American Heritage, TL-29 Electricians Knives

[@johncolquhoun6416]

Being in Scotland these knifes are not easy to find. After seeing this I immediately hunted one down from a military outfit supplier. New. Really well made with TL-29 stamped on it. I will be using it for work. Thanks

[@rd350c]

I was issued my TL 29 in 1974 at Avionics training school, NAS Miramar (Top Gun). I went on to the USS JFK, where we kept the Tomcats airborne. The locking blade was just the right size to fit in the cam-lok fasteners the secured the panels on the electronics bays along the outside of the aircraft. It was common for maintenance personnel to pop the panel open with the screwdriver blade instead of fishing into the the tool box for the proper torx bit. Management STRONGLY discouraged this practice since it would booger up the fasteners. There was talk of disallowing them on the flight deck, since all we usually did up there was pop open panels and swap boxes, but no rules or punishments ever materialized. I still have two of them from back then.

[@dylanfreeman9802]

The shackle is for our tool pouches. They have a clip that they hang from for quick and easy access while at work.

[@davidkurle5418]

Nice looking little group! I really like the sawcut on that boker. Thanks, Joe.

[@MesserHQ]

Yeah man the Böker has excellent fit and finish as well. Overall a fantastic knife.

[@raulregalado3067]

You are doing a great job. Thanks for your Videos

[@MesserHQ]

Your welcome, sorry for the late reply 👍

[@seanhartman6496]

Thanks so much for this! I recently came into possession of a couple of these knives; an old Camillus with wood side covers in used but serviceable shape, and an Imperial that is horribly pitted and gouged. The Camillus is my new favorite knife. I also hopped over and read the story you linked to- priceless!!

[@norby0418]

I still have the Camillus TL-29 I was issued while stationed in Germany’74-77 and there are no TL-29 markings. It came in a plain cardboard Box that was marked. Liners & springs were uneven and I loved with it for year but about 10 years ago a little time on a belt sander & fine grades of sand paper and it looks great.

[@brucefarrar300]

One month ago I saw this vid and decided I needed to add a TL-29 to my little collection. I found one on ebay (there are more) and settled on an ULSTER brand. I wanted one with TL-29 engraved in the front cover and the screwdriver blade closing instruction on that blade. I like it very much and am glad it was purchased. Thanks for the vid and thanks for helping me make the purchase. It is fun owning a bit of history.

[@MesserHQ]

Awesome, great to hear! Yeah its just a classic design with a tone of history and a great blade set up. Glad you like it!

[@_MiMo_]

You presented 3 different versions,alot of history plus I enjoyed the story in the link.Knice. Thanks

[@MesserHQ]

Awesome, glad you enjoyed it👍

[@_MiMo_]

@@MesserHQ eric and russel are spam bots trying to steal people's information.

[@plumbbobwilson6931]

@2:30 I can attest to the fact that the Navy issue knives in the '70s were not stamped TL-29. I still have mine (still use it too).

[@HobieonYouTube]

Great video Joe and nice job on the “crusty Queen”! Amazing walk and talk you got out of it.

[@MesserHQ]

Thanks bud, yeah it was pretty bad but it was such cool knife i thought it was worth the effort. 👍

[@bdh3949]

I couldn't agree more, the best traditional ever. imo I do own a military issue without the TL-29 designation. It was my nephew's when he was in the Navy. BTW My notes tell me that the tang stamp on the Queen you have was a contracted military knife designation in the late 80's.

[@MesserHQ]

Ir really is a great pattern. Very versatile and built for use. Thanks for the info on the tang stamp, any way you could shoot me a picture? As always thanks for your commet!

[@bdh3949]

@@MesserHQ OK I've managed to get some pix on my phone but they're not very good. LOL I'll try to pm them to you later today.

[@MesserHQ]

Great! Thank you 👍

[@jeepnicc]

Very nice. I had an old Camillus version years ago when I was a kid. Great knife! Wish I would have kept it. Thanks for sharing!

[@MesserHQ]

They really are handy little pocket knives. The good news is, if you wanted to you could find a replacement fairly easily.

