Anybody own a TL-29 by Klein? How are they?

E

Eric J

Joined
Oct 29, 2005
Messages
392
I recently ordered one of these knives from Klein and am wondering how they compare to the TL-29's of old. Are they up to the same standards? I looked for reviews, but no luck. Thanks to all who chime in.
 
The Klein version of the TL-29 is made by Utica. Seems to have a pretty good rep. Here's a post on that knife, from one of our members (Modoc ED), which is pretty informative:

(from this thread -->: http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/968776-Utica-KutMaster )
Modoc ED said:
Utica/Kutmaster makes a very solid, heavy-duty, knife in their version of the Electrician's TL-29 Knife. Here it is as Klein"s Electrician's Knife model (1550-2).

kleintl291.jpg


kleintl294.jpg


kleintl295.jpg
kleintl296.jpg


The knife is well built and solid. Heck, even the blades are centered between the liners and there are no gaps along the spine. Utica is making them for Klein. Made in U.S.A. !
Click to expand...
 
IIRC, Modoc Ed has one. If he ain't snowed in, perhaps he will comment.
 
I had an old one. It was a workhorse that I used for years. I've gone to SAKs now just becuase the have more tools, but IMHO, don't hold up to abuse like the old TL29's did.

Rich
 
I have one that I picked up a few years ago. The scales are brown plastic, but grippy. The knife is very solidly built, and weighs about the same a Camillus example I have. Great snap, and no blade wobble. Fit and finish are on the good side of average.

I do like the pattern, but don't carry it because I find SAKs to be more useful. Still, it's a good knife that I wouldn't hesitate to put it in my pocket.
 
I have 2 of them. Both are high quality, centered blades, good snap, good F&F, bails are even the perfect tightness (knife will move freely when you hold onto the bails, but the things aren't too loose).
The only problems I've had is that the screwdriver blades are pretty darn stiff and the edges are a bit thick. Both are fixable with a little work.
 
My dad had one and swore by Klein. I wish I could find his, I remember it from when I was a kid.
 
Not snowed in yet Frank. We got this (an inch) last night but there's more coming.

woodshedsnow.jpg


This is the thread on the two Klein knives I received some time ago. They are tough knives and I have one of them in my shop/shed and one of them in my tractor shed. I've had no problems with them at all. They take an edge easily and hold that edge as well as any other knives I have. Solid construction with great attention to detail.

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/874743-Current-Issue-U.S.-Navy-TL-29
 
Last edited:
I have an old one. it has wood scales & Carbon steel blade. it holds an edge well, F&F is good, very slight side to side play in main blade
Quality wise I would say its about equal to the half dozen Camillus tl-29's i've owned over the years.
 
Great to hear from you folks! Thanks for your replies! I must say this is the place to come for good, honest answers. I'll post a review when mine shows up.
 
Thanks to this thread, I went and dug my Klein knife out of my ammo box in the garage (I use one of those olive drab .50 caliber ammo cans for knife storage :) ), and carried it for a couple days. Just a couple addenda to my original post above:

The liner lock on the driver blade doesn't meet the bottom of the tang. While the spring is enough to keep it in place, you can push the driver forward a millimeter or so in the open position., until it connects with the liner lock.

When completely open, you can push the spear blade a hair in the backwards direction. The tang must not sit perfectly square with the spring, so it can 'rock' back microscopically.

Liners are pressed a bit tight, and I can feel both blades grind a little as they go from half stop to fully pen. Easily fixed with a dab of mineral oil.

The spring doesn't close the screwdriver blade all the way. Exerting normal closing force, the tip of the screwdriver completely clears the liner. Not a problem if you close it quickly.

It's not a bad knife, in and of itself, but my black phenollic Camillus is better built, and my Utica with wood scales puts both to shame. I'll dig them all out and take a family photo.
 
Great! Mine arrived and is exactly as you describe. What can I do to get a better edge on the knife? I tried to sharpen it, but found that it only goes so far and then won't get sharper. Once I can get that down I'll carry it with my SAK Tinker everyday.
 
Eric J said:
Great! Mine arrived and is exactly as you describe. What can I do to get a better edge on the knife? I tried to sharpen it, but found that it only goes so far and then won't get sharper. Once I can get that down I'll carry it with my SAK Tinker everyday.
Click to expand...

What sharpening tools are you using? A lot of 'new' knives from the factory come with pretty thick edges (more obtuse, often greater than 40° inclusive), so it might benefit from re-bevelling to a more acute angle. That usually has the biggest impact on sharpness, and getting the edge down to ~30° inclusive or so will make a huge difference. Assuming it's carbon steel, it should go fairly quickly.
 
Eric J said:
Great! Mine arrived and is exactly as you describe. What can I do to get a better edge on the knife? I tried to sharpen it, but found that it only goes so far and then won't get sharper. Once I can get that down I'll carry it with my SAK Tinker everyday.
Click to expand...

did you strop it?
sounds like you have a wire edge that's folding back and forth.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top