The origin story of Leatherman's "pocket survival tool"

In 1975, Tim Leatherman decided to put his engineering degree to use and see if he could somehow combine a pocket knife with pliers. His tinkering that forged a "multitool" would lead to Leatherman, a Portland, Oregon-based company that specializes in designing foldable jacks-of-many-trades (and many blades), churning out 10,000 a day, each assembled by hand. Correspondent Conor Knighton reports.
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[@LeathermanToolGroup]

Thanks for stopping by our factory!

[@pearlrival3124]

thanks for the OHT! the spring loaded design improved the concept significantly

[@alanhelton]

Thank you for a quality product

[@deplorableredneck4.02]

My buddy told me he could sharpen my sharaded knife..well it didn't turn out so well..how can I get a new blade?

[@swahilijs]

I had a leatherman in Tanzania. I used it so much a piece broke and once Leatherman found out, they sent me another one.

[@clearviewtechnical]

Never thought that I needed a Leatherman tool. But then a funny thing happened. We had traveled from our home in Louisville to an air show at Willow Run near Detroit. And while on a jog I found a Leatherman tool on the road, caked with dirt and grit. It obviously had been run over by countless vehicles. I picked it up, took it home, cleaned and lubricated it. Now it's my 'go to' tool for small jobs around the house and garage.

[@HolahkuTaigiTWFormosanDiplomat]

０．０

[@rgs4x]

Was walking on the beach in Maui when I saw something sticking up in the sand. A very corroded and broken leatherman tool. Sent it to the company and got a new one in return! It has severed me well for the past 20 years!

[@GenaTrius]

I hope it hasn't "severed" you too much, I know mine's given me some sharpness reminders! 🤣

[@HolahkuTaigiTWFormosanDiplomat]

：０００

[@Colorado_Native]

Mine has never 'severed' me, but it has 'served' me well. Thanks for the laugh. Don't correct it.

[@captenhook8328]

Use my leatherman everyday at work. One time it broke I shipped it to them - they fixed it and sent it back- really hard to argue with that kind of service

[@TralfazConstruction]

My daughter and my son-in-law gave me a Leatherman multi-tool about nineteen years ago for my birthday. I was touched by the sentiment of being given something so practical that I immediately scolded the both of them for putting-out that kind of money. My daughter's reply was that I was "worth it". I had no words then. I still find the experience very humbling. The Leatherman goes with me everywhere and is a special keepsake.

[@curtismarean6963]

One of the best every day carry ever made! Mine was gift from my son years ago, still on my hip, even as I type this. This tool has even saved weddings! If you don't have one- get one, you'll be glad you did!

[@lalah9481]

LOVE ours!! It was such a perfect tool for our jobs in the Air Force, neither my husband nor I would go TDY or deploy without it. Now we give them as a ‘rite of passage’ gift to every young person we meet.💖✨

[@privategoldreception9798]

My fave has been a Leatherman WAVE for years....and then hurricane IAN destroyed my house. That Wave was with me every single day for all the repairs from the flooring all the way up to the ceilings. I would never ever be without one. We had to evacuate the home, because the hurricane caused catastrophic flooding and went to stay at the neighbor across the street. After getting halfway done on our house, that Leatherman was my miracle tool, redoing my neighbor's ducting in the crawlspace under his house. That thing cut through all the rigid coil wire of the Replacement duct, and the blade(s) were always ready to prep the duct. I used up the cutting blades on the wave plus pliers but it was worth it. So pleased to have that tool for that tight, dark place instead of so many other tools...strapped right to my side. Thx Leatherman for sticking with your invention....the best one for me !!

[@LuisA-oh8ft]

What a fine engineer is Tim Leatherman.

[@oogrooq]

I have 5. And plan to get 2 more. Hooray for Oregon businesses. Bring back the Squirt!

[@theseventhgeneration6910]

I own my father's Leatherman and it still works great. I carry it with me every day at work.

[@danielmontoya4063]

This thing was a lifesaver when I was in the army. I still have my old Leatherman from 20 years ago!

[@trevorhansen1940]

I have a Leatherman Surge with the bells and whistles. I've been using at work daily for the past 6 months torture testing it, the only time it failed me is when I dropped it. I took it apart, straightened a couple parts and it's been working great since. The file holder has held up after putting it in a vice to take out the bend without any problems. I'm very impressed with it.

[@11C1P]

Bought one when I became mortar gunner in 1990, they were so useful, I wish they would've issued us one.

[@patricktatola3665]

I wear one to work everyday. We also outfit our guys with one. It saves us miles on our feet and time performing minor repairs.

