Leatherman Multi-ToolIt’s unusual to find a handyman or an outdoorsman today who doesn’t carry some sort of multi-tool, but not too many years ago the multi-tool was only an idea in Tim Leatherman’s mind. There’s plenty of competition for the best in the industry today, even if your own company made the first one. Leatherman multi-tools are still top-of-the-line, constantly offering new features and handy improvements. The older models don’t go out of style, and were built to last.

Company History

The Leatherman multi-tool concept evolved from a challenging vacation Tim Leatherman and his wife took in Europe in 1975. Armed only with a boy scout pocket knife, Tim took on an uncooperative Fiat and faulty plumbing in quaint continental hotels, coming home with a list of problems for his mechanical engineering education to tackle. With the help of family he advanced from cardboard multi-tool models to a working prototype called “Mr. Crunch,” which debuted production in 1980 and earned the praise of the New York Times. Aside from that, the new tool drew little attention. In 1983 small lots of an improved version, the “Pocket Survival Tool,” were purchased by Cabela’s and Early Winters and featured in their Christmas catalogs. Sales jumped to 30,000 pieces the next year, almost eight times the manufacturer’s best hopes. Annual sales reached a million pieces in 1993, the year a Leatherman multi-tool appeared in the “MacGyver” TV series. Leatherman tools played roles in “Speed” in 1994; in “Rush Hour” in 1998; and in “The X-Files” in 1999. By that time the Leatherman multi-tool was entrenched in pockets and attached to belts all over the U.S. Leatherman expanded the product line to folding knives, hunting knives, and flashlights after 2005 and continues to produce more and better multi-tools.

Products

You’ll find a Leatherman multi-tool for nearly every specialty, and even the specialty multi-tools fit a variety of unexpected situations. Leatherman builds multi-tools designed for gardeners, hikers, and fishermen, as well as mechanics and carpenters. If your professional needs include Explosive Ordinance Disposal or firearms maintenance, Leatherman also makes tactical versions for police and military applications. The Leatherman Wave offers one-handed opening of the main knife blade, without unfolding the tool; and the Leatherman Squirt presents knife, scissors, pliers and essential tools in a package small enough to serve as a handy keychain. Leatherman’s folding knives don’t give up the multi-tool concept — many feature a screwdriver bit as well as a stout knife blade.

Where to Buy


Leatherman

Leatherman Super Tool 300 New | Stainless Steel Locking Multitool Pliers w/ Sheath 831102

Leatherman’s back with an even stronger version of the original Leatherman Super Tool. The Super Tool 300 Multi-tool offers the strongest...
Sharon
1 min read

Leatherman Core Multitool w/ Pocket Knife Combo Set | Crater Folding Clip Pocketknife C33LX 831085

Leatherman offers two of their best tools in this combination set. The Core Multi-tool still ranks as the most rugged Leatherman...
JT Hats
1 min read

Leatherman Expanse Folding Knife E55 | Plain Straight Edge w/ Carabiner 861311

One of Leatherman’s larger folding knives for the outdoorsman, the Leatherman E55 Expanse takes basic concepts introduced in the Leatherman Crater...
JT Hats
57 sec read

Leatherman Crater Knife, Carabiner Plain Edge C33L | Locking Pocketknife Folder, Drop Point Hollow Ground Blade 8601140

Full of good features but not complicated, the Leatherman Crater appeals to handymen, outdoorsmen, and anyone who needs a basic dependable...
JT Hats
1 min read

Leatherman Core Multitool & Crater Knife Combo Set | Plain Edge & Serrated Lockback 831085 C33LX

One of the most sensible improvements to any multitool is a separate knife to use instead of the awkward pen-knife blade...
JT Hats
59 sec read

Leatherman Steens Hunting Knife Multitool 830625 | Gut Hook & Bone Saw w/ Rosewood Handle, Fine Diamond Hone

This upgrade of the Leatherman Ukiah design replaces the Ukiah’s glass-filled nylon handle construction with stronger components of machined aluminum and...
JT Hats
1 min read

Leatherman Folding Camping Knife w/ Carabiner | Combo Edge Drop Point C303 830301

Something you won’t find in many folding clip knives is a built-in carabiner clip. The Leatherman C303 has it, plus a...
JT Hats
59 sec read

Leatherman Fuse Multi Tool, No Knife | Stainless Steel Locking Blade

So it’s come to this: the Leatherman Fuse Multi-tool without Knife. Designed for use by students and employees restricted to non-cutting...
JT Hats
58 sec read

Leatherman Kick Multi-Tool Review | Made in USA

I have never owned a Leatherman, as a matter of personal preference, but I have used one many, many times. My...
Ken
1 min read

Leatherman Ukiah Fixed Blade Hunting Knife | Bone Saw, Gut Hook

Well, the folks at Portland, Oregon, based Leatherman have done it again. This time with a 3-in-1 fixed blade knife, bone...
Ken
50 sec read

Leatherman Surge – Best Multitool Pocket Knife in Black, Stainless

Nothing like taking an industry standard and making it bigger & better, right? That’s what Leatherman has done with its Surge...
Ken
44 sec read

Leatherman Micra Multitool | Review of 64010103K Mini

The Leatherman Micra is basically a miniaturized version of the Wave, with a few tools left out of the mix since...
Ken
49 sec read

Leatherman Crunch Multi-Tool | Pocket Knife Review

Ever since the birth of the Wave, Leatherman has created a standard in the sporting goods industry. After establishing their household-name...
Ken
45 sec read

Leatherman Charge TTi Multi Tool | Upgrade to XTi | With Leather Sheath

The Leatherman line can be a bit confusing, so let’s offer up a brief overview: Tools fall into one of four...
Ken
1 min read

Leatherman Hybrid Gardening Scissors | Multitool Pruner | Garden Shears

Leatherman makes gardening tools? Who knew? Makes a lot of sense though. When you’re out in the garden pruning, it sure...
Ken
31 sec read

Leatherman 830040 New Wave Multi-Tool with Nylon Sheath

I have to admit — I’m not a big fan of “New Wave” music. There’s something so 80’s about it, I’d...
Ken
44 sec read

Leatherman Juice CS4 Pocket Multi-Tool | Glacier Blue or Storm Gray

Leatherman delivers a mid-sized multi-tool in their Juice CS4 model. Leatherman has quite a following and you’ll see endless debates about...
Ken
39 sec read

Leatherman 830850 Skeletool CX Multitool Pocket Knife Review

These new Leatherman designs have quite the space-age look to them. Those holes, though, are to keep the weight down while...
Ken
24 sec read

Leatherman K503X Lockback Folding Knife Multi Tool

This is a neat little multi-tool from Leatherman. It’s not packed with features like some other knives, so make sure it’s...
Ken
28 sec read

Leatherman Wave Knife, Multi-Tool | Nylon Sheath | #830038

Leatherman presents the Wave Nylon Sheath knife / multi-tool. As you’ve come to expect with Leatherman products, the Wave is much...
Ken
32 sec read