Leatherman prices

[powernoodle]

Not surprisingly, Leatherman has increased its prices again.   

Rebars are now $99.95.  Stainless and BO Rebars are no longer $10 less than the Cerakote flavors.  I paid $79.95 for a Coyote Rebar 24 months ago on Amazon.  Since then, U.S. inflation has been a combined 5.7% over 2 years during which time Rebars have gone up 25%.  This has been Leatherman's modus operandi long before tariffs were imposed on imported steel for about the last 10 months, so that's not a justification for what's going on.

What is going on is Leatherman's pricing strategy, which they have every right to implement.  And as a user, collector, hoarder, lover and sniffer of Leathermans for the past 35 years,  I have every right to comment on it.   

The formerly reasonably priced Super Tool 300 recently jumped from $99.95 to $119.95 - a 20% increase.  And they no longer include a sheath, which is around $25 for the snap version.  That is effectively a 45% price increase.  Several months ago, I implored you peoples to get yourself a Super Tool 300 while they were still reasonably priced.

Yes, I'm a broken record on this - but its only because every time I look at Leathermans, they've gone up in price again.  If they would stop cranking up their MSRPs well above the rate of inflation, I would stop acknowledging it.

Peace, brothers and sisters.   

[LoopCutter]

You are not wrong my friend! 

I just returned from my local Sportsman Warehouse and was shocked at the pricing on the REBAR, SS and color models same price @99, the SkeleTool, 99 as well and SIGNAL (only one) at 149  :dunn

Then check the web site for LM same prices.  OK lm is gouging.

Yes steel prices have increased, yet I think they are still using 420HC that was bought2 or maybe 3 years ago. 154CM on cX skeleTools price has gone up match to MAGNCUT a couple months earlier.

Yet, employee labor costs, mostly insurance, health and liability cost have doubled and some tripled with start of 2026.

[ThundahBeagle]

Got my Rebar, I want to say for 60 or 65 dollars.  Now I'm thinking about it,  that was probably about 10 years ago when I had first joined this forum

[Frenchephaistos]

And of course 99€ here, so $120… 
Not unjust per se, but…

[greenbear]

In the UK the RRP (recommended retail price) for a Wave alpha is £225 / $302.66 although they can be had for just over £200 / $270 and you don't get the bit kit or sheath. To me that seems excessively expensive (no matter how nice the Wave Alpha is).

[LoopCutter]

For WAVE ALPHA, you are paying for MAGNACUT BLADE. That alone adds $100 (US) to the price.

The marketing promotions added maybe 40 to $50 per unit, and doNOT forget all the research studies for what LM consumers really wanted from the newest innovation.

[Richard Zheng]

I remember when I got my arc for $300 CAD with bits and a sheath and thought that it was costly.

Now its $340 CAD and comes with NOTHING

Rebar is $135 CAD

Wave for $180 CAD

Some micra models are $75 CAD

Pure insanity

[dks]

Do we really need to buy any more LM?



Even

[Antti Lammi]

Prices has definetly gone up so bad that i dont wanna anymore buy new one
Official retailer in Finland has crazy prices like Surge is 199€ and other tools on retailer has crazy prices too but i dont blame them that they have to keep up prices to make somekind profit. Tho there is cheaper places to buy new tools but still quite lot for my pocket, Surge is marked around 150€ on other shops

[LoopCutter]

It was reported yesterday that the retail price on the Leatherman site for the BOND, Rev and WINGMAN HAD DECREASED.

THE BOND SS down to $49.99, and the color varients $59

Wingman at 49 too and Rev even lower.

No sheath. But last week they were higher. Price was also adjusted on AMAZON when I checked.

This was first reported by our friend GARY, IMR4198

[IMR4198]

   I know some people don't think much of the Wingman.  I have one and like it pretty well.  Some of the grumbles were about how this 'entry level' tool cost $69.95 when it started out so much lower.  Knocking $20 off the top could make the Wingman more interesting.  I noticed that the Sidekick is still listed at $69.95.  Originally it came with a slip and a carabiner tool.  I don't know when they stopped shipping the extras. 
   The Bond was already a good deal before the $10 reduction.  Now, if they would stop overtightening the fasteners on the thing so you wouldn't have to open the tools with a pair of pliers....
Best wishes.  G
 

[Rich_SD]

I often wonder if social media has been driving an increase in warranty returns.  I often see posts on places like Reddit where someone bought/found a broken multitool, or did something stupid and broke it, or complained about some minor issue that doesn't affect functionality, and everyone encourages them to return it for a new tool.  Sure, that's what the warranty is for (in most cases), but I'm sure it generates more returns and increases operating cost.  If that $10 increase to Rebars helps keep the company profitable, I'm all for it.  I need Leathreman to remain in business for at least 40 more years 

[LoopCutter]

The item that is affecting prices in today’s economy is first the price of steel and the blade material.

Marketing expense seems more of a luxury for businesses as Leatherman , Victorinox, and GERBER.

Reducing prices on less popular models may spark a new buyer to try a tool.

The established models like REBAR, would be the models sought by those that wish to duplicate those they want to emulate.

