Orvet Custom TL-29

[coffeecup]

I'm pretty sure the lock on my 194OT has saved me a bunch of cut fingers over the years, and I've always wanted a bigger spear-point knife with the same lock. Just like a TL-29 lock. In the past I've ground the screwdriver into a knife blade a few times but was never happy with it. So I contacted Orvet and sort of explained what I wanted in a new EDC.

(In the pics that follow, please keep in mind it is an EDC. I probably should have cleaned it before taking pics; today I've used it to scrape a bit of headgasket off a cylinder block, skinned some wires and scraped crud so I could install a new headlight, show some scouts how to skin a coyote, do some layout work in the shop, and do some carving to get the light box made so I could take the pics!)

As one might guess, this knife originated as a TL-29. Dale removed the screwdriver blade and fit the lock to the knife blade. (Seems like there was something else . . . )

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Oh yeah, installed the nifty stag scales! I love the popcorn, no slip in this knife.

I know the lock on TL-29s can be a bit controversial, but I look at it like this: I'm not using the tip of the thing to turn screws (well, not on a regular basis). But I do use a knife a lot, and that lock gives a bit of extra security. Complaints are sometimes made about the extra thickness, but for my purposes that really isn't a concern. I can't imagine doing a TL-29 to single-blade conversion and not fitting the lock to the blade, as you can see was done here:

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Like the guy selling stuff on late-night-TV says, "But wait! There's more!" I like some filework on the blade and spring to give a little extra gripping surface. Dale's filework accomplishes that nicely.

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And of course, no Orvet Custom knife would be complete without this:

(Well, without the maker's mark. Most people would probably prefer not to have extra fingerprints and smears!)

Jim

[Ramrod]

Nice job Dale. thats a beaut! Mark

[rangerbluedog]

That is PURTY!

[gmusic]

Lookin good Dale!

[orvet]

I am glad you like it Jim!
There is no greater complement to a knife maker than to use his knife, and I can see that you have certainly used it since it left Oregon!

Here are some pics without the extra fingerprints.

Dale

[Froggyedge]

Nice!
Must be a pleasure to own,carry and use!

[Elvis]

There is no greater complement to a knife maker than to use his knife, and I can see that you have certainly used it since it left Oregon!
Dale

How true! Great looking knife and I really like the idea of keeping the liner lock. Purty and practical!

[glennbad]

Great work as usual Dale.

I have a coworker that I have turned into a knife nut, and I told him I was going to do a pimpin' job on a knife for him. He works in our warehouse. I was thinking of a TL-29 dropped down to a single blade with some new scales. After seeing this, I'm going to try to incorporate the lock into it.

Thanks for the motivation.

Glenn

[orvet]

Glenn,
It was easier than I thought it would be, or maybe I got lucky on the first one.

Dale