Trades Tools
All Leatherman products are manufactured from 100% high-grade stainless steel. (Exception: Screw bits for the tool adapter are made of tool steel.) But stainless steel is not rust proof; it is corrosion resistant. Depending on the mix of metal alloys, stainless steels may be highly corrosion resistant and relatively soft (like kitchen flatware), or they may be somewhat corrosion resistant and quite hard. Our products are fabricated from the latter type, so your tool components are strong and the knives retain a sharp cutting edge. Consequently, corrosion can occur in the absence of proper maintenance. Your Leatherman product should be cleaned, dried and re-oiled periodically to inhibit rust and corrosion. This is especially true if you use it in a damp or marine environment. After cleaning, re-oil pivoting areas with a light machine or penetrating type oil (such as WD-40). Buff stained surfaces with a polishing cloth or non-metallic abrasive (e.g., Scotchbrite pad or soft bristle brush).
Depending on what your Leatherman has been exposed to, there are several cleaning methods to consider.
- If your Leatherman has been exposed to salt water or marine environments, it should be thoroughly rinsed in fresh water, dried, and lubricated with a water-displacing product. If stains or rust spots appear, refer to the Rust and Corrosion section above for removal tips.
- If debris or sticky substances have accumulated between the blades, your Leatherman may also be cleaned in a mild solution of detergent and water.
- To remove tar and similar substances, clean your Leatherman with turpentine or other mineral spirits. Do not use chlorine products.
- After cleaning, dry your Leatherman and apply a light machine oil or a water-displacing product (WD-40®) to force out moisture trapped in the joints. This also helps protect the tool from further corrosion and sticking.
Can I get on a commercial aircraft carrying my Leatherman tool?
Historically, Federal Aviation Administration guidelines permitted knife blades up to four inches long aboard domestic commercial flights. (Individual airlines were given the latitude to utilize more stringent rules at their discretion.) In the aftermath of the tragic events of September 11, 2001, the FAA has issued a series of new security regulations, including one referring to knives. Even with the changes in effect as of December 22, 2005, no knives (of any kind or size) will be allowed through security checkpoints. In other words, you can still travel with your Leatherman tool, but you will need to place it in your checked baggage rather than carrying it with you onto your plane. For the latest federal regulations, please visit www.tsa.gov.
Where does the Leatherman name come from?
Our tools bear the name of company president Tim Leatherman, who invented the original Pocket Survival Tool, now known as the PST.
Why should I buy a Leatherman tool?
Tim Leatherman's standards for quality, durability, precision and attention to detail are what make Leatherman tools like no other. Ever since Tim invented the category, we've focused on just one thing — manufacturing the world's highest quality multipurpose tools.
What kind of steel do you use?
Leatherman tools are made of 400-series stainless steel. Carbon content and heat-treated hardness vary depending on the specific implement.
If it is made of stainless steel, why do I have rust spots on my tool?
No stainless steel is truly stainless. It would be wise to think of it as corrosion-resisting steel. Corrosion can occur in the absence of proper maintenance, particularly in extreme conditions. Please visit our Maintenance Tips section for hints on keeping your Leatherman Tool looking good and functioning well.
Can I have a different blade installed in my Leatherman tool?
Each Leatherman tool consists of a combination of features that makes it a unique multipurpose tool. We cannot alter or substitute different blade components from one tool version to another.
My son/wife/girlfriend/brother-in-law/boss accidentally locked open all the blades in one handle of my Super Tool. How can I get them unlocked?
Use a separate screwdriver or similar device to unlock the blades. With the handles closed together, insert the screwdriver into the slot created by the handle spring (where the handle locks onto the tool blades). Gently pry up the handle spring until one of the blades can be released.
Best Leatherman Multitools Compared
Freestyle vs Skeletool vs New Wave vs Charge AL ALX TTi vs Surge
The main advantage of a Leatherman is that it is small and light enough for every day carry (EDC). This means that it will be available whenever the need arises.
It is important to determine the maximum weight that can be comfortably carried. Being too ambitious and choosing a too-large model can result in it being left behind, negating the advantage of purchasing a portable multitool.
One-handed Opening
Carrying a multitool at all times means that it is the only tool that can be relied upon to be available in an emergency.
In an emergency, one hand may not be available. This makes one-handed opening tools (especially the blade) an important feature.
The Wave used to be the only one-handed Leatherman. Now that there are one-handed Leathermans of all sizes, these two-handed Leathermans can be ignored:
Luger Optics
Aspherical Lenses
Binoculars with aspherical
lenses yield a crystal clear image with excellent edge sharpness. Due
to a special manufacturing process, the lenses concentrate all incoming
light at the focal point, leading to a brilliant, true-to-life image
Compact Binoculars
See "Design".
Design
| Compact Binoculars The very small, light binoculars of the Compact series are especially suitable for daylight use. They make ideal companions for walking tours, day trips and excursions. They also serve well as practical backup binoculars in hunting: When folded, they stow easily away in an outer pocket and are ready to hand when needed. Porro Prism Binoculars The fascination of three-dimensional representation: The classically wide design of porro prism binoculars allows for clear perception of spatial distances even at close range. The optical systems were adjusted with great care to ensure an impressively bright, high-contrast and true-to-detail image - ideal prerequisites for the observation of wildlife and the surrounding area, even in the poor light conditions of an early morning or late evening. Roof Prism Binoculars The technologically very advanced and sophisticated roof prism binoculars stand out due to their slender shape, facilitated by the vertical alignment of the prisms. This design requires an accurately computed optical system. The result: An image absolutely true to nature. |
Diopter Control
Diopter control compensates for the users' differences in vision so that the image can be brought into focus.
