A Leatherman is a folding multitool built around a pair of pliers, made by Leatherman Tool Group in Portland, Oregon. The name has become shorthand for the whole category, the way Kleenex did for tissues, because Tim Leatherman invented the pliers-based multitool in 1983 with the Pocket Survival Tool, and the company has made the most-carried versions ever since. This guide covers what a Leatherman is, what it is not, how the lineup breaks down, and how to carry one.
What makes a Leatherman a Leatherman
The pliers. A Swiss Army knife is a knife with tools folded into the handle. A Leatherman is a pair of pliers whose handles fold around it, with the knife, screwdrivers, file, saw, and scissors stowed inside those handles. That is the difference between the two categories, and it is why Leatherman is the tool people reach for when something needs gripping, bending, or cutting rather than just slicing.
The lineup, briefly
- Full-size everyday: the Wave+, Charge+, and Free P4 are the tools most people mean. 18 to 21 tools, 4 to 4.25 inches closed, around 8.5 ounces.
- Premium: the Arc and Wave Alpha add CPM MagnaCut blades and G10 scales, and the Arc adds the one-hand magnetic FREE design.
- Heavy-duty: the Surge and Super Tool 300 for shop and trade work, and the MUT for firearm maintenance.
- Outdoors: the Signal, with a ferro rod, whistle, hammer, and sharpener.
- Lightweight: the Skeletool at 5 ounces, and keychain tools like the Micra and Squirt.
- Specialist: the Raptor folding shears for medics, the OHT one-hand tool, and the Bond, a modern take on the original PST.
What it is not
It is not a replacement for real tools. The pliers are small, the screwdrivers are short, and the saw is for a branch, not a board. A Leatherman is the tool you have when the toolbox is somewhere else, which is most of the time.
Where they are made
Leatherman manufactures its core pliers-based tools at its own factory in Portland, Oregon, which is why the company can back them with a 25-year warranty. It is one of the few multitool brands still made in the United States.
How to carry one
Leatherman ships most tools in a nylon pouch with a flap, which is slow, holds moisture, and wears out at the belt loop. Most owners who carry daily move to a molded kydex sheath, which holds the tool by shape, clicks, and draws one-handed. We make one for nearly every Leatherman, from the Wave to the original PST, in our Leatherman sheath collection.
Frequently asked questions
What is a Leatherman used for?
Gripping, cutting, driving screws, opening packages, and small repairs anywhere a toolbox is not. The pliers are the core; the rest is convenience.
Who makes Leatherman?
Leatherman Tool Group, founded by Tim Leatherman, in Portland, Oregon.
What is the best Leatherman?
For most people the Wave+. For the best regardless of price, the Arc. For light daily carry, the Skeletool.
Is a Leatherman a Swiss Army knife?
No. A Swiss Army knife is built around a blade; a Leatherman is built around pliers.
Are Leathermans made in the USA?
Yes. The core lineup is made in Portland, Oregon.
The bottom line
A Leatherman is the pliers-based multitool that defined the category. Pick one by how you work, and carry it in a sheath that lets you use it.
Related reading
Best multitools in 2026
The best made-in-USA multitools
How to carry a Leatherman: 5 ways ranked
