Leatherman
Leatherman is an American brand of Multi-Tool made by Leatherman Tool Group of Portland, Oregon. The company was founded in July 1983 by Timothy S. Leatherman and Steve Berliner in order to market the former's idea of a capable, easily portable hand tool with multiple functions. That same year, Leatherman Tool Group sold its first Multi-Tool, which was called the PST (Pocket Survival Tool).
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Manufacturing |
| Founded | July 1983[1] |
| Headquarters | , United States |
Key people | Tim Leatherman (chairman of the board and co-founder) Steve Berliner (secretary/treasurer and co-founder) Benjamin Rivera (president/CEO) |
| Products | Multi-tools Folding knives |
Number of employees | 525[1] |
| Website | leatherman |
Company history edit
Timothy S. Leatherman, a 1970 mechanical engineering graduate of Oregon State University, and his business partner, Steve Berliner, formed Leatherman Tool Group in 1983.
Leatherman was inspired to design a "Boy Scout knife with pliers" while he and his wife traveled Europe and the Middle East in 1975, often attempting to use a simple pocketknife to repair both their aged and repeatedly malfunctioning Italian Fiat 600 car (bought in Amsterdam for $300) and leaky hotel plumbing.[2][3] He spent several years perfecting the "Mr. Crunch" prototype and received his first U.S. patent (4,238,862) in 1980.[4] After additional refinement, Leatherman's first product was introduced in 1983 as the Pocket Survival Tool (PST) and initially sold through Early Winters' and Cabela's mail-order catalogs.[3]
Leatherman sold nearly 30,000 tools in 1984, fueling additional product development, and rapid growth both in the company and manufacturing capacity.[5] By the end of 2001, the company had sales of $100 million annually and had sold more than 20 million tools.[6]
Folding knives were introduced into the Leatherman product line in 2005. In 2007, the company opened its first retail store, located at its manufacturing facility, that has since relocated to a retail store at the Cascade Station shopping center near the facility and Cascades MAX Station in Northeast Portland, Oregon.[3] The same year, Tim Leatherman was inducted into the Blade magazine Cutlery Hall of Fame in recognition of his design impact on the cutlery history.[7]
In 2011, the Leatherman Tool Group acquired German light manufacturer, Ledlenser. The brands and companies were run separately, under the Leatherman Tool Group, Inc. umbrella.[8] Leatherman Tool Group also manufactures a line of multi-tools designed specifically for military and law enforcement personnel, as well as accessories for carrying and expanding the function of its tools.[citation needed] As of February 2011[update], Leatherman produced 50 products sold in 82 countries, with U.S. market share estimated at 55 percent.[1]
Leatherman has a sponsorship deal with the Major League Soccer team Portland Timbers. Specifically, the company is the shirt sponsor for the team's mascot, "Timber Joey".[citation needed]
Products edit
Leatherman's primary products are multi-tools and knives. Most Leatherman multi-tools are built around a pair of pliers, with up to 21 additional tools stored in the handles, including knives (straight and serrated blades), screwdrivers (flat, Phillips), saws, wire cutters and strippers, electrical crimper, bottle opener, and can opener. Most models have a built-in safety mechanism that locks the active tool in the open position when fully unfolded. Models range in weight from the 0.81 ounce (23 g) Style to the 12.5 ounce (335 g) Surge.
Leatherman currently produces folding knives under the Crater name. Models range from two tools (knife blade and carabiner/bottle opener) to four (blade, carabiner/bottle opener, flat, and Phillips screwdrivers).
