S T A Y I N G
120-128 Info.Knives.PR
7/16/04
5:53 PM
Page 122
knives
»
Sharp
S T A Y I N G
»
Leatherman retools to stay competitive, while knifemakers get an assist from assisted-opening concept.
B Y D AV I D F E R R I S
»
M
ulti-tool and knife companies are still finding cutting-edge trends to make their product even better and to find new consumers.
Leatherman Tool Group, a longtime leader of the multi-tool category, has overhauled its product line to remain competitive and untangle its offerings for retailers. Getting slashed are the Mini-Tool, the Sideclip, the original PST, the PST II and the Pulse. Replacing them are five new models—the Kick, Fuse, Blast, Charge Ti and Charge XTi. Meanwhile, Leatherman’s best-selling tool, the Wave, has undergone a facelift and a $7 drop in suggested retail. The redesign restores order to the offerings of a company that had evolved to create great tools, but not a coherent package. “What this is going to do is allow retailers to make money again on Leatherman tools,” said Mark Baker of Leatherman. “They’re better products; we’re charging less for them compared to the products we’re replacing and there’s a clear progression of prices and features.” Leatherman made the moves to remain competitive in the $25 to $40 price point where market share was slipping, Baker added. The company will also save money by standardizing many implements across products, including plier jaws, screwdrivers and scissors. All models debuted at the Las Vegas SHOT show in February. Most of the new models are tweaked versions of the old, but with standardized implements and lower prices. The Kick, for example, approximates the Sideclip, but with stronger squeezing pliers. The Blast essentially replaces the Pulse and adds a saw-blade. And the Fuse is like the old PST but with scissors and a wire stripper instead of a file and awl. Improved features are on some models. All models except the Kick will have individually rotating blades. The Wave, the Fuse and both Charge models will have all-locking components, previously only on the Super Tool, Pulse and Crunch. The new Wave has internal locking blades, beefier wire cutters and a ruler. The Charge has two blades that open with one hand, interchangeable driver bits, titanium handles and a removable pocket clip. The Charge XTi adds a crimper and a heavy-duty cutting hook. The only item to disappear entirely will be the Mini-Tool, which, while being one of Leatherman’s most venerable tools, is also one of its perpetually slowest sellers.
ASSISTED-OPENING KNIVES A knife that flicks open with the press of a thumb has become a hot seller and provided some acceleration for a knife industry whose sales have otherwise been flat. The “assisted-opening” knife allows a user to open a folding knife with one hand, a feature that has obvious uses for any busy outdoor user and, in fact, for almost anybody, as the implement’s popularity attests. It all began with Hawaiian knife designer Ken Onion, who raised the pro122 »OUTDOOR »SUMMER 2004
file of the finger guard so it protruded from the knife when closed. Press against the guard, and a torsion bar activates to spring the blade into the open position. Alternately, the knife can be opened by pressing against the thumb stud. Kershaw Knives collaborated with Onion on an idea that has since blossomed into multiple models and lines, including the Leek, Chive, Scallion (we’re seeing a veggie trend here) and Seagal, that collectively are the company’s fastest-growing segment. Other knife-makers soon followed suit, once they saw the demand. Other assisted-opening models, with a variety of spring-loaded mechanisms, are Buck’s Rush, SOG’s Flash I and Flash II, and United, which has two designs marketed under the Harley Davidson, Uzi and Colt brand names. This summer at Outdoor Retailer, SOG and Buck will both introduce versions with longer blades. If a knife that flies open sounds curiously like a switchblade, it is—and isn’t. A switchblade opens by pressing a button on the handle or with the force of gravity and is outlawed by federal law and in states and municipalities across the country. The assistedopening mechanism differs in crucial respects: the opening device—that protruding finger guard—is part of the blade itself, and the user must push harder than a mere button-press to activate the opening. The design complies with federal law, but some states, counties and cities may have different rules. Knife-makers recommend checking with local authorities to determine if assisted-opening knives are legal in your area. » To become a free GearTrends® member or to give us feedback, go to GearTrends.com. » W W W. G E A R T R E N D S . C O M
Photo Courtesy of Buck Knives.
LEATHERMAN RETOOLS
120-128 Info.Knives.PR
7/11/04
2:36 AM
Page 123
5.11 TACTICAL INOVA
Making
big waves
in the media and creating
W.L. GORE & ASSOCIATES
for our clients.
MOONSTONE
big splashes
MERRELL
781.639.4924 cgprpublicrelations.com
SEBAGO
SNOWSPORTS INDUSTRIES AMERICA
PANOPTX
ROYAL ROBBINS
PACIFIC TRAIL
WATERVILLE VALLEY
OUTDOOR INDUSTRY ASSOC.
WATERMARK
CRANMORE
LOON MOUNTAIN
YACHT CLUB COSTA SMERALDA
CENTEX DESTINATION PROPERTIES
7/16/04
5:53 PM
Page 122
knives
»
Sharp
S T A Y I N G
»
Leatherman retools to stay competitive, while knifemakers get an assist from assisted-opening concept.
B Y D AV I D F E R R I S
»
M
ulti-tool and knife companies are still finding cutting-edge trends to make their product even better and to find new consumers.
Leatherman Tool Group, a longtime leader of the multi-tool category, has overhauled its product line to remain competitive and untangle its offerings for retailers. Getting slashed are the Mini-Tool, the Sideclip, the original PST, the PST II and the Pulse. Replacing them are five new models—the Kick, Fuse, Blast, Charge Ti and Charge XTi. Meanwhile, Leatherman’s best-selling tool, the Wave, has undergone a facelift and a $7 drop in suggested retail. The redesign restores order to the offerings of a company that had evolved to create great tools, but not a coherent package. “What this is going to do is allow retailers to make money again on Leatherman tools,” said Mark Baker of Leatherman. “They’re better products; we’re charging less for them compared to the products we’re replacing and there’s a clear progression of prices and features.” Leatherman made the moves to remain competitive in the $25 to $40 price point where market share was slipping, Baker added. The company will also save money by standardizing many implements across products, including plier jaws, screwdrivers and scissors. All models debuted at the Las Vegas SHOT show in February. Most of the new models are tweaked versions of the old, but with standardized implements and lower prices. The Kick, for example, approximates the Sideclip, but with stronger squeezing pliers. The Blast essentially replaces the Pulse and adds a saw-blade. And the Fuse is like the old PST but with scissors and a wire stripper instead of a file and awl. Improved features are on some models. All models except the Kick will have individually rotating blades. The Wave, the Fuse and both Charge models will have all-locking components, previously only on the Super Tool, Pulse and Crunch. The new Wave has internal locking blades, beefier wire cutters and a ruler. The Charge has two blades that open with one hand, interchangeable driver bits, titanium handles and a removable pocket clip. The Charge XTi adds a crimper and a heavy-duty cutting hook. The only item to disappear entirely will be the Mini-Tool, which, while being one of Leatherman’s most venerable tools, is also one of its perpetually slowest sellers.
ASSISTED-OPENING KNIVES A knife that flicks open with the press of a thumb has become a hot seller and provided some acceleration for a knife industry whose sales have otherwise been flat. The “assisted-opening” knife allows a user to open a folding knife with one hand, a feature that has obvious uses for any busy outdoor user and, in fact, for almost anybody, as the implement’s popularity attests. It all began with Hawaiian knife designer Ken Onion, who raised the pro122 »OUTDOOR »SUMMER 2004
file of the finger guard so it protruded from the knife when closed. Press against the guard, and a torsion bar activates to spring the blade into the open position. Alternately, the knife can be opened by pressing against the thumb stud. Kershaw Knives collaborated with Onion on an idea that has since blossomed into multiple models and lines, including the Leek, Chive, Scallion (we’re seeing a veggie trend here) and Seagal, that collectively are the company’s fastest-growing segment. Other knife-makers soon followed suit, once they saw the demand. Other assisted-opening models, with a variety of spring-loaded mechanisms, are Buck’s Rush, SOG’s Flash I and Flash II, and United, which has two designs marketed under the Harley Davidson, Uzi and Colt brand names. This summer at Outdoor Retailer, SOG and Buck will both introduce versions with longer blades. If a knife that flies open sounds curiously like a switchblade, it is—and isn’t. A switchblade opens by pressing a button on the handle or with the force of gravity and is outlawed by federal law and in states and municipalities across the country. The assistedopening mechanism differs in crucial respects: the opening device—that protruding finger guard—is part of the blade itself, and the user must push harder than a mere button-press to activate the opening. The design complies with federal law, but some states, counties and cities may have different rules. Knife-makers recommend checking with local authorities to determine if assisted-opening knives are legal in your area. » To become a free GearTrends® member or to give us feedback, go to GearTrends.com. » W W W. G E A R T R E N D S . C O M
Photo Courtesy of Buck Knives.
LEATHERMAN RETOOLS
120-128 Info.Knives.PR
7/11/04
2:36 AM
Page 123
5.11 TACTICAL INOVA
Making
big waves
in the media and creating
W.L. GORE & ASSOCIATES
for our clients.
MOONSTONE
big splashes
MERRELL
781.639.4924 cgprpublicrelations.com
SEBAGO
SNOWSPORTS INDUSTRIES AMERICA
PANOPTX
ROYAL ROBBINS
PACIFIC TRAIL
WATERVILLE VALLEY
OUTDOOR INDUSTRY ASSOC.
WATERMARK
CRANMORE
LOON MOUNTAIN
YACHT CLUB COSTA SMERALDA
CENTEX DESTINATION PROPERTIES
