Page 1 of 2
Electrician/Lineman Knife, but which one?
Posted: Thu Feb 16, 2023 8:11 pm
by Wreichard
Interesting … have looked around and the long line tang stamp definitely seems to be in the 60-76 range.
Curious if this is actually a TL-29 or something else. (Unquestionably an electrician pattern of some kind, and I think I understand TL-29 is only “official” if it’s military issue, so hopefully my question is a real one.)
No model number mark that I can see. Doesn’t seem like it ever had a bail unless somebody repinned it, but it doesn’t seem to have been used much.
At first I thought the screwdriver blade didn’t lock, then realized the liner isn’t clicking over for some reason. Pulling it up slightly with pliers, I can move it into place, but it snaps back (unlocked) at the slightest pressure. Pull on the screwdriver blade is about 11/10 … I have to use pliers to open. Seems relatively clean so not sure what’s happening there, but the spring on that blade is proud when closed, so maybe something’s warped?
Anyway, of interest, hopefully, if only to look at.
9489F270-05C5-4341-B9B1-4BAD3611F531.jpeg
Re: Electrician/Lineman Knife, but which one?
Posted: Thu Feb 16, 2023 8:59 pm
by edge213
Wreichard wrote: ↑Thu Feb 16, 2023 8:11 pm
Interesting … have looked around and the long line tang stamp definitely seems to be in the 60-76 range.
Curious if this is actually a TL-29 or something else. (Unquestionably an electrician pattern of some kind, and I think I understand TL-29 is only “official” if it’s military issue, so hopefully my question is a real one.)
No model number mark that I can see. Doesn’t seem like it ever had a bail unless somebody repinned it, but it doesn’t seem to have been used much.
At first I thought the screwdriver blade didn’t lock, then realized the liner isn’t clicking over for some reason. Pulling it up slightly with pliers, I can move it into place, but it snaps back (unlocked) at the slightest pressure. Pull on the screwdriver blade is about 11/10 … I have to use pliers to open. Seems relatively clean so not sure what’s happening there, but the spring on that blade is proud when closed, so maybe something’s warped?
Anyway, of interest, hopefully, if only to look at.
9489F270-05C5-4341-B9B1-4BAD3611F531.jpeg
To me it looks like it's been rehandled and they left off the bail.
Re: Electrician/Lineman Knife, but which one?
Posted: Thu Feb 16, 2023 9:12 pm
by Wreichard
edge213 wrote: ↑Thu Feb 16, 2023 8:59 pm
Wreichard wrote: ↑Thu Feb 16, 2023 8:11 pm
Interesting … have looked around and the long line tang stamp definitely seems to be in the 60-76 range.
Curious if this is actually a TL-29 or something else. (Unquestionably an electrician pattern of some kind, and I think I understand TL-29 is only “official” if it’s military issue, so hopefully my question is a real one.)
No model number mark that I can see. Doesn’t seem like it ever had a bail unless somebody repinned it, but it doesn’t seem to have been used much.
At first I thought the screwdriver blade didn’t lock, then realized the liner isn’t clicking over for some reason. Pulling it up slightly with pliers, I can move it into place, but it snaps back (unlocked) at the slightest pressure. Pull on the screwdriver blade is about 11/10 … I have to use pliers to open. Seems relatively clean so not sure what’s happening there, but the spring on that blade is proud when closed, so maybe something’s warped?
Anyway, of interest, hopefully, if only to look at.
9489F270-05C5-4341-B9B1-4BAD3611F531.jpeg
To me it looks like it's been rehandled and they left off the bail.
That makes some sense … the wood seems to be improbably clean.
Re: Electrician/Lineman Knife, but which one?
Posted: Thu Feb 16, 2023 11:39 pm
by herbva
From the pictures, it looks very much to me like the pivot pin is brass, indicating that DIY work was done on this knife at some point.
Re: Electrician/Lineman Knife, but which one?
Posted: Thu Feb 16, 2023 11:59 pm
by Wreichard
herbva wrote: ↑Thu Feb 16, 2023 11:39 pm
From the pictures, it looks very much to me like the pivot pin is brass, indicating that DIY work was done on this knife at some point.
