Would a multitool work better? CS-34, TL-29, TL-13-A

[ThePointyEnd]

Here’s a signal corps linesman toolkit I just took delivery. I am not sure which period this would fall under or if the kit is matched correctly. But I figure there’s not much discussion about the kit in general (other than the knife) that I want to share some detailed photos.

Oh btw why was this kit still issued after gerber and leatherman multitools were commonplace?

[doglegg]

Sweet kit.

[Mumbleypeg]

Your kit consists of a Camillus knife and Utica pliers which appear to have been modified at some point with some handle wraps. So I’d question seriously that it is as issued originally. From what I can see in the pictures the sheath looks unused. My guess would be someone at some point pieced the kit together. Since you say you don’t know what period it is from, why do you conclude it was post-multitool existence? TL-29 knives pre-date multitools.

WRT the question posed “would a multitool work better?”, my answer is, it depends. I carry a multitool regularly while working on my ranch. (Usually a Leatherman PST). If it’s all I have at the time, I use it. But if my toolbox with real pliers and real screwdrivers is handy, that’s what I use. The right dedicated tool for the job is better than a “one size fits all” tool. JMO

Ken

[ThePointyEnd]

not this kit specifically but just read of people using these while multitools were already commonplace. The sheath does seem in very good condition even though the pliers does show signs of sheath wear

[cody6268]

I actually carry a combo like this, even with my multitool. A good supplement, but not really a replacement. I often have a TL-29 as a work knife (compact, sturdy, and the scraper is really handy for well, scraping, not just wire stripping--I often use it to remove paint and buildup), and even with something like my Super Tool having a pair of 6" or 7" linesman's pliers in your pocket is great. I use a 6" pair of Knipex, which are compact, but are sturdier, and better cutters than the Leatherman. With both, I can hold the nut with the Leatherman, and turn the bolt with the Knipex for example. And for really tough jobs, I have 10" Kleins and fencing pliers.


I

[ThePointyEnd]

I was comparing last night to the leatherman surge, gerber centerdrive, and even some SAK. Now I can see why people use these. The TL29 screwdriver blade has a longer reach, slimmer profile, which rivals the inline screwdrivers of multitools and SAK (except the most recent centerdrives). And the pliers while old has better fit and finish...you don’t see too many pliers nowadays with matching tooth patterns, and these Utica’s are checkered patterns too and the jaws are matched in all directions!

[eveled]

Even though these are on the smaller side. It is really tough to beat a real set of linesman pliers.

Multi tools are ok for emergencies but dedicated tools are far more useable.

The downfall of the TL29 is the lack of a Phillips driver.

For me a decent 6 way driver, 6 inch channel locks, and a Buck 110 are far better than a Leatherman. I do keep linesman pliers handy too.

[glennbad]

My thought...while a multitool is quite handy and compact, to utilize all the various functions of the TL-29 and linesmans pliers using the multitool, you would continually have to open knife blades, close them, open the pliers, close the pliers, etc. And you certainly couldn't grab something and cut it at the same time with only a multitool.

I know multitools are standard issue now for many tool kits in the armed forces. And there are certainly some extra widgets on a multitool that would make it more handy. Perhaps the Lineman tool kit/pouch is a little outdated, but for the tasks it is being asked to do, I think it is the better choice.

[jerryd6818]

What everyone is saying about the proper tool for the job is spot on and that's what the signal tool kit is. To answer your original question "Would a multitool work better", the answer is a quick and emphatic NO! Those multi-tool contraptions are "ok" in a pinch if you have nothing else but as has been said, where the rubber meets the road, there's nothing like a tool that was designed and built for the job at hand.

[royal0014]

multitool =
jack of all trades, master of NONE ....

[cody6268]

multitool =
jack of all trades, master of NONE ....

Exactly. If I'm going to handle light hobby stuff or just a quick temporary fix or tighten of a bolt/screw, I'm using my multitool. Else, I'm going back to the toolbox. MTs cannot handle a lot of strain (including some manuals telling you specifically NOT to twist the pliers--which can be found in the leaflet that comes with some SAKs), their drivers are often too short, and their files (except for diamond ones--they're quite good) rarely even come close to a proper file.

[btrwtr]

The military had the liberty of putting whatever pliers and knives they wanted in these sets. I am sure they used different manufacturers of leather, knife and pliers to put these together and many combinations are possible. As pointed out it's hard for a multi tool to compete with the use of this set in a one on one basis (TL-29 knife and pliers only) but the extra functions available in multi tools would be an unfair advantage.

[bighomer]

Put me in the tl-29 and pliers camp, those muti- tool thinga-ma-gigs are a poor tool at best. ymmv.

[garddogg56]

I think it depends on the trade.As an electrician my LM is the most used tool in my pouch or Kennedy box,when used properly a LM has a lot of uses and is handy a TL-29 is awkward at best and a LM needle-nose will do as well as a pair of pliers.Just my two cents worth

[Colonel26]

I’m with the rest of ya. A set of channel locks for slip joints, Klein lineman pliers for just about everything from fencing to electrical, Klein 10 in one screwdriver, and a SAK. Covers about all the bases. Throw in the channel lock fencing pliers and a hammer if needed. The rest is in the toolbox.

I have a Leatherman Supertool that gets used quite a bit. Especially as pliers and cutters. Mine have the replaceable cutters and they do a very good job especially on string trimmer line!

