Leatherman
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Leatherman is a trademark for a line of multi-function tools, more sturdy and usually slightly larger than a Swiss Army knife, each generally including a knife, pliers, screwdriver and assorted other devices. The first of this line of tools was conceived in 1975 by an Oregon engineer, Tim Leatherman, hence the name. Leatherman spent several years perfecting his prototype, earning a patent in 1980; he formed Leatherman Tool Company to sell his creation in 1983.
These are generally chosen for infrequently needed repair work in light of the following qualities:
- compact and light (suitable to wear in a belt holster in some applications)
- constructed as a single piece with various moving parts, so one component is not lost while using another
- when collapsed for storage, relatively smooth and blunt compared to the equivalent discrete tools, thus reducing frequency of damage to items stored along with it.
Some models of the Leatherman brand (but not all) have a built in safety mechanism that locks selected tools in the open position when fully unfolded. Different models have different methods for unlocking the tools. In some, one of the other tools has to be partly unfolded to release the first one; if all the tools of this model were to be fully unfolded simultaneously, then an external tool might be needed to unlock them. In other models, there is an unlock button that allows the tool to be re-folded.
A line of similar multi-tools employing a different opening mechanism is also made by Gerber. These are carried and used in the same way as Leathermans.
External links
- Leatherman Tool Group, Inc. Official Website (http://www.leatherman.com/)