Opinions on Klein Tools TL-29 Electricians knife Catalog Number 1550-2
 

I am seeking some opinions from my fellow forum members about the Klein Tools TL-29 Electricians Knife Catalog number 1550-2.

The reason I am asking about this particular knife is because thinking about buying one of them.

mg357 a proud member of the S&W Forum.

Klein tools have Ben the go to tools for electrical trade for years. I own a few pliers and the y are top notch. Had one of the knives but ex 2's father stole it.

I'm not familiar with that particular item but like 4011 says, Klein is good stuff.

Klein's has been a top tool producer for eons- but-
Have you considered gin-u- wine US military surplus? The TL-29 is of course a military probably Army model number. I have a number of them in my knife military collection, black plastic and the older teak looking wood scales. Don't have a Klein's, but if it's US Surplus, I would like to!
You need to have shields up to avoid the usual cheap imports that pervail these days.
As Señor Zimmerman once said 'These times they are a changing.'

I have an old one around here somewhere, probably out back in my tool box.

It's a good knife. Nothing fancy but well made. It holds a good edge.

I'd buy another but I don't think I'll ever need one.

I do use my linemans pliers a lot and my two go to screwdrivers are a Klein #2. and a 1/4" slot.

On second thought. I have a ratcheting Snap-on with a handle full of bits that I use the most. But you don't want to beat on it like you can with the Kleins.

Good tools Mg.

Klein Tool has been the standard for electrician's hand tools since long before I was in the trade back in the 80's

As already mentioned Klein makes good tools but everybody makes an electricians knife if you prefer another maker, Case, Camillus, etc..

Don't know about Klein Tools but the TL-29 is a Navy Aviation Electronics Technician's knife (probably issued by other branches of the military also). It was standard issue in all AT, AV, AQ and AE tool boxes (or was) although many Navy guys acquired them through, trading, comshaw or other methods. The screwdriver blade fit the quick release fasteners on instrument panels in the cockpit of the A-7 and other aircraft. It was a great knife and I still have a couple of them including the one issued to me in 1969. Don't yell "Attention on deck" around it.;) You might check on that evil bay to see if you can find a USA made Camillus or Schrade depending how much Klein wants for a new one. I just checked there and several are available, some supposedly dating back to WWII.

One suggestion. If the screwdriver blade has a sharp edge and you're going to use the screwdriver, dull it. Don't ask me how I know but trust me on this!

CW

Klein never made those knives. They used to be made for them by Camillus, a fine old maker not around any more. Not sure who makes them now but Klein would likely source a good maker given their reputation.

You can certainly get NOS Camillus TL-29s on ebay these days. As was mentioned other makers have made them as well. An old Imperial rides in my glove box. A practical pocket knife.

Edit to say--It might be Bear (in Alabama) that makes the knives for Klein now. They make a lot of contract knives branded by other people, like Moore Maker.

I have M. H. Cole, US Military Knives, book 1 and 2. Do not see a military TL-29 by Klein's. They could have made one after these books were published, and of course could have made a straight civilian model.
Most TL-29s I have seen were made by Camillus. I see several in the Cole books that I have never seen. Like a wood handled made by KaBar which says US Army.
TL stands for tool, linemen's. As in US Army.

As a pipefitter we also had a electrical contractor company as part of the operation. I saw plenty of that companies tools in use. A very good and dependabe company IMHO.

There's one in my old man's tool box. I would be surprised if Camillus didn't make it. It is a good, yet inexpensive knife.

I used one in the Navy for several years. It was/is a nice knife but I often broke my fingernail when I tried to open the screwdriver blade. However once I did get it opened it would unlock Camloc fasteners on Navy aircraft. That was my main use for the screwdriver blade.

Jeff

Not to beat this too much but- the second blade on a TL-29 is a scrapper blade with a screwdriver tip. It was designed to scrape off insulation, corrosion, etc.
Correction- meant to say stripper blade.

The one I have was made by Camillus for Klein. I didn't know for a long time that their knives were outsourced. I believe that some of their hand tools are outsourced. I wouldn't be surprised that their hammers are made by Plumb.