| Name | Type | Debut | Retired | # Tools |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arc | Full-sized | 2023 | — | 20 |
| Blast | Full-sized | 2004 | 2012 | 16 |
| Bolster - Costco Exclusive | Full-sized | 2021 | — | 13 |
| Bond | Full-sized | 2021 | — | 14 |
| Charge Ti | Full-sized | 2004 | 2008 | 17 |
| Charge XTi | Full-sized | 2004 | 2008 | 16 |
| Charge XTi 30th Anniversary Limited Edition | Full-sized | 2013 | 2013 | 16 |
| Charge AL | Full-sized | 2007 | 2018 | 17 |
| Charge ALX | Full-sized | 2007 | 2018 | 18 |
| Charge TTi | Full-sized | 2007 | 2018 | 19 |
| Charge TTi (Year-of-Monkey Limited Edition) | Full-sized | 2016 | 2016 | 19 |
| Charge+ | Full-sized | 2018 | — | 19 |
| Charge+ G10 Special Edition (Red / Orange / Earth) | Full-sized | 2018 | — | 19 |
| Charge+ Limited Edition Forest Camo | Full-sized | 2018 | retired | 19 |
| Charge+ Limited Edition Woodland Camo | Full-sized | 2018 | retired | 19 |
| Charge+ TTi | Full-sized | 2018 | — | 19 |
| Charge+ TTi Damascus Limited Edition | Full-sized | 2018 | 2018 | 19 |
| Charge+ Damascus Carbon Fibre Limited Edition | Full-sized | 2018 | 2018 | 19 |
| Charge+ Damascus Wood Limited Edition | Full-sized | 2018 | 2018 | 19 |
| Charge+ 35th Anniversary Limited Edition | Full-sized | 2018 | 2018 | 19 |
| Charge+ Tom Sachs NASA-themed Limited Edition | Full-sized | 2021 | 2021 | 23 |
| Core | Full-sized | 2005 | 2009 | 19 |
| Crunch | Heavy-Duty | 1999 | 2023 | 15 |
| Curl | Full-sized | 2021 | — | 15 |
| Darkside - Leatherman Garage Batch 002 Limited Edition | Full-sized | 2022 | 2022 | 21 |
| Flair | Full-sized | 1999 | 2004 | 16 |
| Free K2 | Pocketknife | 2019 | — | 8 |
| Free K2X | Pocketknife | 2019 | — | 8 |
| Free K4 | Pocketknife | 2019 | — | 9 |
| Free K4X | Pocketknife | 2019 | — | 9 |
| Free T2 | 2019 | — | 8 | |
| Free T4 | 2019 | — | 12 | |
| Free P2 | Full-sized | 2019 | — | 19 |
| Free P4 | Full-sized | 2019 | — | 21 |
| Fuse | Full-sized | 2004 | 2012 | 13 |
| Freestyle | 2009 | retired | 5 | |
| Freestyle CX | 2009 | 2012 | 5 | |
| Juice KF4 | 2001 | 2005 | 16 | |
| Juice C2 | 2001 | 2006 | 12 | |
| Juice S2 | 2001 | 2006 | 12 | |
| Juice CS4 | 2001 | 2006 | 15 | |
| Juice XE6 | 2001 | 2006 | 18 | |
| Juice Pro Ltd Ed Costco | 2002 | 2003 | 23 | |
| Juice SC2 | 2003 | 2005 | 12 | |
| Juice SX – Original | 2013 | 2014 | 11 | |
| Juice SX – New | 2014 | 2019 | 11 | |
| Kick | Full-sized | 2004 | 2012 | 12 |
| Leap | 2014 | 2014 | 13 | |
| Micra | Keychain | 1996 | — | 10 |
| Micra 30th Anniversary Limited Edition | Keychain | 2013 | 2013 | 10 |
| Micra 35th Anniversary Limited Edition | Keychain | 2018 | 2018 | 10 |
| Mini Tool | 1986 | 2004 | 10 | |
| Mr. Crunch Limited Edition | Full-sized | 2022 | 2022 | 21 |
| MUT (Military Utility Tool) | Heavy Duty / Firearms | 2010 | — | 16 |
| MUT EOD (Military Utility Tool Explosive Ordnance Disposal) | Heavy Duty / Firearms | 2010 | 2021 | 15 |
| OHT (One-Handed Tool) | Heavy-Duty | 2012 | 2022 | 16 |
| PST (Pocket Survival Tool) | Full-sized | 1983 | 2004 | 14 |
| PST II (Pocket Survival Tool II) | Full-sized | 1996 | 2004 | 15 |
| The Collector's Edition PST (Pocket Survival Tool) 35th Anniversary Limited Edition | Full-sized | 2018 | 2018 | 14 |
| Pulse | Full-sized | 2000 | 2004 | 15 |
| Raptor Rescue | EMS Duty | 2013 | — | 6 |
| Raptor Rescue Glow-in-the-Dark Limited Edition (Purple / Gold) | EMS Duty | ? | retired | 6 |
| Raptor Response | EMS Duty | 2021 | — | 4 |
| Rebar | Full-sized | 2012 | — | 17 |
| Rev | Full-sized | 2015 | — | 14 |
| Sideclip | Full-sized | 1998 | 2004 | 12 |
| Sidekick | Full-sized | 2011 | — | 14 |
