| In
1975, Tim Leatherman found himself traveling through Europe
with a tight budget and a cranky car. His trusty 'scout knife'
just wasn't up to the challenges he faced during his 10 month
journey. Tim wished he had a compact knife with full sized
pliers.
When
Tim returned to the USA, he put his engineering skills to
work and after seven years, the original Leatherman®
tool was perfected.
The
Leatherman® brand name is synonymous with quality and
innovation and is the World leader in multi-tools.
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Maintenance
Tips
Rust and Corrosion
All Leatherman products are manufactured from 100% high-grade
stainless steel. (Exception: Screw bits for the tool adapter
are made of tool steel.) But stainless steel is not rust proof;
it is corrosion resistant. Depending on the mix of metal alloys,
stainless steels may be highly corrosion resistant and relatively
soft (like kitchen flatware), or they may be somewhat corrosion
resistant and quite hard. Leatherman products are fabricated
from the latter type, so your tool components are strong and
the knives retain a sharp cutting edge. Consequently, corrosion
can occur in the absence of proper maintenance. Your Leatherman
product should be cleaned, dried and re-oiled periodically
to inhibit rust and corrosion. This is especially true if
you use it in a damp or marine environment. After cleaning,
re-oil pivoting areas with a light machine or penetrating
type oil (such as WD-40). Buff stained surfaces with a polishing
cloth or non-metallic abrasive (e.g., Scotchbrite pad or soft
bristle brush).
Blade Sharpening
Leatherman products feature knife blades that may be straight-edged,
serrated or both. Sharpening methods vary depending on the
type of knife in your Leatherman product. Note that serrated
edges should not be sharpened in the same manner as straight
edges. Straight-edged blades can be sharpened using any
standard equipment, including whetstones, rods and various
kits. To sharpen a serrated blade, be sure to use a sharpening
system specifically designed to accommodate serrated edges.
A proper sharpening method will maintain the curvature of
the serrations. Sharpen serrated blades only on the edged
side; sharpening the flat (back) side of the knife will
cause the serrations to wear away, reducing the knife's
effectiveness.
Cleaning Methods
Depending on what your Leatherman has been exposed to, there
are several cleaning methods to consider.
If your Leatherman has been exposed to salt water or marine
environments, it should be thoroughly rinsed in fresh water,
dried and lubricated with a water-displacing product. If
stains or rust spots appear, refer to the Rust and Corrosion
section above for removal tips.
If debris or sticky substances have accumulated between
the blades, your Leatherman may also be cleaned in a mild
solution of detergent and water.
To remove tar and similar substances, clean your Leatherman
with turpentine or other mineral spirits. Do not use chlorine
products.
After cleaning, dry your Leatherman and apply a light machine
oil or a water-displacing product (WD-40) to force out moisture
trapped in the joints. This also helps protect the tool
from further corrosion and sticking.
Need
more information? e-mail your unanswered question to the
Leatherman Tool Group warranty department at toolwarranty@leatherman.com.
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