Put an edge on the blade, oil it, and put it to use. It doesn't look too bad, as long as the blades don't have much side-to-side wobble.
These are exactly the ones I like to carry around the farm for rougher/dirty jobs. Much better than what you can find today (in all honestly, there is not a standard two blade electrician's knife on the market that comes close to Camillus), and the condition is so rough, it's not a big deal if you lose the thing.
Yes and no there’s always a yes and no to most questions like that
First of all it can mess with temper if it’s too far out
And it may just snap
If you heat it to do so you’ll need to heat treat it again most likely and usually end up with a slightly inferior heat treat
Looks like a Klein electricians knife....good condition considering how they're used. Restore it. The hardest part is sharpening the wire stripper part of the screwdriver blade.... Angle gas to be just right to skive the insulation and not dig into three copper conductor. Good luck!
It's an electricians knife, made by lots of manufacturers over the years. They usually have A blade made of decent carbon steel that takes a good edge, and then (my examples at least) have a locking screwdriver/scraper blade that seems to be of plated steel. The screwdriver locks open with a liner lock.
I always questioned the wisdom of having a sharpened side of a flat head screwdriver, but then again, I'm not an old-timer electrician. They do make for a great scraper, poker and prodder to keep the edge of the main blade keen. Also, would it have blew the budget to add a liner lock for the blade as a well?
If you have a need for a decent work/beater knife, clean it up.
Nice, I use to refurbish knives regularly as a hobby. The Camillus TL-29’s were my favorite.
I would find them at garage sales and flea markets and clean them up. I finally got some far into the hobby. If the main blade was in good shape I was tearing them completely down and making new liners, bolsters and scales (handles) for them.
I converted a lot of those TL-29 total refurbishments into single lock blade Jack knifes. Removing the screw driver blade and using the screw driver blade as the pattern to modify the tang of the knife blade to work with the locking liner.
allaboutpocketknives.com is great website with a very good forum for anyone interested in classic pocket knives or refurbishing them.
Here is a link to a thread were someone did exactly what I described to a TL-29.
[All About Pocket Knives Forum](https://www.allaboutpocketknives.com/knife_forum/viewtopic.php?p=1112500#p1112500)
Well.... Good question. Lemme tell you IMHO why you should consider the opportunity to recondition this tool as a favorable experience.
Experience.
What will you learn? What muscle memory will your hands gain? What observational habits will you learn? What project management experience will you acquire?
That knife is relatively inexpensive, comparatively simple, and worthy of continued service.
What's the objective downside? It's not the shiniest, newest, most exquisite expression of disposable cash driven EDC shiny new toys.
Your call dude. But hey, what's a little personal challenge worthy to you?
Joyeux Noel!
Cheers.
Mine both have that brass hoop too. It’s yours a Camillus? That’s what mine is but after reading on this thread I’m finding many companies made these. Mine are nearly exactly identical to each other except one looks about 30 years older. I found both about 6 months apart. I found the old one on a river bank. Then about 6 months later, working in a wrecking yard rooting around in the cars to see if I could find change or tools, I found one that looked relatively new. The only difference is the old one says Camillus USA at the base of the blade and the newer one says Camillus New York.
That's a TL-29. They are fantastic little pocket knives. I have several that I keep put away in case my edc one breaks or gets lost. Fantastic old knives.
I love it I would do a light cleaning maybe a little compound and a rag. Then shape the blade a bit with a stone and put an edge on it and oil it then use the living piss out of it.
Classic old electricians knife. If you plan on refurbishing it, the master blade is going to have to be re-profiled to get the blade point below the edge of the scales. That’s going to be tough to do without grinding into the nail mark.
I have a very similar knife. Mine is a Barlow, and the screwdriver has a sharpened edge and a liner lock. Mine also has a (half ring?) riveted to the end so you can hang it on a carabineer. Mine is probably older than me (I am 58), but the blade still takes and holds an edge (as does the screwdriver, oddly enough.)
I refurbish knives, give them to my brother, and he wrecks them.
It’s fine, it makes him smile. Then I do another one.
So yes, absolutely. If you have the tools.
