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Tool Talk => Edged Tools => Topic started by: Max Stone on May 11, 2019, 09:44:37 PM

Title: Show us your Old Bears!
Post by: Max Stone on May 11, 2019, 09:44:37 PM: Recently picked up an Antonini Old Bear. Little Italian folder with wooden handle and locking ring on the brass bolster. Vaguely similar to Opinel. :think: posted a comparison here https://forum.multitool.org/index.php/topic,81509.msg1930402.html#msg1930402 (https://forum.multitool.org/index.php/topic,81509.msg1930402.html#msg1930402)

Seems there are a few forum members with these, so we need a new thread to show off these Italian beauties and get some commentary going. :salute:

Oh, and I’m sorry I’m reusing a couple pics from earlier today. All I have at the moment.
Title: Re: Show us your Old Bears!
Post by: VICMAN on May 11, 2019, 11:02:39 PM: Quote from: Max Stone on May 11, 2019, 09:44:37 PM
Recently picked up an Antonini Old Bear. Little Italian folder with wooden handle and locking ring on the brass bolster. Vaguely similar to Opinel. :think: posted a comparison here

Oh, and I’m sorry I’m reusing a couple pics from earlier today. All I have at the moment.

Nice pics Max! :like: :tu: :tu:

I should be able to add a pic about Thursday or Friday. I ordered an Old Bear medium with Olive wood handle earlier today. :cheers:
Title: Re: Show us your Old Bears!
Post by: Mechanickal on May 11, 2019, 11:07:55 PM: You smurfing teasers! :twak:
Title: Re: Show us your Old Bears!
Post by: VICMAN on May 11, 2019, 11:42:22 PM: Quote from: Mechanickal on May 11, 2019, 11:07:55 PM
You smurfing teasers! :twak:

:rofl: :rofl:
Title: Re: Show us your Old Bears!
Post by: SteveC on May 11, 2019, 11:43:57 PM: (https://www.couteaux-berthier.com/site/medias/couteau_OLDBEARv.jpg)
Title: Re: Show us your Old Bears!
Post by: VICMAN on May 11, 2019, 11:48:03 PM: Quote from: SteveC on May 11, 2019, 11:43:57 PM

(https://www.couteaux-berthier.com/site/medias/couteau_OLDBEARv.jpg)

Good one Steve! :like:
Title: Re: Show us your Old Bears!
Post by: FolderBeholder on May 12, 2019, 02:01:59 AM: My one and only...size medium in Olive wood:
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/47826214241_2b97b97a1b.jpg)

Other side:
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/33951259988_14e5a984ac.jpg)
Title: Re: Show us your Old Bears!
Post by: cody6268 on May 12, 2019, 02:14:27 AM: They used to have some standard models with plastic handles and carbon steel blades (on the lower end Farm and Cable line models, I am not crazy about the steel Antonini uses) but have apparently discontinued them. But I still like the wood handles. I just don't like the time it takes for them to loosen up and stop being so stiff; which is common with every Opinel I own; except the polymer scale DIY. I also see they use their own improvement over the Vibroloc on Opinel. Can it jab you in the thigh while in the pocket?
Title: Re: Show us your Old Bears!
Post by: VICMAN on May 12, 2019, 02:52:34 AM: Quote from: FolderBeholder on May 12, 2019, 02:01:59 AM
My one and only...size medium in Olive wood:

Other side:

Great pics FB! :like: :tu: :tu:

That handle is beautiful! :cheers:
Title: Re: Show us your Old Bears!
Post by: Max Stone on May 12, 2019, 08:57:04 AM: Quote from: cody6268 on May 12, 2019, 02:14:27 AM
They used to have some standard models with plastic handles and carbon steel blades (on the lower end Farm and Cable line models, I am not crazy about the steel Antonini uses) but have apparently discontinued them. But I still like the wood handles. I just don't like the time it takes for them to loosen up and stop being so stiff; which is common with every Opinel I own; except the polymer scale DIY. I also see they use their own improvement over the Vibroloc on Opinel. Can it jab you in the thigh while in the pocket?

You can lock the blade closed so no pocket misfortunes :D and the lever is not really noticeable in the pocket.
Title: Re: Show us your Old Bears!
Post by: Max Stone on May 12, 2019, 08:57:47 AM: Quote from: FolderBeholder on May 12, 2019, 02:01:59 AM
My one and only...size medium in Olive wood:
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/47826214241_2b97b97a1b.jpg)

Other side:
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/33951259988_14e5a984ac.jpg)

That Olive handle sure is nice FB. Good one! :like:
Title: Re: Show us your Old Bears!
Post by: Max Stone on May 12, 2019, 08:59:06 AM: Quote from: VICMAN on May 11, 2019, 11:02:39 PM
Nice pics Max! :like: :tu: :tu:

I should be able to add a pic about Thursday or Friday. I ordered an Old Bear medium with Olive wood handle earlier today. :cheers:

Great! :popcorn:
Title: Re: Show us your Old Bears!
Post by: Max Stone on May 12, 2019, 10:29:29 AM: The smaller size and thin blade make this Old Bear a great paring knife. :salute:
Title: Re: Show us your Old Bears!
Post by: comis on May 12, 2019, 10:34:59 AM: Indeed, I like this Bear :D :tu:
Title: Re: Show us your Old Bears!
Post by: gustophersmob on May 12, 2019, 02:30:28 PM: I’m a little confused how the lock works. Is the black part a lever that slides over to lock the blade? Is the level plastic?

