Displaying items by tag: Leatherman

Leatherman has officially discontinued the Free P2 and P4. These two tools showcased the companies new FREE technology with magnetic architecture. These models have taken a backseat due to the Arc model's release. Not sure where the company is going with these two models being discontinued, but one can hope there's a new budget FREE model in the works. Maybe a budget friendly Arc?

Leatherman has been polarizing with its customer base in recent years. Other than the FREE series, which includes the Arc, we have not seen much major development. Instead, the company has put energy into Leatherman Garage, its limited-release tools and gadgets that act as a testbed for potential future products. Some view this as an exciting way to experiment, while others see it as a cash grab. In addition, Leatherman has leaned heavily into releasing new colorways of existing models, which appears to be an effort to attract people who are not already in their customer base.

Many users are hungry for innovation, or at least that is the perception. The consumer base feels divided. On one side are the blue-collar customers who buy Leatherman tools, use them hard, and are satisfied. On the other are enthusiasts and collectors who want nothing but fresh, groundbreaking designs and feel the company is resting on its laurels. In their eyes, the lack of new releases leaves them with nothing to add to their collections. Leatherman, much like Benchmade, seems content to follow its own direction regardless of the noise, relying on internal data to make decisions that sometimes frustrate fans.

All of the new Leatherman colors in one place. Can't forget the Arc though ;-)

Leatherman has announced some new colors to the Skeletool and KB line

 I am all for new colors, some people like to color coordinate, but I prefer innovation.

The Early Days

Leatherman's story began in the mid-1970s when Tim Leatherman and his wife, Chau, embarked on a road trip across Europe and the Middle East. Faced with frequent car breakdowns and plumbing issues, Tim found himself repeatedly needing a versatile tool to make quick repairs. This inspired him to conceptualize a pocket-sized tool with pliers, a groundbreaking idea at the time.

When the Leatherman Signal was introduced nearly a decade ago, it was groundbreaking with its unique blend of traditional multitool functionality and survival-specific features. As I reflect on my prolonged use, it's clear that while the Signal has many strengths, several design issues have surfaced over time. This review will highlight both the positive attributes and the areas that need improvement.

We got wind last week that Leatherman was releasing a new color for the Signal. Leatherman sent out a teaser email today, press release will be this Friday (6/28).

There are a few players in the multitool market, but only one is synonymous with the product. It's hard to deny the juggernaut that is Leatherman. They just celebrated their 40th anniversary and they have no intention of slowing down. Just before this anniversary, new information emerged about a tool Leatherman was developing. Dubbed the Arc, it had a lot of features we grew to love on the FREE series. What really excited people was the fact that it solved a lot of issues people had with the FREE series and said to have a Magnacut blade.

These rumors and speculations fueled heated discussions, and anticipation of a product that some thought was a pipedream. I can't think of a single tool since I've become a fan that has created this much hype and anticipation. If this tool became a reality, it would fix the shortcomings of the toolset on the FREE series. Also, it would solidify Leatherman as the innovator that it is, a testament to its leadership in the industry. As their anniversary came around, they announced a limited-edition tool, which for all purposes was an Arc with a different coat of paint.

The updates for December 09, 2023 start off with this message from Leatherman Tool Group:

Additional updates will be posted here as they are made available- check back often and have your say on our forum.

Latest email updates: