Price of the Leatherman Freestyle?

[Raukodur]

Does anyone have any idea on what the pricing is going to be like for the leatherman freestyle model(s) that I believe will be released in November?

I was thinking about this today, and was of the opinion that if looked at from the number of tools point of view, this shouldn't be an expensive item, its a minimalist design after all. However, unfortunately that may be the exact reason they give it a disproportionately high price.

I am really getting attracted to this tool, of course, the finished product may be quite different from the photos we have seen so far, and it will be interesting to see what a 'premium' model will be like, if there is one (something like all titanium chassis, S30V blade).

Maybe two models (one normal, one premium) will mean the normal one has a reasonable price range and the premium one a premium price range.

Of course, this is all rather vague, I am wondering exactly what price people think the two possible models will be retailed at.

My own guess / wish:
The normal model = $40
The premium model = $80

[Grant Lamontagne]

I thought there was only going to be one model in titanium?

I haven't been able to pry any information on it from my contact at Leatherman but I'll keep pestering!

Def

[665ae]

I found this in one of the SHOT show reports...

With a projected MSRP range given from $50- $100, depending upon model, there should be one for every user level, from basic to discriminating. They are projecting November 2007 deliveries, just in time for the holidays.

I know this doesn't help a whole lot.  It does seem like your price ideas should be just about right.

[Anthony]

Maybe the Freestyle will replace their Juice series..although if you can carry a Juice and have a ton of impliments on it...why carry something of similar size with less impliments?  To lose a few ounces?

[Grant Lamontagne]

And a few dollars as well!

Def

[Raukodur]

I don't think its leatherman's style to 'replace' tool series with others, especially if they don't have to (i.e. the series which would be replaced sells perfectly well, and can be developed in its own right).

I wonder how they are going to produce different models of the freestyle, from the photos we have previously seen it doesn't seem to have room for more implements, and that would seem to go against the minimalist design concept.

Maybe the more expensive models will have the same tools, but in a more advanced format.

So with the knife you can have better quality and more expensive steel, you can have it all serrated, or half and half plain and serrated.

With the bit driver, I would love to see some sort of ratcheting driver on a more expensive freestyle, I really hope they try and make this since since the it driver doesn't fold away like in a normal multitool, they do not need to worry about a pivot, and less about space since when the tool is closed it sits within the clip.

What I really do not like about all leatherman tools is the very 'unspecial' nature of the pliers (with the exception of the crunch). It would be amazing to see a more expensive freestyle have some sort of 'different' pliers, although I very much doubt this will be the case.

[Grant Lamontagne]

To me, the biggest reason for a minimalist design would be to reduce cost.  This one doesn't seem to be significantly cheaper than anything else.  If the design catches on I think there could be a huge discrepancy between the ever improving Chinese knockoff price and the authentic Leatherman price at about ten times more.

I think this may be a very bad move for Leatherman.  $100 for a set of pliers with a knife attached is pretty hefty, especially with the introduction of CRKT's lineup.  The Zilla and the Guppie may not be the best tools out there, but they look somewhat more versatile than the Freestyle and cheaper to boot.

If Leatherman wants to get into the minimalist/entry level multitool market then their prices have to reflect that.  What's next?  A set of pliers with a hex hole carved in the handle?  The way they are going, it would still be priced at $40-60US....

Def

[I'm Still Bison]

Utility,or lack of same aside from other considerations,judging by the esthetics,Leatherman appears to be aiming for a market that is more into lifestyle than function.When you're a market leader with a high name recognition you can get away with a higher price..for a while,until the competition catches up.Soon enough we'll have the chance to know first hand if the Freestyle is worth the asking price.

[Sparkey]

Leatherman appears to be aiming for a market that is more into lifestyle than function.

Did you notice that (at least on a marketing level) There is a noticeable difference between Gerber and Leatherman in these areas? Gerber really pushes the fact that their tools/knives are used in extreme conditions (the Military, specifically) while Leatherman appears to push itself to the more outdoors-Camping type lifestyles. For a good example, compare the "user stories" on each website...I know a lot of soldiers that use LM's and a lot of "tree-huggers" that use Gerber, but just look at the way each product is "spun" on each website...Sorry to get a little OT, But that statement kind of reminded me of this.

[Raukodur]

apart from the photos that everyone has seen have there been any more, maybe different ones released? I would have thought leatherman might have released some, to help pique interest, maybe even had a section on their website about 'future' tools to help get people all excited.