[@bennyboogenheimer4553]

My Daughter wasn't supposed to be born on the Pa. Turnpike near Valley Forge, but that's where we were in 1988. My ex's legs hanging out the door of our new Ford Taurus Station Wagon. It was incredible luck when a Doctor from CHoP stopped to ask if we were alright. He saw our Emily crowning, and said, "It's On, right now!" It's just her head was to big, and my ex needed an episiotomy. I pour a gallon bottle of vodka over the Leatherman, and the doctor's hands, and 2 minutes later, I was a Dad forever. I've never been without one, and never knew there was an actual Mr. Leatherman. I keep it near the Swiss Army Knife, my Daughter bought me in Switzerland in 2005, on a class trip.

[@charlesgould8047]

My boss in 1996 showed me his. I immediately bought one. And have carried one every day since. I've even worn the Leatherman watch nearly every weekday since 2018.

[@randywarnock2937]

I used to be the Construction and Maintenance Superintendent for WA DNR. I was in charge of all in-house construction and maintenance statewide. I had crews working on projects throughout Washington. I outfitted each one with a Leatherman. If they were at the top of a 40’ tall fire lookout and needed a tool that they didn’t have, they could use the Leatherman rather than climb down and get another tool.

[@hunterflorez]

My Dad still has his issued Leatherman from the Army from 1994! Fantastic tool!

[@Me97202]

Big fan of these tools. When by car was broken into last year, the only thing they stole was my Leatherman.

[@eRRRinSmithY]

Same! Mine was stolen from my car two weeks ago. 😢

[@tvdinner325]

My friend will not leave the house without his...and a Sharpie. We tease him, but end up borrowing it. Awesome tool.

[@GenaTrius]

You don't realize how useful a Leatherman is until you start wearing one with you every day. Sometimes I mend little public bathroom fixtures, just because I'm sitting there and I've got a screwdriver. Sometimes I use the needlenose to pick up gross garbage off the street and throw it away. And when someone really wants a bottle opener, and you produce one from your pants with a wave and a series of clicks, well, that makes everyone happy.

[@user-jw6sr7nc5g]

So after cleaning toilets with your weatherman you open a bottle for someone

[@scottjohnson360]

Had a Leatherman on me since the ‘90s. I’ll never be without one!

[@ID.002]

"Shut me down! Machines making machines. How perverse." - C3PO

[@AdamBechtol]

:p

[@alexsystems2001]

I’ve had two leatherman over the last 13 years… they are great and get used quite frequently…

[@CorgiDaddy]

Great American success story! I still have my original Leatherman from the early 90's Still works like new.

[@blipco5]

I bought the original Leatherman. Still have it.

[@BjornStyrmir]

I bought a new one for my grandfather last month. He gave his from 1996 in exchange, I remember when he bought it back then. I was 16 and he got tired of not having multiple tools that could fit in his pocket for minor repairs.

[@hourbee5535]

I bought one on a whim and found it surprisingly useful for random tasks

[@johnjett6068]

Good wife to support his dreams and thank you for that cause I don't leave home without them

[@wannabe41]

I wish Leatherman had volunteered or had been asked about how his wife’s sacrifice made his success possible. If he had to go work a 9-5 to help support his household, who knows how much longer it would have taken him to launch his business. He might have even given up. Talk about the “behind a great man is a great woman” trope.

[@garysmith9858]

I 20 year old Leatherman stays with me on my rv travels. The knife is so sharp and has been used for a variety of tasks. Thank you Leatherman.

[@Metered_Air]

I have a Leatherman Squirt. So sad they discontinued it as it is by far the best everyday carry tool.

[@ModestNeophyte]

What a nice cozy story.

[@theohopkins1903]

I bought a Leatherman tool from the Man Himself. Around 1977? From his workshop in Portland Oregon. As I had lost my Swiss Army knife. And my friend I was visiting, I'm from England, happened to have a furniture factory in the next block.

[@theohopkins1903]

The latest versions are infinitely better.

[@michaelhargis7036]

Good on CABELA'S for stepping up and taking a chance on Mr. Leathermans idea.

[@rogerphillips1679]

Got one as a gift at my friend’s wedding. Great tool to keep on an off-road motorcycle!

[@inkydoug]

Putting my Leatherman on my belt is the first thing on arriving at my camper in the woods in northern Michigan.

[@samuelkronfeld112]

I got one as a bar mitzvah gift. I've kept it for 20 years.

[@lgarcia67]

The ultimate persistent guy. 8 years without income is a true feat! Congratulations, hope you are enjoying your rewards

[@BradiKal61]

I've had the same Leatherman Wave since 2001, and several other models before that.

[@connor_flanigan]

these are great for those times when you don't have a real set of tools available

[@ShredCo]

Tim Leatherman is a treasure.

[@douglassauvageau7262]

In the late 1980s, the Oregon Air National Guard began including Leatherman tools into our 'Individual Issue' mobility kits. They were supposed to remain in our deployment "go-bags".

[@WilliamR8]

Such a wonderful story.

