Leatherman (vagabond)

HN mechanics and “second chance” submissions

• Several comments note that obscure or “weird but great” links often die quickly on HN’s newest page.
• The Leatherman story resurfaced through HN’s “pool” / “second chance” / “invited to repost” mechanisms, which periodically revive overlooked submissions.
• Some users share similar experiences of having niche posts later invited back to the front page.

Leatherman as figure, media, and local lore

• Multiple people recommend a long-form NYT Magazine article and a Daily podcast episode for a more emotional, in-depth treatment than the short Wikipedia entry.
• Commenters from Connecticut recall him as a local legend; there are hiking trails to “his” caves, where visitors reflect on his life.
• Others connect him to the tradition of “holy fools” and point to similar eccentric historical figures and oddball local characters.

Vagrancy laws, homelessness, and social tolerance

• Users are struck that towns explicitly exempted Leatherman from vagrancy laws, effectively allowing “one special vagrant.”
• One view: he was tolerated because he had some money, didn’t steal, and wasn’t disruptive, unlike stereotypical modern street populations.
• Counterpoint: society criminalizes conditions (homelessness, vagrancy) instead of behaviors (theft, harassment), which disproportionately punishes the already vulnerable.
• Discussion touches on how easy it is legally to prove “sleeping rough” versus proving specific offenses.

Romanticizing vagabond life vs. its reality

• Several commenters initially find Leatherman’s lifestyle deeply appealing: slow pace, routine physical tasks, time-rich existence outside modern pressures.
• Others, including currently or formerly homeless people, describe homelessness as psychologically crushing: constant insecurity, stigma, danger, and lack of any “safe harbour.”
• Some distinguish between voluntary, well-resourced “adventure” (bike touring, long camping) and involuntary homelessness with no easy exit.
• Broader thread on freedom vs. commitment: more leisure often requires being homeless or rich, with partial alternatives like moving to low-cost areas, part‑time/contract work, or FIRE.
• Subthreads debate whether modern comfort is truly “easier,” the role of physical hardship, and the value (and failures) of safety nets like insurance.

Brand confusion and cultural references

• Many initially assume the thread is about Leatherman multitools; it’s clarified the company is named after its founder, not the vagabond.
• Jokes about what a “Vagabond” Leatherman tool would include, pop‑culture references (Pearl Jam song, Tolkien, zombie riffs), and an idea for an ultra‑endurance event following his route.