[1967redrider]

. . . And for really tough jobs, I have 10" Kleins and fencing pliers.

When I'm walking fence I have fence pliers, a cut plastic milk jug with wire staples and a claw hammer. A small chainsaw if I know there's fallen trees to deal with. NOTHING beats a chainsaw for cutting, even though it's on the heavy side.

[cody6268]

. . . And for really tough jobs, I have 10" Kleins and fencing pliers.

When I'm walking fence I have fence pliers, a cut plastic milk jug with wire staples and a claw hammer. A small chainsaw if I know there's fallen trees to deal with. NOTHING beats a chainsaw for cutting, even though it's on the heavy side.

Similar to what I do. However, my folks always use old paint buckets to hold steeples and T-Post clips. Typically, I throw a hammer (typically, a 20 oz. Vaughan) and some other fencing tools in my pack, the steeples in the bucket, and the chainsaw in its case (usually a 1980s Stihl 011AV, the Chinese carburetor on the roughly 10-year-old MS250 is known to be bad for flooding, and it's a pain in the backside to start) as well as a post driver and digging bar into the UTV and go. The 011AV is also pretty small, but robust. I think it's one of the first Stihl made in Virginia Beach. My great-uncle had a rather large West German model from the '70s. It's still going strong. Even after he passed, when I did work on the old family homeplace, that sucker would start after no more than two pulls no matter what.

[1967redrider]

You can't beat a Stihl!

[1967redrider]

Here’s a signal corps linesman toolkit I just took delivery. I am not sure which period this would fall under or if the kit is matched correctly. But I figure there’s not much discussion about the kit in general (other than the knife) that I want to share some detailed photos.

Oh btw why was this kit still issued after gerber and leatherman multitools were commonplace?

TPE- I happen to have a Signal Corps set very similar to yours except the TL-29 is a 4 line Camillus and the Utica pliers are stamped differently. I guess this could have been the standard issue/pairing at some point in time?

[eveled]

Now that is a nice honest set. Correct markings, even patina. Very nice!

[1967redrider]

Thank you, Sir.

[Papa Bones]

Very nice set. I sure remember using it.

These sets along with many other tool sets that was used in the Military (U.S. Army in this posting) were supplied by companies contracted by the government to a specific standard, and in many cases it would be by multiple contracts by different makers. You also have to remember that due to normal attrition, when a tool wore and needed to be replaced, it was dependent upon the decision of your Supply Officer / NCO, if you exchanged the complete set, or just the worn tool in the set, and in the exchange, you might get a newer tool by the same manufacturer or by a different one.

In Combat Engineer Units you have this set not only in your Communication Sections, but in your Line Platoons you have several kits within your TO&E (Table Organization & Equipment) This being one of them. Camillus was a big supplier of the Knives along with CutCo, Utica & Case. The Lineman Pliers was by several different manufacturers. It wasn't uncommon to see a set with a Camillus Knife and Lineman Pliers by Proto. It was just dependent on the inventory of the supply Sargent at the time.

So by the end of the kits life cycle or when units are decommissioned, when the tool set was turned in, it was usually sent to a DRMO office who usually turned it in to a DLA office for disposal or sales , and a lot of times were put up for either lot auctions or open sale to the public. By this time these tools may not be by the same manufacturers as you read how they were originally issued.

So for this original post, It is luck when you can find tools that are period correct, by the specific name brands for the scabbard.

Just my 2 cents worth that ain't worth a dime.

[jerryd6818]

Excellent explanation of how it works.

[1967redrider]

Very nice set. I sure remember using it.

These sets along with many other tool sets that was used in the Military (U.S. Army in this posting) were supplied by companies contracted by the government to a specific standard, and in many cases it would be by multiple contracts by different makers. You also have to remember that due to normal attrition, when a tool wore and needed to be replaced, it was dependent upon the decision of your Supply Officer / NCO, if you exchanged the complete set, or just the worn tool in the set, and in the exchange, you might get a newer tool by the same manufacturer or by a different one.

In Combat Engineer Units you have this set not only in your Communication Sections, but in your Line Platoons you have several kits within your TO&E (Table Organization & Equipment) This being one of them. Camillus was a big supplier of the Knives along with CutCo, Utica & Case. The Lineman Pliers was by several different manufacturers. It wasn't uncommon to see a set with a Camillus Knife and Lineman Pliers by Proto. It was just dependent on the inventory of the supply Sargent at the time.

So by the end of the kits life cycle or when units are decommissioned, when the tool set was turned in, it was usually sent to a DRMO office who usually turned it in to a DLA office for disposal or sales , and a lot of times were put up for either lot auctions or open sale to the public. By this time these tools may not be by the same manufacturers as you read how they were originally issued.

So for this original post, It is luck when you can find tools that are period correct, by the specific name brands for the scabbard.

Just my 2 cents worth that ain't worth a dime.

Thank you, Sir, for that info!

Sometimes finding a matching set is hard, like an old fixed blade with a matching sheath. I appreciate your explanation of why these sets get paired differently than when they were originally issued.

[eveled]

A lot of surplus knives were sold from a barrel. The purchaser was free to make a set how he wanted. Taking the best knife and pliers and the best sheath that could be found in the barrel. So they would be mismatched even further. I’ve even heard of people being able to disassemble 1911’s trying to match the parts.