What makes an Electrician Knife a TL-29

[@gregwillis7767]

When I was a kid, I found a black plastic handled one stabbed into a telephone pole. This was about 60 years ago, and the makers mark is stamped CAMCO. Great video Sir.

[@KnifeChatswithTobias]

Camco was Camillus line of knives. I think many of them were solid knives. The only difference between the Camillus and the Camco Electrician knife was probably the blade steel being a slightly lower grade and a less polished finish. Both rock solid.

[@gizmocarr3093]

Great bit of history about an old pattern knife. Thank you for a look at your collection. I will be glad to find out more. 🙂

[@tntanto]

Between WW2 & Korea, my dad served in the Army as a lines man. Thanks for the video. It has me thinking I may pick up this pattern.

[@SethNichols-l2n]

My Camillus does not have the stamp but black wooden handles

[@KnifeChatswithTobias]

I have read that not all of them was stamped. Plus, many were made before the war for civilian use. And as you can guess, after the war, the military purchased knives basically "off the shelf" so the markings weren't always there. I think it they were called "standard or authorized substitute" or something like that.

[@aljones3997]

Out of all the videos I've seen on KZbin, I have not found one that actually shows how to strip wire with the TL-29 knife.

[@TrueFork]

the 1941 signal corps training video shows using the pliers to strip the wire 🙃

[@jimmyj4811]

Good show!

[@KnifeChatswithTobias]

Thanks and thanks for dropping by!

[@GreatLakesKnivesandLanterns]

Great video Tobias! I just picked up a vintage Queen electrician knife

[@brandonzimmermann]

I found an electricians knife in my great aunt’s belongings when she passed. Ulster USA black synthetic handles with yellow promotional branding. Knife is probably one of my most solidly built slipjoints, especially considering it’s age.

[@KnifeChatswithTobias]

Yeah, no doubt some of those old electrician knives are built to last through the next ice age!

[@jeroenvoss6231]

As TL29 got synonime for the pattern by the great popularity during and soon after WWII, people new that you meant an electrician knife. At least i could see that happen and the TL29 stuck as name. Thank you Tobias.

[@davidkurle5418]

This was wonderful info, buddy. Cheers!

[@Johann-4354]

Got a delrin version that was my father's, issued in WWII. He passed it on to me and I use it in my bicycle tool box. I've always been impressed by how sharp it stays. I've never sharpened it. Excellent tool.

[@fossilimprint2954]

Thank you, the end of video slides are much appreciated.

[@ihopetowin]

As always, no shortage of information and enjoyable production. Thank you.

[@guycalgary7800]

You and Skip make great videos , the abundance of information is always facinating. Thank you guys !

[@JoseGonzalez-yx6vm]

Interesting history on these, thank you.

[@Roosterdad50]

I started collecting Electricians Knives a while back having no idea that anyone else collected them too! LOL!

[@rfswitch4530]

In 2001 I was issued what, by appearance, I would judge to be a TL-29 (though not marked as such) and the tang stamp appears to be a Queen Cutlery "Q" over stamped on an Ordnance flaming bomb.

[@KnifeChatswithTobias]

Was this in the U S Army or Canada? It could very well be Queen. At the time, Queen was owned by Servotronics. The same company that made Ontario Knives and did hold some government contracts.

[@rfswitch4530]

@@KnifeChatswithTobias Air Force, but a lot of AF equipment is procured as part of US Army contracts... or used to be.

[@slick_slicers]

The only electrician’s knife I have is the one you gave me. It sits in my American Barlows collection.

[@lanedexter6303]

Interesting history, Tobias! Enjoyed the info about Klein. I’m recently retired from 45+ years in hydro generation; Klein is a huge name in the trade. Lineman pliers are called simply “Kleins.” Hawkbill blades are common in the trade. Klein sells what looks like a very heavy duty linoleum knife, but it’s a cable skinning knife. That TL-29 design is classic, still common today, just no nonsense functional. Thanks for the video!

[@ezrahendog5837]

I picked up a Pal Cuterly Company electrician's knife. It has a wood handle with 'US ARMY' on the handle. It was at a knife reseller. I'm not sure if its a knife that served in ww2 or if the guy who had it marked us army on his knife. I am sure that pal Cuterly Company was in business during the war, its an american made knife, and its probably a good little piece of american history.

[@KnifeChatswithTobias]

This could very well be legit. I'll check one of my books on the topic. I recall seeing something about "US Army" Tl-29s.

[@ezrahendog5837]

@KnifeChatswithTobias Mr.Tobias, I didn't think you replied to this old video. I can email you some pictures. If you are willing to get in touch. I understand if you don't. I'm just glad I found such a cool old knife at a local pawn shop for about 25$. My research has indicated that there's a good chance this knife is atleast military surplus. Judging by the wear it was used but not abused. Looks like the previous owner took decent care of his tools. My guess is that he was a tradesman that got the knife as military surplus in the 50s or 60s had it around for a good amount of time time and ended up in the pawn shop I found it in. My further speculation is the knife was made in the 40s. The tang stamp says Pal Blade Co. MADE IN USA. On both the spear blade and the screw driver. There is also a stamp on the spear blade that says" Pal fine cutlery". The screw driver blade has a says "To release push center lock to left."