Exit Pupil
The exit pupil indicates the amount of light that reaches the human eye through the optical system and therefore strongly determines image brightness. The exit pupil is calculated by dividing the objective lens diameter by the magnification. The LUGER ST 7x50, for example, has an exit pupil of 7.14 mm (50 : 7= 7.14).
To achieve optimum image brightness, the binoculars' or spotting scope's exit pupil should be at least the same size as the user's pupil - which varies with age and light conditions at the time of observation. A young person, for example, has an exit pupil of about 4 mm during daytime and 7 mm at night, whereas an older person shows an exit pupil of about 3 mm and 4 mm respectively. Generally speaking the binoculars' or spotting scope's exit pupil can be relatively small in favourable light conditions - e.g. sunshine - but should be larger in poor light conditions - e.g. dawn or dusk.
Field of View
When looking through binoculars or spotting scopes, a circular image appears. The width of this image is referred to as the "field of view". For binoculars and spotting scopes the field of view is being measured for m/1000m. For Riflescopes it is measured by m/100m. The corresponding figure indicates the width of the area visible at a distance of 1000 m (100 m). The LUGER SW 8x40 binoculars cover 140 m of an area 1000 m away. The higher the magnification, the smaller the field of view. Special wide angle oculars yield larger fields of view despite high magnification.
LUGER DIM Full Coating
LUGER DIM full coating on LUGER binoculars increases light transmission and reduces distorting glare. The benefit: a very bright, high-contrast and absolutely sharp image. The advantages of LUGER DIM full coating will take particular effect in poor light conditions.
Magnification/Power
The magnification/power figure indicates how much closer an object appears. Binoculars with for example 10-times magnification (LUGER DA 10x42) make an object 100m away appear to be only 10m away.
Near or Close Focus
The near/close focus indicates the closest distance to an object an optical device can be focused on. With the LUGER DX 10x42, for instance, objects can be viewed in detail from as close as 2.5 m.
Objective Lens Diameter
The objective lens diameter determines the amount of light that penetrates the objective lens of binoculars or spotting scopes. The LUGER ST 8x40 has an objective lens diameter of 40 mm. The larger the diameter, the greater the amount of light that enters the optical system, and the brighter the image.
Oculars for Spectacle Wearers
Oculars for spectacle wearers are special eyecups which can be twisted up, folded down or pulled out to afford the user the full field of view.
Parallax
If the shooter looks through the scope "off centre" instead of "straight", an aiming error occurs that is referred to as "parallax" or "parallax error". It is caused by positioning the eye outside the straight line that runs from the centre of the reticle to the target; i.e. the optical axis and visual axis are offset against each other.
"Parallax-freedom" means that due to a pre-setting at the factory, the parallax error does not occur at a certain distance (usually 100 m). At that distance, the image of the object falls on the same plane with the reticle. This means that the shooter is aiming correctly at an object 100 m away, even when looking into the scope Œoff centre¹. Regardless of the distance, there will be no parallax if the shooter looks exactly straight through the scope. The LUGER LR 8-32x44 features a parallax adjustment, which allows for setting parallax, and thus "parallax-freedom", to different distances - a great advantage when shooting long-range.
Phase-Corrected Roof Prism System
The special coating of the roof prisms of the LUGER DX series provides superb image sharpness while simultaneously reducing unwanted reflections. Due to a highly complex manufacturing process, the LUGER DX series offers the best image of all LUGER binoculars.
Porro Prism Binoculars
See "Design".
Prisms
BaK-4 prisms consist of barium crown glass and yield an even brighter and sharper image compared to borosilicate glass BK-7 prisms.
Roof Prism Binoculars
See "Design".
Reticle
The reticle is the scope¹s internal aiming device. In the LUGER Jagd-NA and PRO-NA series, it is supplemented by an additional illumination unit, adjustable to different levels of intensity. Illuminated reticles facilitate quick target acquisition when drive hunting and when hunting in poor light conditions. The LUGER reticle types "4A", "4A+LP", "30/30", "Special A", "Crosshair with dot" and "Special illuminated reticle" offer the right solution for every hunting situation. In all variable-power LUGER scopes, the reticle is located in the 2nd image plane (ocular image plane) and retains its size when magnification is changed. Target obstruction is thus reduced to a minimum and a good overview is maintained at all times. All rifle scope reticles feature accurate windage and elevation adjustment.
Rubber Armouring
The special rubber armouring of LUGER binoculars and spotting scopes protects particularly well against shock or damage. It allows for a secure grip which facilitates safe handling and furthermore has a noise-absorbing effect, an essential feature when watching wildlife from close-by. Soiling can be removed easily.
Twilight Factor
When two binoculars of the same series and with the same exit pupil are directly compared with each other, the one with the higher magnification yields the better image in poor light conditions. This circumstance is represented by the twilight factor. The twilight factor is calculated by extracting the root of the multiplication of the objective lens diameter x the magnification. The LUGER DN 9x63 has a twilight factor of 23.81 and is therefore perfectly adapted to use in poor light conditions.
Waterproof Protection
LUGER's waterproof optical devices are filled with dry nitrogen. This not only prevents the penetration of water but also the intrusion of air and of moisture, which could lead to fogging of the lenses.
