Leatherman is a trademark for a line of multitools and knives produced by the Leatherman Tool Group. A Leatherman tool is essentially a pair of pliers with other tools stored in the handles, and generally includes a knife, pliers, screwdriver and assorted other devices. Some tools from Leatherman have as many as 20 tools and weigh up to 12.5 ounces (354 g), while others are smaller than a Swiss Army knife and weigh as little as 1.8 ounces (51 g).

Leatherman Tool Group is retooling its plant in an expansion intended to grow the local manufacturer by 100 employees within two years.

Leatherman, a multi-use tool-maker, is adding 30,000 square feet to its existing 60,000-square-foot plant in Northeast Portland, a 50 percent increase. Leatherman doubled the size of that plant just two years ago.

Leatherman now has 400 workers, a 233 percent increase from its 120 employees in 1993. The expansion is expected to be complete by March 1997 and up to capacity with a least another 100 workers by 1999.

"This will continue to allow us to expand production," said Roger Bjorklund, vice president of marketing for Leatherman.

Well-known by outdoor enthusiasts, Leatherman tools are a sort of evolved pocketknife. A handful of designs offer different multi-function stainless steel tools. Different fold-out tool designs include everything from a knife, pliers and multi-head screwdrivers to an awl, leather punch and ruler, just to name a few. The tools sell for $25 to $175.

Multi-function tools have become increasingly popular, with a handful of competitors now in the field that Leatherman had to itself for at least a decade. Not so anymore, according to Jim Wehrs, general manager at Gerber Legendary Blades, a Portland division of Fiskars, which is publicly traded in Finland. Gerber, a key competitor of Leatherman, has more than 300 workers in a 72,000-square-foot plant in Portland. Nationally, there's a handful of such competition, but more international manufacturers are selling in the United States, too.

Gerber released its version of a multi-use tool, called the Multi-Plier, a few years ago, in addition to a line of knives. Although Leatherman introduced the product to consumers first, said Wehrs, the Multi-Plier line now makes up more than half of Gerber's manufacturing business. He wouldn't release specifics about production or revenue, in part, he said, because competition is on the rise. He said new companies are nosing around the market and international makers are coming on strong.

"There's going to be a war of the multi-purpose tools," said Wehrs. "They're very hot."

Nonetheless, Leatherman obviously has carved a solid niche for itself in cutlery since its rocky start in the 1970s, when founder Tim Leatherman was hawking his wares at neighborhood festivals. Leatherman, who formerly sold welding supplies, went into business for himself in 1983 and remains chairman and chief executive.

Demand for Leatherman's tools is averaging a 50 percent leap annually, said Bjorklund. He said Leatherman this year expects to sell some 2 million of the tools. That's a considerable jump from 1993, when the local tool-maker was producing about 4,000 tools daily, or just more than 1 million a year. At that time, company revenue was about $30 million. Production has nearly doubled. Although company officials won't release the latest revenue figures, conservative estimates would put the local private manufacturer at between $60 million and $100 million in annual revenue.

Leatherman distributes its tools throughout the United States and in 90 other countries. Locally the tools are sold in several stores, including Fred Meyer and GI Joe's.

Employee numbers also have continued to rise, said Bjorklund, although advances in technology have made faster leaps in productivity. The next production jump will push Leatherman into the 500-worker range.

At one time in the late 1980s Leatherman subcontracted most of its work to Japanese companies, said Bjorklund, but the company reversed that practice because it didn't have appropriate quality controls. Now only a small amount of the work is subcontracted. 

 Defending patent and trademark rights proved a bugaboo for one Portland inventor-turned- entrepreneur. A failed effort to license a patented idea with a manufacturer prompted Leatherman tool creator Tim Leatherman to found a company.

Today, Leatherman tools are accouterments not only for the prepared traveler but also for the capable urbanite. The company generates more than $100 million annually, employs nearly 500 workers at its Northeast Portland manufacturing facility and sells 11 different pocket tools. The introduction of Leatherman's recent addition, Juice, got a boost by being included in gift bags handed out to celebrities at the Academy Awards ceremony last month.

But Tim Leatherman didn't exactly set out to be a marketer or a manufacturer. His roots are closer to those of an inventor than an entrepreneur--Leatherman spent years trying to patent his design and marketing it to corporations.

Leatherman got the idea for a pocket tool after a nine-month trip with his wife through Europe in 1975. More than once, the budget car purchased by the couple for the trip needed mechanical attention. And, much to Leatherman's consternation, the scouter's tool he brought was insufficient for many of his needs.

That experience led Leatherman to devise a compact tool based on a set of pliers upon his return to the United States. Years later, with a patent pending, Leatherman began meeting with established knife- and tool-makers.

"My first strategy was to go to pocket-knife companies. They were willing to talk with me. They would tell me they considered the idea," he said. "Then I went to tool companies. They all treated me graciously but basically eventually ended up telling me they decided not to pursue the matter."

Typically, companies told Leatherman no market existed for his product or that it wasn't their type of product.

Failing to find a willing partner, Leatherman founded his own manufacturing operation as a last resort.

"I finally just realized if I was ever going to get it on the market I would have to produce it myself," Leatherman said.

But defending his concept has been an ongoing fight for its patent and trademark rights. At the end of 1999, the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that competitors can "faithfully copy" Leatherman's all-in-one pocket tool without violating trademark laws.

The court said a trademark can't be infringed in regard to overall appearance, Leatherman said.

The move marked a final blow in a case that began in 1996, after Leatherman attended the National Hardware Show in Chicago. Leatherman noticed his product depicted in a photograph displayed by Cooper Industries, a $5 billion Fortune 500 company based in Houston.

Although Leatherman Tool Group lost its trademark battle, the appeals court left intact a $4.5 million jury verdict awarded in 1997 when the case went before the U.S. District Court.

In its case against Cooper, the company argued that the styling of its tool was Leatherman's trademark. Patent laws didn't apply because the design of the tool wasn't patented.

Leatherman since has developed additional all-in-one pocket tools, all of which are protected by patents on design and utility.

Looking back, Leatherman said he doesn't regret the course his efforts have taken. Instead, the process has been an evolution.

"Design patents are what we should have gotten in the first place," he said.

"There were a lot of factors at the time. I was poor and young. I don't even remember if my attorney broached the idea of having a design patent. And it might not have worked anyway. The tool evolved beyond the patent. And patents would have probably already expired."

The company used patent protections to settle an issue last year with Central Purchasing Inc., dba Harbor Freight Tools.

In a suit filed in U.S. District court in 2000, Leatherman accused the California-based importer of marketing a small multipurpose tool that in-fringed on seven U.S. patents associated with the Leatherman Micra. Micra is Leatherman's best-selling tool.

Central imported the Micra look-alike "Gordon 9 Function Pocket Tool" from Shanghai, China.

Upon settling the suit, Leatherman said he hoped the company could focus on making tools instead of "chasing companies knocking off our patented designs." 

Below are some funny, touching, practical and unique stories from Leatherman users ll over the world. Take a look and find a new use for your tool.

Some years ago, my house burned down. Pretty much a total loss considering the only things left standing were the fireplace and most of the deck where the back of the house used to be. After the smoke had cleared and the embers had cooled, I found myself kicking through the ashes for no particular reason, and I unearthed my Leatherman Super Tool. This was quite literally the ONLY thing that I was able to recover from the ashes intact. It was not in the best condition and actually something of a miracle that I was able to find it as it blended in with all the charred remains. It had been my constant companion for many years and the only reason it was with the house instead of with me was because I was in the house when it burned and awakened and escaped only moments before the house was completely involved.

 

There are people who have known me for years that would bet money that I actually slept with my Leatherman because I always had it with me. Here's the proof that I did NOT sleep with it. It was close, but not on my person. I told you that to tell you this. Here's the real story. I kept that tool for a few years having replaced it with one of the newer models, but always having an empty spot on my belt for THAT one. I had always intended to send it back to Leatherman to see if they would check it out to make sure it was still suitable for duty, but somehow never quite managed to get it in the mail. Well, a warranty issue came up on the new replacement Leatherman, so it was finally time. I explained the situation to the nice folks at Leatherman, and mailed them both tools. In no time at all, they had replaced the warrantied tool with a bigger, better tool and returned my original Super Tool all cleaned up and shiny. I couldn't believe it. This was customer service on steroids. I've never passed on an opportunity to talk about what a fantastic tool Leatherman produces, but now I've had the privilege of experiencing first hand the committment to their customers' complete satisfaction and I have to say, I cannot remember a better experience in my 47 years. I make my living with my tools, and experiences like this are becoming more rare by the day. There are other multi-tools out there, but Leatherman has set the bar for quality, and excellence.

 

Paul S.

