Some 30 years ago, I bought a french multi-tool, that I kept in my car.
Unfortunately, 3 or 4 years ago, some S.O.B. broke a side window and stole most of what was in the glove compartment, including that tool. <img src="images/graemlins/mad.gif" alt="" />
And today, while browsing the web, I found it again.
Here is a picture of it :
french multi-tool

I was wondering : "could this tool have been manufactured prior to the Leatherman tools ?"

Does anybody know when the first Leatherman model was manufactured ??


TIA

Alain

There's a history section on the leatherman web site ( www.leatherman.com ) Briefly, the concept was started in the late '70s, a patent was issued in 1980, & in 1983 the mail order business was born.

The French design that you referenced is very similar to the WWII vintage OSS Escape tool. I have an updated version that was sold by Al Mar knives during the '80s. It has pliers, wire cutter, 2 3/4" clip point, 2 3/4" serrated sheepsfoot, file/flat s.d., & phillips s.d. The pliers are too small to be of any real use (3/8" jaw) & the phillips, while about the same size as a SAK s.d., is limited by being located next to the pliers handle. The closed length is 6" & weight seems to be close to or just slightly heavier than my Leatheman SuperTool.

Ed

I think Ed is correct, that is an OSS inspired French multi-tool. More recently than AlMar SOG was making one like this. I have one but found it too heavy to carry daily. I much prefer my Leathermans.

I agree with you and, would I still have it, I nonetheless would prefer the Leatherman for EDC.

I was just trying to place the different multi-tools in perspective, "historically" ....


Alain