benchmade activator? or alternatives?

G

gnius

Joined
Jul 1, 2008
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I've been looking for a small (2.5-3.5") fixed blade (preferably in drop point, as my sharpening skills aren't really up to par with anything else), to be used primarily as a light hiking tool. The Benchmade activator really appealed to me, with its minimalistic design and smooth and elegant lines... but I am not sold on the leather sheath. I would prefer something that's smaller, but is also secure. I guess that means kydex... so if anyone knows a custom sheath maker that could make one, please refer me... but keep in mind that if the sheath for a $120 knife is $100, it's likely a bit much for me.

I am not limiting my choices though. If there is another knife that follows the same principles, I would love to know about it.

If you'd like to offer me some guidance, advice, or just a general comment, I'd appreciate it.
 
It's super easy to find the activator with a kydex sheath... These Aae niiiiiiice!... the ones I've seen have been perfect. The blade stock is a little thick.. and the knife is tiny. Super nifty though!
 
http://www.armoralleather.com/
http://www.okuden.net/main/contact.htm
I have both and they are awesome folks to deal with!!!!
Armorall Leather FBM Dangler sheath...
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Okuden Dogfather Kydex...
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They both do Small Stuph as well....
 
I like mine and the leather is not that heavy but IS very Comfortable on a belt!!!Give a try then decide...
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I bought an Activator a while back for the same thing you are talking about but found it to be less than adequate. It wasn't a bad knife but just did not feel that great and I did not like the sheath.

There is a custom maker named Bill Sanders (started Timberline custom knives with Vaughn Neeley an Bill Hardenbrook, not to be confused with the production company Timberline Knives). Bill makes a couple of very nice little backpacking models. Here are some links and they are pretty reasonably priced. I have a C1 and a C2 model from him and like them a lot.

http://www.billsandershandmadeknives.com/

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Another possible for you is the Chris Reeve Professional Soldier. I picked up one recently and took it out this past weekend instead of my Sanders C2. It seems pretty nice but I am not sure I like it as much.

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I bought a Snody Activator when they first came out. It has sat on my desk every since. I use it every day. I love that thing.
 
I appreciate the help.

Would you recommend that I get the 2.5" version in S30V or the 3.5" version in D2?
 
I have the 2.5 version and I would not mind the larger version. Sorry about the photos above of the Bigger knives I just wanted you see examples of the Sheath Quality of the makers I mentioned. You will need to decide if the 2.5 or 3.5 will fit what ever needs you have. You may want to take a look at the link, It would give you the best of both worlds and is COOL!!!! as well...
http://www.benchmade.com/products/product_detail.aspx?model=201-HP
 
I bought my 201 Activator+ just after last Christmas. It came in brand new - and dull. I really liked the size and feel, but the next day brought my first Bark River - a Huntsman in black Micarta and A-2 steel. I eventually sharpened the Activator+, but my next few Bark River knives relegated the BM to the back of my drawer. Along came the Buck 005GYS 'Gen5' knife in Feb - my idea of a great 'woods walker' knife.

It is US-made and comes with a 3" 420HC blade - shaving sharp - and a nylon horizontal carry sheath - super comfortable. The best news - $88 MSRP - ~$55 mail order.

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It's also available in a checkered rosewood/brass handled 154CM-bladed version, #005RWS, for $140 MSRP - ~$90 mail order. I have both - don't like the checkering on the upgrade model - or it's drop-in vertical carry leather sheath. It stays in the drawer a lot more than it should. Below is a comparison between the Activator+ and the B R 'Huntsman', which comes in a great sheath that is actually quite pocketable:

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Stainz
 
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This is a BM 210TK Activator. I wear it around my kneck every single day. It rides on top of my T-shirt and underneath my shirt. It isn't a knife designed for "defense", nor is it designed for "survival" (though you'd be happy to have it in lieu of nothing else), but rather it's designed for the same purpose all knives are designed for: to cut things.

It came razor sharp new-in-box. I dulled it (like uh idiot) badly one time when, on extended detail to Albuquerque, I used it to cut a steak when my bud and I were barbecueing on the motel patio. We had borrowed a couple of the motel's ceramic plates (yep...like uh idiot I cut up my steak, on a ceramic plate, with my 210TK). Since then, the S30V steel has been sharpened several times on nothing more than the Sharpmaker stones, and it's at this moment very sharp.

BM-Snody210TK-03.jpg

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THe Kydex kneck sheath has a small, rubber O-ring for tension under the tension screw. I took it out and sanded it down so it was thinner and so the tension would be even tighter. It has yet to fall out of the sheath and it is worn, as I said, every day around my kneck.
 
S30V is not a "soft" steel, and therefore takes a few more strokes than others to sharpen, BUT! D2 is a different animal entirely. In my oh so humble opinion, S30V is superior to D2 in every aspect, from edge holding, to the ability to get a razor edge, to "ease" of sharpening.

The issue of micro-chips might surely come up, and it's a crying shame for the guys that've had that problem, but I've got three S30V blades, and none have suffered any chipping.

S30V is the way to go.
 
I’m sorry to resurrect an old thread but does anyone know if the d2 version will fit the sheath for the s30v version?
 
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