Benchmade 211 Activator

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enderwiggin

Joined
Nov 18, 2006
Messages
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Recently purchased the Activator, after asking around the forums about a small fixed blade.

Part of my reasoning was to find a fixed blade legal for EDC in California. The Activator has a short enough blade to be well within the legal limit--as long as I keep it exposed in the sheath.

Overall, it's much smaller than I imagined it would be. Tiny, even. But, the winewood on the handle is beautifully done, and the sheath is very well made, if oddly large compared to the knife. The knife fits in sheath securely, however.

Unfortunately, the sheath has a belt loop, not the clip I was for some reason expecting. So, I'll have to look at getting a custom sheath for back pocket carry.

One downside I've noticed: after cutting up some cardboard boxes, and doing some small tasks around the house, I've decided that I really, really like D2 steel. This means more knives in D2 in the near future. :D
 
I think you are actually talking about the 201 activator, as the 211 is g10 and S30V rather than wood and D2, but I digress...

Anyway I agree that the activators, in whatever form are awesome little knives. If you are looking for a custom kydex sheath, get in touch with Normark here on the forums, his Activator sheaths are awesome.
 
Been searching where to buy the new 201. I use my 210 as EDC but would prefer it to be a little larger.
 
Posted some pics. I would also prefer it to be slightly larger. For some reason I kept picturing it as about the same length, but thicker top to bottom and in the handle.

Too bad Benchmade discontinued the full carbon fiber handle model. For some reason, the CF and G-10 two-tone handle just doesn't appeal to me.

The sheath is nice but pretty large compared to the knife, as mentioned above. I wonder if that's so it's not easily concealable?
 
Last I checked there isn't a length restriction on fixed blades in California. Maybe Orange county has its own rules though.
 
I have the 210 and it has no g-10 on the scales, it is just two different colors of carbonfiber. I carry mine a lot. It came with a kydex sheath I have it laying on its side on my belt to the right. My shirt totaly covers it and its ready in one pull. Benchmade sells just the sheath but they want 30 bucks for it, I'd bet you could get a custom one done for cheaper. I do have to say the benchmade kydex is well made.
 
FoxholeAtheist said:
The silvery-blue color on the standard 210 is G-10 (finished very smooth), the black is carbon fiber.
Click to expand...
the fox is correct I just compared the two.
the silver G10 on the activator is the same as that on the bencmade G10 silver twill 705.at least it looks the same too my eyes.the solid color handle on the 210 reads 210GG on the box 500 were made.
 
It is a little small, and I may be totally mistaken about carry length limits in california for fixed blades.

However, this is such a small--but still usable--fixed blade, that I would be much less worried about it if stopped by a police officer for any reason.
 
Very nice-looking knife! But I'd like more handle than that (not necessarily more blade). I'd say that sheath matches the knife well, too.

PS: No length limit in CA, but you can't conceal a fixed blade - even a little one.
 
The 211 is just about my favourite knife nowadays. It`s small enough to go into my left-front pocket, and sits there quite happily without me noticing it.
In the pic is mine, and the kydex-sheath i made for it, as i thought the original one was too big for such a small knife. What`s with people and large sheaths anyway?
Also, i`m currently in the process of changing the scales on mine, from the original wood, to some carbonfiber-stuff that i have here.
 

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enderwiggin said:
after cutting up some cardboard boxes, and doing some small tasks around the house, I've decided that I really, really like D2 steel. This means more knives in D2 in the near future. :D
Click to expand...

D2 really is one of the great blade steels, especially
when heat treated properly.

It hooked me quite some time ago, and since then the
D2 keeps arriving here. In fact, just this past week I
added a couple more D2 knives - a Benchmade Stryker
and a Northwoods drop point hunter.

Anyway, enjoy your knife! You'll notice the D2 keeps cutting
for a good long time...
 
Quick question for you activator owners.
Are the scales epoxyed on in addition to being bolted on?
I ask because I plan on buying a 211 and modifying the scales to some sort of micarta. :)
Thanks
 
My scales popped right off after loosening the bolts... Though the scales are so shiny on the 'steel'-side, that i think there`s some epoxy in the picture.
(Somewhere i read that the scales were infact made from stabilized vinewood. Doesn`t stabilized mean that they`re full of epoxy?)
And the wood is so brittle actually, that it should be no problem to get the scales off, even without loosening the screws. (This being one of the reasons why i`m putting on carbonfiber scales.)
 
Just finished putting the new scales on my 211.
I only used hand-tools: 1 SAK, the 211 itsself, and a small pocket-knife.
And i didn`t cut myself completely to shreds, just... A little.. :rolleyes:
(We need a bleeding finger smiley here. :p )
 

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Gary007 said:
i didn't know there was a limit to the length of a fixed blade knife in Calif. What is the limit?
Click to expand...

I don't believe there is one for the entire state. I understand that fixed blades need to be fully exposed when carrying them, regardless of size. The only thing I can think of is local/city limits.

Great job on the mod, aarya
 
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