Where do new and unique pocket knife designs come from? Companies like Buck, Kershaw, CRKT, Gerber, Kutmaster, and Dako are coming up with new designs every year. They present them at trade shows, which I go to, as often as I can.
TOM Show Cleveland January 2016
This is a scene from last week’s TOM Show in Cleveland Ohio. This is where suppliers of promotional products show their new imprinted products and Engraved Pocket Knives that have just been developed. My main man for Buck, Leatherman, Gerber and Kershaw is Paul Rizzo. His partner, Kent Getsee owns the company Preferred Lines Marketing. They represent Rainkist Umbrellas, Pentel Imprint, Bay State, Compass Industries, Devara and Tervis at the trade shows. Shown in this picture is a new knife by Dako that is not yet on my website. Paul is also wearing the new engraved Leatherman Tread.
Engraved Leatherman tools have gained world-wide popularity in a mere 35 years. How did they do that? Here are some points about Leatherman tools that can help explain their popularity.
Warranty for your tools. The factory stands behind their warranty. They say, “Our warranty is simple. You broke it, we’ll fix it”.
Leatherman listens to your ideas for improvement. You may send them to info@leatherman.com.
All the tools are made of 100% high grade stainless steel. They are corrosion resistant.
The knife blades stay sharp longer than many other knife blades.
Engraved Leatherman tools with your corporate logo laser engraved on the handle make excellent gifts. For a quality Christmas gift that is long-lasting and appreciated, Leatherman is your best choice.
We went on our yearly tour of the Leatherman plant in Portland Oregon this year. It’s amazing how fast this company is growing. They had to increase the production area. To do this, they had to move the shipping department to another building 3 miles away. That new location is rented, and it houses the warehouse of the tools, the shipping area, customer service, and the custom laser engraving area.
Back to the main building, the small Leatherman museum is in the front office
Early Leatherman Prototype2
and open to the public. Here are a few pictures of the prototypes that Tim Leatherman made in his garage during the birth of his brilliant idea.
Early Leatherman Prototype
You know, necessity is the mother of invention. The Leatherman idea started when Tim and his wife toured Europe in the 1970’s, using a used car he bought there. It kept breaking down, and Tim would fix it himself. He really needed some pliers, but didn’t have any. It would have been nice if he had something like a Leatherman tool. Many months later, Tim perfected some prototypes
Early Leatherman Prototype3
in his garage, and started a very successful company. Too bad Gerber Knives turned down his proposal to produce his tools. Too bad for Gerber, but not for Tim.
Here are 2 stories of how a Leatherman tool came to the rescue.
Leatherman started their advertising campaign in late
831998 Leatherman Tread-Engraving
2014, and drew a lot of interest. Everyone wanted a Leatherman Tread, but couldn’t buy one. The production of this new and exciting multi tool was lagging behind. Cabela’s wanted to sell them to their camping and hunting customers, but they couldn’t get enough inventory on time. Now, in September 2015, production still is slow, but we have some in stock NOW. As soon as we get some in, they go out right away.
So don’t hesitate. Order yours today. Order with your logo laser engraved, or just blank.
This new fashion tool should be popular with
Leatherman Tread-831998_Packaging
campers, hikers, hunters, bikers, and fishermen. You now have the ability to “wear” your multi-tool, and have it handy for immediate use.
Pocket knives make great corporate gifts because they:
Last a long time
Display your logo to your customers and employees
Have a high perceived value when presented as a special gift
Engraved pocket knives
There are about 13 major manufacturers of engraved pocket knives in my opinion. That’s why they are on my website.
Barlow Norwood
Bear & Son
Boker
Buck
Case
Dakota
Gerber
Kershaw
Kutmaster-Utica
Leatherman Tools
SOG
Starline
Swiss Army
These fine companies are listed in alphabetical order, so as not to give preference to any one.
Barlow Norwood imports economical pocket knives from China, and engraves them with your logo at a reasonable price. These knives are good for mass distribution, and don’t break the bank.
Bear & Son is an American knife company with a fine reputation. Our favorite is the wood handled barlow knife.
Boker is an old knife company with world-wide presence. They have major manufacturing facilities in all corners of the globe, and use the finest steel. Everyone in the knife business knows Boker.
Buck knives are made in the USA and some are made overseas, to compete with other knife companies. When someone asks for a Buck knife, he is asking for the USA-made Buck 110, folding hunter knife.
Case knives are all USA-made, and have a fine history that is enjoyed by many Case knife collectors, and Case knife clubs around America.
Dakota pocket knives are made in China, but don’t let that bother you. They have a good quality and are worth every penny of the price. Many of them are around the 10 dollar amount, with a perceived value higher than that.
Gerber Knives are made in the USA and some are imported from China, because of the competition. Gerber has been a favorite for many years. They have some unique styles available.
Kershaw Knives are mostly made in the USA, but some are being imported from China. They are made of the finest steel, and both the imported ones and the domestic ones are a fine piece of work. You’ll like the feel of a Kershaw knife.
Kutmaster, or Utica Cutlery has a nice collection of modern and traditional designs. For top quality custom engraved knives, you can count on Kutmaster.
Leatherman Tools is now making a few pocket knives again. Your logo can be quality laser engraved on the blade or the metal handles. Leatherman is a Class A knife and multi-tool manufacturer. All products are American-made, or American asssembled.
SOG is a knife company that got started by supplying the military with knives. The people that ask for a SOG knife know its history.
Starline is an American supplier, not a manufacturer of engraved pocket knives. They import the knives from China. These pocket knives are well built. Don’t let the low price fool you. Starline chooses some new and unique styles when they add knives to their catalog.
Swiss Army, Victorinox, is a very familiar name in the knife world. Although not as sought-after as Buck or Case, everyone has heard of Swiss Army. They are high quality, and many have scissors, tweezers, and other tools included.
All of these engraved pocket knives are engraved or imprinted in the United States.
2. All can be laser engraved in multiple locations with your corporate logo or phrase
3. They make perfect Safety and Service Awards
4. Leatherman tools and knives last a lifetime, and come with a 25 year guarantee
5. Every man wants a Leatherman
6. Make your customers happy with a quality business gift.
7. Leatherman tools give your company logo a long-lasting visibility.
These 7 quick tips explain why business owners purchase engraved Leatherman tools. When quality counts, and you want to give a business gift that represents the quality of your own company, Leatherman is a perfect solution.
The NEW Leatherman® Crater Knife
NEW for 2014, Leatherman’s Crater Pocket Knife will satisfy the needs of the USA-made knife lovers. Your logo is laser engraved on the blade. The other side of the blade is an optional imprint location. The synthetic handle is 3 3/4″ long, ending in a handy carabiner. You can also use the removable pocket clip as an alternate way of carrying this useful and long-lasting business gift. Like all tools, this item comes in a gift box for your convenience. The only color available at this time is a black handle. When other knife companies are turning to overseas production, Leatherman continues to proudly make all of its tools in America.
Do you have any other Leatherman Tips? Please give your comments here. We’d like to hear from you.
