The Radio, Electrician, and Lineman's Knife

I've only owned this one Camillus. It is a bit larger than I usually carry, so I passed it on to someone who does pretty remarkable things with TL-29s (and I got something pretty remarkable in return). This is the only photo I have of it, showing it with the Case 22087 I used to open the package containing the Camillus.

CaseCamilluspackage.jpg
 
Nice knives folks! I didn't know the radio knives existed. I'll have to keep an eye out for one of those. Would be a more pocketable alternative. Have to say, I was helping my son install some light fixtures and a ceiling fan. My 70's era Camillus was really the perfect tool. And some of the mods I've seen make me drool!
 
This Schrade pattern, I am 90% sure, was made by Empire for Schrade, (and other companies) prior to 1929-1930, when Empire folded.
SchradeElecEmp.jpg

SchradeElecEmpClose.jpg
 
This is one I carried in my tool-bag while in the Navy.

PSPAFn3.jpg


Last year I was talking to a friend of mine's son who is currently serving in the U.S. Navy as an ET (Electronics Technician). I asked if they were still using Electrician's Knives (TL-29s). About a week later this knife and another like it was delivered by FEDEX. Klein branded, made in the U.S.A. by Utica.

BVjaKPJ.jpg


YUaOgDj.jpg
 
Last edited:
IMG_2585_zpsd2f6263b.jpg


The only two I own, but they are easily favorites of mine. I would carry them more if the black one had better edge geometry and if the red wasn't so weak and damaged.
 
Here's the one I used to carry when I worked as an electrician. It was given to by my boss in ~1977. It was already well used by that time. I used to carry it vertically with the screwdrivers in my pouch, the hawbill blade open. I mostly used it to cut the insulation on the old paper wrapped romex. (I worked for a company which specialized in remodels. Worked on lots of wiring originally installed in the 40's and 50's.)

100_2845.jpg
 
Here is a picture of my two TL-29 Camillus made ones with other Camillus made knives.

100_4440_zps8c7201c5.jpg
 
edbeau said:
Here is a picture of my two TL-29 Camillus made ones with other Camillus made knives.
Click to expand...

This is off topic, so feel free to respond with a visitor message instead of in this thread. Is there marking on your sheath knife that indicates it is Camillus? The reason I ask is I gave one to my son that is very similar, with an identical sheath, but I have never known who made it. It would be nice to be able identify it.
 
Last edited:
Gevonovich I am glad to see this thread as I told some of you I have been carrying a TL-29 for the better part of my 19 years in the Army as a mechanic both wheeled and HHelicopter this knife has been always useful and really come in handy on numerous "short notice" assignments. Mine does not look nearly as nice as most of these but has alot of "character" wouldn't trade it for anything though.
 
Grover
Good to hear from you! Ever since you gifted the knife seen in the first post of this thread to me, I began seeing electrician knives everywhere! Isn't that how the law of the universe works.
Anyway, there are so many variations of the genera, I hope we get to see just half of all the magnificent variations that are out there.
 
Last edited:
Just picked up this one. I didn't even know Case made an electrician's knife. I'm not even sure, yet, when it was even manufactured but i'm looking at the history. The construction is very stout and solid.
IMG_0308.jpg
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top