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Price is$300$250 ea (shipped within CONUS). If you live outside the US, I will contact you after your order for extra shipping charges.
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Spyderco Advocate
- Thread starter stevekolt
- Start date
- Joined
- Jan 18, 2015
- Messages
- 2,182
I just kind of cringe a little bit at how that flipper tab has got to limit how much blade you can get onto a flat surface...
- Joined
- Aug 2, 2015
- Messages
- 1,566
Seems a common criticism of flippers. I dn't understand it all that well. The way I hold a knife, my finger is right there anyway.
I mean, if your buying a folder to chop on a cutting board in a pinch grip, you're correct, this is not the right one for you.
- Joined
- Jan 22, 2011
- Messages
- 3,193
Thats been my experience. Taichung engravings will even catch cotton off a cotton ball on some of my Taichungs
- Joined
- Jan 18, 2015
- Messages
- 2,182
Seems a common criticism of flippers. I dn't understand it all that well. The way I hold a knife, my finger is right there anyway.
I mean, if your buying a folder to chop on a cutting board in a pinch grip, you're correct, this is not the right one for you.
Never expected this knife to be a Spydiechef nor Ouroboros, but I do operate all of my knives from multiple grips, not always 100% hammer or saber.
Airlsee
Gold Member
- Joined
- Aug 28, 2013
- Messages
- 123
Just thought I would go ahead and post up a few pics and a first impression after receiving my Advocate a couple days ago...
First off, I am really pleased! This is an excellent flipper! The blade launches with authority whether "push buttoned" or "light switched" though the latter with slightly more force. Fit and finish are superb, everything is smoothly rounded and there is not a sharp edge on the handle of the knife save for the interior of the lock bar. As for this, knowing Gayle Bradley's designs I imagine this is so that you can get a good purchase on the lock bar with no slippage (maybe?) whether gloved or bare-handed (casual/habitual flipping isn't really a priority Mr. Bradley seems to concern himself with). The orange peel and polished TI finishes are executed phenomenally, blade perfectly flush with no play in any direction, centering is spot on, lock bar is robust, screws flush and lockup rock solid.
Now for a couple of knocks, first one given by most people will be out of box smoothness and Spyderco's ball bearing system. In my opinion, the friction felt in this blade out of box, is caused by the blade finish and lock bar tension and not a fault of the bearing system's design. It's not silky smooth, that's a fact, but I believe this is due to the blade finish. The blade is ground very coarsely, causing the apex of the bearings and detent ball to ride over the minuscule ridges in the finish until a smooth raceway can be formed. I am confident that with time this blade with become more and more smooth as long as you don't happen to over-tighten the pivot somehow.
Just a personal peeve of mine anyway (and I don't know that most will agree) is with the polished edges around the handle scales. While they do make the knife look quite handsome, I find them to be rather slick if your hands are wet or even slightly sweaty, and while this isn't a huge deal (for me anyway), it does exist nonetheless. Also I just tend to prefer the matte look to shiny objects, but that's personal preference.
Overall I have to say that this is an excellent design that was executed with precision, albeit with a "sharp" but less than perfect edge, which seems to be the case with most Taichung products.
And finally some pics of my newest acquisition (I did set the bevel to 17 dps, plus etch and stonewash the polished clip)...
First off, I am really pleased! This is an excellent flipper! The blade launches with authority whether "push buttoned" or "light switched" though the latter with slightly more force. Fit and finish are superb, everything is smoothly rounded and there is not a sharp edge on the handle of the knife save for the interior of the lock bar. As for this, knowing Gayle Bradley's designs I imagine this is so that you can get a good purchase on the lock bar with no slippage (maybe?) whether gloved or bare-handed (casual/habitual flipping isn't really a priority Mr. Bradley seems to concern himself with). The orange peel and polished TI finishes are executed phenomenally, blade perfectly flush with no play in any direction, centering is spot on, lock bar is robust, screws flush and lockup rock solid.
Now for a couple of knocks, first one given by most people will be out of box smoothness and Spyderco's ball bearing system. In my opinion, the friction felt in this blade out of box, is caused by the blade finish and lock bar tension and not a fault of the bearing system's design. It's not silky smooth, that's a fact, but I believe this is due to the blade finish. The blade is ground very coarsely, causing the apex of the bearings and detent ball to ride over the minuscule ridges in the finish until a smooth raceway can be formed. I am confident that with time this blade with become more and more smooth as long as you don't happen to over-tighten the pivot somehow.
Just a personal peeve of mine anyway (and I don't know that most will agree) is with the polished edges around the handle scales. While they do make the knife look quite handsome, I find them to be rather slick if your hands are wet or even slightly sweaty, and while this isn't a huge deal (for me anyway), it does exist nonetheless. Also I just tend to prefer the matte look to shiny objects, but that's personal preference.
Overall I have to say that this is an excellent design that was executed with precision, albeit with a "sharp" but less than perfect edge, which seems to be the case with most Taichung products.
And finally some pics of my newest acquisition (I did set the bevel to 17 dps, plus etch and stonewash the polished clip)...
- Joined
- Feb 14, 2016
- Messages
- 1,692
Great pics Air.
- Joined
- Jun 29, 2011
- Messages
- 931
Love the stonewashed clip... the polished handle edges are a bit unexpected.
- Joined
- Jan 18, 2015
- Messages
- 2,182
Yeah, clip looks great. Nice initial review.
- Joined
- Jan 22, 2011
- Messages
- 3,193
Airlsee
Gold Member
- Joined
- Aug 28, 2013
- Messages
- 123
I've seen it. The bearings have been a very active topic of discussion on the Spyderco forums for the last week or so, and Sal has chimed in saying they'll look into it.
I am curious to see what the Spyderco CS department's response was to Rob though.
I have had my Advocate for over a week now and have had no issues with the bearings, and really enjoy the knife all-around...but, I definitely have my bag of popcorn ready, because this bearing "issue" doesn't look likely to dissipate anytime soon.
I am curious to see what the Spyderco CS department's response was to Rob though.
I have had my Advocate for over a week now and have had no issues with the bearings, and really enjoy the knife all-around...but, I definitely have my bag of popcorn ready, because this bearing "issue" doesn't look likely to dissipate anytime soon.
- Joined
- Jan 14, 2000
- Messages
- 6,016
Glad Spyderco is looking into this. Many of us were pretty vocal when the Mantra exhibited issues. I gave Spyderco the benefit of the doubt and bought the Advocate. I thought they would have had a fix in place coming on the heels of the Mantra. Nope.
By no means is the Advocate bad. It actually flips well. But the bearings are not smooth in the way that bearings can be smooth. And there are questions re long term wear.
I love Spyderco but I think they should have addressed this sooner.
By no means is the Advocate bad. It actually flips well. But the bearings are not smooth in the way that bearings can be smooth. And there are questions re long term wear.
I love Spyderco but I think they should have addressed this sooner.
- Joined
- Nov 21, 2013
- Messages
- 1,818
This may even get recalled. A lot of complaints on Youtube and especially in the Spyderco forum. Sal was told to look into it.
I feel for the early adopters. Disappointing because I'm going to wait until they get this fixed before i get one. Who knows how long that's going to take.
The Mantra and some Dominos are affected as well.
I feel for the early adopters. Disappointing because I'm going to wait until they get this fixed before i get one. Who knows how long that's going to take.
The Mantra and some Dominos are affected as well.