Leatherman Skeletool...gimick or am I missing something?

J_Curd

J_Curd

Joined
Jul 26, 2006
Messages
6,038
First off, I love Leathermans. However, Ive looked at all versions of the Skeletool, and read a bunch of posts here about people enjoying them.

However, when I lay my old basic Leatherman from 15 years ago beside the S30V Skeletool, they are the same size, mine has more tools (albeit heavier) AND its just as ergonomic.

What am I missing? Bling?
 
From what I can see of it...
*It is very light for that size of tool
*Has the basic tools, no extras (pliers, knife, bottle opener, screw driver)
*The knife is still one handed and easy opening
*Has a modern / tactical / cool look to it (if you're into that)
*Has a built in carrying system with the carabiner clip
*Utilizes the bit driver which allows for options of what kind of screws you will be able to handle

That being said, I'm not a fan of it personally. I can see why someone would like it, but for me I'd rather just pack the few extra ounces and carry a wave :P
 
It is all about weight savings, and the techno look. I have both like you, and like them both, but carry the Skeletool hiking, where the original I carry around the house. They are all good! .
 
For the price, features, and such...I think I agree with carrying a basic model. I don't need a one handed opener on a multi-tool.
 
J_Curd said:
For the price, features, and such...I think I agree with carrying a basic model. I don't need a one handed opener on a multi-tool.
Click to expand...

And that's why you are allowed to buy whichever multi-tool you'd like to buy :D Some people dig what the Skeletool offers, others prefer the Basic model. Although I am not personally enticed by the Skeletool, I appreciate that it is offered in case I was looking for a multi-tool with its features :)
 
I have one and I love it. I also have a Wave, Core, and Kick. I'd compare the weight to that of the Kick, but the quality to that of the Wave. The Kick, though it is small, has a lot of plastic on it and doesn't feel as smooth as the Wave. The Skeletool is build very well and I find I use the Pliers, knife, and screwdrivers about 98% of the time on my Wave. It's ideal for the EDC around town or at work, it's not meant to be kept in your truck for when you have to fix whatever on the side of the road.

The knife blade is also much nicer than other Leatherman blades, good enough for your only blade EDC if you would choose (I usually carry it in my left pocket and a blade in my right). The pliers are nice, but the handles are not meant to be used all day.
 
^^^^ I don't think I could have said it better myself.

The weight savings and over all look is really it's key attraction. It's perfect for around town carry. I have a Wave for when I go camping or hiking.
 
I think the handle ergos when using the pliers was the biggest turnoff for me. If it just had as many tools in the same size as my basic Leatherman! Gah!
 
I've had a Wave for quite a while and I really did love it but in the winter time,I usually where Carhart bibs when I'm outside,that's when I didn't care as much for the Wave.In my opinion,it carries best in a belt sheath,I didn't care for the extra weight in a leg pocket.At Christmas my boys gave me a gift certificate so I decided to get another knife,I got a Skeletool CX,I haven't carried my Wave since.Most of the time,I only use the blade,screwdrivers or pliers anyway so the extra tools weren't much of a lose but the difference in weight is great,I can carry a Skeletool in a front jeans pocket comfortably and have my most used tools handy.:thumbup::cool:
 
Looks like the skeletool was very popular so Leatherman is leaning in that direction. The "Freestyle" has even less tools and is more about slimming down the weight

lmfreestyleskeletool1.jpg
 
I just picked up a skeletool cx the other day. I have about 15 or so multi's. This one though is the first one that can be clipped inside the pocket as opposed to the rest I own which have the be sheath carried. The tool is light enough and has a minimalist compliment of tools that I usually use. The blade is not too bad and can be opened with one hand and is of 154 cm steel. About the only thing I am disappointed with and it's a biggie was I have been sheathing it with supplied sheath as opposed to pocket clip (the reason I bought it) because the back of the blade which is quite sharp is sticking up above the top of your pocket and whenever you go down into said pocket it leaves you with an irritating scratch each and every time.
 
mongomondo said:
Looks like the skeletool was very popular so Leatherman is leaning in that direction. The "Freestyle" has even less tools and is more about slimming down the weight

lmfreestyleskeletool1.jpg
Click to expand...

actually believe it or not that is not the freestyle. they changed it a bit from what is the posted pic. they have taken away the carabiner/bottle opener and there are no bit drivers.
 
