I thought I remembered seeing that Tim Leatherman was a HUGE anti-gun nut and that he contributed to many anti-gun causes. Is that correct?

Reason being I am thinking of picking up a new Leatherman knife and this has been in the back of my mind. They have a new knife design that has screwdriver bits in it which would be huge for me to have on a daily basis. No other company makes this setup, so Leatherman is the only choice as far as I know.

Does Gerber make anything like that?

here's a knife thats got screwdriver bits, as well as everything else.

Quoted: I'm not sure if he is antigun but I know that he is a democratic supporter.

Maby that would explain why Leatherman Tools has the GSA contract instead of Gerber (Gerber was supplying multi-tools at least thru 90's)

www.climbers4kerry.com/Files/Kerry-Edwards%20Endorsement%20Letter.htm

September 14, 2004

Dear Fellow Americans:

We are business leaders in the outdoor industry and we have come together because we can no longer be silent.  Outdoor businesses depend on abundant and available recreation opportunities so our customers can enjoy outdoor activities.  In return, outdoor businesses employ over a million Americans, contribute $18 billion to the U.S. economy and work together to promote an active and healthy lifestyle to the 149 million Americans who love the great American outdoors.

In our opinion increasing the number of venues for active outdoor recreation, staunchly protecting the environment, bolstering recreation and conservation funding to our public land agencies and reducing health care costs go hand-in-hand.  They are essential for the health and well being of the outdoor industry and its customers.

Senators John Kerry and John Edwards share our values and goals.  They know that promoting active outdoor recreation promotes good health.  They know that proactively protecting and supporting public lands for recreational use means future generations will enjoy them too.  They know that improving the quality of the air we breathe and the water we drink is not negotiable for any industry or business in America.  They know that health care costs will continue to increase unless we are united in reducing obesity in America.  

John Kerry and John Edwards are committed to preserving our national parks for the benefit of current and future generations. President Bush has promoted policies that break that commitment and endanger the future sustainability of our national parks. President Bush’s policies have severely under-funded our national parks resulting in rampant understaffing, site closures, elimination of visitor education programs and neglected cultural and natural resource preservation, demonstrating indifference towards unsafe trails, unclear facilities and the growing shortage of safety staff.

As importantly, the Bush administration has rolled back basic environmental protections that undermine parks including:

-         Rolling back Clean Air Act requirements that ensure visibility and healthy visits to our national parks.

-         Eliminating federal protections for our public lands that will allow mining, logging and development in national forests.

-         Slashing the Land and Water Conservation Fund, which enables the National Park Service to acquire new land and protect and enhance existing parks facilities.

In contrast John Kerry and John Edwards have a plan to protect the scenic landscapes and vistas for the appreciation of future generations through rigorous enforcement of clean air and water regulations and will preserve the resources that embody our cultural heritage through committed funding for parks operations by:

   * Increasing the operating budget of the National Park Service by $600 million will put our parks back on the path toward recovery and restoration.  We will pay for this important objective by modernizing the sale of mineral rights and using the revenue generated to increase the operating budgets of our national parks.

We know that Senator Kerry is a champion on the environmental issues that are central to our industry and customers.  We also believe that Senator Kerry's economic and health care policies will keep our businesses competitive and health care affordable.

Therefore, we the undersigned are proud to endorse Senator Kerry as the next President of the United States.

Sincerely,

Lee Fromson, president, Cascade Designs (Seattle, WA)

Peter Bragden, vice president, general counsel, Columbia Sportswear (Portland, Oregon)

Menno Van Wyk, CEO, Montrail (Seattle, WA)

Paul Fish, president, Mountain Gear (Spokane, WA)

Carn Nielsen, vice president, Mountain Gear (Spokane, WA)

Dan Nordstrom, CEO, Outdoor Research (Seattle, WA)

Jeff Bowman, vice president, Cascade Designs (Seattle, WA)

Doug Phillips, president, Metolius Climbing (Bend, OR)

