TL-29 use?

L

lobodelanoche

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Feb 7, 2012
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I personally love the TL-29 pattern. When I was visiting with an older gentleman from church talking knives he pulled out his collection and sitting on top was a Camilus TL-29 that his brother carried in WWII. Holding it, I fell for it, HARD. So my question is two fold. First, does any one still use an old one, and second, are their any good quality new productions?
I appreciate it.
Paul
 
They are built like tanks. You can pick them up on the bay for next to nothing in great condition for a nice old one.

Regards

Robin
 
There are lots of the '70s and later Camillus versions still out there; I think most are stainless steel in those vintages, probably 440A or something similar.

Apparently Klein Tools is still marketing them under their own name (made by Utica Cutlery), and there seems to be both carbon steel (1095) and stainless versions of those available.

Case also made versions of these (pattern #12031, including a 3-blade version with a hawkbill blade) back in the '70s and maybe earlier. Those had wooden handles (maybe walnut or rosewood), and they are quite beautiful. Same pattern otherwise, with spear main and a locking screwdriver/wire-stripper blade, with a bail on the handle.


David
 
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I have a pair of carbon models from Camillus. One I found in an old toolbox; it's either my father's or grandfathers. It was pretty heavily patinaed with some rust and pitting, and one of the scales is starting to separate, but it's still solid and locks/walks/talks well. The carbon takes a very sharp edge easily. I carry it occasionally but don't want to risk losing it.

The second was a gift from a coworker after he saw my older one. It's nearly new with a factory (obtuse) edge and a few small rust spots here and there. The walk and talk are nice (not as heavy nor as solid as the older one) but the brass liner on the screwdriver blade is a little too long and doesn't engage when the blade is opened. I haven't carried that one yet but intend to after touching it up. The screwdriver blade is handy for all those other jobs you know you're not supposed to use your knives for but may need to anyway. ;)
 
From a thread of mine last August.

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.

kleintl291.jpg


kleintl294.jpg


kleintl295.jpg
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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.
 
How hard are the screwdriver blades to open on these? I thought I read somewhere that they tend to be pretty difficult...?
 
Some Camillus TL-29s
CamillusTL29Group.jpg


Several folks on this forum find favor in owning a few TL-29s. I have a Schrade I EDC every now and then. The carbon versions hone to a very sharp edge due to the thin blade design. As one of the posters suggested the screwdriver usually takes a good pull on the nail nic and a good push on the lock to open or close.
The jigged bone and rosewood scales seem to be the most sought after. Good luck on your quest in this knife line.

The TL-29s are a sideline for me......300Bucks

My occasional EDC

Claude.jpg


If I could ever find a second one of these I might EDC this one.

CamiJigged.jpg


The End
 
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Good quality new productions include:
Kutmaster (UCC) still makes them
SOG makes a decent overseas version as well as Rough Rider
Ideal and Colonial may still make them too
 
Yes, they are easy to find used. I have a dozen at least. I carry them when I want a big-ish, useful knife. Definitely one of my favorite patterns. All the Camillus knives I have are great. The scales can suck, but not too bad. The nicer ones are NICE. I have a few old tl-29s that I would put up against any knife I own F&F wise.
 
I have two. I bought a modern Klein, lost it, bought a replacement and found the original a week later. They are excellent knives for the money. The steel bolsters tarnish and rust if you don't take care of them, but the (carbon) blades are very easy to take care of. They take and hold a good edge and work in their intended purposes very well (although it does take some light sharpening and lots of practice to strip wire with the screwdriver/stripper blade) The F&F is very good. I love them. I'll carry a TL-29 when I can't carry a fixed blade but have harder work than my Peanut can handle in store. It's like my version of a Buck 301- not pretty by any means but inexpensive and built like a tank.
 
hawaiianhawk said:
The screwdriver blade is handy for all those other jobs you know you're not supposed to use your knives for but may need to anyway. ;)
Click to expand...

This is exactly why it is my favorite pattern.

Just in the last few days my electrician (it's pre WWII so I don't think it can be called a TL29) has opened a paint can lid to paint my incoming son's changing table (twice for two coats), chiseled out some troublesome undercut that was preventing a piece of baby furniture from assembling together, and popped the metal clips that were retaining some blinds that I was replacing.

There is no better knife when you are your own handyman.

While the new productions are sturdy if you can afford it I'd recommend spending a few bucks extra on that auction site to get older one with nicer (nonplastic) handles.
 
I have a few of them but my Case is my favorite. Well made and very sturdy with great F&F.

IMG_0308.jpg
 
That Case really is nice. I've seen a few Kabars online that are also good-lookin'. My older one has slightly better spring alignment than the newer one but is also much more banged up.
 
My Dad has always carried (and only carried) a TL-29 pattern knife. He has worked at a naval base since he left apprentice school, they were always available from the supply clerk if he wanted a new one. I've seen him use them as hard-working tools, bordering on abuse, and have never seen one fail to perform. The one he's carrying these days is an older Camillus with a broken bail. I asked him if he wanted a new one and he said they have a bunch of Klines lying around, but he's kind of attached to his old workhorse. Once, they gave him a Gerber multitool that he carried for about a week before going back to the old electricians' knife. You can't argue going with what works...
 
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