[@jerseyknifeguy6382]

JOE a I have to get one of them I love them things!!!!! Thanks Joe

[@MesserHQ]

They are amazing knives, very useful. You wont be disappointed.

[@2xrpm]

Hey Joe. I'm a retired Fed employee...Aircraft mechanic. We had those issued to us in our toolboxes, along with various stockman's (usually Camillus). I have a 4 line Camillus that I customized. Took out the screwdriver, so its a single blade with linerlock. Kinda reminds me of my GEC Boys knife except with a spear point. Put ebony scales on it.

[@MesserHQ]

That sound great, any way to see a picture of it? I would love to modify more but i don't really possess the technical knowhow or tools...

[@2xrpm]

@@MesserHQ Yeah I send a pic on whatsapp. Or email. Or possibly take a quick vid and post on YT. I'm not much on videotography. 🤣

[@2xrpm]

@@stuartharvey2523 we had those Colonial and Klein also. I think I probably have a Klein hanging around here somewhere

[@MesserHQ]

Great!

[@2xrpm]

@@MesserHQ hey Joe. Uploading a quick vid now. Its pretty terrible photography, but you can see a little.

[@Courier-Six]

I have owned something like a dozen TL-29 knives since I started collecting close to a decade ago. It has become my all time favorite pocket knife design and it just has something timeless about it. The first one I owned was given to me by our unit small arms repair guy. I don't remember the brand, but I'm guessing it was a Colonial since I ordered one and it was the bearest I could find to that original and I distinctly remember it was Made in the USA. I have also owned TL-29 knives made by Gardener, Klein, Camillus, and numerous other generic brands that friends have given me. I will have to say the best one I owned is either the Camillus or Colonial as they are just fantastic quality. The worst would have to be the Gardener or Klein as both had negatives and positives when compared to each other. The Gardener felt stronger and better built in my hand but the fit and finish was subpar with poorly aligned scales and a screwdriver blade so stiff you would have to use a leatherman to open it. The knife blades themselves also sharpened and held an edge far better. Meanwhile the Kleins fit and finished were over all better, seemed higher quality, but it felt cheaper and the blades didn't sharpen or hold and edge well. I think that the Klein, because it was more expensive and made in USA, had a quality expectation that it couldn't live up to.

[@elijahhector3220]

Lovin it man keep up the good videos

[@MesserHQ]

Thanks, and ill do my best👍

[@MrMikeyt65]

I have a colonial with the hawkbill blade

[@Mike-kc8rl]

Nice video , im in the UK and just picked up another one of these and its got Camco usa on the blade , i believe this is Camillus cutlery company ? On the other side of the blade it has no 229 bit like the Victorinox alox soldier knife ! The other two i have are both Camillus, different fonts , these knives as you say were made in millions but they sure are hard to get in England.

[@gizmocarr3093]

The Electricians knife might be call that now however; when I was a kid a lots of my family members worked in construction. Plumbers, Roofers, Carpenters, Mechanics and Farmers; they all had one of those knives hanging off their work belts. Fact is; I had one once too. The metal loop on the knife was made to use on a galvanized clip on tool belts. You just snapped it on the metal clip and it was safe and quick to take off and on. It just makes sense that when you see any knife with a metal hoop on the end; that is likely why it has one. It isn’t just likely it's a sure bet that is it why it has one. The loop often would break; and being handy you could use a stiff piece of wire to make a new one. Or; hence; you could use a piece of leather shoe lace off your work shoe and fix it too. “Tad-Da” lanyard holes were discovered not invented. Basically I would say this is the first Utility Knife. Any Electrician who survived not being turned into bacon kept all metal tools far away from live wires. They would never use a steel blade to tighten electric connections long and live to tell the story. They used wood handle screwdrivers for that very reason until non-conductive plastics replaced wood. The name of something isn’t always what it gets used for.