However, their screw drivers and pliers are top notch. Their Cushion Grip drivers are about the best, and I must have at least a dozen and a half with all types of bits. I like their diagonal pliers, also. However, my favorite "lineman's" pliers are the ones made by Channelock. I like the box joint better than Klein's overlap. I also have a complete set of their Cushion Grip nut drivers.

My dad was a journeyman electrician for a long time, and I tended to buy pliers and screwdrivers because I trusted his judgement.

I was using one of the Klein screw drivers as a pry bar, and snapped off the blade. I sent it back to Klein with an apology for misusing the tool, requesting re-blade. They replaced it for no charge. That's as good as it gets.

Good quality tools, whether you're an electrician or weekender.

Kline is worth the extra price. I've never had a bad one (and I have lots of them). Absolute top quality!

Art

I guess I better go have another look at mine. :o

Thanks for the info guys.

I had my Dad's TL-29, he had been a Coast Guard Loran/Radio Operator at the tail end of WWII. When my son went into HVAC training and graduated I gave it to him as a graduation present. He carries it with him everyday and finds it very useful in his trade. Klein tools are as good as it gets, I have always believed in quality tools and only buying the tool you need once...you can't ever go wrong with anything built by Klein. I forget but TL-29s were built by a number of different manufacturers Kabar, Case and even Imperial.

Unless something's changed - you can't go wrong with Klein Tools.
The electrician's knife comes 2 ways.
Carbon steel blades for tool box or tool pouch and
Stainless steel for carrying in a pocket.
If you pocket carry the carbon steel version the blades will darken or spot - doesn't seem to hurt the knife though.

I have been using klein tools for years mostly their pliers, side cutters,
and a few other klien pliers. They were old when I got them and have stood the test of time.Frank

Klein makes great tools. I've used them all my life.

The TL-29 is one of the most useless knives ever made. The blade is shaped wrong for skinning romex and is far bigger than I need for skinning wires. The screwdriver is a bad joke. Try to torque down a large compression connection with it and it does work well for taking the knife apart. :D

Electrical supply houses gave them to us. We, in turn, would find a kid to give them to. ;)

Guess I won't go looking for a TL-29 to add to my knife collection.

Party pooper. I guess I have a bit of a romantic attachment to them because my first pocketknife was a Camillus TL-29 my father gave me for Christmas, likely because he was familiar with it from having been issued one in the war.

He carried his after he got back until it was swiped at work (Western Electric). I lost the one he gave me somewhere along the way. I still have the other knife he was issued while on New Guinea, a PAL "Pioneer" knife, in the old Boyscout pattern.

You're probably right though about the ultimate utility of the TL-29.

My TL-29 was issued to me in 1958 as part of the tool issue for A3A/MD9 radar gunnery mechanics on the B-52F models. Mine was made by Kutmaster of Utica NY. As mentioned above not much real use! I keep it for sentimental reasons.

Sorry to be late on this thread. I have the Klein TL-29. Unless you have a special need for one I'd pass. The carbon steel blades are not very sharp from the factory and are not easy to sharpen. The screw driver blade is very difficult to open because the fingernail slot is too far back on the blade.
If buying a new one I think I'd buy the TL-42 which is the stainless steel version. Should be easier to sharpen.

They are not supposed to be super sharp. They are just sharp enough to cut the insulation while reducing the risk of nicking the wire, or a finger.

Lee,

You don't twist the handle to tighten a big lug. You grasp the blade with a 10" pair of lineman's pliers twisting the blade while pushing down on the end of the handle with the other hand.

the electricians pouch I carried before I retired was all Klien and Snapon...I still have it and the kids-grandkids better leave them alone and they all know it...any of their tools are worth the money

Nice retro look, but I'd a lot rather have a Swiss Army knife for using. In fact, I do, always, along with another knife just for cutting stuff.

I used to have a Camillus electrician's knife, but I think I gave it away.

I bought an unused Camillus at an estate sale of a collector of things military. The reason that I bought it was because my father had one when I was a kid.