The Woodlands, TX

I have been carrying a Leatherman WAVE multi-tool for the last 10 years. And for the last ten years I have been getting hassled about the canvas pouch attached to my belt. I first purchased my WAVE for fishing and loved the access to the knives without opening the tool. It's perfect for cutting the new super-braid lines, heavy mono and wire leaders used in bluewater fishing. It's also handy for those toothy critters you tend to encounter.

 

I'm also a cabinet-maker and woodworker and despite a bag full of specialty tools I turn to my WAVE more often than not because it's always right there on hip. Even fellow carpenters have hassled me about it until they see it in action. From fishing, to changing car batteries on the spot, to cutting fire wood, and building fine furniture the Leatherman WAVE has come in handy more times than I could even begin to count. And on those rare occasions that I don't have it on my hip I ALWAYS FEEL NAKED.

 

I'm definitely one customer you'll have for life but that means you'll only sell me one unless I lose it which could be very soon. I use my WAVE so much that the hole in the bottom of my case is extremely worn. On several occasions my WAVE has fallen through when closed and if it wasn't for the CLANK it would be gone.

 

Jason C.

Stuart, FL

I have used multi-tools for 20 years, starting with a Leatherman PST II. In the office job I had, the PST II was used daily (sometimes hourly) to fix copier jams, fax and printer problems, cutting package bands, tape, boxes, fix carts, etc. Every part of the PST II was used. Out for a mountain bike ride... used frequently. Camping... had to have it. Around the house... most reached for tool. 10 years of daily, solid use, and it never failed me. 

Two co-workers had another brand of multi-tool, with sliding plier jaws, and we would often compare functions. The Leatherman always won. Jobs changed and I became a truck driver. The PST II, while capable, was well used and a bit small, so I upgraded to a larger tool. My mistake was buying a competitor's product, the one my former co-workers had. I did feel guilty leaving Leatherman behind, but wanted to see if this other brand might work just as well.

 

There was a BANG under the hood of the truck I was driving. Black smoke was pouring out of the stack, and the power dropped right off. The engine had backfired, snapping the hose clamp off at the turbo. No problem, I had an extra clamp and my other-brand multi-tool. I pulled over and parked the truck. Up went the hood. Tool in hand, I started to tighten the hose clamp. SNAP. The flat-head driver broke. Instead of a quick fix that would have got me going within minutes, I had to call for a service truck to bail me out. The metal of the tool was weak, and the size and design of the screwdriver was too small for serious use. This would not have happened with a Leatherman. Since then, the screwdriver (which I tried to grind back into shape) had snapped again, and the clips holding the jaws have popped off. Several times. It's not fun squeezing between pallets of razor-sharp extruded aluminum, looking on the dark floor of a truck for black metal clips, while the clock ticks and the anxious customer awaits his delivery. Trust went out the window. How can I depend on a tool if it's prone to failure?

 

So, Leatherman, I'm sorry for straying. I'm back now with a Surge and couldn't be happier.

 

Curt B.

Gilmanton Iron Works, NH

My guys repair wind turbines. Our work ranges from fiber-glass blade repair to semi-annual oil change. The Leatherman WAVE has saved trips down tower to retrieve screwdriver or knife or crimper. I have given up my first series WAVE to TSA search that was in use for 6 years. The new WAVE's locking tools is a super improvement.

 

Victor H.

Colorado Springs, CO

Okay, so for years I laughed at all those manly men who had those so called tools strapped to their waist. What's the point of that, I thought. If you need a tool, get a real tool and do the job right, I thought.

 

Well, one Christmas my wife bought me the Super Tool. "Thank-you, dear. That's very nice"...... good grief, now what am I gonna do? Am I gonna have to lug around that toy tool all the time? To show my undying devotion to my lovely bride I strapped it to my belt. Well, long story short, that darn thing was great, It became an extention of my right hand, so much so that one spring out working (I am a farmer) I inadvertently left it on the implement I was pulling in the field. Dad-gummit, where is that darn thing? Oh no, I lost it! Now what? I have to find it. I walked all over that field, to no avail. So I shut down the tractor, drove to town to get a new one. I just can't run this opperation without one. Whew... life is good again.

 

One year later, same field, round and round I go, what's that bright light up ahead? It's a reflection of the sun, something in the dirt. Must stop and investigate; could be an old coin, or old glass bottle, might be worth some money. What do you know? It's my Leatherman, bright shining in the sun, looks as good as it did a year ago. Man what a good day!

 

Some days are like that, life is great! And so are Leatherman Tools !! I have had several ...The biggest complaint I have, is they won't sprout and grow......I have planted several in the fields since............dad-gummit.......... where is that darn thing.......[:o) 

Keith D.

Desmet, ID

I don't know if this is the place to send this statement, but I just wanted to thank you and tell everyone that I was overjoyed with the warranty service I just received a few weeks ago. I have had a Leatherman Wave for over 10 years and it had become a little loose and dull. I returned it just hoping Leatherman would tighten the loose joint and sharpen the blades. I was even willing to pay for the sharpening. To my joy and surprise when I opened the package I found a brand new Wave with many new features. Again thank you very much.
 

Starke S.

Fishersville, VA 

The Leatherman PST been with me since 1984 when I found it in the middle of Grubber Rd, Ft Bragg, NC. I have used it throughout my military career as a Parachute Rigger my Leatherman has jumped out aircraft's with me and been by my side around the world throughout numerous missions and deployments.
 

I found that the best way to keep a good quality tool like the Leatherman PST was not to loan it out. I broke many other tools and knives, but the PST has been both durable and reliable; it's the go-to tool to get the job done.

 

I retired in 2006 and when I use my PST it reminds me of old friends, memories of missions and the good times. My Leatherman might be worn down now but has never broke. It has been one tough tool and I recommend it to everyone.

 

Robert S.

Petersburg, VA

We go every year on a spring fishing week which is about an 8 hour drive from door to camp. We have to get in by ATV as it is a long ways off the pavement.

 

About an hour past the last house the truck broke down and I used my New Wave to implement some repairs on the power steering. It was at least enough to get us to the parking spot and back out to a garage the next day. I was very pleased with myself that I had been able to use the tool and save the day. We parked and used the wheeler to get the next 7 kms to the camp. The next morning we fired up the ATV to head back to the truck and as I turned it around in a clearcut, a branch went up through the bottom and took out the coolant hose. After a little foul language out came the Leatherman and we made repairs using the rubber off the chainsaw handgrip and some wire. It was a slow trip out but a lot shorter than if we had to walk. I have carried this tool everyday since and use it with great pride.

 

Mike F.

Fredericton, NB, Canada

I have owned my Leatherman Charge for 7 years and Wave for 10 years. They both have gone to Thailand, Japan, Kuwait, Korea, United Arab of Emirates just to name a few. Let's just say I never leave home without them.

 

There was one time I remember quite well when I was on an exercise in Chitose, Japan. It was in the middle of winter and it was colder than hell. We just got our sat-comm van up and running (on the bird is what we called it) and the dual generators fuel pump went out. The exercise was going to be a failure, so I started looking for anything I could use to get the sat-comm van up and running. I saw a 5 ton truck, some blue Japanese Garden Hose, and some hose clamps on an old hot water heater. My Leatherman and me "borrowed" the blue garden hose and hooked it up our 5 ton truck's fuel pump to the generators, ran power from the batteries on the sat-comm van to power the fuel pump and we were back on the Bird. The Mission was a success and I received a medal for getting it done. I could not have done it if I didn't have my trustee Leatherman by my side.

 

Brian G.

Amarillo, TX

Bought my first Leatherman in 1997, a PST II . Used it as an extension of my own hands. Using the pliers one day in the cold they broke at the jaws. I was devestated since it was a retired tool at that time. So I bought a Fuse, which was the closet to my PST II at the time. I found the locking blades a great assest, but still missed the PST II.

 

I found out I could send it back for evaluation. I did so and less than a month later I was sent a new PST II from what I assume was back up for such an occasion. I was overjoyed and carry the PST II still. I use the Fuse for hunting and fishing but the old PST is my partner everyday.

 

Thanks Leatherman for the replacement and I just ordered a new sheath for the PST cause the old one is about to give out. Not bad for 13 years service.

 

Scott M.

Auburn, NH

It started with the original Super Tool over 10 years ago, which is now assigned to my truck since I've added a Micra to my key ring and the Charge TTi on my belt. Along with a mini MagLite, I think I have all the bases covered and ready for any situation. Best multi tool(s) anywhere. Thanks for a great product.

 

Charley W.

Parsippany, NJ

I got a Leatherman for Christmas this year from my parents, and use it everyday. I work on a Dairy Farm and use it for cutting baler twine and net wrap. I also use it to cut wire while repairing fences.

 

Well, I was running one of the farm's loader tractors around the farm when the fuel injection pump decided to go out. Well, the old John Deere 4020 started to throttle the motor up on its own, and was exceeding the recommended governed speed of the motor. So I quickly threw the tractor in park and jumped off the operator platform. I ran around and shut the fuel supply off to the pump and it suddenly revved out of control. So without any hesitation I pulled out the Leatherman and used it to cut the fuel line right at the injection pump. After cutting the line the tractor died, and I was able to save the motor. If it wasn't for the Leatherman I would be putting a new motor in that tractor right now.

