Out there in Oregon, they're used to getting things done - you could call it their pioneering spirit. It's just how they do things. It's the reason Tim Leatherman built his first multi-purpose tool, and why Leatherman Tool Group has made a promise to their community to stay local. Why? Well, they're proud to support U.S. workers who are dedicated to the quality craftsmanship that goes into each of their original American multi-tools, just like their founder.

Time spent traveling abroad - which included staying at hostels and driving an untrustworthy 300 Dollar Fiat - convinced Tim of the need for a pliers based, multi-purpose tool. Back home in the states, Tim set to work developing and patenting his idea. Shortly after his return he partnered with college friend Steve Berliner to continue building concepts and reaching out to potential prospects for sales. On July 5, 1983 Tim and Steve officially incorporated Leatherman Tool Group, Inc. based on a few simple, but fundamental principles: manufacture the highest quality products that deliver excellent value to the consumer, while providing good, living-wage jobs to the local workforce. It was in that same year, after nearly a decade of knocking on doors and perfecting his idea, that they sold the very first Pocket Survival Tool.