Seanski said:
actually believe it or not that is not the freestyle. they changed it a bit from what is the posted pic. they have taken away the carabiner/bottle opener and there are no bit drivers.
Click to expand...

I know:grumpy: This killed my plans to buy a free-style. Who ONLY uses a knife blade and pliers? The bottle opener is perfect, and I would have liked to have seen a combo driver in place of the bit driver just for "less little pieces" sake.

I EDC a Skeletool, and for most chores it's all I need. The 154cm blade really is of high enough quality to be a good stand alone knife should you not want to carry an extra folder. The bit driver works well, and having the spot for a spare bit is pretty genius. I carry a double bit philips and a double bit flathead. That gives me 4 sizes of drivers, a great cutting blade, nice pliers with soft and hard wire cutters, and a bottle opener all in a pocket-friendly and clipped package.

I generally carry a large folder on my hip or in my pocket as well, but there are times when the Skeletool CX just really fits the bill for all my needs.
 
like my Skeletool, but my bit holder is broken and does not hold the bits well anymore. I'm sending it back for repairs, but you gotta wonder.
 
I bought the Skeletool after realizing that all I really used on my Charge XTi was the pliers and screwdriver (sometimes the knife). More importantly I found that I was leaving it behind more and more because of the weight. The Skeletool solves the weight problem, and still has all the basic tools I use most.
 
I have a standard Skeletool and a couple of LM Waves. I really like the Wave and prefer carrying it over the Skeletool. IMO, the only thing the Skeletool does better is open beer bottles. FWIW, that's what I use my multitool for the most - opening beer bottles.
 
First off, i love the Wave and the Surge. The only problem is that since I don't like carrying a sheath on my belt, i had to pocket carry them. Weight wasn't an issue, but what ended up happening was that all of my pants would get a hole worn through them from the tool. So i opted for the skeletool cx - man, it's slim! It goes in my pocket everyday, while my Surge stays in my messenger bag.
 
Based on my subjective experience I have found that other multis i have purchased just sit and collect dust. Sure they have lots of tools but it seems that the more tools a given model has the less effective each of the tools really are. The size and weight increase as well and at some point it becomes a situation of diminishing returns. Sure I may have 20 different "tools" in one package but I found that number of tools does not imply practical usefulness necessarily.

The skeletool more or less addresses this reality for many users. I don't think LM is marketing it as a replacement for any other of their more tool packed models just as yet another option for consumers. I really don't think there's a gimmick to "get"; it is what it is.

I have a big sog of some sort and a lm crunch. Haven't carried either in years. Figured I just wasn't into multi tools. Skeletool brings back a cool gadget factor I had forgotten about with its 'different'. design, pockets and carries easily, manages to be genuinely handy at the sme time. Also, its exceptionally well made and for an online price of around 50 bucks for the CX? Its a smoking deal.

I am fine with not being a multi tool super-user, but still appreciate something simple, handy, and clever. Judging by how well its been received I see I'm not alone.

If you don't feel it will fit your needs get something else, but I think LM was smart to go back and look at their potential markets again and identify.a market for this one.
 
The skeletool was designed for adventure racers who cary everything they need in a very small, very light pack and for climbers/hikers who also try to shave every ounce out of our packs. Of course they hope as many people as possible will buy them, but it is a niche product and does extremely well as such. I carry mine everywhere for the same reasons others have given. Light, minimal tools, pocket clip and carabiner style clip.
 
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