Spyderco Advocate C214TIP SPRINT RUN

[thatjammm]

I think I speak for many when I say that Spyderco needs to do a sprint run of the Gayle Bradley Spyderco Advocate C214TIP with the titanium handles. Initially when the CQI issue occurred, many were deterred from the knife because of the washers potentially grinding the blade action. However, thankfully Spyderco did fix the issue with a CQI improvement but by that time many people were already focused on newer options. Now that it's been discontinued, many Spyderco enthusiast and knife lovers alike don't have the opportunity to experience such a fantastic knife and the brilliance of Gayle's designs.

After the CQI occurred many well respected Youtubers including Nick Shabazz and TheApostlep praised the design and materials of this knife and I have to agree. The CPM m4 steel combined with the blade profile selected by Bradley make it a sleek slicing machine and the grippy titanium handles show you that it's durable. Don't forget the flipper tab strategically placed right under the pivot. It all comes together in a way where Form and Functionality collide brilliantly with Gayle's designs.

I'd love to hear what others have to say as well. I can speak for myself when I say I've seen people interested in this knife all over reddit and the forums. It's a gem that deserves a second chance. Do Gayle Bradley justice and give the rest of Spyderco enthusiasts a chance to experience this wonderful knife.

Let's Advocate for an Advocate Sprint Run!

[Michael Janich]

Dear thatjammm:

Welcome to the Spyderco Forum.

Stay safe,

Mike

[phaust]

The Advocate is an awesome design. I wouldn't touch any bearings knife from Spyderco though until there is a track record of at least a few models without issues. I'd be all over a regular washer version of the Advocate though!


It sounds like you're saying rerelease it with no changes, same steel and handle(?). I think something would have to change for a sprint to be released.

[TkoK83Spy]

As soon as I read Nick Shabazz, it lost all credibility.

Phaust - The Smock is on bearings and runs very smoothly, no issues and I've had it since the first version came out 3-4 years ago?

[thatjammm]

to phaust, I think releasing it with the previous CQI changes would be great, the changes to the washers ball bearings and the blade.

[Ramonade]

This knife is sometimes still available at european dealers. But they sell it for a hefty price. If the sprint run is closer to $200 USD than 300, I'd be interested.

And I'd prefer a stainless steel.

[RadioactiveSpyder]

A GB2 sprint would likely be MUCH better received in terms of interest and sales. I think many here would agree.

[Bemo]

I love my Advocate, but sadly agree with Radioactive Spyder about a GB variant probably being more popular.

[mtb]

I love my GB2... a sprint would be awesome!

[my_spyder]

love my GB2
hope GB1 back
or GB3 come with GB1 look

[vilePossum]

Honestly I'd love to take anything GB in something like S90V or something like it. Just give me a stainless option please.

[ABX2011]

GB1 Sprint!

[DSH007]

The Advocate is a really cool knife. I actually just got a NOS/pre-CQI model for a fair price about two weeks back. In spite of all the social media hooplah over the inferiority of original bearing/pivot assembly, I can't actually knock the knife I recieved too harshly. Is it as [insert silly reference to butter and or glass] smooth as more modern bearing flippers? No. But it's plenty smooth enough to flip reliably and it locks up solidly w/o any play. Works for me. Design-wise, the ergos are good and the blade shape is extremely useful. Fit & finish is excellent.. the orange-peel texturing on the Ti scales is really really nice. The Advocate (and especially the CQI'd model, I'd imagine) really has a lot going for it. That said, I don't think a sprint of this model would do well. In the hyper-inflated market we find ourselves in, I wouldn't be surprised to see the price on an Advocate sprint approach $350+. I just don't see people clamoring for the model at today's pricing.. I surely wouldn't. As others have mentioned, I think a GB2 sprint would be a much more palatable sprint option all around.

[SG89]

An advocate sprint run would probably cost over $300MAP

[Sharp Guy]

When I met Mr. GB and he was showing me the prototype of the Advocate back lock I thought it was so nice I mentioned I was going to go home and buy the new ("CQI") version of the Advocate frame lock. He seemed a little ticked off that a couple people whinging on the internet caused Spyderco to CQI the model. He said he thought it was just fine like it was. It is what it is I guess. I can't but think all the internet garbage only helped to shorten the life of a really cool model. Might even be the reason we never saw a Spyderco version of that Advocate back lock I got to handle

I doubt we'll ever see a sprint of the Advocate but this thread makes me think I should've bought that GB custom version of the Advocate I saw a the gun shop in Grapevine. I'm content with my Spyderco version though

[Sharp Guy]

@thatjammm

I found a dealer with a Advocate in stock. Check your messages

[bearfacedkiller]

Another case of folks wanting a knife after it’s gone but nobody wanted it when it was available. I got mine for a steal when they got discoed.

Make it a CF liner lock to match my GB1 and GB2 and I might bite. Gonna depend a lot on price though.

[RamZar]

Back in 2019 the Advocate had a street price of $247.00 when MSRP was $380 and MAP was 35% off MSRP. MAP is now only 30% off MSRP and if it were to come back the street price would probably be around $300+.

[aaronkb]

The Advocate is an awesome design. I wouldn't touch any bearings knife from Spyderco though until there is a track record of at least a few models without issues. I'd be all over a regular washer version of the Advocate though!


It sounds like you're saying rerelease it with no changes, same steel and handle(?). I think something would have to change for a sprint to be released.

I thought I was about to way overcomplicate the subject by coming in and advocating for a PB washer version - glad to see somebody beat me to it!

I’m no knife maker but it’s hard for me to imagine the action on certain Spydercos with bushing pivots (thinking Kapara and Sage 5) not being adequate for a flipper knife!

The Advocate is one I often regret not picking up when it was first discontinued, but I’d be even more enthusiastic about a washer/bushing version. And same for the Mantra 2! It’s a mindblowingly good design but I barely carry mine because I dislike the ball bearing action so much.