Good deal — thanks. That seems to fit. It kind of feels like it was reassembled to overcome some issues. Didn’t cost a lot … still nice to look at!
Amazing how much there is to learn about these seemingly “simple” items.
Re: Electrician/Lineman Knife, but which one?
Posted: Fri Feb 17, 2023 3:21 am
by saltwaterebel
Sorta looks like a circa 1967ish Camillus made Craftsman electricians with the sawcut delrin covers replaced.
Re: Electrician/Lineman Knife, but which one?
Posted: Fri Feb 17, 2023 4:12 am
by Dan In MI
I would agree that it's had DIY repair work done at some point. But it looks good, and it would be a great carrier.
Re: Electrician/Lineman Knife, but which one?
Posted: Fri Feb 17, 2023 4:26 am
by Wreichard
saltwaterebel wrote: ↑Fri Feb 17, 2023 3:21 am
Sorta looks like a circa 1967ish Camillus made Craftsman electricians with the sawcut delrin covers replaced.
Great tip—thanks! Investigating.
Re: Electrician/Lineman Knife, but which one?
Posted: Fri Feb 17, 2023 4:31 am
by Wreichard
Dan In MI wrote: ↑Fri Feb 17, 2023 4:12 am
I would agree that it's had DIY repair work done at some point. But it looks good, and it would be a great carrier.
Thanks!
Re: Electrician/Lineman Knife, but which one?
Posted: Fri Feb 17, 2023 1:25 pm
by MadeinUSA
That’s still good looking and interesting knife/tool… even if retrofitted and repaired by former owner
I’ve got my eyes on a 327F and hope to own one soon
Re: Electrician/Lineman Knife, but which one?
Posted: Fri Feb 17, 2023 3:17 pm
by Wreichard
MadeinUSA wrote: ↑Fri Feb 17, 2023 1:25 pm
That’s still good looking and interesting knife/tool… even if retrofitted and repaired by former owner
I’ve got my eyes on a 327F and hope to own one soon
AC8BC113-4662-47A4-A4AB-82662095A5EE.jpeg
That’s an interesting one! Steel handles?
Re: Electrician/Lineman Knife, but which one?
Posted: Fri Feb 17, 2023 3:31 pm
by MadeinUSA
Wreichard wrote: ↑Fri Feb 17, 2023 3:17 pm
MadeinUSA wrote: ↑Fri Feb 17, 2023 1:25 pm
That’s still good looking and interesting knife/tool… even if retrofitted and repaired by former owner
I’ve got my eyes on a 327F and hope to own one soon
AC8BC113-4662-47A4-A4AB-82662095A5EE.jpeg
That’s an interesting one! Steel handles?
Here’s the specs I found:
Ol' Glory Journeyman ( #327F )
SPECIFICATIONS
Opened length: 6-1/2” (165 mm)
Closed length: 3-3/4” (95 mm)
2-1/2” (64 mm) Spear blade;
2-1/2” (64 mm) Screwdriver with wire stripper
Blade steel: 440 Stainless Steel
Stainless Liner lock
Flag application handle only
Produced: 2002
So… I it’s doesn’t say, but I would guess composite / plastic of some sort. That’s just a guess.
Re: Electrician/Lineman Knife, but which one?
Posted: Fri Feb 17, 2023 3:45 pm
by Wreichard
MadeinUSA wrote: ↑Fri Feb 17, 2023 3:31 pm
Wreichard wrote: ↑Fri Feb 17, 2023 3:17 pm
MadeinUSA wrote: ↑Fri Feb 17, 2023 1:25 pm
That’s still good looking and interesting knife/tool… even if retrofitted and repaired by former owner
I’ve got my eyes on a 327F and hope to own one soon
AC8BC113-4662-47A4-A4AB-82662095A5EE.jpeg
That’s an interesting one! Steel handles?