 

Leatherman makes a great product and I will not hesitate to buy another if I ever wear this one out.

 

Mike C.

Rockford, MI

It was summer of '09 on the Rubicon trail when my dirt bike's shifter snapped off. I had a spair, but only one 10 mm and my Leatherman Core. Luckily with it I managed to tighten it down and proceed to a known hill called Cadillac Hill and get back to my '83 Toyota pick up.

 

Stuart H.

San Ramon, CA

I work for a construction consulting firm. That means that I'm testing construction materials to ensure their compliance with the project specifications.

 

In 2007 I purchased a Surge and now not a day goes by at work when I don't use it at least once. I've used it for everything from cutting plastic test cylinder molds to loosening stubborn wing nuts on the collars of soil compation molds. Even my boss asks to use my Surge on occasion. So at work I'm a regular walking tool box. Without my Surge, I would waste a lot of time hunting down this tool or that tool to perform a simple task thanks for making such a great product!!

 

Eva S.

Jackson, MI

In short, while going through the security scan in the Poland, Warsaw airport my Leatherman was detected in my computer case. I was told to put my Leatherman, which was a gift from my lady friend and held a special engraving on the side, in nearby wooden box with a lock and clasp. I elected not to throw away my favorite tool and gift from my lover. There was a divider with a 4 inch gap at the bottom between the scanning area and the general bording area. I bent down as to tie my shoe and slid my favorite Leatherman tool under the wall/divider. After passing all scanning and questions I entered the general bording area and went back to the divider and picked up my favorite Leatherman tool. Very quickly a Polish Military Officer approached me and asked me what was in my back pocket.

 

Gregory C.

Annandale, VA

The Surge is the best tool I have ever had. I've had Gerbers in the past and I could not begin to tell you where that junk is, broke in a drawer or trash bin somewhere. My wife gave me my Surge for Father's Day and it has been on my duty belt and carried with me everywhere I go. The sheeps foot serrated blade has been there for me twice when I had to cut seatbelts during car accidents.

 

I carried my Surge until my wife got me the Pocketclip for a lighter carry tool. I broke the blade last year on it and when I got around to sending it back just before Christmas, it was replaced with a Kick and a sideclip as a late Christmas present for me right away. I can't begin to tell you how gratefull I am to a company that stands behind a product as great as these tools. Every police officer, EMS, firefighter and all military should have great tools such as these. Thank you Leatherman for a great product and standing behind it.

 

Jeff W.

Timber Lake, SD

I bought my first leatherman in high school. It was the wave. It broke in half 8 years later, in my hand. It was used every day for work. I almost cried. I bough a new wave, lost it. Then bought a core, for work. I have used it everyday for the last 3 years, only broke the saw blade off while trying to cut drywall. Also bough a surge for home. I never go anywhere without one of them.

 

Lee M.

Lovettsville, VA

I have had the c301 science last year it has lasted me to today with out having to be sharpend. and i am a boy scout and also a venture scout and a jr firefighter it is a great tool.

Brandon G.

Downingtown, PA 

While visiting Chile Santiago I met a family of five that had two pet dogs whose father had paid for a handyman to repair the large, two foot relatively circular, hole his dogs had over time scratched into the door. The father told me that the handyman was paid and had not returned and that he had reason to believe he would not return as he had been paid already yet did no work. Well at the time I owned and carried a Leatherman Juice Xe6 and so I figured since he had the material needed to repair the door and only needed the know how and the tools I volunteered to fix it for him right then and there.

 I took out my Leatherman and took off the hinges and proceeded to fix the door. I then tore off the inside layer, the side with the hole, and was left with the door frame and the outer layer and the nails used to tack in the old layer. With the Leatherman Juice I was able to pull the old nails out. I then proceeded to glue and lay the new layer over the doors frame. once set I tacked the layer to the frame and proceeded to cut the layers excess off without the saw. I also went to the extent of hitting the edge with the file to clean them up. in the end I was able to fully fix his door problems with my Leatherman Juice.

 

Brad

Sparks, NV 

My mom got my father a Leatherman Squirt S4 for his birthday about four years ago. He said thank you, then he put it on his shelf, and for about a year it sat there. I came along, working in my dads office, and found it. I opened it and took it home because he wasn't going to use it. I used it almost every day of those three years. Last week though, while I was in Barranca de Cobre, Mexico working for a local charity helping the native indian people, I could not find it.

It was my trusty companion and it was never to be found... I was heartbroken, remembering that just yesterday I was cutting a little girls hair with it as she was weaving a basket for me. I came back to the states a few days ago, frantically looking for a replacement, when all I could find was a Gerber Shortcut.

 

The Gerber came with the blade dull, unlike my Squirt which was razor sharp (I actually had to use it as a razor the whole time in Fiji, where I was handing out pre-made lunches to the kids at school, because I forgot my razor at home.) I used it for one day until I found another Squirt S4. I never really like the Gerber "copy cat" Shortcut. And ironically, the blade broke off as I was opening the Squirt's packaging with it. And now my Squirt is back in its familiar place, on my keychain.

 

Sam H.

Redondo Beach, CA

It was the day after Christmas. I had just sat down in my deer stand that one of my buddies had given me a while back not thinking at all to check it for rust damage before Iput the stand on the tree. I over looked a rusted out spot on the foot plate and when it got dark I stood up to get ready to get out of the stand; my foot went straight through the bottom. I hung there for an hour trying to pull my leg out and finally realized that I had just got a Leatherman Blast for Christmas. It took me five minutes to cut the the foot plate and free my leg. If it wasn't for my Leatherman, I would have been stuck in that stand for a while.

Jared D.

Pinehurst, GA

I sent in 4 Leatherman tools to get repaired on 21 Dec 2009 - one had a broken main spring, another had a broken blade-lock and the other two had very worn blades from being sharpened regularly. I received the tools back today (6 Jan 2010). It appeared that all the tools had been completely replaced with a brand new tools. Thank you Leatherman for providing great tools and great service, I will definitely continue to purchase your fine products knowing they come with a GREAT warranty and customer service.

 

Eric S.

Lansing, MI

It was about midnight driving home from Miami, FL to Tampa, FL... Suddenly, I notice I have no throttle control on my 15 year old car. So, using the cruise control I drove to the next gas station (which was about 20 miles with no gas pedal because there is absolutely nothing in gator alley).

I lift the hood of my car to discover the throttle cable has come off the throttle body... I thought about it for a minute, grabbed my Leatherman Surge and headed for the passenger door... My friend was sleeping in the passenger seat and I didn't bother to wake him... I needed his shoe lace since I was wearing sandals...

 

I used the straight blade on my Surge to remove a piece of his shoe lace with out his knowledge. Then I used the pliers on the Surge to grip the throttle cable while my other hand used the shoe lace to tie it to the throttle body. I then continued on for about three hours of driving and made it home before sunrise! My friend still has no clue what happened to his shoe lace that day! All thanks to my Leatherman.

 

Nico Z.

Clearwater, FL 

I don't have a lifesaving story about my leatherman,but life would be a lot harder without it.I live and work on my own farm and there is not a day that goes by that I don't need and use my Leatherman.

MyLeatherman of choice is the original PST, I have one on my side, one in each of my trucks,one in my tackle box and six more in reserve because I do sadly say Iose one from time to time,and then I'm lost until it is replaced. Having a Leatherman by my side has saved me countless steps and time when I need a screwdriver,a pair of pliers,or a knife,it sure beats walking back to the truck or the toolbox. I have used my Leatherman to repair most everything on the farm,tractors,combines,planters,well pumps,electrical boxes,water lines,light fixtures,door knobes,you name it they've fixed it, I have even use them for a hitch pin. once I even loaned them to a doctor so he could cut the fish hook out of my uncle's hand.

 

Thanks for letting me brag about my leatherman I've always wanted to tell you folks what a great product you have and the best part of it all is that they are made in the good ol' U.S.A.

 

Thanks,

Ricky A.

Glennville, GA

So...I have had the dream of hiking the entire Appalachian Trail for about the past 5 or 6 years and this past spring I decided to take the plunge. After taking a couple of years amassing gear (including a Leatherman Wave multi-tool), doing research on what to expect on the trail and saving a small fortune that would have to last 6 months I had had enough of dreaming and made my way to the southern terminus of the Appalachian Trail at Springer Mountain, Georgia. Most people who start the A.T. have little to no experience living the lifestyle of being in the woods, but, fortunately for me, I have been on a number of week-long backpacking trips along with the benefit of being a Park Ranger for the National Park Service, so I felt that I was pretty well prepared.

