Leartherman Tools

I received a gift five years ago that changed everything.

It was a basic Leatherman tool. Nowadays, it's known as the Kick. This incredible gadget came with a belt sheath, but its size is small enough that I carry it in my pocket like a pocketknife. And if by chance I lay it down somewhere, I am instantly uncomfortable until it again finds its place in my pocket. It's become that necessary to me.

In 1975, Tim Leatherman devised what he called the “pocket survival tool” in a hotel room in, strangely enough, Tehran, Iran. Remember, Iran was still under the Shah's rule then, and it was actually a tourist destination.

With the help of his machinist brother-in-law, Tim created the first prototype of the ubiquitous Leatherman tool in 1977. By 1980, he had the design perfected, and patented it.

Sales were slow. Knife companies thought it was a tool, tool companies saw it as a knife. So, in 1983, he formed Leatherman Tool Group to market his inventions. The rest was history.

Today's FamilyFirst site is the Flash-loaded official site of Leatherman Tools.

You'll find out the history of Tim and his creations, and also see all of the latest inventory.

One day, I'll splurge for one of those amazing Waves. But for now, I'll keep my basic Leatherman safely in my pocket.

http://www.leatherman.com/

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