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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.
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 link: http://www.leatherman.com
"The Leatherman" was the popular name for each of several people who worked as tinkers in 19th-century New England, generally wearing rugged leather clothing and sometimes living in various wilderness caves or rock shelters that are since known as "Leatherman's Cave".
They were the inspiration for Pearl Jam's song "Leatherman" from the single for the song "Given to Fly" from the album Yield.
A leatherman is also a gay man who takes part in the leather subculture.
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