Modified Leathermans.

Chako · **on:** May 02, 2026, 12:02:50 PM

Seeing that I can't seem to post new stuff over on Facebook, I figured I will post something here on the forums. Here are some fairly hard to get Leatherman tools, especially these days. I started collecting back in 2008. Joined this forum in 2009. These dated to around 2009/10 and onwards. The hydro dipped tools are from a Michigan seller on eBay. He only sold them for a short time, and I think I bought most of what he was offering at the time. I recall they were not expensive. The finish is fragile, but they look great in a collection. This was the first time I saw something being modified using Leatherman tools as a basis. The guy had on offer a single camo pattern and a bunch of coloured carbon fibre patterns.

A year later, I saw something deeper, and those were also being sold on eBay from a company called Texas ToolCrafter. These guys did interesting things to Leatherman tools. The first ones I saw were Wingman and Sidekicks being laser etched with patterns on their handles. Then they got really fancy and started to gold plate tools, ceramic coated tools, Added Damascus blade, wooden handles, and even changing the colour of titanium handles through electrolysis. At first, the prices were more than reasonable. I think the laser etched models were not much more than the going price of the tool itself. The fancier options were a bit more expensive, but that also reflected in the disassembly and reassembly, etc... The prices were very reasonable, not like today as I have seen a few of these models go through the roof. Eventually, Texas ToolCrafter ran afoul of Leatherman's warrantee and eventually the company had to mark each tool with their name and probably some moniker stating that Leatherman does not warranty modified tools. I do not have any in my collection from this era. All of these examples in my collection are of the older generation. I think my last one was bought around 2015 if memory serves me right. That would be the Damascus bladed Charge.

Texas ToolCrafter is no longer in business. I think they did a few collaborations with Leatherman towards the end. I do know that their legacy is somewhat continued with Leatherman's laser etching service.

20250103_041931A by Chako, on Flickr

20250103_042111A by Chako, on Flickr

20250103_044408A by Chako, on Flickr

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20250103_052020A by Chako, on Flickr

20250103_052035A by Chako, on Flickr

20250103_052043A by Chako, on Flickr

20250103_235218A by Chako, on Flickr

20250103_235231A by Chako, on Flickr

20250103_235246A by Chako, on Flickr

20250103_235256A by Chako, on Flickr

20250103_235315A by Chako, on Flickr

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IMG_8834A by Chako, on Flickr

IMG_8827A by Chako, on Flickr

IMG_8826A by Chako, on Flickr

IMG_8823A by Chako, on Flickr

IMG_8821A by Chako, on Flickr

IMG_8820A by Chako, on Flickr

IMG_8819A by Chako, on Flickr

IMG_8817A by Chako, on Flickr

IMG_8816A by Chako, on Flickr

IMG_8815A by Chako, on Flickr

IMG_8814A by Chako, on Flickr

IMG_8813A by Chako, on Flickr

IMG_8812A by Chako, on Flickr

IMG_8811A by Chako, on Flickr

IMG_8806A by Chako, on Flickr

IMG_8804A by Chako, on Flickr

IMG_9087A by Chako, on Flickr

Chako · **Reply #1 on:** May 02, 2026, 12:09:21 PM

A pair of fairly early wooden presentation boxes from Texas ToolCrafter. These did not last long on the market.

IMG_9059A by Chako, on Flickr

Old Boy · **Reply #2 on:** May 02, 2026, 05:44:55 PM

I remember that era. The innovations and tools were very cool back then. It was so entertaining to just browse through the web pages.
Nowadays it's all a money grab and really nothing unique.

You have an awesome collection.

Chako · **Reply #3 on:** May 02, 2026, 07:58:20 PM

Thanks. Yes, today everything is crazy money. I have seen a few gold plated ones priced well north of their original prices online...if you can find them. I always felt these Texas ToolCrafter models were sold in small quantities.