Antonini Old Bear Walnut Stainless Folding Knife
Antonini Old Bear Walnut Stainless Folding Knife
When it comes to kit, there’s something reassuring about a proper folding knife. It doesn’t need to be tactical, titanium-coated or look like it belongs in a Jason Bourne film. Sometimes, you just want a knife that’s beautifully simple, quietly capable and feels right in your hand. Enter the Antonini Old Bear Walnut Stainless Folding Knife - a tool that’s more about splitting your apple than splitting hairs.
A Bit of History, Italian Style
Antonini have been knocking out knives since 1925 in Maniago, a town in northeast Italy that’s basically their version of Sheffield (but with better wine and probably fewer pigeons). The Old Bear line was introduced in 2015 to mark their 90th anniversary, and it harks back to the traditional pocket knives your grandad probably had in his overalls.
The name “Old Bear” sounds like a pub landlord from the Dales, but it’s actually a nod to the knife’s sturdy, reliable nature. And while it may not have a dozen gadgets hidden inside, it does exactly what you need it to - cut things, without fuss or flair.
What’s in the Hand?
The handle is crafted from walnut, giving it a lovely warm tone that makes it feel more like a well-loved tool than a factory-fresh bit of kit. It’s got just the right amount of shape to sit comfortably in your mitt, and the wood's finished nicely - smooth but not slippy.
Inside is a stainless steel blade (AISI 420, for the metallurgy nerds) that’s rust-resistant, easy to sharpen, and ideal for general duties. No, it’s not the sort of thing you’d use to baton through a tree trunk or fight off a grizzly, but for slicing salami, sharpening sticks, pencils or opening those blister packs of overpriced trail snacks, it’s spot-on.
At Muddy Towers, it earns its keep mainly by giving nettles a short back and sides when they dare poke onto the park path during walkies with Lilly, the Mud Life hound. One satisfying swipe and they’re off, like an aristocat’s head in a leafy French Revolution.
The blade doesn’t have a spring or liner lock, instead, it uses a distinctive twist-lock collar. Open the blade, give the collar a twist, and it’s held securely in place. Close it, twist again, and it’s locked shut. It’s a system that’s been around for yonks (Opinel fans will be familiar), and once you get used to it, it’s oddly satisfying. My model is the medium: 19.2cm total open length with an 8cm blade, which leads me onto…
UK Legalities – Can You Carry It?
Now, before you go strutting around Tesco with it in your jeans pocket like Crocodile Dundee, it’s worth remembering UK knife laws. The only knives you can legally carry in public without a "good reason" are folding pocket knives with a cutting edge of 3” (7.62 cm) or less and that do not lock. Therefore, an 8cm locking blade is not legal to carry in public without a good reason, like work, camping, religious reasons and so on. So common sense applies.
Positives & Usefulness
Let’s be honest, a good folding knife is like a Leatherman’s low-key cousin, handy, dependable, and much easier to clean. The Old Bear’s charm lies in its simplicity: no gimmicks, no flashy design, just a blade that cuts and a handle that feels lovely in your hand. It’s the sort of knife you’ll reach for again and again, whether you’re camping, greenlaning, or slicing cheese at the top of a windswept hill with the dog giving you evils because you’ve forgotten the biscuits.
Final Thoughts
With prices between £19.95 - £28.95 depending on size andwhere you buy it, the Old Bear Walnut Stainless isn’t trying to compete with modern EDC knives stacked with gadgets. It’s an honest, attractive bit of kit that does what it says on the tin. And sometimes, that’s all you need.
Stick one in your glovebox, rucksack, or pocket and you’ll quickly wonder how you managed without it. Just maybe don’t leave it next to your spare change, this is a knife that deserves a bit more respect than that.
Website: https://heinnie.com/antonini-old-bear-walnut
Available in 5 lengths and priced: £19.95 - £28.95