The first couple of days were physically painful but mentally exhilarating! The comical points, though, were those in camp in the evening when all of the green hikers would congregate at the shelters, rummage through our morbidly heavy packs, haphazardly throw together alcohol stoves and attempt to cook what, on the trail, would be called supper without burning the shelter down.

 

On the second night of my trek one of my fellow hikers, who had had too little experience with her alcohol stove attempted, unintelligently, to cook her supper on a platform in the shelter in which about 15 peoples' gear was strewn about in preparation for the coming nights sleep. Lacking the proper experience she filled the aluminum cup with too much alcohol and lit it. Immediately there was a large flash and a clank of metal as she shot up and dropped her pan on top of the hot alcohol. She attempted to grab the pot with her hands only to mildly burn herself. She looked around in a frantic attempt to find something which she could use to remove the stove from the shelter. I, with the grippy metal of my Leatherman Wave, reached into the flames, pulled the pot of burning fuel from amongst everybody's sleeping gear and tossed it to the ground outside of the shelter.

 

Everybody thanked me and, if I remember correctly, I even got a free packet of peanut butter out of the deal! All had been saved by the Leatherman Wave. Many people began the trail with a multi-tool, but due to the weight most people sent them home along the way since they didn't use them enough to justify carrying the weight.

 

As for me, about 6 and a half months after this incident I had walked 2,178.3 miles, completing the Appalachian Trail and my Leatherman Wave went with me over every mountain, across every river all the way to Mount Katahdin in Maine. By the time I made it to the end of the trail the stainless steel had begun to rust from the salt in my sweat and one of the blades had broken off at the tip but it still works great. On whatever journey I find myself, I will always go with a Leatherman!

 

Cody J.

Larned, KS

I have been a "LEATHERMAN JUNKY" for the past 10 years or so, and can not for the life of me remember the time in that period that I DIDN'T carry my leatherman tool, from the basic SIDE CLIP version to the better thought out WAVE, and the powerhouse SURGE, and lets not forget the SQUIRT (a must have), This tools has served me in the office, as well as the woods, I have done the unimaginable with my Leatherman. Fixed my truck,motorcycle, bicycle, gutted my fish, cleaned my gun, cut documents and coupons, fixed flat tires, cut my meat, laid down electrical installations, fix my glasses, I have done it all . 

And yes I have tried other brands (gerber s.o.g etc) but the brand that remains true and "PRACTICAL" is LEATHERMAN. I unfortunately moved to south america (CHILE) therefore it's been harder for me to keep purchasing the newer products, but I will travel to the U.S shortly and plan on ravaging the local WALMART in search of everything LEATHERMAN. 

Juan A.
Santiago, Chile

Here In Iceland, Leatherman is THE Tool to relay on, just like it is in other places of the world.

Last winther I was on a jeep tour in the snowy mountains in the north of Iceland. My car is Jeep Comanchee 1972 which I have not only owned for 31 years it has also been my friend for 31 years. It has a well modified 360cu engine and the tires are Dick Cepek 44" ,so deep snow is no problem for me. In the other hand, forgetting your barbeque tools at home can be of some problem. Oh no , who cares, I had my trusty 8 years old Wave fastened to my belt . With the Wave I cut the steak, I used it as a fork and a knive and I even used it to fasten two nuts which were falling from my friends Excursion (these Ford,s hmmm!!!)

I never ever let go of my Wave ,besides when I, go to church,to a wedding , or any place my best suit is required because my wife refuses to go with me if I fasten my Wave to my belt. What my wife does‘nt know, is that I always have my little Micra in my left pocket, and Squirt P4 to the right................. You never know...........

Leatherman can be used in million ways, enclosed picture shows one of them. Keep up the good work. Best regards from Iceland. ( We are not all as bad as they say in the news.)

Johann B.
Akureyri, Iceland

It must have been in 1988, just hours after I bought my first Leatherman. (I had postponed this moment time and again, worried about the cost). My BMW-bike left me sitting dead-flat in front of a green traffic-light, in the centre of Amsterdam.

With a face red of embarassment I pushed it onto the sidewalk. Took off the front-cover (two 5 mm hex screws, with the big screwdriver-blade, this probably voided the warranty), and found the culprit: the coil-wire had come out of connector to contacts. Undid those, (phillips- screwdriver) opened clamp-connector with the awl, stripped wire anew with knife, squeezed clamp with inner beaks, and while at it, filed the surfaces of the points. 

I was on the road again in minutes, and I never worried about the price after that. I lost it five years later, between St. Lucia and St. Vincent, in the Carribean. The first and only time I did not put the lanyard around my wrist, working overboard out on the bowsprit.

I ran to the bridge to mark the spot on the GPS, and see how deep the ocean there was...My first leatherman rests in 7500 feet of water.

Froit
Ullan Baatar, Mongolia

Thanks for making such great tools...I have several Leathermans, including the original PST back from the early 80s, a New Wave, and a couple of Micras...all excellent products.

On a recent trip to Mexico for vacation, my wife and I were placed in an oceanfront room with a fantastic view, but unfortunately, the "sliding" glass windows had a locks on them which only allowed minimal opening. Fortunately, I had packed my Leatherman Micra in the bag just for such issues. I opened the small screwdriver and within a few minutes had both window locks off, allowing us to have an unobstructed view (and sounds) of the ocean. 

Of course, upon checking out, I again used the Micra to reattach the locks for the next visitor. Without the Micra, the vacation would have been much less enjoyable. Of course, the Micra will always be with me on all future trips.

William G.
Atlanta, GA

I received a leatherman aprox.16 yrs ago. I am a plumber(retired)I owned a farm in NH.The Super tool was on my hip until I had to retire it this yr. I wrote the leatherman people to see if they could repair this old "buddy "of mine. The responce was send it in,if not we will replace it.That they did with one just a little bit better.What a tool.what a Company.I will pass this tool on to one of my grand children when I am through with it.I hope they have the respect for it that I do. Stay USA Leathman thats how great products are made and last.

Richard L>
Warren, NH

I don't know when exactly I got my Leatherman PST (I had to look it up on the website to know the model) but it seems that it has been standard proceedure to have it on me at all times. It seems like I am always fixing something or solving a problem and the Leatherman has always been there to help. Even when I am "swinging wrenches" with a shop full of tools the Leatherman always seems to come into play for something. 

There are other multi-tools available with lots of hoo ha features, but nothing matches the elegance of design, durability, and core value of this tool. Meanwhile it remains a compact efficient device that packs a lot of power in a small space. Thanks for the great innovation that really captures our nation's abillity to create products that can be "ridden hard and put up wet" and deliver the goods time after time for years. There is no compromise here and I really appreciate that.

G.H.
Clear Spring, MD

I got my first leatheman wave about 10 years ago (still got it and use it) , and I cannot begin to explain how many times this tool got me out of huge trouble. I am a game ranger for 8 years now, and cannot imagine how certain situations would have played out without my trusty tool. Problem is... every now and then I like to send it in for a good service. I absolutely dread these times as I know I would have to cope without it for at least a month. Yes I know I can always get another one, but being very expensive in South Africa this is a bit of a problem, and I just have to make do.

How about maybe having some replacement tools at all your outletss to lend out when someone brings their tools in for service. Almost the same as when they lend you a car whilst yours is getting serviced.

I absolutely hate it to be without my Wave....this will make it a bit easier to let go and have it serviced, knowing that it will come back as good as new, but also not having to be without it during this time.

JJ. E.
Hoedspruit, South Africa

In January 2009 I was part of an archaeological expedition to Easter Island (you know, that place with the giant heads). 64 square miles of arid volcanic landscape 3000 miles from anywhere, one or two flights a day at the NASA-built airstrip, and almost completely non-English speaking. Need I mention I didn't speak Spanish at the time?

So when the project fell apart and I was homeless for 2 months, getting back on my feet was no small thing. I had little access to money, a suitcase of useless clothing and my Leatherman Skeletool CX. I was 17 and fresh out of highschool.

During those two months I used my Skeletool to strip branches for the occasional lean-to, used the blade as an improvised can-opener, fought off wild dogs (a well-aimed boot works better), cleaned fish and performed a number of minor medical procedures (mostly for blisters and draining infected cuts). 

And finally, my solution found, I used it bartending at a hotel in Hanga Roa, pouring drinks for pocket change; enough for a hot dog at the corner. Open that bottle, those boxes, repair that light fixture, the refrigerator.

Thank God for that Skeletool!

I lost it this past summer river-guiding in Colorado. Being in college ,and therefor without funds, I'm unable to replace what became the most important and sentimental part of my every-day attire. 

Heart-breaking really. I feel like it saved my life a couple times, and there's that throat-tightening fear that I'll need it again.

So when traveling to far and distant lands, leave the electric razor, the cell phone, the atomic watch, but for God's sake, don't forget your knife!

