LEATHERMAN

LEATHERMAN is an American brand of portable multi-tools and folding knives produced by Leatherman Tool Group, Inc., based in Portland, Oregon. The brand is identified primarily with compact tools built around folding pliers, with additional implements such as knives, screwdrivers, wire cutters, saws, bottle openers, files, and electrical crimpers integrated into the handles. Its products are sold for everyday carry, outdoor recreation, maintenance, emergency preparedness, military and law-enforcement work, and other professional applications. The company originated with mechanical engineer Timothy S. Leatherman. During a 1975 trip through Europe and the Middle East, Leatherman and his wife repeatedly encountered mechanical and plumbing problems while traveling in an aging Fiat 600. A conventional pocketknife was insufficient for the repairs, prompting him to imagine a compact tool combining the versatility of a Boy Scout knife with the gripping capability of pliers. He developed prototypes over several years, including the design later associated with the Mr. Crunch concept, and received a United States patent in 1980. In July 1983, Timothy S. Leatherman and business partner Steve Berliner established Leatherman Tool Group to commercialize the design. The first production model, the Pocket Survival Tool, or PST, was introduced that year and initially reached customers through mail-order catalogs operated by Early Winters and Cabela's. The PST helped define the modern plier-based multi-tool category. Nearly 30,000 tools were sold in 1984, supporting further product development and expansion of manufacturing capacity. LEATHERMAN's reputation has been built around compactness, mechanical utility, durable construction, and the ability to replace or supplement a collection of individual hand tools. Most models use a folding architecture that stores multiple implements within two handles. Many tools incorporate locking mechanisms that secure an implement when opened. Product designs range from lightweight keychain and pocket tools to larger, heavier models intended for demanding field or industrial use. The brand broadened beyond multi-tools with folding knives introduced in 2005, including products sold under the Crater name. Its multi-tool portfolio has included widely recognized families such as Wave, Charge, and Surge, alongside specialized products for military, law-enforcement, outdoor, and everyday-carry users. Accessories have also been developed to improve carrying options or extend tool functionality. In 2007, the company opened its first retail store at its manufacturing facility in Portland, later relocating the retail operation to the Cascade Station area near the facility and the Cascades MAX station. That year, Timothy Leatherman was inducted into the Blade magazine Cutlery Hall of Fame, recognizing his influence on multi-tool and cutlery design. In 2011, Leatherman Tool Group acquired German lighting company Ledlenser; the two brands operated separately under the same corporate umbrella. The brand has maintained a strong connection to Portland and has participated in local sports sponsorship, including a deal with Major League Soccer's Portland Timbers involving the team's mascot, Timber Joey. LEATHERMAN remains positioned as a premium or upper-mid-market tool brand emphasizing practical innovation, portability, reliability, and long-term utility.

Timothy S. Leatherman, a mechanical engineer who graduated from Oregon State University in 1970, conceived the basic idea for the LEATHERMAN tool during a 1975 journey through Europe and the Middle East. While traveling with his wife in an older Fiat 600, he encountered repeated vehicle and plumbing problems. A pocketknife could provide limited assistance, but it could not grip, hold, or manipulate parts in the manner of pliers. This experience led him to pursue a compact folding tool that combined pliers with the functions normally found in a pocket survival knife. Leatherman spent several years developing and refining prototypes. One early design was associated with the Mr. Crunch concept. He obtained his first United States patent for the design in 1980. In July 1983, he and Steve Berliner formed Leatherman Tool Group to bring the invention to market. The first commercial product was the Pocket Survival Tool, commonly abbreviated PST. It was initially distributed through mail-order catalogs, including those of Early Winters and Cabela's. The PST helped establish a distinct product category: a portable tool centered on folding pliers rather than on a knife blade alone. The design allowed several implements to fold into the handles, creating a compact package that could be carried in a pocket, pouch, or belt sheath. Sales approached 30,000 units in 1984, encouraging the company to invest in additional designs and manufacturing capability. Over subsequent decades, LEATHERMAN developed tools with increasingly broad combinations of blades, drivers, cutters, saws, files, openers, crimpers, and other implements. The company became associated with American manufacturing and with Portland, Oregon, where its headquarters and manufacturing operations were based. Its products found users in outdoor recreation, trades, maintenance, emergency response, military and law-enforcement settings, and everyday carry. Product families such as Wave, Charge, and Surge represented different combinations of size, materials, tool selection, and intended use. The company also developed accessories for carrying tools and expanding their practical functions. In 2005, LEATHERMAN entered the folding-knife segment. Its Crater products extended the brand's offering to standalone compact knives with additional features such as carabiner or bottle-opener functions and screwdrivers on selected models. In 2007, the company opened a retail store at its manufacturing facility, giving customers a direct venue to purchase products. The store later moved to the Cascade Station shopping center near the facility and the Cascades MAX station. Timothy Leatherman's influence on cutlery design was recognized in 2007 when he was inducted into the Blade magazine Cutlery Hall of Fame. In 2011, Leatherman Tool Group acquired Ledlenser, a German lighting company. The brands remained separately managed and marketed, allowing LEATHERMAN to retain its identity as a multi-tool and knife brand while the parent group expanded into portable lighting. The company has also used local and sports-related partnerships to maintain a Portland identity. Its sponsorship of the Portland Timbers included support for the club's mascot, Timber Joey. Today, LEATHERMAN's business remains centered on portable multi-tools, folding knives, accessories, and specialized tools. Its long-term brand proposition combines compactness, multiple functions, rugged construction, and practical design for users who need a broad range of hand-tool capabilities in a small format.