New colors are to attract another buyer, one who buys for style over function.

[Richard Zheng]

I often wonder if social media has been driving an increase in warranty returns.  I often see posts on places like Reddit where someone bought/found a broken multitool, or did something stupid and broke it, or complained about some minor issue that doesn't affect functionality, and everyone encourages them to return it for a new tool.  Sure, that's what the warranty is for (in most cases), but I'm sure it generates more returns and increases operating cost.  If that $10 increase to Rebars helps keep the company profitable, I'm all for it.  I need Leathreman to remain in business for at least 40 more years 

I'd assume that warranty is something that factored into the juice and squirt getting the axe because I remember tons of posts with broken plier heads or broken scissors and I imagine that puts a big burden on their warranty program.

[Barry Rowland]

It's across the board, and it's painful.  The sad part is, even the regular, nothing special PSTs on the used market have gone up 

[Frenchephaistos]

It's across the board, and it's painful.  The sad part is, even the regular, nothing special PSTs on the used market have gone up 

 

[Chako]

A Wave Alpha is $269.95 Canadian. I can remember paying $140 Canadian for a Titanium Charge, and thinking that was expensive. 

[Frenchephaistos]

A Wave Alpha is $269.95 Canadian. I can remember paying $140 Canadian for a Titanium Charge, and thinking that was expensive. 

250€ here, so $290. In the 90s I bought a used car for the same price. Of course the Alphas have a better gas mileage, and last a lifetime, but their price/square cm of steel ratio are off the charts !

[stugumby]

The new tools are beyond my reach, $225 for an arc, just not doable or practical for my situation. With the current inflation and nearly doubling cost of home and car insurance and higher gas prices im  not comfortable with that level of discretionary spending. Been looking at secondary market.

[LoopCutter]

I hear you STUGUMBY!

I love my REBAR, a real work horse.

I found what works and newer is not better for me.

[Frenchephaistos]

As a few people have said, PST all the way for me. Too bad they went from being $10-20 on the Bay to $80-90…
I guess Leatherman's new prices automatically up the secondary market !

[tango44]

You are paying for the replacement tool in advance...
So they can cover the 40-year warranty...
Not buying anymore from them.
You can still get a Gerber MP600 for about $50 at military surplus stores or eBay, and it's a great tool.

[Barry Rowland]

I have pretty much what I set out to get collection wise.  The only one missing is the first year or so PST like my Dad's that I managed to lose    The crazy part is, it might have been a JPST like I currently have so I can only hope 

[FrenchEOD]

In the UK the RRP (recommended retail price) for a Wave alpha is £225 / $302.66 although they can be had for just over £200 / $270 and you don't get the bit kit or sheath. To me that seems excessively expensive (no matter how nice the Wave Alpha is).

Leatherman Arc in France is 300 euros with no bit kit and no sheath 

[Richard Zheng]

Leatherman Arc in France is 300 euros with no bit kit and no sheath 

Its $340 in Canada, and I thought the $300 with the sheath and bits was steep.

You gotta blow at least $430 if you want a leatherman sheath and full bit kit

[Nonaute]

I have pretty much what I set out to get collection wise.  The only one missing is the first year or so PST like my Dad's that I managed to lose    The crazy part is, it might have been a JPST like I currently have so I can only hope 

Similar to me. Still missing some important pieces, and some PST's leather sheats.

Leatherman prices, even on the second hand market, are crazy. You can see a 1998 PST at 130€ ($145, more or less).

Leatherman is f*cked up with those prices, people who own an old piece of steel stamped "Leatherman", think they won at the lotery. Man, it's a MT, not a gold lingot !

[Chako]

I have not bought the Wave Alphas yet because if I wanted all 3 colours, it would cost me around 1 thousand. 

[greenbear]

I am the same on the Wave Alpha, Chako. They are around £225 / $225 in the UK and I really cannot justify it as I already have a Charge TTi.  The TTi cost me £169 a couple of years ago (it wouldn't have been too far different in $) but they have now risen to £235 / $235. 

That, for me, is the conundrum. Having handled and closely examined the Wave Alpha any initial skepticism has vanished and I would like one - but I simply cannot justify it as it would likely just be a shelf queen   

[Chako]

I think Leatherman will price themselves out of business if this keeps up.

[powernoodle]

I tend to think that they know what they are doing.  Maybe their business model is heading toward what Benchmade did many years ago.  Engage in "premium pricing" where they sell 25% as many MTs at 4x the margin.  Who knows.  The growing market of excellent Chinese MTs for $30 or $50 may have something to do with this as well.

I don't think that Leatherman will go the way of Blockbuster, Blackberry, etc. and disappear, but they are certainly employing a different business model than they once did.  This is evinced by skyrocketing MSRPs going up far in excess of inflation.  Many MT lovers make all manner of excuses for them, as if Leatherman is doing us a favor by jacking up their MSRPs. 

The free market gave us Leatherman, and I believe it will sustain them - even as they go to a premium pricing model with much of their lineup.

But I don't have to like it.   

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Premium_pricing