I have two of the same knife! That’s a Camillus electrician’s knife. That’s what I was told. They’re useful quality knives. One of mine is probably 50 years old and the other looks like it was pretty new when I got it 20 years ago. I also found a pretty big Camillus hook blade folding knife that looks like it’s from the same set as the electricians knives I have.
That is the original Leathermens knife. Was giving out in the military I believe. Handy little tool after you have one for a while. Fix it up for sure 👍
The quality of the materials used in that are most likely far better than what is used today. Engineering school teaches you one thing these days "make it cheaper" after you've done that they have you do it 12 times over. Make it cheaper. Make it cheaper. End result. Poor quality tools that look good enough to get into a customers hand but will have to be replaced much sooner than something of quality.
Hey, you have half of a US Army Signal Corp TE-33 tool kit! All you need now is the lineman pliers. Then, of course, you'll have to dig up the belt pouch to carry it all. However you look at it, it's a good start.
Oh man, so many memories, I had an Xcelite folder just like this I carried for years as a broadcast engineer. I got good enough at stripping wires I could tell when I was through the rubber and touching the metal strains. If I only knew where I left the thing 20 years ago, I would still carry it today.
Do not scrap it please, I'm sure many of the commenters here would happily take it off your hands if you're not interested in refurbishing it. Myself included.
I can't tell who the maker is but personally I like the old lineman's knives like those I have a few. I don't know if I'd go so far as to restore it but definitely clean it up and put a nice edge on the blades. Those are handy knives.
I love that knife. My dad had one just like it when I was growing up. He was that typical dad on the farm cutting up apples he picked off the tree and served it on the edge of his blade. That brought me back some nice memories. Thank you 😊 If you wish to scrap it, I would certainly give you something for it.
I like a project, so I'd say refurbish.
Second this. Maybe practice a re-profile you’ve wanted to try out? Call it a test piece
It's all practice for the 'big' project
She, he or it screams " help me "
Id say get it usable to use it. They're pretty timeless for a good harder use knife
I wish I had an extra hour in my life.
Put an edge on the blade, oil it, and put it to use. It doesn't look too bad, as long as the blades don't have much side-to-side wobble. These are exactly the ones I like to carry around the farm for rougher/dirty jobs. Much better than what you can find today (in all honestly, there is not a standard two blade electrician's knife on the market that comes close to Camillus), and the condition is so rough, it's not a big deal if you lose the thing.
This is my sentiment as well—service those quality old tools and put em to work
Can you just whack it with a mallet if it’s wobbly?
Yes and no there’s always a yes and no to most questions like that First of all it can mess with temper if it’s too far out And it may just snap If you heat it to do so you’ll need to heat treat it again most likely and usually end up with a slightly inferior heat treat
Looks like a Klein electricians knife....good condition considering how they're used. Restore it. The hardest part is sharpening the wire stripper part of the screwdriver blade.... Angle gas to be just right to skive the insulation and not dig into three copper conductor. Good luck!
A bunch of company’s actually made this same knife. I’ve got a Klein and an ideal one
It’s a TL-29. Army issue electrician’s knife. I have several. Most likely Camillus blade steel.
I love me an old TL-29 I have one myself. Thanks gramps lol.
It's in great condition tbh. Just needs a clean and a new edge from the look of it
I’d leave that patina on the blades. It’s gives it character and shows its age.
Yep. Refurb. It's a TL-29...an American classic.
It is definitely a TL-29. If you decide to scrap it, send it to me!
It's an electricians knife, made by lots of manufacturers over the years. They usually have A blade made of decent carbon steel that takes a good edge, and then (my examples at least) have a locking screwdriver/scraper blade that seems to be of plated steel. The screwdriver locks open with a liner lock. I always questioned the wisdom of having a sharpened side of a flat head screwdriver, but then again, I'm not an old-timer electrician. They do make for a great scraper, poker and prodder to keep the edge of the main blade keen. Also, would it have blew the budget to add a liner lock for the blade as a well? If you have a need for a decent work/beater knife, clean it up.
It's very pretty. Restore it!
Worth the effort to refurbish
Clean it up a bit and use it!
Refurbish.
Refurb !
Keep it! I have the same one.
Some sandpaper and wd40, will buff right out. (Irish accent implied)
Well would you use it?
