Leatherman Tools - An Insight into the Materials used by Leatherman

Leatherman Multi Tools – Why does my Multi Tool rust if it’s made out of stainless steel?

Stainless steel is just that – it stains less. To remove the rust, use steel wool and penetrating oil to gently work it from the surface of the tool.

Leatherman Multi Tools – What materials do you make your Multi Tools out of?

Leatherman multi tools are made from 100% stainless steel.

Leatherman Pruners – What materials do you make your Pruners out of?

The Hybrid and Vista pruners have 33% glass filled nylon handles over a 420HC stainless steel body. They also feature a soft thermoplastic rubber overmold for comfort and grip. The body of the Genus is made from 6061-T6, type III hard anodised aluminium. This means it is as strong as stainless steel but much lighter. The bypass pruners and inside tools in all three of these models are made from 420HC stainless steel.

Leatherman Multi Tools – What are some of the outside (other) materials you use?

We use 6061-T6, type III, hard anodised aluminium for our Charge AL and ALX handle scales and for the handle insert on the Skeletool. It reduces weight, but is just as durable as stainless steel. We use type II, anodised aluminium for the coloured handle scales on the Juice and Squirt lines. We use titanium handle scales on the Charge TTi for added resistance to saltwater corrosion as well as weight and because the TTi is our premium tool.

For the Kick, Fuse and Blast models we use Zytel inserts in the handles for comfort. Zytel is very lightweight and incredibly durable. By adding it to the handles we can increase comfort, take off weight, and we won’t loose any durability of stainless steel that would otherwise be used in the area.

On the Skeletool and Freestyle CX models we use a diamond like coating (DLC) for scratch resistance and a carbon fibre handle insert to reduce weight.

Leatherman Multi Tools – Why do you hard anodise your aluminium and what is the difference between type II and type III?

Anodising is an electrolytic passivation process used to increase the thickness of the natural oxide layer on the surface of metal parts. We hard anodise our aluminium to make it stronger and more corrosion resistant. By definition, type III is “hard” anodising. Type II is an anodising process as well, but it is not as thick and most commonly used for adding colour to aluminium. The thickness of a type III hard anodised coating is about 2 to 4 times that of normal type II anodising.

Leatherman Multi Tools – What materials do you use for the knives in your Multi Tools?

We use 420HC stainless steel for all our multi tool knives, save the Charge and one of the Skeletool models. In these models we use 154CM. This steel holds its edge about three times as long as regular stainless steel and is perfect for people who use the blade on their tool more than the rest of the features. In the Charge TTi we use S30V stainless steel for the knife, which holds its edge six times as long as regular stainless steel. See the knife FAQ’s for more detail on knives.

What extra steps do you take in your design and production process to really make Leatherman multi tools stand apart?
There are quite a few things we do, but we roll them all into one phrase we call “The Leatherman Difference”. Here is a list of some of the main things that make Leatherman multi tools stand apart from others:

Leatherman Multi Tools – Feature Dense

• There are no gaps in our tools. We fill every bit of space with useful implements.

• Because we fill the entire length of the tool, our blades, files, and saws are the largest on the market for multi tools.

Leatherman Multi Tools – Heat Treated

• Each implement is treated for its individual purpose. For example, knives are treated at a much higher temperature for excellent edge retention and handles are treated at lower temperatures for more flexibility.

Leatherman Multi Tools – Handles, Wire Cutters & Screwdrivers

• Our handles are comfort sculpted so there’s no hand fatigue.

• Our wire cutters are ground so precisely that they have to cut paper before they are cleared to go to assembly. Not only that, but they can cut paper after they cut a 16 penny nail – multiple times.

• Bit driver technology means you can switch out screwdriver tips for different projects. Depending on the tool, you’ll get up to 42 different types of bits you can conveniently store in the sheath.

• Our screwdrivers are not just punched out, but ground on three sides so they hold a screw head better than the competition.

Leatherman Multi Tools – Files, Saws & Knives

• Diamond coated and wood/metal file surfaces run to the very edge and along the sides of the blade. This means more filing surface to get the job done faster.

• Our saws are cut in an “open” pattern design to resist filling up in wet or sappy conditions. They are also designed to work on the “pull” rather than the “push” so they don’t flex (break) and take much less effort to use.

• Our knives are hollow ground, sharpened to perfection and hold their edge longer than most on the market.

• Outside accessible blades, files, and saws mean you don’t have to open the tool to get to the most used feature – the knife – and you can open them with one hand.

Speak to Leatherman Store about the Full Range of Leatherman Products:

Leatherman Store offers the full range of Leatherman products including keychain size tools, pocket size tools, full size tools, locking knives, pruners, flashlights and accessories at competitive prices with free engraving and UK mainland delivery. For detailed descriptions and information on the latest product releases, please call 0844 5678 123 or email sales@leatherman-store.co.uk.