1. 2011Ledlenser acquisition

   Leatherman Tool Group acquired Ledlenser, adding a separately operated portable-lighting brand to its corporate group.

   Source
2. 2007Retail presence and industry recognition

   The company opened its first retail store, and Timothy Leatherman entered the Blade magazine Cutlery Hall of Fame.

   Source
3. 2005Expansion into folding knives

   LEATHERMAN added folding knives to its product portfolio, including the Crater family.

   Source
4. 1984Early commercial growth

   The company sold nearly 30,000 tools, supporting further product development and manufacturing expansion.

   Source
5. 1983Leatherman Tool Group is founded

   Timothy S. Leatherman and Steve Berliner formed Leatherman Tool Group and introduced the Pocket Survival Tool.

   Source
6. 1980First United States patent

   After years of prototyping and refinement, Leatherman received his first United States patent for the multi-tool design.

   Source
7. 1975The multi-tool concept is conceived

   Timothy Leatherman's travel experiences with an unreliable Fiat 600 and inadequate pocketknife inspired the concept of a compact tool incorporating pliers.

   Source

Premium and upper-mid-market portable tools focused on durability, compact design, mechanical versatility, and dependable use in everyday carry, outdoor, professional, military, and emergency contexts.

• Pocket Survival Tool (PST)Multi-tool1983

  Introduced in 1983, the PST was LEATHERMAN's first commercial product and one of the foundational plier-based multi-tools. It combined folding pliers with a selection of compact implements in a pocket-sized format. The design demonstrated the brand's core idea that several useful hand tools could be integrated into one portable object.

• WaveMulti-tool

  The Wave family is one of LEATHERMAN's best-known multi-tool platforms. It is built around folding pliers and combines multiple everyday repair and outdoor functions, commonly including knife blades, screwdrivers, cutters, and openers. The line is designed as a general-purpose tool for pocket, belt, household, travel, and field use.

• ChargeMulti-tool

  The Charge family extends the general-purpose multi-tool format with a broad selection of implements and premium-oriented configurations. Depending on the model, functions can include pliers, knife blades, saws, drivers, cutters, files, and bottle or can openers. It is aimed at users seeking a versatile tool for everyday carry and demanding practical work.

• SurgeHeavy-duty multi-tool

  Surge models are larger, heavier multi-tools intended for demanding work where increased size and capability are useful. Their tool sets are centered on pliers and may include replaceable cutters, blades, saw functions, screwdrivers, files, and other repair implements. The family serves professional, maintenance, outdoor, and emergency users.

• CraterFolding knife2005

  Crater is a LEATHERMAN folding-knife family introduced as part of the brand's expansion beyond plier-based multi-tools. Models vary from simple knife-and-carabiner configurations to versions adding bottle openers and flat or Phillips screwdrivers. The line applies the brand's compact, utility-oriented design approach to standalone folding knives.

• Portland Timbers sponsorship

  United States · Portland, Oregon

  LEATHERMAN sponsored Major League Soccer's Portland Timbers, including shirt sponsorship for the club's mascot, Timber Joey. The partnership connected the tool brand with its Portland home and with an audience interested in sport, outdoor culture, and local identity.

  Outcome. Sponsorship relationship documented; broader campaign outcome is not specified in the available material.

  Source

• 2011Acquisition of LedlenserM&A

  Leatherman Tool Group expanded its corporate portfolio beyond hand tools into portable lighting.

  What changed. The group acquired German lighting manufacturer Ledlenser and operated the two brands separately.

  Aftermath. Leatherman retained its independent brand identity while the parent group added a lighting business.

  Source
• 2005Expansion into folding knivesStrategy

  After building its identity around multi-tools, LEATHERMAN broadened its portable-tool portfolio.

  What changed. The company introduced folding knives, including products associated with the Crater name.

  Aftermath. The brand gained a second primary product category alongside multi-tools.

  Source
• 1983Commercial launch of the Pocket Survival ToolProduct launch

  The founders sought to commercialize a compact hand tool that combined folding pliers with the functions of a pocket survival knife.

  What changed. Leatherman Tool Group introduced the Pocket Survival Tool through mail-order distribution.

  Aftermath. The product established the brand's plier-based multi-tool category and supported subsequent growth.

  Source

• 2011Leatherman Tool Group acquires Ledlenser

  Leatherman Tool Group acquired German lighting manufacturer Ledlenser, while the Leatherman and Ledlenser brands continued to operate separately.

  M&A
  Source
• 2007Leatherman opens its first retail store

  Leatherman opened a retail location at its manufacturing facility, later moving the store to Portland's Cascade Station area.

  Other
  Source
• 2005Leatherman introduces folding knives

  The brand expanded its range beyond multi-tools by adding folding knives, including the Crater line.

  Product launch
  Source
• 1984Leatherman expands production after early sales growth

  Early sales of nearly 30,000 tools supported additional product development and growth in manufacturing capacity.

  Other
  Source
• 1983Leatherman Tool Group launches its first Pocket Survival Tool

  The company introduced the Pocket Survival Tool, establishing the plier-based multi-tool format that became central to the LEATHERMAN brand.

  Product launchProduct generation
  Source
• Leatherman partners with the Portland Timbers

  The company sponsored Major League Soccer's Portland Timbers, including shirt sponsorship for the club's mascot, Timber Joey.

  Campaign
  Source

1. Leatherman
2. Leatherman official website