[@MesserHQ]

Well an electrician I am not, but i agree this is a very handy pocket knife for any trade. It seems like any one who has ever owned one is very fond of them. Even if they were not designed to be used on live wires i sure it was still a very useful tool for the lineman. Thanks for the info on the belt clip. I was never issued one of these( im not military) so I don't have alot of first hand experience like some of the othes who have commented.. all in all great pocket knives with excellent utility 👍

[@gizmocarr3093]

@@MesserHQ You are very correct in what their name was; but they were used by many others. They were never were Beauty Queens as knives go but, sure made a handy tool to have. What made them handy is the spring clip used to hang them off your belt. If you carried a nice pocket knife you knew not use it to pry and scratch on things; that blade on the Electricals knife took the beating. I had a Cub Scout knife I carried to meeting and though it was cool wearing on my uniform. It clipped on using the same clip. I wish I knew where that went. It was Blue with a Bear’s head on it.

[@bluecow2655]

FYI Linemen run and kept repaired field phone wire run from place to place. Radio was in its infancy during WWI and linemen was who these knives where intended for. No high voltage around.

[@Shadowslayer029]

I recently got two of these at a thrift store for $3 a piece one is a camillus and the other is a camco

[@keimerjorg]

Hey Joe. This is not directly related to this video. I wanted to recommend a solingen made knife the Löwenmesser, relatively cheap user knife from Lüthers & Co. You can get it carbon steel and stainless, I recommend the carbon, I think it’s maybe C75. It’s comes really sharp, I think you’ll love it. Would love to hear your opinion on it. A tip is buy the smallest one with a spear point with wooden handles. Best regards from Denmark

[@MesserHQ]

Thanks, i just had a look and they look like solid knives. Ill see about picking one up. Thanks for the recommendation 👍

[@keimerjorg]

@@MesserHQ There are 3 sizes 8,5 and 9,5 and 10,5 cm (handle length) Just normal working man knives, compares to Otter.

[@brucefarrar7359]

Love the story of garage door and Caddy. Gotta get me one of those TL-29s. I looked online for a new and could find only one made by Klein Tools. When looking for a vintage specimen, could not discern a clear cut choice. Any advice on either buying new or buying an antique? I might get one of each.

[@MesserHQ]

I think Klein tools may be the only ones still making them, i know they were one of the major companies throughout the years. People have commented on this video that had Kleins issued to them. Other than that, there are a ton of vintage camillus ones to be found. The Böker ones are also really nice.

[@brucefarrar7359]

@@MesserHQ Thanks for responding. Today I bought a vintage TL-29 using the ebay site. I am excited to add to my collection. Think I'll also buy the Klein model. My collection is small but I like to think of it as a mini museum. I have a little bit of everything to show off to my grand kids. Unfortunately a house thief made off with about 1/3 of my collection a few years ago and ever since I have not known how to display my collection for fear of a repeat. Now they sit in a box coming out for special occasions. Funny story...One of the knives was a custom sheath knife purchased at I.R.B.I. in Alaska. I tried to get a replacement but they never responded to my email. Six years later I got a call from them asking if I still wanted to replace the stolen knife. I should get it in January.

[@Impreza-bj5jh]

@@brucefarrar7359 did you receive it haha

[@rafasebas97979]

What type of blade style does this pocket knife have

[@MesserHQ]

not sure what you are asking, it has a main spear blade and a secondary screwdriver/ scraper blade.

[@rafasebas97979]

@@MesserHQ thanks and I was asking about the main blade I should’ve been specific but thanks anyway

[@jerseyknifeguy6382]

Joe does it have to say tl29 I found one online for 40 bucks unopened in the clam pack 1972 colonial is the maker!!!!!! What do you think I should get it?????

[@MesserHQ]

It doesn't have to say TL-29... a good price for NIB no?

[@user-wr6wo6vr8r]

You should check out the Lord and Field Dungaree if you haven’t already

[@MesserHQ]

Thanks, Ill check it out!

[@Messerjocke90]

If you ever want to let go of one of your electricians knifes, let me know

[@tedlarson2078]

Mine has camillus New York but no u.s.a.. .? Also it has a J or a fish hook on the handle and bolster. They are non uniform so that must be done after the fact for lack of a better term

[@greekveteran2715]

Please, is the Mil-Tec Version of the TL-29 knife worth it? or stay away from it?

[@jerseyknifeguy6382]

Can you get them pretty easy on eBay?

[@MesserHQ]

Yes super easy. I got all three of mine i would say for under 30 bucks all together!