All About Pocket Knives

Here is three spring knife/tool from Klein Tools. I assume the handles are Delrin.

Probably a pretty desirable tool for an electrician.

Nice! I believe that third blade is designed as a tool for slitting/stripping Romex wire. I have a couple of them--both the hawkbill third blade, and the earlier model with the coping third blade.

Judging by this chart, yours is probably from the late '90s.

https://cutsandcarves.com/how-to-date-klein-knives/


Klein stopped making the entire 1550 line in the US, and instead, had a Chinese company rip off Utica's designs for a Chinese-made knockoff. Utica doesn't sell them as Kutmaster Workman anymore either. However, Utica informed me that they produce many similar models for Proto.

The J18500 is the same as the Klein two-blade in the classic "TL-29" configuration. It seems to be priced close to what the Klein used to be too.

https://www.protoindustrial.com/en/indu ... n's-Knife/

The J18505 is the same as the Klein hawkbill. I'm glad I already have 4-5 of the Kleins and two Kutmasters, but I'll still be buying a couple of this one.

https://www.protoindustrial.com/en/indu ... ing-Knife/

The J18535 is the three-blade TL-29.

https://www.protoindustrial.com/en/indu ... ing-Blade/

Thanx Cody as I am a collector of Klein knives and any TL-29's

garddogg56 wrote: ↑Mon Jul 10, 2023 11:10 pm Thanx Cody as I am a collector of Klein knives and any TL-29's

Dogg, You must have one like I'm showing, eh?

cody6268 wrote: ↑Mon Jul 10, 2023 9:17 pm
Utica informed me that they produce many similar models for Proto.

So, ... if I have a "Buck 110" style lock back stamped "Proto" chances are it was made by Utica?

FRJ wrote: ↑Tue Jul 11, 2023 12:39 am

garddogg56 wrote: ↑Mon Jul 10, 2023 11:10 pm Thanx Cody as I am a collector of Klein knives and any TL-29's

Dogg, You must have one like I'm showing, eh?

I think so Joe,I’ll try to get a pic up tonight

GSPTOPDOG wrote: ↑Tue Jul 11, 2023 5:36 am

cody6268 wrote: ↑Mon Jul 10, 2023 9:17 pm
Utica informed me that they produce many similar models for Proto.

So, ... if I have a "Buck 110" style lock back stamped "Proto" chances are it was made by Utica?

Good question. I may have to email them on that. The J18545 looks a lot different than Utica's 110 clone, which was also sold by Klein.

https://www.protoindustrial.com/en/indu ... ck-Knives/

Utica's 110 clone.

https://uticausa.com/product/11-17101cp-sci/

Here are a couple: a T-1 rope knife(small) & a small folding hunter.

Nice Klein knives, Ray.

This is how I display them Joe the bottom knives are Klein

A very nice display you have there, garddogg, and a good use of the three way switch and fuse panel.

Great eye Joe
A lot of history there

Here's a start. I still need to locate a few, including one I had in my pocket just yesterday.

Hawkbills:

Tang stamps: "M. KLEIN AND SONS CHICAGO MADE IN USA"

Model: 1550-4

Maker: ? (guessing Utica)

Date codes: none noted. Thus, likely made before 1972.

Handles: smooth Delrin (I'm unsure if they were originally woodgrain at one point)

Notes: one of the few that I own that either I didn't buy new, or knew the previous owners--came in used lot 5-6 years back.



Tang stamps "M. KLEIN AND SONS CHICAGO MADE IN USA"

Model: 1550-4

Maker: Utica

Date codes: J (1973). The man who gave this knife to me would've barely been a teenager when it was made, but he says the mines supplied it to him. Guessing the supply house had old stock, as he started working in the early '80s.

Handles: woodgrain Delrin

Note: original owner was a friend of mine, who used it in the mines. Like three others, it "had been a toolbox knife for many years that I found in one that I was cleaning out"



Tang stamps: "KLEIN TOOLS CHICAGO USA"

Model: 1550-4

Maker: Utica

Date Codes: V (1984)

Handle: Woodgrain Delrin

Note: was my Granddad's issued knife in the mines, and later a yard work knife. Eventually became my work knife before being retired in favor of a newer one from just a few years ago. Supposedly, this one was found, and had been ran over with a piece of mining equipment. Yup, these are tough.


Tang stamps: "KLEIN TOOLS CHICAGO 1550-24 MADE IN SHEFFIELD ENGLAND"

Model: 1550-24

Maker: Ibberson, based on their Endurance series.

Date Codes: None.

Handle: blue plastic, feels like polyethylene (PET).

Note: Bought new by me in November, 2019. I would not recommend these. I pruned one thin branch and the pin loosened. These are an integral frame/hiden backspring design held together by one measly brass pin and no liners.

Tang stamps: "KLEIN TOOLS INC JAPAN" (mark side) "44004" (pile side)

Model: 44004

Maker: so far, my evidence points to Moki, based on their Gemini line from the '90s

Date codes: none (seems like if it ain't made in the US, they don't date them)

Note: bought new by me in 2021, and has been used regularly since. This was one of two that replaced Granddad's--little Japanese-made one for EDC, big US-made one for real work. These 44000 series knives are well-made, well-priced, slim, light, and tough. They take everything from "laying around the house in sweatpants" to "whacking brush you can't get at with the weedeater" despite being small. Most of the time, I have the thumb stud swapped over for left-hand carry. I'm thinking about getting one of the bigger ones with a non-reversible clip that will have to have the stud left for right-hand use as the clip is right-hand only and non-reversible.

Tang stamps: "M. KLEINS AND SONS CHICAGO MADE IN USA"

Model: Unknown--presumed to be a forerunner to the 1550-6

Maker: Utica, 1960s

Handle material: black composite, not sure if Delrin

Note: Coping/sheepsfoot blade in place of the more common hawkbill blade. Seems to be one of the harder Kleins to find, and well-used.
Obviously, the guy who originally owned it used the bail to carry it. It's bent pretty badly.

That's a great post, Cody.
Thanks for all the information.
Some of those knives are new to me.

Good job Cody