Vic Tinker vs. TL-29

[ToolJoe]

Which do you think has more utility and better overall package? Go..

[Luna Knife]

what a great topic.  I own 4 TL-29, 2 Camillus and 2 Klien respectively.  I own a regular tinker and a small tinker.

tool vs Tool the Tinker might win because of the phillips and can opener...but

The TL-29 Blade is thicker and it has a locking secondary tool that can be used for a plethora of tasks like scraping, digging weeds, opening bottles

I think it is a tie

[jerseydevil]

Oh man, two of my favorite knives.  The Tinker is my "when in doubt" go-to SAK, and my Camillus TL-29 is one of my favorite carry knives.  The blade on the TL is more robust and takes an incredible edge, and as mentioned above the locking screwdriver is great and very useful.  The Tinker though has the Phillips driver and the small flat driver on the can opener, plus the awl.  I say the Tinker is more versatile, but the TL is still a lot of utility in a great package.   My TL is a late 70's NY made Camillus BTW.

[Steinar]

The SOG Contractor III weighs in at approx 94 g (3.3 oz) (OK, it's not a proper TL-29, but the first I could find that kind of numbers for), while the Tinker weighs in at 62 g, Not a lot of difference, but puts the SOG at around the weight of a Vic Huntsman (97 g). For people who really care about that sort of thing, 32 g difference is almost the weight of a Spyderco Dragonfly (34 g).

So, if weight really matters, the Tinker is the one to go for. That said, I think the most important difference is access to a small blade vs the utility of the locking secondary tool of the TL-29. (Just waiting for the can opener brigade to storm in any minute now... )

[cbl51]

I don't think it's any competition.

The tinker has two blades, large and small to the TL's one. The tinker has phillips capacity, the awl, can opener, bottle opener, tweezers and toothpick, all of which have multiple uses.

Tinker hands down.

[ToolJoe]

I picked up a beat up tinker today at a big flea market. Going to clean it up and put it to the test. I'm amazed how many things are stuffed in this slim package!

[kirk13]

I picked up a beat up tinker today at a big flea market. Going to clean it up and put it to the test. I'm amazed how many things are stuffed in this slim package!

Tinkers a great SAK

[ToolJoe]

I'm carrying the Tinker today and could easily forget this thing is in my pocket. My TL is over in the for sale section. The proceeds are going to a good cause

[strmliner]

First, nobody has pictures??   

I had to look up the TL-29...turns out I have one in the knife box that is easily 30 yrs old.  It previously lived in my tool box for many years in case a blade was needed, and I used it as that...a blade.  My other tool bag has a 40yr old Wenger version of the Tinker.

As for the discussion, it's all about preferences and what you are comfortable with.  But I don't see much of a comparison.  The Tinker is a multi-tool slipjoint...it can be used for many things.  The TL-29 is a basic, old style slipjoint, quite common for pocket carry before the 80's and 90's.

In terms of my own usage over the years, the Wenger in the tool bag has been used many more times than the Camillus.  As for pocket carry, I'm all about Vic SAKs (primarily 84mm). 

[SAK Guy]

TL-29?






Keep mine in my PA Fire Kit...

[strmliner]

Love the old PA tin!   

[strmliner]

First, nobody has pictures??   

I had to look up the TL-29...turns out I have one in the knife box that is easily 30 yrs old.  It previously lived in my tool box for many years in case a blade was needed, and I used it as that...a blade.  My other tool bag has a 40yr old Wenger version of the Tinker.

As for the discussion, it's all about preferences and what you are comfortable with.  But I don't see much of a comparison.  The Tinker is a multi-tool slipjoint...it can be used for many things.  The TL-29 is a basic, old style slipjoint, quite common for pocket carry before the 80's and 90's.

In terms of my own usage over the years, the Wenger in the tool bag has been used many more times than the Camillus.  As for pocket carry, I'm all about Vic SAKs (primarily 84mm).

Great picture SAKGuy, but I'm wondering what your cat thought of your efforts?  LOL!

So I got the Camillus out of the box of sentimental and new knives that I save, and pulled the old Wenger out of the tool drawer for a picture. 

Both knives are close to 40yrs old.  That Wenger was my first SAK as a teenager....the tip was fried off while working on my VW bus.  Both have lived in tool boxes up until two years ago.

[SAK Guy]

Love the old PA tin!   

Thank you and my cat's do eye the lanyard equipped knives closely...they want to play with them. In my mind, I sometimes imagine my cats in a Stewie Griffin voice thinking.....

"When that fat ba*tard goes to relieve himself...his precious baubles will be mine!!!!

[zoidberg]

Love the old PA tin!   

Thank you and my cat's do eye the lanyard equipped knives closely...they want to play with them. In my mind, I sometimes imagine my cats in a Stewie Griffin voice thinking.....

"When that fat ba*tard goes to relieve himself...his precious baubles will be mine!!!!

 

[SAK Guy]

Love the old PA tin!   

Thank you and my cat's do eye the lanyard equipped knives closely...they want to play with them. In my mind, I sometimes imagine my cats in a Stewie Griffin voice thinking.....

"When that fat ba*tard goes to relieve himself...his precious baubles will be mine!!!!