The difference you're trying to describe in handles between Opinel and Antonini knives is that, with the flatter scales, the Antonini Big Bear indexes better. it's easier to know which way your cutting edge is aligned to your hand, wrist, and arm intuitively because you feel the flats that are parallel to the blade sides. The Opinel is a great knife and I've carried one for more than 30 years, but there are times you need to look at the blade to know exactly where your cutting edge is aimed.
I'm sure people have already pointed this out. But Inox just means stainless, most non English speaking countries call stainless "Inox" and Opinel use 12c27 sandvik stainless, while the Antonini uses 420hc. I believe the Antonini is available in carbon steel too.
Yeah I got the Old Bear XL with carbon steel, I think it's C70. Great stuff! Got it instead of the Opinel No 10, mainly because of the more easily operateable ring lock.
I think I'll stick with Opinel. I believe they use better steels, slightly thicker blade, lowest price, and that protrusion on the Antonini could get in the way. Also, if you want pretty, Opinel makes pretty as well.
Revisiting my favourite 'toobers' Opinel reviews. My current collection of Opinels consist of a No7, three 8s (one is the 'Black' version), a 9 (I think), a couple of 10s, and my favourite fun knife, a No 13. I just had to buy the 13 because it makes me smile whenever I look at it. Oh, and I eventually bought an Old Bear in 2019.
I don't remember seeing this when you posted it so I'm watching now. It was in the recommended list after I watched Messer HQ's 13-month-old review of the Old Bear. I really like my No7 Carbone (and my 8, 10 and 13).
My EDC is an old bear large. My Opinel does take and keep an edge better but I find the locking collar tends to work loose. My old bear is said to be 420 ss it serves its purpose well. It is an American walnut handle, I also have one with an olive wood that tends to swell in the humid weather, making it stiff to open. All in all I think they are all very good budget knives.
Thanks B ...i LOVE these kinda knives.. Sounds like you had an amazing trip! Opinels are the most fun tho .... WAY fun to mod up and customize ...check out the one I did, i sent it to your IG, thanks man take care
Thank you Bryan. I did not know about either the Martins or Antonini knives. I wanted to order the Martins, but not able to find a USA source, I bought the small Old Bear. It will be a nice change of pace from the 5+ oz. honkers I've been carrying lately.
Yeah. The Martins, you pretty much have to order from Europe. There's a company called MAM that makes Martins designs (and is owned by the family) that are available in the USA. I just ordered one myself. It's kind of murky if it's the same company or not, but it appears to be at least the same family.
desertfox xx98 I know...just wanted to say that having “inox” stamped on the blade is equivalent to having “stainless” stamped there. Only gold is inert enough to barely oxidize!
Lovely to see these alternative to the Opinel. How is the lock mechanism on the middle one, does it create a problem in your pocket with it sticking out?
Thanks Bryan. I am really liking this Old Bear, and did find one over here. Just after we last talked about it. I had never seen one , before your trip. Very nice. I have always thought that the Opinel handle should have been shaved some, towards the back. Like I see on this Old Bear now. Are any of these knife blades, chisel ground? I vaguely remember reading somewhere, once upon a time. Of a knife like one of these, that was ground that way.
Death By Astonishment ...only knife I have that’s done it&i got like 8 moras 3 pathfinder S.R.O knifes at least a dozen condor knifes many case pocket knifes even some Pakistan&R/R just for starters they don’t do it neither do my Openl
If Opinel use such good steel then why are they so very famous for rusting. Opinel are either lying or do not know how to treat steel. The Internet is full of people with Opinel knives bought new, yet when they arrive they have blade quality issues. I would not have an Opinel if it was free.
The other 2 are rip-off of Opinel. They're not even old or traditional in fact... "The “Old Bear™” knife comes without no-return spring meaning its blade locking system features a solid safety ring (covered by patent n.1187282 deposited in year 1985 by Todesco company from Maniago which is active partner of this project) that fixes the handle in open and closed position." 1985. hardly "traditional" huh?
Opinel didn't even have a locking mechanism until the mid 1950s, and it's most recent change to the mechanism occured in 2016 none of these knives are completely unchanged.
