The Humble TL-29 & Related Patterns

[Blues]

It's more than welcome, gmarthur...I've expanded the thread title to make it a bit more inclusive of similar patterns.

 

[waynorth]

An inclusive thread! How PC of you Elliott!!:thumbup:
In that case, I'll add this one with the additional saw blade (so it doesn't feel left out)!!

 

[orca8589]

I've never heard it called a "janitor's knife".

Here's mine that I carried when I worked as an electrician about 30 years ago. It wasn't new when I got it.

I have exactly that knife - I bought it because I hadn't seen one available for sale before. (Yours is in much better shape than mine.)

I'm sure it goes by different terms in different areas of the country, and in different trades, too. LG4 has it described as a janitor's knife. I always thought the hawkbill was for slicing cable sheathing; when I worked for a moving outfit that moved PacBell locations here in the Bay Area, all of the "outside" guys (the field guys climbing the poles & working in the underground vaults) called the three blade types "cable knives".

Waynorth - too cool. A TL-29 type with a saw. :thumbup:

thx - cpr

 

[Blues]

An inclusive thread! How PC of you Elliott!!:thumbup:

You really know how to hurt a guy!

 

[Entreri]

Oh my goodness...

 

[300Bucks]

Well, Guess what, I collect something besides Bucks. So here you go.

Left knife is the first version WWII timeframe, Middle is next in timeline, Korea, comes with imprinting on scale and without, so BCCL I will say yours is Korea era, Right side is Blues Klein & Sons Tools version, post nam. First two are Camillus here but they were made by a bunch of folks. Remington, Camillus, Schrade,Kiein, Colonial, Western, Case and so on.

Close-up of first Camillus WW2 era TL-29

Post Nam linemans sheath, Knife was recent model camillus, finished poorly, pliers look too new, must be 80s. Recent sheaths are nylon webgear. Older pliers are all metal no plastic covered handles.


Last photo, Recent Camillus, Brass spring rivet, then nickle, both have same style tang stamp. Most recent shows up better and has screwdriver blade partially sharpened.

Dang it, Blues now the prices will go up.....
300Bucks

 

[tongueriver]

Maher & Grosh had an electrician's knife in 1908, but it was just a two blade jack for scraping wire. They also had these:

 

[1fartsmella]

Here's 5 I've saved over the years: 1st is a Cattaraugus etched RADIO ELECTRICIAN on the screwdriver & M Klein & Sons on the blade, 2nd is an Ulster with TL-29 stamped in the handle, 3rd is a SCHRADE WALDEN, 4th is a SCHRADE CUT CO & 5th is unmarked, it's built on a 4 3/4" Trapper frame.

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[waynorth]

That blade, just above, is too cool!!

And it is nice to see that adding a saw is an old idea (M & G ad cut)!

 

[navihawk]

I used to have a nice old one with the locking blade was released by the screwdriver. This thread makes me wish I still had it.

 

[markv]

i have an original TL-29 but the shield is missing.
nice old knife
buzz

photo above
Left knife is the first version WWII timeframe,
this is the one i have

 

[neeman]

I worked as a Union electrian in NYC from 74 - 76
We all had to have an electricians knife on the clip of our Craftman tool pouch.
The knife by default was a Colonial, because all the Supply Houses in NY only sold that brand.
The knife was used daily for hard work for 3 years straight.

Pictures to follow

The hawkbill blade was for splitting cables, and turned it into a cable knife used by Linesmen or Utilities worker (Con Edision, but we did not consider them electricians!!)

 

[tthman]

Hi went into a local hardware store recently and came across a klei tools tl29 in clampack from the 80s according to the markings on the back was tempted to buy it but not for 35.00 dollars,so they are still out there.thanks.

 

[orca8589]

Here's mine:

Top is a Queen brand, three-blade is a Klein, and the bottom is my granddads (WWII). I may try to get the Klein into better working shape, it's well used and pretty loose.

thx - cpr

 

[Ice Tigre]

I picked up two identical to that one Blues posted first, earlier this summer. Brand new, never issued Camillus. Gave one as a birthday present to my buddy that just got out of the Navy(submarine electronics technician) this summer. I just thought he'd like it, and find it useful since he wasn't currently carrying anything... and I thought it cool to get a Electronics tech, a traditional knife for that specific field.

Then I found out that he had tried to get one off of older techs, and through official channels for the whole 5 years he was in, but couldn't get his hands on one. So it worked out doubly great.

Nice to read some history on them... I liked mine for the week or so that I had it... then mysteriously lost it... only knife I've lost in years. Honestly, since I carry a Vic Spirit, I had no use for the screw driver etc, although it was a nice scraper, I didn't get me another one.

My buddy uses his for lots of wire work, carpentry, and auto stuff... anything and everything that comes along. Good knife, good size.

G.

 

[orca8589]

Ice Tigre - funny you mention subs - my dad told me that when he was in the navy (as a Missile Tech on boomers) everyone he knew had one of these, and usually had one of the little TRIM knives on their keyring too.

thx - cpr

 

[neeman]

Hi went into a local hardware store recently and came across a klei tools tl29 in clampack from the 80s according to the markings on the back was tempted to buy it but not for 35.00 dollars,so they are still out there.thanks.

Klein are the very best tools for Electricians

Klien
$19 for a carbon TL 29!

http://www.mytoolstore.com/klein/1550-2.html
http://www.mytoolstore.com/klein/1550-6.html

 

[sidecutter]

first one of you guys to post a pic of your TL-29 " in hand " gets a free TL- 13 A pair of 6 " lineman pliers that go with the knife. HURRY !!!! paul

 

[thawk]

first one of you guys to post a pic of your TL-29 " in hand " gets a free TL- 13 A pair of 6 " lineman pliers that go with the knife. HURRY !!!! paul

A Schrade Walden TL-29. A nice utility knife. Heavy duty and built solid. I defer the TL-13 pliers to the first member who can put up a picture of a CS-34 leather holster that holds the set.

Notice how some of the older ones have steel pins. Barry has one with 5. This is a knife where the half stops might come in handy.

 

[IVANKERLEY]

a four line camillus WW2 or earlier, steel liners ebony scales and gimp sheild:thumbup: and the lineman pouch, although ive come to believe that the knife, pliers and pouch were married up much later, but hey it was free to me at least and still kinda neat:thumbup:
ivan