It's no secret that Leatherman tools are tough and built to last, if they are offering a 25 year warranty it says it all.
Even so they still need to be taken care of properly in order to last you for a lifetime.
As a long time Leatherman owner I have kept mine in tip top condition and have perfected the easy way of maintaining your tool.
Oxidation (Rust)
The plague of any tool is Oxidation as nearly all tools are made from steel which is an alloy containing iron.
Leatherman tools are made from stainless steel which can be misleading as people can think these are rust proof. The clue is actually in the name “Stain-Less” meaning that it's more resistant than regular steel however it will still rust.
Rust prevention
Easiest way is to clean and lubricate the tool once every 2 weeks, light machine oil or WD-40 works fine, also if you have been handling the tool with sweaty hands, clean and dry the tool afterwards as sweat contains sodium which will rust metal, this also applies to the tool getting wet generally.
Dust
Over time your tool will gather dust and grit which is very normal especially in the outdoors, this is a problem as your tool has moving parts, the dust will wear and eventually damage these parts. The easiest way to prevent this is simply blow out any dirt that's inside, or if you have access to a compressor this will be more effective.
Broken parts
As good as they are, Leathermans aren't indestructible so you may have to replace specific tools etc. you can send the tool to any Leatherman dealer and they will replace the specific broken part or if it's too damaged give you a replacement within the 25 year warranty of course, or if you want to do it yourself you can purchase most spare parts from Leatherman.
*Remember, take care of your tools and they will take care of you!
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