Hunter L.
Rock Springs, WY

I am a career fireman who purchased his first leatherman during my fire academy in 2001. Every day, on and off duty, i can be found carrying my Leatherman tool. It has became a joke among my friends and fellow fireman about me and my trusty tool. There is never a day that passes by that I do not need my Leatherman, whether it be to assist me in the rescuing of a patient from a life threatening situation or to just clean out all the dirt from under my fingernails.

My Leatherman tool is so much a part of my every day life that I even wore it on my wedding day, much to my wife's chagrin. My wife, knowing that I always carry my Leatherman, had asked me not to wear it the day of our wedding because she though it would be tacky in my tuxedo. 

Of course when the day came I placed the tool on my belt like every other day. When the photographer arrived I asked that He take a few pictures showcasing the leatherman on my hip. After the ceremony we were all sitting around at the reception and a couple of my crew from the fire department jokingly asked if I was wearing my Leatherman, not knowing that I had it on because it was covered by my jacket. My wife quickly answered the question saying that I had not work it at her request. When she looked at me and saw the guilt on my face everyone had a fine laugh at my expense and my wife rolled her eyes at her hick husband.

Leatherman tools are a great tool that has stood up to the abuse of my job over and over again for years. I test the limits of my tool every day and have at times broken my Leatherman trying to pry open the door of a car that is crushed shut after an accident or having it run over by a fire engine I am working on. Every time I have broken my tool Leatherman has replaced or repaired it without question.

This tool has been useful and effective at every task I have asked it to complete and It has been a lifesaver in my work My leatherman tool has stood by me through the years and I will continue to stand by my Leatherman!

Blake
Fort Mohave, AZ

Hi my name is Ariel, from puerto rico. my tale is, one day whe was workinkg when we saw a horse down in the flour, whit a spike wire around his neck, it was almost dead, he could breathe. we where faraway from our shop, and I took my leatherman tool and cut the double spike wire from his neck. I never think that it could cut the wires whit it. thank to my leatherman tool we save the horse.

Ariel M.
Aguadilla, Puerto Rico

I work for the City of Marfa EMS, as a staff paramedic. Marfa is a small community in far West Texas. We serve a huge area. And in this remote part of Texas, the nearest hospital is 30 to 100 miles away, depending on the location of the emergency.

One morning we received a 911 call, of a child having a siezure. Upon arrival to the home, the mother running to us, carried the child out to the ambulance. The mother was crying and had a panic stricken look on her face. And for good reason, the 2 year old child was having a hard grand mal siezure.

The child was placed on the ambulance stretcher. The child was given oxygen, and she was placed on the EKG. The EKG revealed her heart rate was dangerously high. My partner, and I could not start an IV on her due to the strong convulsions, and dehydration. The child needed an IV med fast to stop the siezure. And the nearest Emergency Room was 30 miles away.

I called the hospital and spoke to the emergency room doctor to get permission to give the medicine, via the intranasal route. Meaning up the nose. The ER doctor gave the order, to his credit. Since, we did not have standing protocals for giving intranasal meds. The ambulance did not carry an intranasal applicator. I drew up the amount of medicine, placed an 18 guage needle on the syringe.

I used my Leatherman Core, to cut off the needle just aboue the hub. I then used the pliers to crimp the nub of the needle. This would help atomize the liquid medicine a little. I placed the needle hub into the child's nostril, and pushed the plunger, to squirt the midazolam on the child's nasal membranes. Within twenty seconds the seizure had stopped and the little girl was resting. Her heart rate went to 110 beats per minute. Which is an acceptable rate.

I know most paramedics carry a leatherman multi-tool, and for good reason. I feel naked without mine.
Robert V.
Bowie, TX

After spending the better part of the day covering tragedy (Fort Hood shootings) I found myself standing in line at the La Quinta in Killeen, TX in a lobby full of strangers. I am a news photojournalist and we had just wrapped up a long blistering day outside the visitors gate at Fort Hood. One anonymous member of the U.S. Army had just checked in and gone to his room. He returned to the lobby humbly asking for wine bottle opener. 

You see, in addition to having just absorbed the news of a mass shooting right whre he lives, he wanted to spend some quality time with his wife, as he had recently returned from a tour in Iraq. Everyone in the lobby wanted to help him, but none of us had a cork opener! 

No problem, I said and I handed him my Leatherman Blast. So it doesn't have a cork tool but that never stopped me from trying. The poor guy was so desperate to have a drink with his wife that he ended up somehow breaking my screwdriver. No problem I said, "this thing is American made with a great warranty, try using the pliers." He did and out came the cork. I never saw a bigger smile on one of our armed forces.

I had to tell everyone it was a Leatherman and not one of those knock offs you find at the cheap store. I have to say that my blast is the third Leatherman I have owned and it saves me all the time! It has to be every cameraman's best friend, and now it is that member of our armed forces best friend too.

Michael F.
Cypress, TX

Today while driving to Thanksgiving stop 3 of 4 we were traveling on US 22 or old Brownsboro road. We came around a curve and the car in front of us slowed down and stopped. We looked over to the side and saw a newer body style ford explorer on its roof. I thought the vehicle had rolled and then was left. A lady pulled up behind us and yelled if we had a phone and to call 911.

I pulled out my phone, dialed 911, hit talk, gave the phone to my girlfriend while I put my shoes back on, and then ran over to the passenger side of the Explorer.

I tried yelling at the woman to roll down the windows, but they wouldn't roll down. I was able to open the passenger rear door about 8" but that's it because of the way it was sitting on the side of the road.

By then, some guy had opened the rear hatch and thrown their stuff out of the back. He went in and started getting the 3 month old baby out of the back. He was struggling and I told him to scoot over so I could get in there and help. He was struggling with unclipping the car seat from the car's seat belt. I noticed the release was on his side so he unclipped the belt. Then the seatbelt was caught in the car seat. That's when I remembered I had a leatherman knife on my key ring.

I was able to cut the seat belt and they handed the baby out through the driver side rear door to the other people outside. The baby didn't start crying until we started messing with the car seat.

After that, the other guy who was helping in the back seat had gotten out. The father was able to unclip his seat belt, but the mother was a little more "frazzled" than he was so she wasn't able to. I asked her if she wanted me to cut the seat belt and she said yes. I told her to brace herself so she didn't fall and hit her head. I cut her shoulder belt and the lap portion was still holding her in, but she was able to get out. When she got out, she was asking about her shoe since she was standing outside on the asphalt in the cold rain with one shoe. I reached up to where her feet were, no shoe, but after putting my hand in mashed potatoes, I found her shoe.

Everyone was ok, there didn't appear to be any scratches or cuts on any of them. They were all out of the car before EMS and the fire department had arrived. The response time for them getting there was 6 or 7 minutes. We then put their stuff into her father's car. He apparently lived only about a mile away so that was good. Also the guy that got into the car first was an off duty fireman who just happened to be driving by.

On that Thanksgiving Day, I am thankful for seat belts and especially my Leatherman Micra tool that was off of my key chain for a long while, but I put it back on about a month prior to this.

I don't think I will ever take it off of my key ring again.

Tyler K.
Louisville, KY

I work for my county's public works department. Recently I was assigned to a crew to trim roadside vegetation. During the course of the day, the Brush Hog operator snagged an old guide wire cable with the mower blades. We searched the trucks for a tool to remove this tangled cable from the blades. Unable to find bolt cutters I pulled out my Leatherman Wave and proceeded to unwrap the wire strands in the cable and cut them individually with it. In about ten minutes we were back at work cutting the brush.

Mark W.
Pittsburgh, PA

Hello fellow outdoorsmen! In my early Army years I carried many a knife; a Buck 110 given to me as a teenager, 3 different Gerbers. Two of those were gifts from folks that really didn't like me and that was after I'd bought one. They all broke!

While walking down a dirt road in Montana I came across this black metal object. My first leatherman! I made this custom pancake style holster and it never left my side. I broke the file holding a window of a car off the rubber as I helped the owner get inside. Depressed over the breakage I searched for another. I found out it was no longer made. That was ok, I could no longer sharpen my hatchet or axes in the field but it woked everywhere else!

I came across this polished one and set my black one in a drawer promising to send it in to replace the file. Seven years have gone by since I found the polished one. I have broken that file the same way, helping to get a frozen car owner inside to their keys. I carry this knife in this holster under all kinds of backpack hip belts and feel no pain. This multi-tool is gold! Thin, strong and holds an edge. I have trimmed branches to clear my daughters bow line of sight for deer hunting, cut many a steak in camp, and even turned screws to change a headlight on my truck. This tool only comes with one regret; it's no longer made so I can't buy the same model for the friends I truly cares for!

Thanks for the years of service, your not retired just cause I am!

Van G.
Sioux Falls, SD

I have had a leatherman tool for 10 years when my Dad gave me my first one. I have had several models ! 5 diferent tools . The qualty of all the tools was great. The customer service was extremly super when they serviced and repared 3 older tools i had kept. THANKS !!

