Leatherman trimming or transitioning the product line?

[irongnome]

Anyone here know whats going on with the shrinking product line?
In recent memory there is the:
Leap
Style
Juice (entire line)
Squirt P4/S4/E4/ES4
and now the Style CS looks like its going EOL

The FREE line doesn't seem to take up any of the slack.

Anyone know or willing to venture a guess as to whats going on?
Tools were too expensive at the price point?
Trimming the fat due to low volume sales?
New products in the pipeline?
Something else?

[genevabuck]

I know that they have at least 3 new products coming out. Seeing what those entail will probably answer some questions.

[Nix]

I'd be thrilled if they reduced the product line to a single model but improved quality control and construction to meet 1980's standards.

I'd be interested in Leatherman again if it were so.

[cody6268]

For many years; I think the most Leatherman (pre-2004) that ever existed were the: PST, PST II, Pulse, ST (replaced before 2004 with the ST200), Micra, Wave, Sideclip, Mini Tool, and Universal Tool Adapter. So, just nine products. Leatherman, in both regular models, and special runs of limited models, is absolutely ludicrous as it is now.

Leatherman has currently listed three models; Bond, Curl, and Bolster; as models that fit certain existing accessories. Late last year, or early this year, they applied for trademarks for those brands. But, I don't see them replacing the Squirt, Style, or Juice lines. Interestingly enough--there are three lines with multiple tools going EOL; and three new trademarks. Possible Free-type replacements for these lines?

[Poncho65]

I hope they are trimming the lines down and are trying to stay more focused on what they are currently making but I would say with the addition of the 3 new tools mentioned above that, that is not the case

I would definietely love to see them shrink the line up down and improve the QC of what they are manufacturing It would seem more like LM of Old

[theonew]

And yet the mighty Crunch soldiers on

[Rab21]

I have a squirt on my keys and a juice s2 as its UK legal to carry. So glad I got them before they're gone.

I think if they'd stuck a pocket clip on the juice series they could have done even better with them for areas that don't allow locking blades.

Sent from my SM-G960F using Tapatalk

[nitram]

I'd be thrilled if they reduced the product line to a single model but improved quality control and construction to meet 1980's standards.

I'd be interested in Leatherman again if it were so.

 

It feels like they gradually lost their way when they did that huge change in their lineup in 2004.

[GearedForwards]

The discontinued the Squirt? Why on Earth would they do that?!! 

Do they have any keychain size tools left?

[irongnome]

The discontinued the Squirt? Why on Earth would they do that?!! 

Do they have any keychain size tools left?

They still have the Squirt PS4 although it is the last one left of that line.

That leaves 3 keychain folding tools:
Squirt PS4
Style PS
Micra

[GearedForwards]

They still have the Squirt PS4 although it is the last one left of that line.

That leaves 3 keychain folding tools:
Squirt PS4
Style PS
Micra

Oh thank god, I have an ES4 and really like the Squirt form factor (and a Style PS, but no desire to get a second at UK prices). Never understood the desire of a Micra thoug to be honest, part of me thinks it's a nostalgia tool...

[Poncho65]

The Micra is the best of the bunch I like the Squirt series fine but the Micra is a no frills get it done type tool

I never could get on with some of the never iterations though

[McStitchy]

Oh thank god, I have an ES4 and really like the Squirt form factor (and a Style PS, but no desire to get a second at UK prices). Never understood the desire of a Micra thoug to be honest, part of me thinks it's a nostalgia tool...

What about trying one out? 

[GearedForwards]

The Micra is the best of the bunch I like the Squirt series fine but the Micra is a no frills get it done type tool

I never could get on with some of the never iterations though

What about trying one out? 

Not unless I see one for like £15 that isn't completely trashed, you tricksy MTO'ers 

I've handled one in person, but the tool set and weird tweezers don't gel with me. I have a SOG Crosscut and my overwhelming feeling is that I prefer a MT in that style to fold around a pair of pliers not scissors 

[McStitchy]

You don't like nostalgia either I guess 
Just kidding... I get what you mean.
It is a LM classic that seems to sell well still.
I like the scissors of the Style CS more.

[GearedForwards]

You don't like nostalgia either I guess 
Just kidding... I get what you mean.
It is a LM classic that seems to sell well still.
I like the scissors of the Style CS more.

No nostalgia here, my first Leatherman was a Style PS and then a Rev of all things 

I'd love a PST at some point, purely because I have memories of seeing one in the house of a doctor I used to help my mam clean for, it was the coolest and he had kukris on the wall 

[Poncho65]

You definitely need a PST 

Everyone needs one 

[SteveC]

[Nix]

 

[tosh]

I'd be thrilled if they reduced the product line to a single model but improved quality control and construction to meet 1980's standards.

I'd be interested in Leatherman again if it were so.

