Electrician's knife, TL-29

[Quy4n8]

Who currenlty makes a good quality one? I have a Case one dot (made in '79 if I can translate correctly) which I like a great deal, but it is like new and since they don't make it anymore, I am rather loathe to use it. I've had the Gerber version, but it is to heavy for me and I like the traditional version better. Any thoughts would be most welcome.

Q

 

[knarfeng]

Klein Tools sells a knife that has the same configuration as the TL-29.

Utica manufactures such a knife and might be the current manufacturer for Klein.


edited to add pic of Klein knife from their catalog. I note that they make both stainless and carbon steel versions:

 

[BRL]

TL-29s are quite easy to come by, and the auction winner is going to have spent quite a bit less for a nice used one than the new Kleins, with I think retail for $25-plus. I spent $20 shipped for a beautiful vintage KA-BAR with a lovely patina and wood scales that goes in my pocket and $8 shipped for a perfectly serviceable can't-remember brand with Delrin scales that's in the toolbox in my truck.

The Klein TL-29s are probably perfectly fine tools, but for much less money you can have a similar tool that has 'trad cachet'.

 

[LKJW]

I would look for a used (in good condition) Camillus (USA made). Easy to find. Cheap to buy. Great knives. And I have a dozen or so tl-29s including a new Klein.

Here's a few...got em cheap and the Camillus ones were like new.

 

[Modoc ED]

This is the write-up and pictures I did last August of a Klein knife (TL29 pattern).

"I was recently talking to a friend of mine's son who is currently serving in the U.S. Navy as an ET (Electronics Technician). We got to talking about tools and I asked if they were still using Electrician's Knives (TL-29s). I asked him who was making them and he said he didn't know -- he's not a knife guy. After we hung up, I thought nothnig more about it.

Last Friday the FEDEX truck dropped off this knife at my front door -- unsolicited by me I might add. It is a Klein Electrician's Knife (1550-2) model. There is nothing to indicate TL-29 on the wrapper it came in.

The knife is well built and solid. Heck, even the blades are centered between the liners and there are no gaps along the spine. I'm wondering if Klein is actually building these knives -- they do build many of their tools -- or if Utica is making them for Klein."

Since I did the write-up I found out that these knives are made by Utica.

 

[zippofan]

R. Murphy makes a similar Electrician's Knife too, just spotted it the other day when looking at different Barlows.

I wish I could find my dad's, he had one I remember from when I was a kid but I can't find it in all the tools that were left to me.

 

[rarreola]

I have a Klein and it is very well made.