Another TL-29 thread

[edbeau]

They are "cheap" knives but fun to collect.

 

[Augie]

Found this one Sunday at a flea market for 3 bucks, tang stamp has been ground, only the Made In USA survives. Did some manufacturers do this to seconds? Any idea who the manufacturer was, pretty nice construction, the spear blade even has a swedge.

 

[NJBillK]

Afaik, the only brand that put a swedge on the spear main with the lock etching on the secondary was Case between 1920-1940. You are correct in your assumption that some brands have marked their "factory seconds" by grinding off the tang stamp.

I am sure others will chime in with some more exact (and accurate) info, but this would be my best guess.

It is a great looking example, congrats.

 

[Kevin McGovern]

I have one of these in good mechanical condition with patina. Should it be polished up?

 

[NJBillK]

If it is only patina, no. If it is red rust or rust in pitting then clean that out.

Generally speaking, these knives don't sell for a ton of $, so that point is moot, even though you didn't ask, I figured you should know.

In regards to just about all traditional knives, cleaning a patina, or polishing blades is frowned upon. The patina has been earned over a lifetime of use, be it two weeks, or twenty years.

Patina is the wrinkles on the hands of skilled tradesman.
They earned their keep, why hide them?

 

[Tdhurl1103]

If it is only patina, no. If it is red rust or rust in pitting then clean that out.

Generally speaking, these knives don't sell for a ton of $, so that point is moot, even though you didn't ask, I figured you should know.

In regards to just about all traditional knives, cleaning a patina, or polishing blades is frowned upon. The patina has been earned over a lifetime of use, be it two weeks, or twenty years.

Patina is the wrinkles on the hands of skilled tradesman.
They earned their keep, why hide them?

Very poetic. And very cool. I like it.

 

[btb01]

Just bought this Camillus today. It's my first TL-29. A guy at the flea market had a small selection of 'em, I picked out the one I thought looked best. The edge on the main blade needs some work but should be easy enough to get nice and sharp. The edge on the bottom part of the screwdriver is about as blunt as the top part that isn't supposed to be sharp, so we'll see how that goes. The curved wire-stripper bit is just as blunt, not sure how (or if) I'm going to try and sharpen that. Can you use some sort of sharpening rod on it? (Not that I have one; only flat stones.)

 

[r8shell]

Nice finds, btb01.

I don't believe the bottom edge of the screwdriver is supposed to be sharp. At least not knife-sharp.
Someone please correct me if I'm wrong.

 

[BigBiscuit]

I believe Rachel is correct. Even new, They never came blade sharp on the screwdriver.

 

[btb01]

Nice finds, btb01.

I don't believe the bottom edge of the screwdriver is supposed to be sharp. At least not knife-sharp.
Someone please correct me if I'm wrong.

I believe Rachel is correct. Even new, They never came blade sharp on the screwdriver.

Thanks guys! It's my first TL-29, and the only thing I had to compare it to is a Rough Rider electricians knife, which is sharp from the tang about halfway up (including the curved part), so I wasn't sure.

I'm probably just going to leave it as is. I did get the main blade sharpened up nicely. :thumbup:

 

[NJBillK]

My Camillus is factory sharpened how your rough rider is. Rather, AFAIK it is factory. It seems to have the same rough perpendicular grind marks evident in a factory job.

 

[Tdhurl1103]

My screw driver had been sharpened at one point about 3/4 up the blade. The actual screwdriver head looks like at some point a previous owner tried to sharpen the tip as well. So, my screwdriver head is pretty thin. Still works though, but I noticed it was having a difficult time with a screw that had a wide(r) channel. I'm gonna have to blunt it some more I suppose.

EDIT: I took the screwdriver end to my dremel and chopped off the slightest bit of the end, making it a screwdriver again. It's worked out very very well.

 

[NJBillK]

trying to land one of these over the weekend. Just found a solid lead on a three bladed model in good condition.

Here's to starting the new year off right!

 

[t.willy]

Reading up on The Electrician's Knife brought me to this old thread. The knife I have heading my way in a few days was sold to me as a WW1 MILITARY ISSUE but I've been told it's actually a WW2. I see this type of knife everywhere mostly in black plastic handles but this old boy has Rogers Brown Bone Jigged covers and a beautiful patina IMHO

 

[screened porch]

TL29 means Tool Linesman 1929.

 

[leghog]

Reading up on The Electrician's Knife brought me to this old thread. The knife I have heading my way in a few days was sold to me as a WW1 MILITARY ISSUE but I've been told it's actually a WW2. I see this type of knife everywhere mostly in black plastic handles but this old boy has Rogers Brown Bone Jigged covers and a beautiful patina IMHO View attachment 924459 View attachment 924460 View attachment 924461 View attachment 924462

Not only not WW1 but likely not a Signal Corps lineman's tool either.

Most likely WW2 issue from a General Mechanics Tool Kit. Often sought after by those wanting to accurately complete their kits, they can sell for a pretty penny.

 

[leghog]

TL29 means Tool Linesman 1929.

Actually it means "Tool, Lineman #29". The pliers often accompanying it is the "Tool, Lineman #13".

 

[screened porch]

But it doesn't mean 1929 the year?

 

[leghog]

But it doesn't mean 1929 the year?

Correct.

 

[t.willy]

Thank you leghog that's a great bit of news.This one looks to be in excellent condition. I'll have to check it out and see if I can find someone looking to complete a tool kit.