presumably the other manufacturers trimmer racks as well.

 

Also as far as I know the official place to buy them would be via Ballard Inc: https://www.ballard-inc.com/product/darwins-grip-trimmer-handle/

 

We trim a cemetery with 1250 monuments, Darwin grip helps me stand straight because I’m 6’2”, doesnt work for my assistant that is about 5’6”.
we use echo 225‘S for trimming.
also we use on a Stihl comby With straight edger attachment to hold it down in the dirt When edging sidewalks. it is always wanting to raise up. Works good.

 

I’m 6’6” and I noticed a difference right away when I started using it.

 

Great thread, thanks!

 

Just wish they had some in stock.

 

The official Darwin's Grip website says they're in stock. I ordered 2 yesterday. I'm 6'3", dad is 6'4"...we're hoping they give us some relief!

 

I’m not a huge fan of Lindsey Ballard, but I will say I do like the product. I ordered one for my dad for his birthday and he loves it. I have only used it once myself and can only imagine how much of a night/ day difference it makes for the guys doing cemetery work.

 

I'm not a huge fan of Lindsey Ballard, but I will say I do like the product. I ordered one for my dad for his birthday and he loves it. I have only used it once myself and can only imagine how much of a night/ day difference it makes for the guys doing cemetery work.

Lindsey Ballard is not the owner of the company that makes DG. When I spoke to the owner I was informed that Ballard was just a distributor for the DG.

 

For most, if you loosen the screws on the stock handle (that comes with weedeaters ) and extend it beyond the little recommended placement line, you'll notice immediate relief without buying anything.

 

I had already done what you suggested.

Have you personally field tested a DG?

 

Never heard of it. Though my back never hurt weedeating and adding weight wasnt something I wanted when humping a weedeater across a larger property

 

I don't notice any added weight, the position of the DG actually makes the trimmer feel lighter, because of the distribution of the weight and difference in balance.

 

And remove the guard...helps a lot and allows you to go faster

 

The Darwin's Grip is like when you first decide to get a backpack blower. You arent sure if it's going to be necessary. But once you start using it, you never go back.

The only people I ever hear complain about the DG are those that havent tried it and make assumptions for why they 'THINK' it wont be a good idea. Unless you're short. You won't regret it.

 

Good luck with it.

 

tried one at the dealer, was not impressed and I honestly feel like it makes it harder for me to be more precise with the trimmer. Not my type of tool. There is a plethora of lawn care gimmicks and tools that I see mostly coming from ballard inc, but also from others. Some guys like them, some don't. One thing for sure it seems like the guys who like them are all in and don't have any complaints, as though they are all perfect tools or something. I remember the same thing with the Kujo lawn shoes or whatever they are. Glorified tennies.

 

Some like'm some don't, I totally agree. Just like everything else, one size doesn't fit all.

 

You don't need luck with a tool that has proven it's claims.

I predict few will bite...this is not going to go mainstream nontheless....mostly single crew operators or weekend warriors will go for this

 

You'd be right. it's currently designed where you set it up for the individual user. It's a very fiddly thing to setup as a whole. If you had multiple people grabbing the same trimmer. It wouldn't suit everyone as it would constantly need to be readjusted for each person. It's also only really designed for right handed people, left handed people can use it. But it's not nearly as comfortable without modification.

Again (but let me clarify this time). it's perfect for the individual user and I'm yet to find anyone who's used one (properly), that doesn't like it. "Trying one at the dealer" won't really help you decide if it's good or not. Why? Because it's unlikely that you had it setup correctly for your own personal use. There's also a break in period where your muscles aren't use to holding it like that. For the first couple of weeks I wasn't sure I liked it. But once my muscles got used to the new position it was great and I'd never want to go back.

The criteria you'd need to meet to justifiably say "it's not for you".
- try it for two weeks full time (your muscles need to adapt)
- have it installed correctly
- not be short
- test it on one person, not "giving it to the guys"
- be right handed (left handers won't enjoy it as much as a right hander would).

I do think it's possible to make a mainstream version. But currently, no it's not there for that. If your solo or having people have their own dedicated trimmer, you'd be kidding yourself not to be buying one.

to make it mainstream, it needs to be symmetrical to suit left and right handers (ideally with a loop handle) and you need to be able to adjust the height of the handle the same way you adjust the articulating hedge trimmer (not with tightening screws like it currently is).

 

Interesting seeing all the input on these and where it’s coming from.

I ordered three this season and ended up nly keeping them on my edgers- which I am a big fan of. Really would hate to go back to what now feels like cavemanning around slightly hunched lol.

For trimming; as others have noted, it’s adding significant weight to a quick and imo what should be graceful procedure. I understand 100% tho for those that are clearing large areas with a trimmer regularly that this is a great addition.

I have thought about putting the lone one on my kombi this fall for the power broom but really don’t like moving them and have lots of bushes to do still.

Moving them around is my biggest complaint - I tried my best not to over tighten but ended up pulling those screws and replace it them with some beefier threads & loctite.