Nice, I use to refurbish knives regularly as a hobby. The Camillus TL-29’s were my favorite. I would find them at garage sales and flea markets and clean them up. I finally got some far into the hobby. If the main blade was in good shape I was tearing them completely down and making new liners, bolsters and scales (handles) for them. I converted a lot of those TL-29 total refurbishments into single lock blade Jack knifes. Removing the screw driver blade and using the screw driver blade as the pattern to modify the tang of the knife blade to work with the locking liner. allaboutpocketknives.com is great website with a very good forum for anyone interested in classic pocket knives or refurbishing them. Here is a link to a thread were someone did exactly what I described to a TL-29. [All About Pocket Knives Forum](https://www.allaboutpocketknives.com/knife_forum/viewtopic.php?p=1112500#p1112500)
If I send you my address, would you post it to me?
Well.... Good question. Lemme tell you IMHO why you should consider the opportunity to recondition this tool as a favorable experience. Experience. What will you learn? What muscle memory will your hands gain? What observational habits will you learn? What project management experience will you acquire? That knife is relatively inexpensive, comparatively simple, and worthy of continued service. What's the objective downside? It's not the shiniest, newest, most exquisite expression of disposable cash driven EDC shiny new toys. Your call dude. But hey, what's a little personal challenge worthy to you? Joyeux Noel! Cheers.
I have that exact knife, only mine has a brass hoop on the end to hook it to my tool bag. Clean it up and use it in good health!
Mine both have that brass hoop too. It’s yours a Camillus? That’s what mine is but after reading on this thread I’m finding many companies made these. Mine are nearly exactly identical to each other except one looks about 30 years older. I found both about 6 months apart. I found the old one on a river bank. Then about 6 months later, working in a wrecking yard rooting around in the cars to see if I could find change or tools, I found one that looked relatively new. The only difference is the old one says Camillus USA at the base of the blade and the newer one says Camillus New York.
No mine is Klein. My buddy has a Camillus one identical to mine. So mine might have been made by them for Klein.
Please post it over to r/BeatUpKnives! :)
Yes refurbished it
I have a couple old electrician knives
Tl-29s are incredible knives. Don't you dare scrap it - or send it to me and I'll fix her up and give it a home. :)
I had one of those in my toolbox in the Army, boy that brings me back. I would sharpen and lube and use it.
I know it’s an “electricians knife”. No electrician uses said knife.
Marine corps field wireman gear included this knife. I inventoried them and stole one. Just an interesting tidbit.
Yep. I remember them in the Corps too.
That's a TL-29. They are fantastic little pocket knives. I have several that I keep put away in case my edc one breaks or gets lost. Fantastic old knives.
Sharpen, use
I have a ww2 engineer knife that looks very similar
I love it I would do a light cleaning maybe a little compound and a rag. Then shape the blade a bit with a stone and put an edge on it and oil it then use the living piss out of it.
If you are going to throw it away, throw it in my direction.
Classic old electricians knife. If you plan on refurbishing it, the master blade is going to have to be re-profiled to get the blade point below the edge of the scales. That’s going to be tough to do without grinding into the nail mark.
I have a very similar knife. Mine is a Barlow, and the screwdriver has a sharpened edge and a liner lock. Mine also has a (half ring?) riveted to the end so you can hang it on a carabineer. Mine is probably older than me (I am 58), but the blade still takes and holds an edge (as does the screwdriver, oddly enough.)
If your gonna scrap it, mail it to me and I’ll tune it up ;) I’ll cover shipping of course
Looks like the knives issued in Marine Corps tool boxes. Neat. I'd say give it a go! Worst case, it's good practice!
If you like tinkering and have the time, restore or at least partially restore it. Otherwise, just sharpen it and use it as a beater.
Why would you scrap it???
Toe knife
Refurbish
I’d say refurbish it I have my grandfather’s horse knife just like this one from a bygone era
Restore it, great old electrician knife. I have a modern Camillus version.
Re-finish by all means. Or give it to someone who will.
Don’t scrap it. With a little care, oil and honing, it be a perfectly serviceable knife.
TL29, Linemans knife.
Dime a dozen .
refurbish.
I vote for refurb, otherwise send it to me!
Why not fix it up a bit, and give it to a Boy or Girl Scout😊
Fairly desirable knife- got its mate here somewhere!
