Modern electricians knife?

crunky

crunky

Joined
Apr 6, 2010
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I really like electricians knives. The only one I currently own is an old Klein & Sons I found in an antique shop for $4.... That being said, it was in awful condition and is just about at the end of it's useful like.

Can anyone recommend a new electricians knife that is of good quality? I want something that I can edc and rely on. Does such a thing exist? Should I keep looking for a decent used model? What brands should I be looking at?
I have seen some Case electricians knives with hawkbills, and I really fancy them; but they are almost too pretty to use.
I don't know much about this style of knife, please guide me.
 
Heck crunky, I don't know if anyone even makes one these days. All the young guys I see are carrying leathermans and Gerber multitools. Our niece in is the navy as an electricians mate, and she was issued a Gerber when she got onboard the Blue Ridge.
 
Go to the bay and search for a "Camillus Electrician Knife". Sometimes you will find "new in box" or barely used ones that should serve you well for years and years. Very reasonably priced.
 
Oh hell, buy another Klein. They've always been good for me.
 
Ebay has them all the time, under 10 shipped, are not hard to find. I bought a Klein.
 
You know that Klein Tools still produces traditional style electrician's knives? Looking at the high-res photos on their website reveals "Chicago, USA" tang stamps on most of the traditional style knives, although some of the other patterns are made in Japan.

It looks like most of them are available in carbon steel, too. Brown plastic woodgrain handles, though. They appear to be highly affordable, too.

I don't know anything about quality.

http://www.service.kleintools.com/Tool/PRD/Category/Pocket Knives KNIVES-POCKET KN
 
jackknife said:
Heck crunky, I don't know if anyone even makes one these days. All the young guys I see are carrying leathermans and Gerber multitools. Our niece in is the navy as an electricians mate, and she was issued a Gerber when she got onboard the Blue Ridge.
Click to expand...

She did better than a buddy of mine did... 5 years as electronics tech on a sub and they didn't issue a personal knife/multitool...

He had wanted a electricians knife too, after seeing ones that a few older guys were carrying but couldn't get one; The Navy still has a part #/requisition# on the books for them, and he tried, but there aren't any left to get.

I found that out after i got him one for his birthday last summer... would have done it while he was still in but never knew.

The left over new in box(mine came packed in grease/oil and plastic wrapped, no box...) Camilus ones in smooth black plastic scales are great, good carbon steel, solid build, and a sturdy well fit brass liner lock on the utility blade.. I got two off the ''bay for like $15 each, one for him and one for me. Promptly lost mine, keep meaning to get another.

G.
 
Hey thanks for the info guys, I guess I'll be looking for another Klein! Hopefully one with real wood handle scales ;)
Thanks for the link to that thread about Klein too, I didn't realize that was the same Klein... Now I'm going to have to pick up some of their other knives too.
 
crunky said:
I have seen some Case electricians knives with hawkbills, and I really fancy them; but they are almost too pretty to use.
Click to expand...

Almost. I say, if you like the looks of the Case, get one and use the heck out of it. :thumbup: Life's too short for 'safe queens.'

That said, however, I do think you can find an older Camillus that still has a ton of life left in 'er on a popular online auction site that rhymes with fleabay. ;)
 
I absolutely love the Camillus electrician's knives. I say either grab a Camillus off Ebay OR try to find a new Colonial. Or maybe both.

Colonial is apparently making them now, but I'm not sure who is selling them. Although I'm not really sure how much manufacturing and/or assembly is actually being done in the U.S., I'm all for supporting an old company to keep it from going the way of Schrade and Camillus. Their website says "Made in USA"

http://www.colonialknifecompany.net/

Edit: "Dealer Links" near the top of the Colonial web page has a few places that sell the Electrician's knife
 
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crunky -- I see that you are in Tucson, AZ. U. S. Military Electricians Knives should be a dime a dozen where you are what with Davis Mathon (?) Air Force Base being there. Look in the surplus stores around Tucson and go out to the Dismantaling Companies where many many things ex-military are for sale besides plane parts.
 
Thanks for the offer mbjannusch, but I think mnblade is right. I'm going to stay on the lookout for a Case.
I did pick myself up another Klein though, one of the newer plastic ones.

And thats not a bad Idea either Modoc, I'll have to start looking around town.
 
crunky said:
I really like electricians knives. The only one I currently own is an old Klein & Sons I found in an antique shop for $4.... That being said, it was in awful condition and is just about at the end of it's useful like.

Can anyone recommend a new electricians knife that is of good quality? I want something that I can edc and rely on. Does such a thing exist? Should I keep looking for a decent used model? What brands should I be looking at?
I have seen some Case electricians knives with hawkbills, and I really fancy them; but they are almost too pretty to use.
I don't know much about this style of knife, please guide me.
Click to expand...

crunky said:
Hey thanks for the info guys, I guess I'll be looking for another Klein! Hopefully one with real wood handle scales ;)
Thanks for the link to that thread about Klein too, I didn't realize that was the same Klein... Now I'm going to have to pick up some of their other knives too.
Click to expand...

crunky said:
Thanks for the offer mbjannusch, but I think mnblade is right. I'm going to stay on the lookout for a Case.
I did pick myself up another Klein though, one of the newer plastic ones.

And thats not a bad Idea either Modoc, I'll have to start looking around town.
Click to expand...

Kleins have had plastic scales for at least 30 years. My 30+ year old Klein knife (a well used knife given to me by my boss in the late 70's) has plastic scales. I'm guessing it was made by Camillus. On my never-ending list of knives I will someday buy is a new Klein. I want to see how good they are today. I do not doubt that the new ones are sturdy workman tools. All Klein tools are sturdy and top of the line.

Like Neeman, I spent a spell as an electrician.
 
My Klien tools were purchased in 74
I used them daily for a 4 year spell, then daily for another 18 years
My boss told me, I will only have to buy them once.
He was right.

My knife is Colonial also from 74, there was no other brand available in the NYC supply house
 
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