Tim Leatherman, president, Leatherman Tool Group, Inc. (Portland, OR)

Dunham Gooding, president, American Alpine Institute, Ltd (Bellingham, WA)

Larry Harrison, president, Earth Games (San Clemente, CA)

Jim Clark, CEO, Watermark (Arcata, CA)

Steve Barker, CEO, Eagle Creek Travel Gear (San Diego, CA)

Peter Metcalf, CEO, Black Diamond (Salt Lake City, Utah)

Ashley Korenblat, president, Western Spirit Cycling (Moab, Utah)

Mike Wallenfels, vice president, Mountain Hardware (Richmond, CA)

Roody Rasmussen, CEO, Petzl America (Clearfield, UT)

Tony Post, president, Vibram (Concord, MA)

Kelly Stone, director sales and marketing, Werner Paddles (Seattle, WA)

Joe Hyer, president, Alpine Experience (Olympia, WA)

Mike Sullivan, president, Sullivan Agency (Wimberley, TX)

Bob Olsen, president, Peregrine Outfitters (Williston, VT)

Michael Crooke, CEO, Patagonia (Ventura, CA)

Brian Bennett, director national accounts, Patagonia (Ventura, CA)

Adam Forest, managing partner, The Forest Group (Lotus, CA)

Gordon Seabury, president, Horny Toad Activewear (Santa Barbara, CA)

Paul Gagner, vice president, Gregory Mountain Products (Temecula, CA)

Tom Campion, founder and chairman, Zumiez Inc. (Everett, WA)

Malcolm Daly, president, Trango (Boulder, CO)

Rodney Smith, president, American Outdoor Products (Boulder, CO)

Joan Keller, president, Le Travel Store (San Diego, CA)

Quoted: www.climbers4kerry.com/Files/Kerry-Edwards%20Endorsement%20Letter.htm

Well, based on that list, it's clear to me that nearly every piece of outdoor gear I purchased in my life (it's alot because I used to rock and ice climb among other things) came from many, many people on that list. Literally.

Man, I wish I knew about that list 10 or 15 years ago, but if I did, I'd be climbing 700 ft walls without ropes, carabiners, cams, backpacks, clothing and shoes. Literally. Everyone that makes the "good" gear was on that list.

Quoted: Quoted: www.climbers4kerry.com/Files/Kerry-Edwards%20Endorsement%20Letter.htm Well, based on that list, it's clear to me that nearly every piece of outdoor gear I purchased in my life (it's alot because I used to rock and ice climb among other things) came from many, many people on that list. Literally. Man, I wish I knew about that list 10 or 15 years ago, but if I did, I'd be climbing 700 ft walls without ropes, carabiners, cams, backpacks, clothing and shoes. Literally. Everyone that makes the "good" gear was on that list.

This statement is a generalization, and does not reflect the whole:
Within "outdoor" groups there lies a great division that divides into two categories: those who want to tip-toe thru the woods and those who want to ride. Both are dead set in beliefe that their way is best, and sometime it is.
Company's certainly have the right to support whomever they choose and business sense would dictate that it follow their consumers champion.
Will I patronize a company that endorses an organization that I do not approve of? Not if I can help it, however I would not risk my ass with sub-standard equipment.
The manufacturers listed above do make/import nice stuff, and their customer base is centered around Tree huggers who ideology falls right in line with the Democratic Party platform.
One of the best political quotes in years came from Charlie Daniels: :This IS America and you can say what you want, but you've got to live with it once it comes out of your mouth".  

Quoted: The manufacturers listed above do make/import nice stuff, and their customer base is centered around Tree huggers who ideology falls right in line with the Democratic Party platform.

Agreed. I was probably the only guy in New Paltz with an American flag sticker and the words "Fuck France" in Sharpie on his helmet. It killed me that some of the best gear is made by French companies like Petzl and Charlet Moser.But like you said, walking away at the end of the day is more important that making a political statement by not buying the best gear.