Starting in 2019, Leatherman has now (in 2020) released their entire new line. FREE Leatherman Engraved Tools. I visited their factory in 2013 and 2014. That’s when they started to plan this new line of “easier-to-use” multitools. Their plan was to make their tools more user friendly. The design engineers watched how the average customers used their tools, and asked them how the tools could be improved. One major factor was the task of using your fingernails to open each tool, using its “nail nick”. For hundreds of years, pocket knives have used nail nicks in the blades to grab the blade and open it. But what if you don’t have the right kind of fingernails? Or no fingernails? You were out of luck.
Problem solved
The engineering team focused on this opening function to make a better tool…one that is fun to use. The implements are easy to open and easy to close. You can, but you don’t have to use your fingernails. After you get the hang of it, you will find it is easier to use your finger pad to push against the tool flippers to open them. You can even open and close the parts of the FREE tools with one hand.
3 Styles
Leatherman has 3 styles of their new FREE tools. The P series (with pliers), the K series (a multi-knife), and the T series (the multi-tool without pliers).
Free?
I really don’t know how Leatherman came up with this name. Maybe you have a sense of freedom when you switch from a regular multi-tool to the new FREE series. You have the freedom of using your finger pad instead of your finger nails. Even when you release the lock, to put each implement away, your finger doesn’t suffer from a sharp edge of any release mechanism. The Leatherman FREE line is a whole new fun experience in using your favorite multi-tool.
Many business leaders like to show their appreciation to their employees, and folding knives are a great way to do that. Personalized pocket knives are knives that have the person’s name somewhere on them, besides the company’s logo. Here are 3 tips to make your project a success.
Personalized Pocket Knives With More Than a Name
Put the recipient’s name on the outside, where it can be seen, instead of on the blade. The handle or the metal bolster are the best places. Your logo can go somewhere else on the knife.
Instead of engraving their first name and last name, engrave their first name and number of years of service. That adds more depth to your gift.
Packaging is everything. If you can order a metal or wood presentation box, your gift will be much more impressive. Case knives have optional presentation containers that add to the perceived value of the gift knife.
In my experience, I have never found a retail store that is capable of selling pocket knives engraved with your logo. Initials and lettering, yes. Logo, no. That is probably because the equipment needed for laser engraving a logo is much more expensive than a “letter scratcher”. Any jewelry store and trophy shop has one of those machines. The best place for you to look is online. There are a few pocket knife engravers on the internet. That’s the best place to go to get pocket knives engraved with your corporate logo. Laser engraving knives is an art and science. Why?
Not all steel (or wood, bone, synthetic material) is able to be neatly laser engraved. The hardness and makeup of the steel may not allow the job to come out neatly, without a halo burn, and without rough edges.
The imprint has to be the right size and located in the same location on each knife. To do this, a jig has to be made for each knife style.
The timing has to be adjusted to get the best imprinted image.
The laser power has to be adjusted to also get the best results.
The final color of the imprinted area can be adjusted by using certain chemicals in the process. They make the image more noticeable. There’s nothing worse than seeing a silver image against a silver background.
Cleaning up the knife after the job. If this isn’t done, the laser dust can discolor the areas on which it is sitting. This anomaly is permanent, and cannot be erased or removed.
Whether your business is open, or closed, or everyone is working remotely, this COVID-19 pandemic is making our lives interesting. I wish there was a quick cure for this virus. There will be a cure, but in the mean time, we just need to wash our hands, and keep our physical distance from other people.
Company Logo Knives Will Make Your Crew Happy
Another issue is the psychological effect on your work force during this lock down. How do you make your employees happy, and help them through this?
Stay in contact with them. Let them know you are there for them, and you are affected as severely as they are.
Remind your employees that this situation is just temporary. When the daily new cases of infection becomes zero, we will all rejoice.
Give them a symbol of your gratitude. Give them company logo knives with your corporate logo and a catch phrase like “Thanks For Your Service–2020”
Do you know anyone who is not convinced of the value of engraved Kershaw knives? Here is a fool-proof list of methods for your presentation:
Pick out a sample of your favorite Kershaw knife, and let him try it.
If that doesn’t work, tell him that the Scallion 1620 is an assisted-open knife. When you move the flipper, the internal spring opens the blade the rest of the way, quickly.
Tell him most of the the Kershaw knives are made in the USA.
Show him that his laser engraved logo will never wear off.
Show him the genuine Kershaw gift box that comes with all the knives.
Let him see the removable pocket clip that comes with most Kershaw knives.