Here’s the specs I found:
Ol' Glory Journeyman ( #327F )
SPECIFICATIONS
Opened length: 6-1/2” (165 mm)
Closed length: 3-3/4” (95 mm)
2-1/2” (64 mm) Spear blade;
2-1/2” (64 mm) Screwdriver with wire stripper
Blade steel: 440 Stainless Steel
Stainless Liner lock
Flag application handle only
Produced: 2002
So… I it’s doesn’t say, but I would guess composite / plastic of some sort. That’s just a guess.
Cool! New one to me. There’s a little bit of everything in that series, I was just seeing … camp knife, too. Happy hunting!
Re: Electrician/Lineman Knife, but which one?
Posted: Fri Feb 17, 2023 5:35 pm
by Dan In MI
I wasn't aware of that one, either. My guess is that the covers are synthetic, and the U.S. flag design is printed. Hopefully another member will come along and confirm that.
Re: Electrician/Lineman Knife, but which one?
Posted: Fri Feb 17, 2023 10:14 pm
by MadeinUSA
If it is like my other two similar Camillus models (second and third ones from the top)… yes, synthetic and appears painted
Re: Electrician/Lineman Knife, but which one?
Posted: Fri Feb 17, 2023 10:54 pm
by Wreichard
MadeinUSA wrote: ↑Fri Feb 17, 2023 10:14 pm
If it is like my other two similar Camillus models (second and third ones from the top)… yes, synthetic and appears painted
04A7C8D6-234B-497E-B937-1FBC3700CFC3.jpeg
Nice! (Like the Buck custom, too!)
Re: Electrician/Lineman Knife, but which one?
Posted: Fri Feb 17, 2023 11:26 pm
by MadeinUSA
Wreichard wrote: ↑Fri Feb 17, 2023 10:54 pm
MadeinUSA wrote: ↑Fri Feb 17, 2023 10:14 pm
If it is like my other two similar Camillus models (second and third ones from the top)… yes, synthetic and appears painted
04A7C8D6-234B-497E-B937-1FBC3700CFC3.jpeg
Nice! (Like the Buck custom, too!)
The patriotic Buck spitfire was the Buck of the month I picked up a couple of years ago
Re: Electrician/Lineman Knife, but which one?
Posted: Sun Feb 19, 2023 2:54 am
by Wreichard
So, never one to leave good enough alone, I decided to take this apart. Wondering if this is the normal tang shape for the screwdriver blade. It looks like it would be a heck of a lot harder to work than the main blade.
More to the point of the extremely tough opening on the screwdriver blade, I notice that the springs are slightly different, and I wonder if one is meant to go with a particular blade. The beefier spring was under the screwdriver blade. Again, assuming someone had repinned it at some point and maybe didn’t see the difference?
B7576F45-0440-407E-9ACE-D537EC6CED02.jpeg
And as long as I’m asking, it looks like the bolsters were welded to the liners … is what I’m seeing on this loose one an indication that someone used some JB Weld or something on this side to repair? (It was loose.)
Thanks!
8ED7503F-BF43-4459-A94C-73E7C5A702F5.jpeg
346BDFE1-1F6A-4733-95D6-A45442F33CD9.jpeg
Re: Electrician/Lineman Knife, but which one?
Posted: Sun Feb 19, 2023 10:15 am
by Vit_213
Wreichard wrote: ↑Fri Feb 17, 2023 3:17 pm
MadeinUSA wrote: ↑Fri Feb 17, 2023 1:25 pm
That’s still good looking and interesting knife/tool… even if retrofitted and repaired by former owner
I’ve got my eyes on a 327F and hope to own one soon
AC8BC113-4662-47A4-A4AB-82662095A5EE.jpeg
That’s an interesting one! Steel handles?
Yes
I talked about the art application method in this thread -
https://www.allaboutpocketknives.com/kn ... 63&t=72178
Re: Electrician/Lineman Knife, but which one?
Posted: Sun Feb 19, 2023 5:58 pm
by Wreichard
What a great post there — love it. Thanks!
Re: Electrician/Lineman Knife, but which one?
