The Humble TL-29 & Related Patterns

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Does anyone know why nobody is making these any more? Is it because manufacturers like Camillus and Schrade went out of business and nobody else is making good, old-fashioned, American made, inexpensive working knives? I find myself running to Ebay to try to snatch up a few new ones to sock away since I love this pattern and they seem to be going away. Any ideas?
 
abiggs said:
Does anyone know why nobody is making these any more? Is it because manufacturers like Camillus and Schrade went out of business and nobody else is making good, old-fashioned, American made, inexpensive working knives? I find myself running to Ebay to try to snatch up a few new ones to sock away since I love this pattern and they seem to be going away. Any ideas?
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I've seen Kleins that are imported, I think; I also see "Rite-Edge" brand knives in this style, too. They're functional, but nowhere near the ruggedness & familiarity that an old Schrade or Camillus has.

I've bought several old American-made Electrician knives off Ebay and at flea markets; there are so many good used ones out there that we should be able to find good ones for years to come.

I'll tell you, though, that I sure wish Case would make a ywllow/CV one, or GEC would make a big ol' beefy one. :thumbup: :)

thx - cpr
 
Yeah, I would DEFINITELY buy a couple of yellow/CV Case TL-29 patterns. And by a couple, I mean at least half a dozen... Two for me, one for my dad, one for each of my 2 coworkers, and one for the boss. :D
Come on, Case, Christmas is coming!!! ;)
 
I dont know, A yeller TL-29 probably wouldn't feel right, just like one with jigged bone...
To me they are at their best with wood handles.

Somewhere in the future I can see an custom TL-29 with ebony, 1095, and brass liners...maybe.

Peter
 
stockman242 said:
I dont know, A yeller TL-29 probably wouldn't feel right, just like one with jigged bone...
To me they are at their best with wood handles.

Somewhere in the future I can see an custom TL-29 with ebony, 1095, and brass liners...maybe.

Peter
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I hear ya on the wood handles. I unfortunately don't have one and have had a hell of a time finding a new or gently used one. If you see one for sale give me a shout! :)
 
abiggs said:
I hear ya on the wood handles. I unfortunately don't have one and have had a hell of a time finding a new or gently used one. If you see one for sale give me a shout! :)
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Let's restrict this area of discussion to PM and email please.
 
Back to the TL's this thread was to quick to the 2nd page!:D
Here is my contribution a Schatt ;)
IMG_0389.jpg

IMG_0391.jpg
 
WOW, that one looks incredible, love it, absolutely love it. The swedge is a nice touch. :thumbup:

Peter
 
abiggs said:
Does anyone know why nobody is making these any more? Is it because manufacturers like Camillus and Schrade went out of business and nobody else is making good, old-fashioned, American made, inexpensive working knives? I find myself running to Ebay to try to snatch up a few new ones to sock away since I love this pattern and they seem to be going away. Any ideas?
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My own wild guess would be that time has moved on to so called better things, like the multitool. In these modern times, the multitool has become the pocket knife of the new age. The TL-29 was a product of the 1930's, myabe even earlier. Just after the turn of the 20th century and the incresed mechanization, there were electrician knives, automobile knives, and other trade knives each with thier own selection of tools for that nitch.

With the practicality of the modern multitool, no matter if it's from Leatherman, Gerber, or other maker, it sort of covers all the basis. Heck, Leatherman has several models of tool to choose from, each with a slightly different layout.

Added to the factt hat in the post WW2 years, the SAK had an explosion of popularity. By the late 1960's and early 1970's, the little sak had become the badge of the new hippy backpackers and spred out from there. Nowadays, if a person is not carrying a small sak, then its odds on they have one of those little micro multitools around.

Of course none of them have the class and soul of a wood handled old Camillus or other brand that maybe rode in the pocket of some dog faced GI all the way to the Rhine.

I think something untouchable was lost when we went from a pocket knife with a tool or two on it, to a tool with a pocket knife blade on it.
 
orca8589 said:
I've seen Kleins that are imported, I think; I also see "Rite-Edge" brand knives in this style, too. They're functional, but nowhere near the ruggedness & familiarity that an old Schrade or Camillus has.
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My Klein says USA on it. In fact, the exact tang stamp on the blade says:
Klein Tools
Stainless
Chicago, USA

I wish it did have the wooden handles, but I'm not complaining for 20 bones.
 
Went to the world's largest gun show in Tulsa,Ok today. Walked on concrete from 0830 to 1430, knees were unhappy, gave up with about 8 rows to see. Wannemacher Gun Show. Next one in April, talked to guy who drove from Minnesota in parking lot.
Just not many Bucks as you all well know. Did find these ole Cammi TL-29s. One at twenty and the other two ten each.......left a nice Holub laying......
TL-29.jpg


Well, I found one Buck deal, someone is gonna count me as a good friend for $25 for unsharpened and nice sheath.
Workman110.jpg


300Bucks
 
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Here is my Dad's, along with a few more of his.

p1010085.jpg


I'll try to get a shot with it open. The Camillus in the lower left is from Vietnam, the letter opener in the upper left from Okinawa, and the gent's knife in the upper right is from "who knows?". :D I don't know the vintage of the TL-29, my Dad served in WW2 (European theater), Korea, and Vietnam.

Found it:

p1010091.jpg


It's a shame, really. I'd love to carry Dad's knives and use them in his honor, but if I lost one, I'd **never** forgive myself. So they sit in a case. He died in 2005, and I like to look at them from time to time, makes me feel closer to him.
 
jackknife said:
Of course none of them have the class and soul of a wood handled old Camillus or other brand that maybe rode in the pocket of some dog faced GI all the way to the Rhine.

I think something untouchable was lost when we went from a pocket knife with a tool or two on it, to a tool with a pocket knife blade on it.
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:thumbup::thumbup:
 
My father in law was fond of this pattern, In the old days when I used to travel to the USA I often got one for him, I believe I bought this Colonial at Sears. My mother in law gave it to me after he passed away in 2004.

He worked in industrial maintenance, he used them hard and, against my advice, would sharpen them on a grinder and wore them down very fast.

Luis


Click to enlarge
 
An older M. Klein & Sons that belonged to my Grandfather...

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Anyone know how to date these?
 
markksr said:
An older M. Klein & Sons that belonged to my Grandfather...

Anyone know how to date these?
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Great knife and a terrific keepsake.

My guess is that BRL would be your best resource if nobody else in this forum can supply an answer.
 
Blues said:
Great knife and a terrific keepsake.

My guess is that BRL would be your best resource if nobody else in this forum can supply an answer.
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Thanks Buddy!

And thanks again for unlocking this awesome thread so that I could share it. :)
 
Mark, I think the Kleins were made by Utica, perhaps you can find a date when that particular handle material was used by the company. Kind of hard to tell from the pics but doesn't look like cell, might be an older composite fibron type material. Nice knife!

Eric
 
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