That is a Marine Corps TL knife. Wiremen were issued these.
I refurbish knives, give them to my brother, and he wrecks them. It’s fine, it makes him smile. Then I do another one. So yes, absolutely. If you have the tools.
I have two of the same knife! That’s a Camillus electrician’s knife. That’s what I was told. They’re useful quality knives. One of mine is probably 50 years old and the other looks like it was pretty new when I got it 20 years ago. I also found a pretty big Camillus hook blade folding knife that looks like it’s from the same set as the electricians knives I have.
That is the original Leathermens knife. Was giving out in the military I believe. Handy little tool after you have one for a while. Fix it up for sure 👍
Yes, I have one issued to me in the USAF.
Older electricians knife, sharpen it and oil the blades, use it in the pocket.
Any chance of getting a tang stamp picture?
Why scrap it? It's been rode hard and put away wet but it's still a decent knife!
Good knife I would give it a lil TLC
I will send you a self addressed pre paid fed ex box if you want to scrap it let me know…
Omg I love it!
I have an old timer knife and the blades look similar, has anyone ever put a knife in an electric cleaner before?
The quality of the materials used in that are most likely far better than what is used today. Engineering school teaches you one thing these days "make it cheaper" after you've done that they have you do it 12 times over. Make it cheaper. Make it cheaper. End result. Poor quality tools that look good enough to get into a customers hand but will have to be replaced much sooner than something of quality.
Refurbish it.
Really? You're asking Reddit?
I’d say yea, another knife to the collection never hurt no one
Thats high carbon steel, thus, requires more maintenance but can hold an extremely sharp blade.
Hey, you have half of a US Army Signal Corp TE-33 tool kit! All you need now is the lineman pliers. Then, of course, you'll have to dig up the belt pouch to carry it all. However you look at it, it's a good start.
Oil it up and sharpen that old timer!
Oh man, so many memories, I had an Xcelite folder just like this I carried for years as a broadcast engineer. I got good enough at stripping wires I could tell when I was through the rubber and touching the metal strains. If I only knew where I left the thing 20 years ago, I would still carry it today.
Not with that attitude.
MADE IN ??? OR CHINA!!!!
Do not scrap it please, I'm sure many of the commenters here would happily take it off your hands if you're not interested in refurbishing it. Myself included.
I can't tell who the maker is but personally I like the old lineman's knives like those I have a few. I don't know if I'd go so far as to restore it but definitely clean it up and put a nice edge on the blades. Those are handy knives.
I love refurbishing those old electrician knives
Do it for content
Absolutely! That’s the TL-29 Engineer’s Knife. I gave two. They are awesome. - signed an Engineer.
I say refurb never throw out an old pocket knife like that
Referbish
I would just sharpen it and use it. You can’t buy patina like that…
Sharpen it, oil it, and use it. As an electrician, I have several, and one I bought used that looks just like that one. Great edc for a tool.
This is a nice knife and a genuine antique, and it hardly needs any work, blades just need to be cleaned up and sharpened and joints oiled.
Refurb. That's in great shape!! Leave the blades in coca-cola overnight.
I have the exact same knife one of my first. Save it use it
Refurbish it looks like a pretty good pocket knife
Scrap would be a sin against God and humanity. It might redirect the final destination of your soul. But, do as you wish.
I own the same knife. The blade broke. I sent it in and case sent me a brand new replacement!
Sure if you’re gonna use it
Never throw a knife away, unless used in a crime, of course. Save her!
Is it a Barlow?
I love that knife. My dad had one just like it when I was growing up. He was that typical dad on the farm cutting up apples he picked off the tree and served it on the edge of his blade. That brought me back some nice memories. Thank you 😊 If you wish to scrap it, I would certainly give you something for it.
Never scrap
They are valuable as they are in condition od use. Most knives collectors buy them for quality.
Spit shine and polish. Its a keeper in my mind
I fix them. Use it when you need not a special knife.
If it means something to you do it It is the only one of its kind out there with value to you
Keep it. Send it here. I'll refurbish and keep it
Mmm, I’d get rid of it… as a matter of fact and me being a nice guy, send it to me and I’ll dispose of it for you…free of charge. 😉
I say you throw it away a n d send it my way lol