Posted: Sun Feb 19, 2023 7:56 pm
by Dan In MI
Wreichard wrote: ↑Sun Feb 19, 2023 2:54 am
It looks like the bolsters were welded to the liners … is what I’m seeing on this loose one an indication that someone used some JB Weld or something on this side to repair?
That would be my guess. I've never taken one apart, so we'd need confirmation from someone who has.
I went through the catalogs last night. Camillus pretty consistently called this a 27 from 1960 into the 1970s. For whatever it's worth, the first year it was first illustrated with the shackle farther from the pivot point was 1978.
Re: Electrician/Lineman Knife, but which one?
Posted: Sun Feb 19, 2023 8:02 pm
by Wreichard
Dan In MI wrote: ↑Sun Feb 19, 2023 7:56 pm
Wreichard wrote: ↑Sun Feb 19, 2023 2:54 am
It looks like the bolsters were welded to the liners … is what I’m seeing on this loose one an indication that someone used some JB Weld or something on this side to repair?
That would be my guess. I've never taken one apart, so we'd need confirmation from someone who has.
I went through the catalogs last night. Camillus pretty consistently called this a 27 from 1960 into the 1970s. For whatever it's worth, the first year it was first illustrated with the shackle farther from the pivot point was 1978.
Thanks, Dan! I think that lines up pretty well with the tang stamp, too. Makes sense.
Elsewhere, someone explained to me that the bolster was held to the liner with a “Tommy pin” kind of like a rivet. If you take it apart and break it, the pin is then too short to reuse, so you’re stuck trying to find some other way. Seems like that’s what happened here.
Same person also told me that tang shape is totally normal, if a bit squared off compared to how you’d ideally want it.
Re: Electrician/Lineman Knife, but which one?
Posted: Wed Feb 22, 2023 1:03 am
by GSPTOPDOG
Wreichard wrote: ↑Sun Feb 19, 2023 8:02 pm
Dan In MI wrote: ↑Sun Feb 19, 2023 7:56 pm
Wreichard wrote: ↑Sun Feb 19, 2023 2:54 am
Elsewhere, someone explained to me that the bolster was held to the liner with a “Tommy pin” kind of like a rivet. If you take it apart and break it, the pin is then too short to reuse, so you’re stuck trying to find some other way. Seems like that’s what happened here.
Same person also told me that tang shape is totally normal, if a bit squared off compared to how you’d ideally want it.
[
I have several Camillus Electrician/Lineman Knives and most are NOT marked #27 and with some the screwdriver/striper is VERY hard to open. I end up using my Leatherman pliers to pull that blade out when I need it. That being said, it is only a couple that are super stiff like that
So I don't know how they ended up that way
.
I will say the #27 is one of my favorite "Go to EDCs" in my EDC stash. The main blade/knife blade is a great shape for my typical use/task and I have found these knives to be a great value from the cost and usability point of view. I'll add your looks great with the wood scales
Re: Electrician/Lineman Knife, but which one?
Posted: Wed Feb 22, 2023 1:51 am
by Wreichard
GSPTOPDOG wrote: ↑Wed Feb 22, 2023 1:03 am
[
I have several Camillus Electrician/Lineman Knives and most are NOT marked #27 and with some the screwdriver/striper is VERY hard to open. I end up using my Leatherman pliers to pull that blade out when I need it. That being said, it is only a couple that are super stiff like that
So I don't know how they ended up that way
.
I will say the #27 is one of my favorite "Go to EDCs" in my EDC stash. The main blade/knife blade is a great shape for my typical use/task and I have found these knives to be a great value from the cost and usability point of view. I'll add your looks great with the wood scales
Thanks! They really are a great size and shape. It’s good to hear from others that the action isn’t totally out of character.
Re: Electrician/Lineman Knife, but which one?
Posted: Wed Feb 22, 2023 3:01 pm
by Vit_213
GSPTOPDOG wrote: ↑Wed Feb 22, 2023 1:03 am
I have several Camillus Electrician/Lineman Knives and most are NOT marked #27
Military application. Until 1954 it was the TL-29 specification, since 1954 the MIL-K-13419 (SigC) specification.
My corps de ballet (all Camillus, all military)