Brandon N.
Milton, IN

Tool check, something said several times during the week at work. We build custom emergency vehicles at KME in Pennsylvania. Of the 800 employees on the floor, many carry Leatherman, but in the Fleet department between sales, services machanics and upfit technicians, everyone carrys the skeletool. It is not often someone forgets their skeletool or doesn't have it on them, but when tool check is said, and the tool is not present, that person is shunned for the day. 

Skeletools were chosen by us because of their style and convieniece, a knife, pliers and screw driver, it is easy to carry while being dressed up for a meeting or sales call. My Skeletool was clipped on the pocket of my Tux for my entire wedding ceremony and reception.

My newest upfit techinician was given his yesterday, he dropped a screw in a light bar and thought he had to to go his tool box for pliers. i asked him where his leatherman was and he said its too bulky to carry everyday... i handed him a new skeletool i had picked up the night before as an extra and another coworker told him, now that you have it, don't leave home without it. This morning as i walked into the garage, i got tool checked by the newbie. 

John K.
Nesquehoning, PA

Hi on the year 2001 I got a Leatherman Wave it was and still my one and only tool that I cant do with out it every where I go. When I forget it at home by mistake I feel lost.

I am an ATM machine engineer I use it dally more than 20 times for about 10 years and it is still as dependable as the first day I got it… I can testify Leatherman is the only useful thing i haver ever bought in my whole life. 

Eyad K.
Hail, Saudi Arabia

My sister and her boyfriend gave me a Blast years ago and I have carried it almost everywhere since. But I was particularly grateful to have it with me tonight because it got me home safely and my wife to a play she was seeing on time.

I had stopped by the grocery store for a few things before going home and dropping off the car to my wife so she could see a play she's been excited about for weeks. But when I got back into the car, it wouldn't start. I asked a friendly passerby for a jump start, but it didn't work. Flustered, I looked under the hood and saw that one of the battery cables was corroded to the point that it probably wasn't carrying enough voltage to turn the starter. 

I grabbed my Blast and used the pliers to remove the cable connector and take it apart, then the wire cutters to cut and strip the cable where it attached to the terminal, then put it all back together. I hopped in the car, started it right up, drove home, and told my wife to enjoy the play. Then I sat down to write this to thank you for the great tool that I will continue to never be without.

brad W.
Tucson, AZ

I've never owned a Leatherman in my life but when my daughter got married, the groom got all of the groomsman... (and happily, the Father Of The Bride!) their very own, "KICK" I have to tell you I loved it, carried on my belt all the time... until sometime last October, I lost it! I have the case but alas, I looked everywhere and it was nowhere to be found.

My wife picked up some piece of crap to replace it but that was a total waste.

Well happy endings! Today I am on the roof of the house putting up Christmas lights and there it was! Laying wide open on the shingles. It had been sitting there for OVER A YEAR. I picked it up, expecting the worst but NOPE. A touch of surface rust but still works smooth as silk and sharp as the day I got it.

It pays to buy the best THANK YOU for a great Product!

Jack B.
Slinger, WI

I had parked all day in a parking garage in downtown Cincinnati. After paying at the booth, the attendant could not get the gate to open, no matter what she did (presumably it had worked fine all day up until then). It was evening rush hour, so cars began to stack up behind. After making a frantic phone call, she told me she would have to switch to another exit booth. Imagine her having to go to each car, getting everyone to back up. Then taking the money out of the cash register and switching to the other booth, which also did not work! Then back to the first booth, all the while more cars backing up. 

This went on for 25 minutes; tempers were starting to flare. She went to the gate and tried to break it, then asked me to help her break it; another driver also tried to no avail. Then I looked at the gate; there were four bolts holding it on, so I said "Stop, I can take it apart." 

I had only my Flair with me (which I usually reserve for picnics and parties), but I was able to get three out, allowing the gate to rotate up. As I drove off, the exasperated attendant was holding up the gate so the other cars could get out. I don't know if she was able to collect from them or not!

Martin P.
Naples, FL

I've been carrying the original Super Tool since roughly 1995 or so. When the new Super Tool 300 came out I bought one instantly. I feel the tools were destined to make their way onto a farm. I pair the new Super Tool 300 with a Micra in the leather sheath's side pocket and im equiped for anything.

Last week I bought a load of young, bred cows from my local livestock exchange. Once upon unloading them I realized one of the cows had a horn growing our of her head, then down and into the side of her face about two inches from her eye. A fairly common problem in horned cows it looked like it maybe had been like that for some time. Having no traditional tools available we locked her in the headchute and I used the extra long saw on my Leatherman Super Tool 300 to cut about two inches of the tip of her horn off and soaked her wound down with alcohol. Problem solved. The Super Tool 300 truly is a farmers best friend!

John D.
Sperryville, VA

I was about 1/2 mile from my house in my old Land Cruiser that I had just began to restore. All of a sudden I heard a fan belt squeal, so I stopped and saw that the water pump had seized. I knew I couldn't get back home in that condition. Luckily my Leatherman Wave's saw blade was the only thing that could get through the fan belt. I cut it off and got home as fast as I could. 

The tool is so versatile and I sometimes feel 'embarrassed' for my other tools when I am better off using the Leatherman rather than the 'regular' tools sitting there in my tool box. 

Thanks for making such a great product. I have 2, but think I need to add to my collection!!

Charlie G.
Morristown, NJ

I just got my new leatherman surge for christmas and i love it verry strong i love the interchangeable blades was hoping the phillips and flat head were a bit longer but all in all my dream came true .. i had to fix the snow blower today because of snow and this tool saved me an hour of freezing in the cold to find the right tools and it worked for it all!!!! thank you leatherman!!!!! i will buy anouther one in the future i can promise that.. if your thinking of buying a surge for yourself or as a gift it is the right choice!! ive been a machanic for 10 years and this is the !!! tool guys!! the case is wonderful, the teeth are strong verry strong!!!!!!! i cant wait to get all the accesories look out for the extra blade inside the belt loop i almost missed it...

Nick B.
Eastbrookfield, MA

I just got my new leatherman surge for christmas and i love it verry strong i love the interchangeable blades was hoping the phillips and flat head were a bit longer but all in all my dream came true .. i had to fix the snow blower today because of snow and this tool saved me an hour of freezing in the cold to find the right tools and it worked for it all!!!! thank you leatherman!!!!! i will buy anouther one in the future i can promise that.. if your thinking of buying a surge for yourself or as a gift it is the right choice!! ive been a machanic for 10 years and this is the !!! tool guys!! the case is wonderful, the teeth are strong verry strong!!!!!!! i cant wait to get all the accesories look out for the extra blade inside the belt loop i almost missed it...

Nick B.
Eastbrookfield, MA

Several years ago my wife, daughter and I had gone on the Connecticut River on an overnight boat trip. We camped overnight on an island on the river. When we went to start the boat the next morning, the battery was dead. We waited for a quite awhile to see if someone would come by and give us a jump or ride but there was no one on the river that morning.

The boat was a borrowed one and I did not find any tools in the boat. All I had was my Leatherman, I was sucessful in removing the nuts on the battery and to remove the cable connectors. I found that the terminals and connectors had bad corrosion, I was able to use my Leatherman to remove most all of the corrosion and put the cables back on the boat. Much to our pleasure, the boat fired and we were not stranded in the middle of the river. We completed our boat ride that day without any further problems. Thank you Leatherman.

Stan W.
Claremont, NH

I've been in braces for about a year, with hinges on the insides of my cheeks. The other day, one of the hinges decided break off on one side of my mouth. I scheduled a trip to the orthodontist, but it was bothering me so much that I couldn't wait until the appiontment. After examining how the hinges attached, I pulled out my Leatherman (juice S2) and reattached them to my bracets. Thanks to my trusty Leatherman, I saved a trip to the orthodontist, a few hours, and a hundred bucks!

Ian M. 
Coppell, TX

I've been in braces for about a year, with hinges on the insides of my cheeks. The other day, one of the hinges decided break off on one side of my mouth. I scheduled a trip to the orthodontist, but it was bothering me so much that I couldn't wait until the appiontment. After examining how the hinges attached, I pulled out my Leatherman (juice S2) and reattached them to my bracets. Thanks to my trusty Leatherman, I saved a trip to the orthodontist, a few hours, and a hundred bucks!

Ian M. 
Coppell, TX

When my son was around four years old, my wife bought him his easter outfit, nice pants, a dress shirt and his first neck tie, the type that has the little spring loaded clip to hook to his collar. I was getting dressed for work when my son began screaming (along with my wife) after he pulled the tie off and proceeded to stick it in his mouth. In only a second the spring clip snapped shut on his lower lip. It was so tight you could not get any grip on the clasp with your finger.

My leatherman was on the dresser, I grabbed it, opened the pliers and in just a few seconds was able to unhook the clip and saved the day. That was twelve years ago and I still carry that same tool today.

