Klein Tools????

by Ken Spielvogel

Aug 16, 2013

I had not heard of this stamping either. I picked up a TL-29 with a half hawk - real nice knife and I really like it, strong snap, and sturdy knife.  Stamping is: 1st line - R-3       2nd line - KLEIN Tools

3rd line - Chicago USA.       On the secondary blade it is stamped R-3.

I had never seen a TL-29 with half hawk.  Does anyone know about this Klein Tools??? and about this knife. Was this made for military??? Thanks.

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    Ken Spielvogel

    Very well said Tobias and I fully agree with you.

    Oct 9, 2013

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    In Memoriam

    John McCain

    Okay, now I am thoroughly confused ?? I just picked up this unused  TL-29 (not marked as such) M. Klein & Sons for $15 at an antique store. It is marked as--

             E

    M.KLEIN & SONS

       CHICAGO 

    MADE IN U.S.A.

    I Thought the M. Klein & Sons dated it to pre-1972 and the Letter designation started around the same time. If it was a Klein Tools knife,not a M. Klein & Sons,  E would represent 1993???. Anyhow here it is- Any insight would be welcome !!

    May 25, 2016

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    Tobias Gibson

    Hi John. The 1972 knives begin with the letter i (eye). I've seen double letter used on earlier knives. M. Klein is tang stamp from before 1972 but knife companies will exhaust old stock so M. Klein blades could have been used after 1972.

    I doubt however they would have been around as late as 1993. Some believe Klein began using the single letter dating beginning with the letter A. Before that they used a double letter system. (AA, BB, CC, etc) and other methods. If this assumption is correct this would put the knife back to 1968. The other theory is the E was the model letter assigned for a standard electrician knife pre-1972. In which case it is simply a pre-1972 electrician knife. Either way that one looks like a keeper.

    May 25, 2016