Leatherman: The Evolution of the Pocket-Sized Toolbox
Leatherman Tool Group was founded by Timothy S. Leatherman, an Oregon native who conceived the idea for a portable, multi-functional tool after a challenging road trip through Europe and the Middle East in 1975. While traveling in a sometimes-unreliable Fiat, Leatherman frequently needed to perform repairs but found his pocket knife inadequate for the tasks. He envisioned a compact tool that would combine pliers with other essential implements.
After returning to Portland, Oregon, Leatherman spent the next several years developing prototypes in his garage. Despite having an engineering degree from Oregon State University, he faced numerous design challenges and rejection from established tool companies who couldn't envision the market for such a device.
In 1980, Leatherman partnered with his college friend Steve Berliner, and together they formed Leatherman Tool Group in 1983. That same year, they finally brought their first product to market: the PST (Pocket Survival Tool).
The PST Revolution
The original Leatherman PST featured folding pliers, wire cutters, and included screwdrivers, a can/bottle opener, a file, and a ruler—all in a package small enough to fit in a pocket or on a belt. It sold for $25 at the time, equivalent to about $75 today when adjusted for inflation.
What made the PST revolutionary was how it addressed a fundamental need that other tools hadn't recognized: combining the functionality of pliers (which couldn't fit in a traditional pocket knife) with other everyday tools in a truly portable form factor. Initially marketed through mail-order catalogs, the PST became an immediate success, with sales exceeding 30,000 units in the first year.
The PST established several design elements that would become Leatherman signatures:
Folding pliers as the central tool
Tool handles doubling as grips for the pliers
All implements locking in place during use
Tools accessible from the outside without opening the pliers
Growth and Product Evolution
Throughout the late 1980s and 1990s, Leatherman expanded rapidly, adding new models and evolving their designs:
1992: The Super Tool was introduced, featuring larger, more robust pliers and additional implements
1996: The Wave debuted, revolutionizing the industry with outside-accessible blades
1998: The Micra was introduced, bringing the multi-tool concept to a smaller keychain format
By the late 1990s, Leatherman had sold more than 20 million tools and expanded manufacturing capacity multiple times at their Portland facility, where they continue to manufacture their products today.
The company's growth wasn't without challenges. The multi-tool concept was quickly imitated by competitors, most notably Gerber and SOG, who introduced their own versions. This led to various patent disputes, with Leatherman vigorously defending their intellectual property through the 1990s.
Design Philosophy and Manufacturing
Unlike many contemporary tool manufacturers, Leatherman has maintained primary production in the United States, specifically at their Portland, Oregon headquarters. This commitment to domestic manufacturing represents both a quality control decision and a core company value.
The company's design philosophy centers on several principles:
Reliability under pressure: Tools are tested beyond normal use scenarios to ensure they won't fail when most needed
User-centered innovation: New features are added based on actual user feedback rather than marketing-driven differentiation
Repairability: Most Leatherman tools are designed to be serviceable rather than disposable
Material quality: The company uses primarily high-grade 420HC and 154CM stainless steels for durability and corrosion resistance
Every Leatherman product undergoes a 24-step quality control process, including materials testing, precision measurements, and functional trials. The company's manufacturing processes combine CNC machining, stamping operations, and hand assembly to maintain precision while allowing for their signature 25-year warranty.
Notable Product Lines
Over the decades, Leatherman has developed several distinctive product families:
Core Multi-Tools
The foundation of the brand, featuring full-sized pliers and comprehensive tool sets:
Wave/Wave+: The bestselling model in the lineup, known for outside-accessible tools
Surge: A heavy-duty option with replaceable wire cutters
Free P Series: Introduced in 2019, featuring magnetic architecture for smooth one-handed operation
Pocket Multi-Tools
Smaller options designed for everyday carry:
Skeletool: Minimalist design focusing on essential tools
Sidekick/Wingman: Entry-level options with core functionality at a lower price point
Bond: A modern homage to the original PST design
Specialized Lines
Signal: Designed for outdoor/survival applications with features like a ferro rod and whistle
MUT: Military Utility Tool targeting firearms maintenance
Raptor: Created for emergency medical personnel with specialized shears and glass breakers
One-Piece Multi-Tools
Brewzer: A minimalist bottle opener/pry tool
Clean Contact: A no-touch tool for public surfaces, developed during the COVID-19 pandemic
Cultural Impact
Leatherman tools have transcended their original utilitarian purpose to become cultural icons. They've been carried by US presidents, featured in films and television, and even displayed in museums as examples of excellent industrial design.
The brand has achieved remarkable loyalty, with many users viewing their Leatherman as an essential everyday companion. The company regularly receives stories from users about how their tools have helped in emergencies, saved lives, or been passed down through generations.
Certain historical events have cemented Leatherman's status. After the 9/11 attacks, stories emerged of first responders using their personal Leatherman tools during rescue operations. During various natural disasters, the tools have become essential for emergency workers and civilians alike.
Recent Innovations and Future Direction
In recent years, Leatherman has balanced respecting tradition with embracing innovation:
Material advancements: Incorporating premium blade steels and lighter handle materials
FREE technology: A magnetic architecture system allowing smooth, one-handed operation
Customization: The "Leatherman Custom Shop" allows users to personalize tools with different finishes, materials, and engravings
Wearable multi-tools: The Tread bracelet introduced in 2015 reimagined how multi-tools could be carried
The company has also expanded into adjacent product categories, including specialized tools for cyclists, snowboarders, and other specific activities. These expansions maintain the core philosophy of solving problems through thoughtful, portable design.
Under current CEO Ben Rivera (who started at the company as an engineer in 1991), Leatherman has emphasized sustainability initiatives, including reducing packaging waste and improving energy efficiency in manufacturing.
Market Position and Business Model
Leatherman maintains a dominant position in the premium multi-tool market. While exact figures aren't publicly disclosed (as it remains privately held), industry analysts estimate the company's annual revenue at $100-300 million.
The company sells through multiple channels:
Direct-to-consumer: Via their website
Retail partnerships: With outdoor retailers like REI, hardware stores, and military/tactical retailers
Corporate programs: Custom-branded tools for businesses and organizations
Government/military contracts: Supplying specialized tools to various agencies and military branches
Leatherman's pricing strategy positions them in the premium segment, with most full-sized tools ranging from $70 to $180. This pricing reflects both the domestic manufacturing costs and the brand's reputation for quality and durability.
The Leatherman Legacy
Tim Leatherman's original insight—that modern life requires more versatile tools—has proven remarkably prescient. As technology has become more complex and specialized, the need for adaptable, portable tools has only increased.
The company's success sparked an entire industry of multi-tools, with the word "Leatherman" sometimes used generically (though incorrectly) to describe any pocket multi-tool, much like "Kleenex" for tissues.
Beyond the products themselves, Leatherman established a business model showing that American manufacturing could still succeed with the right combination of innovation, quality, and brand loyalty. The company's commitment to their Portland roots has made them a significant employer in the region and an example of sustainable domestic manufacturing.
As Leatherman approaches its fifth decade, the company continues to explore the balance between honoring their heritage and embracing new technologies and user needs. The fundamental promise remains unchanged: providing capability and confidence through thoughtfully designed tools that are always within reach when needed.