This exactly
Leatherman lost its way years ago.
For me the wave was damn near perfect.
But until they bring out REAL tools with blunt nose pliers I’ll just look the other way.
As they are, leatherman are overpriced and over rated.
A toy for the mall ninjas, No?

[SteveC]

This exactly
Leatherman lost its way years ago.
For me the wave was damn near perfect.
But until they bring out REAL tools with blunt nose pliers I’ll just look the other way.
As they are, leatherman are overpriced and over rated.
A toy for the mall ninjas, No?

Pretty broad brush and insulting as well, way to go tosh .

[tosh]

Pretty broad brush and insulting as well, way to go tosh .

Well owning over 600 models I think I have a right to say what I actually really think. As for insulting... ?? depends how you read it. I worked as a site joiner, shop fitter, ceiling fixer and in a joinery shop. Never once, not once did I come across a fellow tradesman using a multitool. Be it fellow chippys, plumbers, sparkys. Not once
Saw Stanley knives used on a daily basis, even saw the odd SAK, but not ever a multitool. Don’t get me wrong I’m sure many had one in a glovebox or buried in their bag. But never did I see one in use.
I now work in engineering, workforce of 200 been here almost 7yrs. Again never saw a MT in action.
Reason is they are too much of a compromise. Why would anyone risk damaging a tool costing £100+ when a real tool at less than a tenner will undoubtedly perform better and more efficiently?

Don’t get me wrong I love MT’s, love the concept and innovation but I cannot think of a single model that I would place trust in to deliver when called upon.

They are just gadgets, not knocking them,  but that is what they all are essentially.

The tools below are replicated in both cars and in understairs cupboard at home, also have it again in my daily rucksack stuffed inside a old sock !

Stanley 6way driver
Folding  box cutter
Cheap full size bluntnosed pliers

If I need more the garage is close by or if at work...tools galore.

The price is pittance compared to branded multitools. Each kit was easily less than £20 quid  and is vastly more versatile than any Multitool

Note -
I also keep a SAK with each of the other kits but not the home kit (pictured).

[tosh]

Now, if leatherman ( or SOG or Gerber)
We’e to market a similar MT featuring proper blunt nosed pliers, standard stanley utility blade and twin 1/4” bit holders built to withstand real use I would happily drop £100 on that, no sweat. But anything less useful I’ll leave on the shelf.

[SteveC]

I read it as insulting .


I think just about everyone here would disagree that Leathermans or MT's in general are just " gadgets or a toy for mall ninjas. "

I'll leave it at that .

[genevabuck]

United States Marines and Special Forces used Leatherman Tools to survive self sufficiently in the brutal conditions of Afghanistan. I will leave it at that.

[pa_strunk]

  All US Forces use Leatherman or at minimum an issued Gerber MP overseas. When somebody says it is simply a gadget or novelty that’s because they have no idea how to use it properly or any other hand tool for that matter. I will admit I have a ton of shelf queens, but I use the crap out of a few. I will have 30 years in army reserve April 4th with multiple Uncle Sam sponsored vacations all over the place.

[Etherealicer]

I'd be thrilled if they reduced the product line to a single model but improved quality control and construction to meet 1980's standards.

I'd be interested in Leatherman again if it were so.

Well, would you also be willing to pay 1980 prices? I mean the PST was $30+ back then, that is $94.8+ today. And that is the PST; I would say it probably compares closest to the REV/wingman/Sidekick of today's line-up. These tools cost between $30 and $60... so we would see a price increase of x1.6 - x3.2... Honestly, would you pay $160 - $300 for a Wave?

Inflation calculation

[Etherealicer]

As they are, leatherman are overpriced and over rated.

For what you payed for a simple PST back in 1980 you will get a Wave today... so, they actually have become cheaper.

[Etherealicer]

Well, would you also be willing to pay 1980 prices? I mean the PST was $30+ back then, that is $94.8+ today. And that is the PST; I would say it probably compares closest to the REV/wingman/Sidekick of today's line-up. These tools cost between $30 and $60... so we would see a price increase of x1.6 - x3.2... Honestly, would you pay $160 - $300 for a Wave?

Inflation calculation

Btw, that was taking average inflation... the sector LM tools fall in actually had an even larger inflation, when using sector specific inflation a PST would cost $189,3 today 

[Etherealicer]

But until they bring out REAL tools with blunt nose pliers I’ll just look the other way.

That is like saying only a sledge-hammer is a real hammer.
Blunt nosed pliers are not superior, they simply have different application.

A toy for the mall ninjas, No?

Blunt nosed pliers look tougher, so arguably they are more mall-ninja-y as mall-ninjas don't judge tools by function but by looks.
My answer is NO. MT's are supplementary tools they fill all the gaps your primary tools do not cover.