[@KnifeChatswithTobias]

@@ezrahendog5837 No need to email me but my email is in the about section on my you tube channel. I just looked up the Pal knives in Silvey's Book Pocket Knives of the Untied States Military. Pal Cutlery was a major supplier of TL-29s during WWII. Most of the Pal knives featured wood handles. Early ones featured jigged bone. While Pal did stamp some of their knives TL-29, it seems that they were just as likely to stamp them with branch of Service (U.S. Army, U.S.N., and U.S.M.C.) Some other makers also did but it was very common with Pal. In some cases Pal even put a U.S. Army Tang Stamp on the reverse side of the tang. Your theory of it possibly be military surplus is also a possibility. People forget that the military was still fighting a war in August 1945, and thought the war might drag on until 1947. The Military had stockpiles of military gear in storage and still had open contracts for 1946 war production when the A Bombs were dropped and the war came to sudden end. Not only did the military dump a bunch of knives on the surplus market, knife companies were now struggling to get rid of all their excess stock due to cancelled war contracts! Pal Cutlery never really recovered from the sudden end of the war. And because they were primarily making stuff on old worn out equipment they bought from Remington, they were in no position to modernize. So the short answer, you knife is the real deal, very much war time production. It may have actually been used by the Army or may have been sold as excess after war. A Camillus historian once said, that WWII surplus blades (4 line tang stamps) were still be used on knives well into the 1950s. There were just that many of them left over from the war. The three line tang stamp was first used in 1944 on some models! As far as collectors are concerned, if the markings are correct, its a WWII era knife.

[@ezrahendog5837]

@KnifeChatswithTobias Wow, thank you so much. I always liked pocket knives but only recently got into vintage knives. I'm glad to have been lucky enough to know about your channel and for you to answer my question. It doesn't have any additional tang stamps Aside from The ones I talked about earlier. But thank you sir.

[@RJsKnives]

My first video was on my Xcelite electrician’s knife. That started my interest in learning about the TL-29 and it’s history and use. Great video, again you taught me some more information on these awesome tools that helped get things done in theater. Good stuff!

[@WilliamsKnifeLife]

I like the design of the TL-29. There are a lot of variations out there.

[@mikecurtis2585]

Those are great knives! I have a few of those!!

[@randelyoder9446]

I have a Case 13031L 10 dot 3 bladed walnut covered lineman’s knife. Has a hawkbill a spear and a screwdriver blade. Never been used. Got it off EBay wasn’t cheap😀. Also have 40oz Estwing lineman’s hammer with a leather grip to go with it

[@Checkmate1954]

I own the Rough Ryder’s version. It doesn’t say TL-29, the badge shield says “Be Prepared”. So I guess it’s a Boy Scout knife. And the blade imprint says “Coal Miner”.⁉️ Great video, again. Thanks Tobias.

[@alpine1600s]

I think any sparky from the last 50 years knows all about lineman knives, most probably carry a multitool for smaller gauge applications, and still rely on klein snips for heavy applications.

[@rustyknifelover4463]

I have carried a CAMCO 229 for years.

[@daninmi1648]

I have one with "U.S.N." stamped in the mark side cover . Someday I'll get it on video. The later Camillus 27 makes a great user or collectible (there are a few different variations to hunt down), and they can often be had inexpensively.Thanks for putting together such an informative and enjoyable videro!

[@brick4321]

I have a couple ulster knives the factory was a couple miles from my house

[@KnifeChatswithTobias]

Cool!

[@larrywillis9589]

I was in 1st armored div.

[@KnifeChatswithTobias]

Cool. When/Where?

[@alpine1600s]

Klein tools across the trades are more renowned for the pliers and wire cutters.

[@KnifeChatswithTobias]

To the point that pliers are still often called “Kleins” but some folks in the trades. No doubt about it.

[@acid6urns]

i think klein is still making a modern version of this knife, there’s on for sale on home depot’s site with carbon steel for under $30 new

[@bdh3949]

Quite a varied history ref the TL-29. I think the name is as iconic now as Kleenex or Coke. Interestingly my nephew purchased his in the Navy in the 90's and it is clearly not marked with a TL-29 on it, no military markings at all. Western Cutlery made many knives for the military during WWII but did not make the electricians knife until the 60's and only for a few years. It's a rare one to find.

[@EdAtoZ]

Tobias, I assume TL-29 was a US Army single core name, Did the US Navy also use that name ?

[@draganpastrovic2157]

I found one at the rubbish dump it has TL 29 stamped on the wood handle and from what I could make out with a mangnifier on the blade UL or ULC the C badly worn so not sure it's a C and under that it said KNIFF US I presume the F to be an E but not visible.

[@1stfloorguy59]

I have one in a tool box looks just like the wood one i was thinking of actually using it....

[@leonardbakers]

Queen made them too. Not stamped TL-29.

[@matthewpettengill3008]

I have 2 one is Camillus new York usa black scales doesn't have the tl shield but has US engraved on blade side bolster the other is imperial prov RI usa redish brown plastic? Scales and is same length but definitely not as wide both definitely well used 😊

[@KnifeChatswithTobias]

Sounds like a nice pair and both from terrific American Companies!