Spyderco's Advocate is a production version of custom knifemaker Gayle Bradley’s first flipper-style folder design. Drawing from his extensive experience as a competitive cutting champion, its blade is precision machined from CPM M4—a high-performance tool steel renowned for its extreme Edge-holding ability. The full-flat-ground, Plain Edged blade includes both a prominent index-finger flipper and a fully functional Trademark Round Hole that allow a full spectrum of one-handed opening methods. To ensure a high-speed, low-drag action, the blade also pivots between special friction-reducing ball-bearing washers.
The Advocate’s handle consists of two 3-D-machined solid titanium scales that are radiused across their width and feature a unique “orange peel” finish that is both visually striking and provides an enhanced grip texture. The precision machining of these features ensures maximum comfort in the hand and contributes to the knife’s stunning, custom-quality appearance. The reverse-side handle scale forms the foundation of a high-strength Reeve Integral Lock (R.I.L.) mechanism with a stainless steel interface. This interface ensures a secure lock-up, a long service life, and serves double duty as an overtravel stop to maintain proper spring tension of the lock bar. The handle also boasts an open-backed construction style to minimize weight and simplify cleaning and a reversible hourglass clip that provides convenient left or right-side tip-up carry.
A faithful rendition of one of Bradley’s most unique custom designs, the Advocate sets a new standard in high-performance flipper-style folding knives.