Scott L.
New Hartford, CT

During the summer of 1997 my family and I were floating the Buffalo river in Tennessee with our church group. We encountered some white water which capsized our canoe. My wife and son were OK, but I became pinned between the bottom of the canoe, and a small tree that had fallen into the river. Before I could free myself, another canoe from our party capsized and slammed into ours.

The force of the rushing water made it impossible for me to free myself, and the water was rushing over the two canoes and into my face, preventing me from being able to breathe. Some of the men from our group were trying to get me out, but the force of the river was too strong. That's when I remembered my Leatherman.

I managed to reach my Leatherman, open the saw blade, and start cutting into the branch that was pressing into my lower back. Once I had cut about halfway through the branch, the force of the river snapped it into, and freed me. If I had not had my Leatherman that day, I might not be here today. Thanks Leatherman!

Bert W.
Bogata, TX

I bought the leatherman wave in october 2009. I think it is one of the best tools I have ever bought. I have had a couple other multi tools in the past and hated them. I think I ended up throwing them in the trash. I was a little scarce to buy the leatherman because I thought I would end up breaking it or it would just not be useful to me. I work in excivating and also do body work on large trucks. I never leave home without it now. I use it almost every day.

For example today I was on a ladder working on a heater in my paint booth and needed the measure a pipe, well instead of climbing down the ladder and trying to find a tape I was able to use the wave to measure it. It is made very strong and very high qualitly! In excivating it gets wet muddy and gets sand in it all the time and it still works great.

I was putting lights in my garage and was in the attic and I needed a phillips and needed the plyers and wire cutters several times when I didnt have them and it was so nice having it rite on my side so I didnt have to crawl through the attic and up and down the ladder. I just ordered two sets of the bits one for me and one for my dad for christmas because after he saw mine he orderde the wave too. I wouldnt ever buy anything else but the leatherman from now on. Great product!

Kurtis K.
Jamestown, OH

I work as a volunteer rescue person and was called to a car accident in which a number of people needed to be cut out of the remains of a sedan which had been crushed to half it's size. One of the more experienced rescue operatives was having problems cutting the seatbelts and other car components out of the way with his rescue knife so I passed over my leatherman Core and the core was able to perform better than the proper rescue knife.

Locally the cores are no longer available, so as a result I have now bought a Surge for my rescue kit, as also have a number of other ERT members.

Des B.
South Hedland, Australia

Many years as a jack of trades has taken me down many roads where my Surge has served me well. From opening packaging and cutting through heavy wire. There has not been a tool that works this good! I picked up the bit kit with 42 bits and enjoyed many hours of taking jst about anything apart and back together again. While I wouls like to have a larger or smaller surge, this tool is as perfect as anyone could ask for. My whole family knows how I adore this tool and they always ask for me to fix this or open that. From pruning to scalpting there is no other tool that better compares.

Thank's Leatherman!!!
Scott E.
Mountlake Terrace, WA

I came across this site as I was looking for warranty info for my wave. Normally I would just suck it up an purchase another knife, but this one helped save a woman's life.

About 8 months ago I was working in Sacramento Ca. when there was a crash in front of the home that I was working on. An elderly woman had swerved off of the road and caught a guy wire on a power pole, it flipped her car over and left her frightened and trapped inside her car upside down strapped by the belt. It only took 1 second to whip out my wave and cut her loose. Any knife may have done the job, but the serrated blade on my wave was first on the scene.

I'll be sending this knife in for a repair soon. Last week It was damaged and trust me, it is an awful loss without its constant heft at my side. I use the Leatherman every single day and cant wait to get my replacement. In the mean time, I will need to carry a full box of tools around.

Loyal 4 life,
Scott D.
Sacramento, CA

I mean NEVER. I'm naked without my Leatherman Wave. I am a trucker and my freight can vary from hot liquid asphalt to radioactive waste and everything in between. Needless to say I face a new challenge everyday.

My Leatherman has been instrumental in securing, loading and offloading cargo. My Leatherman has saved myself and others from being stranded on the side of the road. Not only in my big rig, but riding my motorcycle and atv as well when they failed on me but my Leatherman was there to get me going again.

Even while tinkering at home I find myself reach for my Leatherman before walking to my toolbox. I've literally done complete repairs and services on my toys and equipment using just my Leatherman tool.

My Wave is my second Leatherman tool. I gave my first to my father who was amazed at all it's uses. He would say to me "Geez! I can't believe how much you use that thing!" It's true, the snap on my sheath is literally worn out because my tool comes off my hip so often.

If I had to pick my favorite use for my Leatherman it would be the one that it was never designed (but works great) for. Cracking a cold beer at the end of a long day. When the tool is at rest in its folded position the hinge makes a great bottle opener. Kicking back with my Leatherman, remembering our accomplishments of the day, and basking in the possibilities of tomorrow, knowing that me and my Leatherman tool will be ready for whatever the day may bring. Thats why I never leave home without it. Ever.

Jesse T.
Feura Bush, NY

Happy Anniversary to me and Thee! 20 years ago today I acquired my own original Supertool II. It was recently (as in now 3+ years ago) updated with a SURGE.

You and Your Tools have provided me with THOUSANDS of additional untold hours of life to live versus heading back down a mast, up from bilges, back out of confined spaces and to the closest toolbox, simply because whatever I needed was already ON MY HIP. As a 30+ year volunteer Fire Fighter these 2 different super tools have saved my and fellow volunteers lives; as a sailboat rigger they've saved quality time for me to enjoy with family and friends, labor costs having an assistant retrieve a "whatever", and the originally acquired SUPERTOOL II has taken up permanent residence on our primary vessel as THE TOOLBOX. Aside large pipe wrenches and hammers...I don't need anything else. IF there's a task to complete (and there always is), this IS the tool(s) for the job. The SURGE worn on the hip is equipped with Bit kit and additional blade/file set; flashlight on the side of that nylon holster. Forget credit cards, I Simpy "DON'T LEAVE HOME WITHOUT IT!"

Over the last 20 years, folks have given me Gerber, Buck and case tools...they simply didn't come CLOSE to the quality, fit & finish of LEATHERMAN and sadly I killed them ALL...sometimes in days. Thank You Leatherman Inc. for saving my life, friends lives, and providing a quality of life for me that was/is/will be simply worth easily in excess of 1000x the cost of both original investments. Folks, if You need a tool, You NEED a LEATHERMAN! ANYTHING Else is just "second best". NOTHING else made by AnyBody Else even comes remotely Close. To say I'm "satisfied" would be the biggest understatement of this decade (or the last one too for that matter). Sincerely,

Mick P
Inglis, FL

I am a Television Engineer and my work has taken me worldwide. Often it is impractical to carry a large tool kit everywhere I go, but there's ALWAYS an emergency to deal with, so I rely on my Leatherman...A Lot!

If I had to give up every tool in my kit save one...I would keep my Leatherman. It resides quietly on my belt every day and is available instantly when needed. I own several differeent models, but my current favorite is the Surge my wife gave me for Christmas.

I have owned at least a dozen Leatherman tools - I didn't break them, I have given them to friends, colleagues and family. I even dropped one in a Porta-Potty once while working at a golf tournament in California. No, I didn't try to retrieve it - I just went out and bought another one that evening. After that incident I keep a couple of spares, just in case.

I tried some of the other so-called Multitools - BULLPUCKY!! I'll stick with my Leatherman tool. it has never failed me...Even in Iraq, but that's another story...

Michael C.
Charlestown, IN

I had my leatherman wave stolen from me aprox 5 years ago.About a year and a half later my then girlfriend ran into the guy who was living me at the time of the theft and convinced him to give it to her as a gift.She in turn gave it back to me,is that cool or what! I weave the polm frond ya know hats bowls roses,crickets fish ect. so the loss of this highly usefull tool was a really big deal to me,I've also used it for fixing bikes,fixing this and that ect...I am also a musician and have used it to fix more things that you can imagin I mention the musician thing because people and companies are allways thying to get me to endorse their products which I rarely do,I do however endorse this product without hesitation! My knife is old and broken now and I could send it in but I won't the senamental value is to high to me,by the way it's only broken because I broke it, yes by accident,but it was my fault and not leathermans. Thanks leatherman team and keep up the good work.

Victor M.
Riverside, CA

a couple buddies and I werre fishing on Lake ontario, when one of us got a treble hook stuck in his eyelid. My one friend was using a Spoon type lure and tried to whip out a long cast just as my other friend stood up and got snagged. After a considerable amount of cursing and screaming, I convinced my buddy to sit down and i used the hardened cutter on my Leatherman to cut the one hook off. then he back it out safely and we headed for shore and some medical supplies. But it would have been a very scarey ride to shore with out my Leatherma Wave!

Jim B.
Pennsburg, PA

I was helping with a barbeque fundraiser this past Labor Day weekend when we discovered that we didn't have a can opener for the 40+ cans of green beans that needed to be heated up. The event's organizer went across the road and bought a can opener but it wasn't strong enough to open even one of the large cans. I pulled out my Leatherman Super Tool, the original model, and opened all of the cans. My Leatherman saved the day and helped feed a bunch of hungry people.