| Signal | Heavy-Duty / Camping | 2015 | — | 19 |
| Signal TOPO Limited Edition | Heavy-Duty / Camping | ? | — | 19 |
| Signal Black & Silver Limited Edition | Heavy-Duty / Camping | ? | — | 19 |
| Skeletool | 2007 | — | 7 | |
| Skeletool CX | 2007 | — | 7 | |
| Skeletool KB | Pocketknife | 2017 | — | 2 |
| Skeletool KBx | Pocketknife | 2017 | — | 2 |
| Skeletool RX | 2016 | — | 7 | |
| Skeletool SX | 2013 | retired | 7 | |
| Skeletool Damasteel Limited Edition | ? | retired | 7 | |
| Skeletool TOPO Limited Edition | ? | — | 7 | |
| Skeletool Black & Silver Limited Edition | ? | — | 7 | |
| Squirt E4 | Keychain | 2003 | 2010 | 10 |
| Squirt ES4 | Keychain | 2010 | 2021 | 9 |
| Squirt P4 | Keychain | 2002 | 2010 | 10 |
| Squirt PS4 | Keychain | 2020| — | 9 | |
| Squirt S4 | Keychain | 2002 | 2010 | 10 |
| Style | Keychain | 2010 | 2014 | 5 |
| Style CS | Keychain | 2010 | 2021 | 6 |
| Style PS | Keychain | 2012 | — | 8 |
| Super Tool | Heavy-Duty | 1994 | 2001 | 18 |
| Super Tool 200 | Heavy-Duty | 2001 | 2005 | 18 |
| Super Tool 300 | Heavy-Duty | 2009 | — | 19 |
| Super Tool 300 EOD (Explosive Ordnance Disposal) | Heavy Duty / Firearm | 2010 | — | 19 |
| Super Tool 300 30th Anniversary Limited Edition | Heavy-Duty | 2013 | 2013 | 19 |
| Super Tool 300M | Heavy Duty / Firearm | ? | — | 18 |
| Surge – Original | Heavy-Duty | 2005 | 2013 | 21 |
| Surge – New | Heavy-Duty | 2013 | — | 21 |
| Surge New Black & Silver Limited Edition | Heavy-Duty | ? | — | 21 |
| Tread | Wearable | 2015 | 2021 | 29 |
| Tread Metric | Wearable | 2015 | 2021 | 29 |
| Tread LT | Wearable | 2015 | 2021 | 29 |
| Tread Tempo | Wearable | ? | retired | ? |
| Tread Tempo Black & Silver Limited Edition | Wearable | ? | retired | ? |
| Tread Tempo LT | Wearable | ? | retired | ? |
| Tread Tempo LT Black & Silver Limited Edition | Wearable | ? | retired | ? |
| Tread QM1 | Wearable | TBD | — | — |
| Wave – Original | Full-sized | 1998 | 2004 | 16 |
| Wave – New | Full-sized | 2004 | 2018 | 17 |
| Wave - 20th Anniversary Limited Edition | Full-sized | 2003 | 2003 | 17 |
| Wave - 25th Anniversary Limited Edition | Full-sized | 2008 | 2008 | 17 |
| Wave – Damascus Ltd Ed | Full-sized | 2009 | 2009 | 17 |
| Wave+ | Full-sized | 2018 | — | 18 |
| Wave+ Black & Silver Limited Edition | Full-sized | ? | — | 18 |
| Wave+ The Houston Home Inspector Limited Edition | Full-sized | ? | retired | 18 |
| Wave+ 35th Anniversary Limited Edition | Full-sized | 2018 | 2018 | 18 |
| Wingman | Full-sized | 2011 | — | 14 |
| Wingman Black & Silver Limited Edition | Full-sized | ? | retired | 14 |
| Genus | Heavy-Duty / Gardening | 2007 | 2009 | 9 |
| Vista | Full-sized / Gardening | 2006 | 2009 | 9 |
| Hybrid | Full-sized / Gardening | 2006 | 2009 | 11 |
| Z-Rex | Full-sized | 2012 | 2019 | 4 |
See also edit
References edit
- ^ a b c "Leatherman Media". Leatherman Tool Group. Retrieved 2015-05-05.
- ^ Monroe, Bill. The Oregonian, December 10, 1981.
- ^ a b c "Making History". Leatherman Tool Group. Retrieved 2011-02-08.
- ^ US patent 4238862, Timothy S. Leatherman, "Pocket multiple tool", issued 1980-12-16
- ^ Brock, Kathy (September 27, 1996). "Once again, Leatherman Tool outgrows plant". Portland Business Journal.
- ^ "Leatherman Tool Group, Inc. History". Funding Universe. Retrieved 4 December 2015.
- ^ "Hall of Fame." Blade Magazine. July 31, 2007.
- ^ "Leatherman Tool Group, Inc. Acquires German Flashlight Manufacturer, Ledenser". LED LENSER. 5 April 2011. Retrieved 8 September 2019.
External links edit
- Official website
- Portland Business Journal: Leatherman learns patent lessons the hard way