[@JimCoder]

Great design. My only problem was the steel wasn't hardened properly. The wire cutters dented and the tiny screwdriver twisted. Maybe mine just fell through the QA cracks. It's still useful. I carry it all the time. It's a workhorse.

[@tom-mo-]

Love my leatherman tools!

[@adammitchell3462]

I love my Leatherman rebar, i paid $80 for it and couldnt be happier. Seriously, life would be hard without it...its been there through all the crazy bs that ive gotten into, it adds to my overall confidence,killer tool.

[@kmoecub]

I miss my PST II. Dumb me forgot to move it from my carry-on to my checked bag when coming back from Costa Rica. I'd had it for almost 20 years, and used it every day on the job as a machine maintenance tech. I could fix 85% of the service calls with that tool. I've carried a Skellitool ever since; a gift from my daughter the Father's day after our return from that vacation.

[@TheStudderman]

I have three of them, the wave, the wingman and the skeletool cx. Love them, the wingman is on my hip daily.

[@Mark.G475]

I bought a mini Leatherman in the early 1980s from L.L Bean still have it!

[@cablanchette1]

American made, this company is the best...i have a wave+...i think it has a 25 year warranty..ive sent it in twice..they dont ask for proof of purchase,,easy peasy..... First time, I accidentally dropped the knife in the sink with the blade open and it chipped the tip of the blade, totally my fault, and they replaced the blade... Recently, the pliers didn't quite work right, I sent it in with a note attached to please also sharpen or replace both the regular blade and the serrated blade... When it was returned to me, the pliers worked like new, and those two blades were sharp, not sure if they sharpened them or replaced them, but they were definitely sharper... Freaking awesome company, I wish I could afford to own more of their tools, I do have the sidekick as well, but it's lighter duty,.. I don't go anywhere without my Leatherman. If I do, I always end up wishing I had it..

[@ghoover111]

Yes, I thought Leatherman was a company that started with leather and blacksmith a hundred years ago. I had no idea this was a great entrepreneur story!

[@punkdigerati]

I still have an original, it's still an excellent tool. Chipped the knife blade and wish I could just get it repaired, but they only replace with new models if you send in for warranty.

[@brianw1620]

Sometimes the name is just a perfect match for the company. I recently found out that Baker's chocolate was started by a guy named Baker in Dorchester, MA. All this time I thought it was chocolate for baking.

[@Shaftley69]

I’ve had a leatherman since I was 12 years old (33 years ago), and I’ve worn one to work and play everyday for the past 25 plus years. Hell, I think I own 5-6 different ones, but I also still have the original leatherman 2 my parents gave me on my birthday in 1991. Awesome tools!

[@Colorado_Native]

I own four Leathermans. One has been with me since 1987. I am retired USAF and one knife in particular has traveled with me to 12 other countries. It has been to Japan, South Korea, North Korea (yes!), Taiwan, Germany, England, Canada, Kenya, Somalia, Djibouti, Egypt and Mexico, and of course 38 of the States. The USAF bought 200 Leathermans during Operation Restotre Hope to hand out to those who needed one. Great knives.

[@rlbennett]

I remember seeing my first Leatherman it was attached to my survival vest while I was in Air Force

[@Mike__B]

While I love my leatherman, if there is one complaint I have with it, is that it is very painful on the hands to use the pliers. I realize it's because the "handle" needs to be hollow for the pliers and everything else to fit inside it, it still hurts to try and squeeze the pliers with any amount of force.

[@redmesa2975]

I’ve never owned one. In my trucking journeys, I did a drive by of the “ factory “ in 2021. I was passing by, looking for IPD Volvo, where I buy parts online for my car. 2 doors down, is Leatherman, It looks more like a big warehouse from the street.

[@paulmccullar1938]

Came for the Leatherman story, since I have one of the trusty multi tools from the 90’s, and I read your comment. I’m an old Volvo owner that had a 122 S and a couple of 240’s. I used to order parts from IPD, they kept me going years ago. 2 great companies!

[@davidlillie4332]

If any of my friends and family saw me without my Leatherman on my hip they would think something was seriously wrong. It is with me constantly. On February 3, 2020 my Leatherman probably saved my life by getting me out of a logging accident that left a large tree crushing my leg . I used a variety of the tools on my Wave before finally extricating myself after 4 hours of pain, shock and hypothermia. Had that failed, the next step would have been using the blade to cut off my leg at the knee.

[@mikep1085]

Nice article! I have one of the original Leatherman's from the early 80's. Its awesome.

[@hwy27west]

I use to carry one on my belt on board the planes as I flew around the world on disaster relief mission trips…It always served me well. I will leave that old Leatherman to my son one day.

[@James-kj4cy]

I still have mine I bought twenty years ago! Best Gadget I ever owned!

[@adamgh0]

I still have a micra from 2000 that I use all the time.

[@digitalcommunist6335]

Real genius.