Jeff M.
Elizabeth City, NC

I work for the Houston Fire Department. One day on the ambulance we made a call where a boy's foot slipped and somehow wound up between the spokes and front forks on the bicycle he was riding. Took the leatherman and cut about 4 spokes and the foot came out without injury.

Charles K.
Pinehurst, TX

While I was in graduate school, some friends and I went to a local coffee shop to do some studying. When we sat down, my friend pulled out his cell phone and put it on the arm of the couch. I said to him, "do you really think someone's gonna call you?". He said, "ya never know". I gave him a hard time about it, but we eventually got down to studying. We had been at the coffee shop for a couple of hours, when it was time for a bathroom break. I got up to head to the bathroom and I said to my friend, "anybody call yet?" and he shrugged it off since nobody had called.

I went to the bathroom and since it was a single-user bathroom I locked the door behind me as I had done many other times. After washing my hands I grabbed the door handle and quickly realized that the door would not unlock. I tried several times, but to no avail, it wouldn't unlock. So, I thought I'd call my friend since I knew that his phone was nearby. I called SIX times and he never answered. I left him 4 nice messages giving him a hard time for not hearing his phone even though he had it sitting out in case someone called. So, I decided that my only option was to dismantle the door handle and unlock it from inside the door. I always carry my Leatherman with me so this was a natural thought.

Having worked as a carpenter during my years in school, I knew that it shouldn't take too long to get out. The door handle set-up was a bit new to me, but nonetheless I figured it out and in a matter of a few minutes I had the door handle completed disassembled and the door unlocked. I proceeded to go to the front counter and tell the guy running the coffee shop that, "you might want to put a sign on the men's bathroom door, I just got locked inside." He had the audacity to say, "oh, no ya just have to wiggle it a bit and it will unlock". At that point I put the disassembled door handle on the counter and said, "NO, it won't unlock". He stood there with a shocked look on his face. I went and sat down and went back to studying, but before I did, I asked my friend, "hey did you get any calls?" and he said "no". Then he looked at his phone and then at me and said "what happened?".

Mark M.
Indiana, PA

My Leatherman was purchased about 1986 and was to be wore on my Volunteer Fire Dept. turnout gear, that is until I used it on an alarm. Fearing it would grow legs I attatched to my pants belt, except if I am fliing, and remains today.

Years ago our fire chief teased me about the Leatherman, that was until the day a private aircraft landed, smoke issueing from both engine coulings. Before the tool kit on our engine could be located and opened I had one couling off and removing the second in order for fires to be extinguished. On another occasion a minister wa teasing me about the Leatherman on one hip and fire dept. pager on the other. A parishiner came up and related her car had stopped running,on the way to church.

Men piled into three autos to go check the subject car out. After a moment or two on location I realized the apparent problem. No one had tools, except mre and my Leatherman, quickly I removed the suspect battery cable, loosened the terminal clamp, scraped clamp and terminal, replaced and tightened as best I could and away the owner drove.

Following either incident you can guess who soon had a Leatherman at their side. Also as a result of the aircraft incident most firefighters purchased a Leatherman or similar. Seldom am I found without my Leatherman and it continues to be my best friend.

Walter S.
Chestertown, Maryland

My first Leatherman was a present from my wife, for a week long hike over Mt. Whitney, about 25 years ago. I had been pining over the Leatherman ads for some time, ever since they started to be advertised. Back then, (a quarter century ago), they were only available by mail order. (You can figure the warranty just ran out on mine.)
I am a professional handy-man/tinker. My tools are very important to me, and are the best I can find. I used that tool for a zillion tasks on that trip. Shredding tinder, filing sharp pack frame edges and other people's knife edges, repairing shoes, cutting wire, opening tins. (Never go into the wilderness without 20' of bailing wire!.) We even adjusted the hip support swivels on a back pack by boring new holes in the aluminum pipe with the awl.

Not having had opportunity to try it out previously, I was a little concerned about the quality and whether it would hold up, but it was about the most perfectly designed tool I could have asked for. If I went to Mars, I would want a couple along. If I ever manage to wear it out, I want to get a Wave.

After about 15 years of use the can opener broke off, so I sent it in and they replaced it, as well as the pliers, (I had managed to ding the wire cutters, so they replaced them).

Since then I managed to pick up a couple extras at garage sales, one for ten bucks, the other for three. I dunno what those people were thinking! But now I can hand one down to each of my three children.

Glenn W.
Redondo Beach, CA

I bought my old PST in the early 90"s and grew to feel naked without it. I was immediately impressed with the quality of the hardening and tempering of the stainless steel. I only broke one tip, a corner of the big screwdriver, after many years, on a frozen sailboat winch takedown bolt.

I've used it everyday, and hard, and it has on countless occasions saved me the time and trouble of having to run to a toolbox. Many times I've left the toolbox at home! Also manies the time others have asked me for its help, and it has always brought a grin when I would pull it from my pocket, flash it around in the air like a butterfly knife (when it got older and worn enough) and sing-song "It's time for...Leatherman!" It had the original's propensity to fold up on you suddenly, but I could live with that, and I know you addressed that on later models. It is absolutely the best product I have ever owned.

Larry C
Collage Station, TX

As a radio Technician in the Marines, I constantly had to lug around a tool kit that weighed over fifty pounds in the field during training exercises and typically only used a handful of the tools available. After months of hearing me complain my wife went out and purchased my first Leatherman. It was not fancy, just a pair of pliers with a couple of screw drivers, a knife, and little more. To be honest I did not think much of it but after one trip to Twenty-Nine Palms I was hooked! Finally I was able to make repairs to detrimental communications gear in the field without the fifty pounds of dead weight! 

After several years of good use, I retired that tool and upgraded to the Super Tool 200 when I got out of the Marines. After 9-11 I was called back to active duty in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and ,later on stayed for Iraqi Freedom, and I am proud to say that that was the tool I carried and it never let me down. 

Now I am back in the civilian sector where I work as a maintenance technician on chemical and gas equipment. After years of use from my Super Tool 200 I damaged the pliers. I know Leatherman has a warranty that is second to none but I figured I had gotten more than my fair share of use out of the tool. Besides, it looks good in the tackle box next to the 4 0 treble hooks with its battle scars. So I went online to buy another 200 but was disappointed to find my beloved tool had been retired. When plan "A" does not work, as the saying goes, "Improvise, adapt, and overcome." Not being a man who accepts change very well I reluctantly upgraded. I now own a Surge with the bit extender and use it daily. Like the other two it continues to impress me with its versatility and durability and it seems that everyone who borrows it has one just like it the next day. 

I have had people in the past try to convert me to the Gerber brand for whatever reason. My answer is always "Gerber! I thought those guys made baby food?" I say this because time after time my Leatherman has outperformed your compitition in real world applications. Now, as I sit here surfing the web I see you have brought my beloved 200 back with upgrades and a new name. Looks like I will be getting upgrade as well for Christmas! Thanks for the outstanding products and best wishes to you and your team in the future. 

Sincerely, Britt L. 
Bells, TX

I just read one of the tool tales on the surge reminding me of a situation we had at our work. I own a bunch of leathermans and absolutely love them. I had the surge in my carry pouch but it was in the warehouse away from me and my forklift. Good thing I make it a practice to carry one leatherman or another on me , in this case the wave was resting on my side. 

I work at the Port Authority of Guam. We had 1,000 plus bundles of rebar in 20 foot, 30 foot and 40 foot sizes coming off of one of the foreign vessels at the time. We seperate the bundles of rebars by the consignees into their own stacks on the ground. 

The forks had to be widened to take the bundles that were sagging more on the sides as we picked them up. The locks on the forks were stuck, we tried to unlock them but it wouldn't give. Time is money when it comes to this work. I thought of the pliers on my wave and worked on the locks, it was not moving for a little while until I threw some elbow grease into it, the locks then unlocked and we were able to widen the forks. It felt good knowing that I took care of the problem in minimal time with the aid of my wave. Great all around trustworthy tool and built like a brickhouse! Thanks Leatherman!

Julian T.
Hagatna, Guam

We were riding far back into the backcountry of the Rocky Mountains near Yellowstone Park. After several hours, my horse started to limp so I got off to inspect his legs. In one of his hooves, he had somehow picked up a nail from the trail and it was deeply imbedded near his frog.

Luckily, I replaced the hoof pick that is attached to your saddle with a leatherman tool because of all of the different attachments. A girl just never knows:).

If I would have just had my hoof pick, I would have never been able to pry that nail out of Moose's hoof and we would have had to walk out of the mountains and Moose would have probably sustained further damage and infection to his hoof.

As it was, I caught it in time, removed the nail with my leatherman tool and continued on the beautiful adventure we were on.

Anna P.
Powell, WY