Leatherman

As a mechanical engineer, Tim Lezerman in 1976 made the first prototypes of his multitools from cardboard and wood. Together with his half-brother, who taught him how to work with metal, he makes the first metal sample. A few years later, after debugging the first sample, Tim receives US patent US4238862 on it and calls his tool “Mr. Crunch ”, and after 4 days they write about his invention in the newspaper“ The New York Times ”(number from 12/20/1980). Together with his partner Steve Berliner, Tim is looking for customers, however, this process was difficult. The first customer appeared only in 1983, after Tim introduced the new tool “PST” (“Pocket Survival Tool”, which means “pocket tool for survival”). The first batch was ordered by Cabela together with Early Winters in the amount of 250 pieces, and the next year doubled the order.

In 1992, the company has its own factory.

By 1993, more than a million tools had been sold.

Since 2008, the company acquires Led Lenser and begins to produce flashlights.

Leatherman also produces folding knives under the Crater brand.

• Gerber Legendary Blades
• Victorinox
• Wenger

• Portland Business Journal: Leatherman learns patent lessons the hard way