 

The Darwin's Grip is like when you first decide to get a backpack blower. You arent sure if it's going to be necessary. But once you start using it, you never go back.

The only people I ever hear complain about the DG are those that havent tried it and make assumptions for why they 'THINK' it wont be a good idea. Unless you're short. You won't regret it.

No, There are plenty of people, solo ops included who bought this and don't use it.
It's not everybody's cup of tea. This is like putting a softer bike seat on your bicycle. It's a matter of preference and certainly doesn't fit the bill for everybody.

You can show someone something that will benefit him, but you can't force him to accept it. Then it's time to walk away.

If it is possible, as much as depends on you live at peace with all men. Romans 12:18.

This isn't "lead a horse to water", this is a matter of personal preference and it's not going to be something that everybody likes. In fact, most don't like it. I understand that some people think it's a god send, that's an opinion.

Yeah, your reply just didn't really make much sense. i just wrote paragraphs on why it's not for large companies and why it's perfect for solo operators.

you then replied "large companies won't buy this"
Well yeah... I literally just outlined exactly why they wouldn't in the exact post you quoted.

it's perfect for the person who feels they're saving their back and staying productive. There's another group of people who have tried these and just don't feel that they're doing anything to help their back or maintain they're productivity. I can see the benefit, but can't feel it when i use it.

 

No, There are plenty of people, solo ops included who bought this and don't use it.
It's not everybody's cup of tea. This is like putting a softer bike seat on your bicycle. It's a matter of preference and certainly doesn't fit the bill for everybody.

This isn't "lead a horse to water", this is a matter of personal preference and it's not going to be something that everybody likes. In fact, most don't like it. I understand that some people think it's a god send, that's an opinion.

it's perfect for the person who feels they're saving their back and staying productive. There's another group of people who have tried these and just don't feel that they're doing anything to help their back or maintain they're productivity. I can see the benefit, but can't feel it when i use it.

There might be people who just don't like it. But I'd argue that most of the people who think this way probably dont have it installed right or never really gave it a decent chance. It definitely takes a couple of weeks to adapt. By your own admission you only tried it at the dealer.. That's just simply not long enough to have a valuable opinion in my mind. You might still feel that way after a month, but a quick hold at the dealer. That doesn't mean anything to me. When I first installed mine, my first thoughts were "I don't know whether I like this.. it adds weight and my forearm gets sore" and that's from someone who wanted to like it. Can only imagine the thoughts of someone who thinks it's unnecessary prior to using.

 

So it's got a 2 week learning curve? Well I suppose I could attempt to suffer through that in hopes that I eventually like it, but generally speaking with handhelds I go with what feels best. If it takes 2 weeks to adjust, then maybe I need to give it 2 weeks, seems ridiculous though.

It wasn't a hold at the dealer, I ran the trimmer around for a bit, they had it on a stihl unit for people to test out they were trying to sell them.

 

So it's got a 2 week learning curve? Well I suppose I could attempt to suffer through that in hopes that I eventually like it, but generally speaking with handhelds I go with what feels best. If it takes 2 weeks to adjust, then maybe I need to give it 2 weeks, seems ridiculous though.

It wasn't a hold at the dealer, I ran the trimmer around for a bit, they had it on a stihl unit for people to test out they were trying to sell them.

It's simply because it uses different muscles in your arm to hold. Takes a bit for those muscles to adapt the same way it did when you first picked up a trimmer. If you aren't having back issues, then sure. Whatever is preference. I just figure later on down the track with all that bending over. I'll eventually be at the chiropractor. Using this may prevent it or atleast delay it.

 

I’m 6’3” and ran mine on my kombi weed eater this weekend. It was night and day for ME. I have back issues all the time. I don’t want to go so far as yo say it made weed eating “enjoyable”, but it was pain free for the first time ever. My trimming was more accurate and smooth/level as well, because the trimmer was in an appropriate position instead of tilted up in the rear and angled down in the front.

Like mentioned above, if you are short, skip it. If you are tall and bending to trim/edge kills your back...give it a shot.

I’ll probably get another one for the kombi edger, because it’s even more painful than weed eating.

 

So, the trimmer is in a better position when you use the DG? That was the exact opposite of my experience and something I would have to get used to, hence the learning curve. When I trim i keep the engine up by my elbow, my angle is such that i'm not leaning or bending over. Believe it or not, trimmers are actually designed to be used so that your back isn't doing the work. I think much of this will depend on the individual, but when I heald the darwins grip it forced me to hold the back of the trimmer lower and then my angle was not as it was prior.

good luck finding one, apparently they're all on back order or out of stock.

 

I got a date in grip it's on back shelf, only one week into the 2 week learning curve.

 

How do you like the DG after one week? Pros and cons!

 

so you're not using it anymore?

 

no but got hopes of trying it out again

 

I have two of these and can confirm they are a great! I would get a locked left shoulder after a heavy day or week of using a grass trimmer. This actually has helped incredibly!