The knives sure look pretty :dd:
Title: Re: Show us your Old Bears!
Post by: Max Stone on May 12, 2019, 02:43:50 PM: Hi gustophersmob,

The black lever is steel and slides under the brass collar to lock the blade open or closed. Quite an effective system that is patented. :tu:
Title: Re: Show us your Old Bears!
Post by: FolderBeholder on May 12, 2019, 03:11:07 PM: Quote from: Max Stone on May 12, 2019, 02:43:50 PM
Hi gustophersmob,

The black lever is steel and slides under the brass collar to lock the blade open or closed. Quite an effective system that is patented. :tu:
Nice pics Max! :like:
Title: Re: Show us your Old Bears!
Post by: FolderBeholder on May 12, 2019, 03:12:25 PM: Quote from: Max Stone on May 12, 2019, 08:57:47 AM
That Olive handle sure is nice FB. Good one! :like:
I was sure happy when I opened the box. I bought from a guy selling a bunch of them, so he didn't show each one.
Title: Re: Show us your Old Bears!
Post by: VICMAN on May 12, 2019, 03:16:55 PM: Quote from: Max Stone on May 12, 2019, 10:29:29 AM
The smaller size and thin blade make this Old Bear a great paring knife. :salute:

Great use and nice pics Max! :like: :tu: :tu:
Title: Re: Show us your Old Bears!
Post by: Max Stone on May 12, 2019, 04:41:34 PM: Thanks VICMAN and FB. :hatsoff:
Title: Re: Show us your Old Bears!
Post by: Spartan19 on May 13, 2019, 02:26:28 AM: Those are some great looking knives, like an Italian opinel :like: :like:
Title: Re: Show us your Old Bears!
Post by: Max Stone on May 13, 2019, 06:29:41 AM: ...with a bit of Italian character. :salute:
Title: Re: Show us your Old Bears!
Post by: VICMAN on May 16, 2019, 09:55:45 PM: The mail carrier brought my Old Bear medium with Olive wood handle today.

Click on pictures for best pictures
Title: Re: Show us your Old Bears!
Post by: Max Stone on May 16, 2019, 10:19:21 PM: Very nice VICMAN! :like:

What'd think?
Title: Re: Show us your Old Bears!
Post by: VICMAN on May 17, 2019, 04:33:19 AM: Quote from: Max Stone on May 16, 2019, 10:19:21 PM
Very nice VICMAN! :like:

What'd think?

Thanks Max! :cheers:

I like the feel of the handle, the thickness and looks of the brass collar, and how easy the locking mechanism works, but I prefer the way Opinel thins the blade more at the cutting edge.

The Old Bear would be fine for an EDC knife.
Title: Re: Show us your Old Bears!
Post by: Max Stone on May 17, 2019, 06:43:23 AM: They’re both good. :iagree:

Great that we have choices and can discover new things! :like:
Title: Re: Show us your Old Bears!
Post by: Exeter on May 17, 2019, 09:27:56 AM: Just found this thread today. I have an Old Bear too, had it for about a year now I guess and I really like it. Fills the hand nicely, the lock feels very secure - in my opinion better than the collar on the Opinels - and I loved the scent of the olive handle, sadly it's fading now. Here it is with some other wood handled knives from my collection.
Title: Re: Show us your Old Bears!
Post by: Max Stone on May 17, 2019, 11:27:32 AM: Very nice Exeter. :like: these Old Bears are proving to be quite popular on the forum! :tu:
Title: Re: Show us your Old Bears!
Post by: VICMAN on May 17, 2019, 02:36:08 PM: Quote from: Exeter on May 17, 2019, 09:27:56 AM
Just found this thread today. I have an Old Bear too, had it for about a year now I guess and I really like it. Fills the hand nicely, the lock feels very secure - in my opinion better than the collar on the Opinels - and I loved the scent of the olive handle, sadly it's fading now. Here it is with some other wood handled knives from my collection.

Nice pic Exeter! :like: :tu: :tu:
Title: Re: Show us your Old Bears!
Post by: Borg on May 17, 2019, 06:05:57 PM: Nice knives everyone :like: Here's one of mine :tu:

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/33992147898_3b8afc4ceb.jpg)

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/32925286047_7754a979ca.jpg)
Title: Re: Show us your Old Bears!
Post by: VICMAN on May 17, 2019, 08:57:06 PM: Quote from: Borg on May 17, 2019, 06:05:57 PM
Nice knives everyone :like: Here's one of mine :tu:

Nice knife and pics Borg! :like: :tu: :tu:
Title: Re: Show us your Old Bears!
Post by: Max Stone on May 17, 2019, 09:08:09 PM: Quote from: Borg on May 17, 2019, 06:05:57 PM
Nice knives everyone :like: Here's one of mine :tu:

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/33992147898_3b8afc4ceb.jpg)

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/32925286047_7754a979ca.jpg)

Nice pruner Borg! :like: