Leatherman’s Unique New Heritage Multi-Tool Boasts a Rare Capability Most Modern Ones Lack

This limited release is simultaneously a fascinating history lesson and a super-versatile everyday essential.

Close-up of a stainless steel multitool with pliers and a partially visible "LEATHER" engraving on the handle.

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By Steve Mazzucchi

Published June 2, 2026

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Updated June 3, 2026

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In the knife and EDC world, few brands are as tapped into their own distinguished history as the Portland, Oregon-based multi-tool king known as Leatherman.

The brand’s half-century of heritage plays a surprisingly big role in the Leatherman Garage, the brand’s new-ish playground/laboratory for innovative ideas and unique releases.

Stainless steel Leatherman Crunch multi-tool with pliers, knife, and screwdriver, next to a black leather sheath on a brown surface. — The new Captain’s Crunch packs a rare combination of heritage, innovation and style.

So it is that the very first offering was a modern take on founder Tim Leatherman’s 1970s-born patented prototype, Mr. Crunch, which set the stage for the breakthrough PST and all the game-changing greatness that followed.

This week brings a wildly innovative new treatment, one that marks the aforementioned legendary invention’s final run. Meet the Leatherman Garage Batch #008: Captain’s Crunch.

Crunch time

Rendered in CNC-machined 420 stainless steel with a Scotch-Brite finish, gold PVD details and a custom leather sheath, the Captain’s Crunch is pretty stunning to behold.

But don’t let its looks obscure the fact that this multi-tool packs serious functionality and a trait the original Crunch held dear: locking pliers.

Silver Leatherman Garage multi-tool with pliers, knife blade, and screwdriver bits on a gray background. — Among the highlights are adjustable locking pliers, multiple bit drivers and a removable/replaceable scalpel.

While pliers themselves are among the coolest functions many Leatherman multi-tools offer, rarely do they boast a locking component.

That capability is as handy as the way this tool deploys them is fascinating.

Silver multi-tool pliers with a serrated grip and a removable component held in hands against a brown background. — Unlike modern Leatherman pliers, the Captain’s Crunch’s jaws require a bit of know-how to properly engage.

Whereas brandishing a modern Leatherman’s pliers involves rotating the two handles outward nearly 180 degrees, the Captain’s Crunch’s plier jaws actually swing out from one of the handles, then attach to the other handle via a pivot point.

That bit of engineering plays into the locking capability, complemented by an adjustment screw at the base of the handle that lets you dial in the exact point at which the jaws lock.

Hands holding a Leatherman multi-tool with a screwdriver bit attached and a screw in the background. — The adjustment screw can be removed to reveal a bonus bit driver.

What’s more, removing the screw entirely reveals a quarter-inch bit driver compatible with standard and Leatherman flat bits.

When minor measurements are called for, this handle has the markings to double as an 8-inch/19-centimeter ruler.

Silver Leatherman Garage multitool with a small knife blade extended on the left and a serrated saw blade extended on the right. — The scalpel can be swapped out for a saw blade (or nail file) held by the fold-out holder bits.

Additional functionality comes on the other handle, which houses a fold-out large bit driver plus a holder for a lockable 2.2-inch scalpel that can be essentially swapped out for one of two T-shank tools: a saw blade and a nail file.

Like many modern Leatherman multi-tools, the pliers themselves integrate both wire and hard-wire cutters as well as a wire stripper and pin vice.

The relatively compact tool stores neatly in a fine leather sheath with old-school Leatherman branding.

Leatherman

The whole package weighs 6.6 ounces and measures 4.2 inches when closed.

But considering all this limited-edition release has to offer, it likely won’t stay unopened for long.

Availability and pricing

The Leatherman Garage Batch #008: Captain’s Crunch is available now for $250. Limit one per person/household.

Silver Leatherman Crunch multi-tool with pliers, knife blade, and gold-colored bit driver on a gray background.

Leatherman Garage Batch #008: Captain’s Crunch

$250 at Leatherman

About the Author:

Now managing editor, Steve has served in a variety of roles with GP since 2019. Having previously written and edited for such publications as Men’s Health, Men’s Journal, Esquire and ESPN, he enjoys covering a range of topics — but mostly those pertaining to cycling, snow sports, pocket knives and motos — and dreams of a utopian world in which everyone’s bike seat is at the proper height.

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