The Surprising Story Behind Leatherman’s Iconic Multi-Tool

A Journey of Trial and Error

Tim Leatherman, the founder of Leatherman, once said that his company’s success wasn’t an overnight phenomenon – it was the result of eight years of hard work and dedication. But how did it all begin?

In the early 1970s, Leatherman was obsessed with creating the perfect multi-tool. He wanted to combine the convenience of a pocket knife with the functionality of a full set of hand tools. The result was the “Dutch Army Knife,” which, unfortunately, was a flop.

Undeterred, Leatherman redesigned his creation and spent five more years perfecting the design. The end result was the Pocket Survival Tool (PST), which was lightweight, mil-spec, and packed with innovative features.

From Humble Beginnings to Global Success

The PST may have taken a while to take off, but its impact was significant. By 1984, 30,000 units were being sold annually. Ten years later, the company was selling over a million PSTs per year. Today, Leatherman is a household name, and its products are used by outdoor enthusiasts, first responders, and professionals around the world.

A Legacy of Innovation

Today, Leatherman produces a wide range of knives and multi-tools for various activities. From camping and hiking to hunting and cooking, there’s a Leatherman product designed to help you get the job done.

But despite its widespread success, Leatherman remains committed to its core values of innovation, quality, and customer satisfaction. Its products are designed to withstand the toughest conditions and last for years to come.

• 8 years of trial and error went into the creation of the PST
• The PST was originally designed as the “Dutch Army Knife” but was a flop
• The redesign of the PST took 5 more years and resulted in the lightweight, mil-spec tool we know today
• The PST was first released in 1984 and took 10 years to reach annual sales of over 1 million units