[@SoItGoesCAL34]

Loved it but I need more. I'll have to do some research into this. I didn't know Leatherman was a man. I want to learn more. Thanks so much for this episode

[@briank.3539]

Simply love this tool/gadget/knife/what ever!

[@gobigorange]

It’s the most used an durable tool I’ve ever owned

[@NSXTypeRGTRLM]

The best multi tool!

[@davidhickok3525]

Had my original PST for at least 20 years and is an EDC for sure!

[@bthomasx]

I bought one of the very first, still have it

[@charleselertii6187]

If you are walking on a beach on an island in Mission Bay, San Diego and found a Leatherman Wave, it might have been mine. I was there for the hydroplane races and lost it from my belt with the crappy fabric sheath with the velcro closure. I bought a new Leatherman Wave the very next day cuz I felt naked without it.. I hope if you found it that you use and enjoy having it as I did! -Chuck Elert now in Florida. Still wearing my Leatherman Wave with the much better fabric sheath with the military snap closure. Everyday.

[@Page5framing]

I had one with a 10mm wrench on it but I lost it.

[@douglassauvageau7262]

Just across Airport Way from the Leatherman headquarters in Portland is Danner Boots. Another long-time favorite of Oregon Air National Guard ground-pounders.

[@porcelainpanelpro]

I did not know. Very cool

[@whatmakesyourday]

Been debating buying one. Had multicolor in the past and they didn’t do as well as a dedicated tool, but this seems to be quality.

[@michaelsiengo1]

Excellent

[@christineluchons5912]

This is my husbands absolute favorite gadget. He is never without his and gifts them to our sons and son in law. What a great story. Thank you Mr. Leatherman . Well done.

[@drxym]

I have an original Leatherman Wave which is 20+ years old now and still very useful. Leatherman make pretty decent tools although there are a lot of other utility tool makers these days and some of them are substantially cheaper and not because they're any worse either. Even Victorinox looks cheap compared to some Leatherman models. Check out some of the comparison videos on KZbin.

[@vm722]

❤ 😎Leatherman 👍

[@scottmoore5839]

Leatherman - If one of your tools has a seatbelt cutter, put a glass breaker on it as well please.

[@dougsather2939]

I used mine the other day when the points closed up on my Model A Ford 😇🙏

[@FrancisJacquerye]

Genius, and still made in the USA. Congrats!

[@Durwood71]

Assembled in the US at least. The manufacture of some parts like plier jaws, cork screws, and files is outsourced to Mexico and Europe, except on a few of the premium models like the Arc which are 100% US made and carry a premium price tag. Even the Leatherman website says, "Made In America of US & Global Materials".

[@MyName-nx1jj]

Mine has been on my hip for 20+ years. I use it everyday for on thing or another.

[@richarddragonetti2308]

I own one. Great quality!

[@matthewfarmer2520]

I have one just like the Leatherman tool but it's another brand, it's the same design as these Leatherman.

[@ilovephotography1254]

Necessity is the Mother of Invention...this was a story that was needed to be told😉

[@jlambert6084]

I still have the very first model of lestherman. Still works great but the knife etc didn't lock in place and could cut you if you weren't careful. I carry the leatherman wave+ with me at all times. The original leatherman is hidden in my car if I need it.

[@MarcusAurelius7777]

1:50 I like the idea of it having a lighter also but I guess the fluid was the issue...

[@Gary.6.10.19]

His wife is a real hero.

[@leonhank4448]

I like the Simpsons version 🤪

[@AdamBechtol]

nice

[@marcinsykut497]

Unfortunately not all is made in USA. They are assembled in USA

[@dave9351]

He did "The Swiss Army Knife" one better ! Bravo American ingenuity

[@paulamcclure3402]

Actually, both the Leatherman multitools & Swiss Army Knives have an honored place in on-the-go and home use tasks. Leatherman multi-tool's can be heavy & bulky (esp. w accessories), whereas most of the Swiss Army Knife (SAK) versions tend to be more compact and lower-profile overall. Some features on the SAK perform better than on the Leatherman (such as the scissors). And the Leatherman multitools can handle some heavier duty tasks than the SAKs (IMO). I have a Leatherman multitool and several versions of the SAKs... both are excellent quality and worthy of EDC, a toolbox, emergency/survival kit, and a valued companion for almost every adventure. Happy Trails! 🇺🇸 🏕 🌲

[@michahcc]

"multi" +"tool" =multitool. Who knew😮?!

[@archiechoke23]

I own 3 of them.

[@lutomson3496]

meanwhile swiss army knives have been around longer and all he did was modify the same design and since he was in europe probably picked one up like I did in Switzerland

[@klingerwvu5253]

If you don't own one, you need to change that!

[@IIllIIllIIllIIll]

Not all Leathermans are made in Portland. They sell a version to costco that's made in China