Leatherman Skeletool

[carl]

I picked one up.

I like the design, but QC is horrible: tooling marks, casting marks (there's small pits in some of the cast parts), some parts aren't aligned, and worst of all, the liner lock on the blade contacts only about 50% of the blade tang's opposite side, which is dangerous.

I'm going to ship it to Leatherman with a note and see if they can clean it up.

--dan

Thanks for the info - it's nice to look at with all those "high tech" holes but, for the same weight and the highest quality, I'm going for a Victorinox Spirit.

 

[Tubor]

Does the blade come away, so the whole thing splits into two parts? Am I thinking about something else? :shrug:

 

[NeonLights]

Does the blade come away, so the whole thing splits into two parts? Am I thinking about something else? :shrug:

Must be thinking of something else. The Skeletool stays in one piece (except for the two small bits that come with it), the knife blade folds out just like most other multi-tools that have blades that can be opened with the handles closed (pliers not out).

The Skeletool does have a thicker, stronger blade than most of my other multi-tools, although the liner-lock mechanism is not beefed up to match, and gives me a little cause for concern, although I use a real knife for most tasks anyways, especially ones that call for more strength. The liner-lock is only about 1/4 the depth of the blade, and 1/4 as thick, and the only thing keeping the linerlock in place when the blade is out is a shoulder washer at the pivot point that makes contact with 1mm of he corner of the liner-lock.

For comparison sake, the liner-lock on my early Wave is thicker and wider than the one on my Skeletool and makes more contact with the bottom of the blade, even though the blade is less thick and wide. I'm sure the blade and lock will be ok for most casual multi-tool users, but it does look like a potential weak spot in cases of hard use or abuse.

 

[Tubor]

Thanks for the info (I think I was thinking of the Spyderco Byrdrench).

Nice looking but not worth the money unless it's tough as nails.

 

[TORCH_BOY]

Very Tempting,

 

[Rzr800]

... They told me that there's been a recall of the CX due to some problem with the handles. No further info is available on either the recall or when they'll be shipping. So, it looks like availability of the Skeletool CX is up in the air for now. Steve

Thanks for the update. I just ordered the CX from a local store who had not put their order in for one until last week. They were (supposedly) being quoted a mid-April delivery at that time.

 

[jzmtl]

Directly from leatherman: http://www.multitool.org/leatherman-tool-group/medium-tools/leatherman-skeletool-update.html

 

[cerbie]

(...) I'm going to ship it to Leatherman with a note and see if they can clean it up.

--dan

Alert us to what happens, and the quality of what you get back. This was not their smoothest product release.

If QC issues get taken care of, I might just get the Skeletool (CX?).

I EDC a Leatherman PST. Sometimes, even it is a touch bulky. My only needs above it are a good file (they hadn't gone to diamond, yet), a better blade, and smaller pliers.

But, it seems Leatherman decided to just cram more and more into their tools, rather than reach a good balance (why the blasting cap ring on everything?). One thing that made the oldest models great was that with the solidly connected tools, they were all good for improvising, and none of them were made too specialized (oh, and not as big as the Core). The Kick/Blast/Fuse do not really offer much over the old PST, and in some ways are inferior. The Wave and friends are big, with lots of stuff. I want less bulk, not more! The Squirt and Juice are just too small.

Do I sound like Goldilocks, yet?

A mildly cut down Blast (no saw or scissors), with Ti handles, might just do it for me. Even the Blast, though, uses a socket for the eyeglass screwdriver (AKA punch/micrprybar).

I would not rid myself of my good old PST, but this tool definitely speaks to me. A properly locked bit holder, and the handle design, make the Phillips look useful, even as a bit, the blade looks OK (I won't be the first to say I think a plain edge blade would be better on the CX, but I've sharpened my PST blade all of twice over the years...so meh), and it actually looks pretty easy to hold and use. The carabiner is pretty neat, too. It's no heavier than my old PST, designed from the start with one-handed opening in mind...and I can't count how often I've needed to short pins or move a jumper, and gotten separate pliers, because the PST's are too thick (which is worse on the Wave family, and not meaningfully different on the Kick/Blast/Fuse). Yes, lack of a can opener (also box opener, new DVD plastic slicer, cord ripper, etc.), file, and awl (I don't even know how you're supposed to use it...) are negatives, but no more so than using flimsy bit holders for a freaking punch tool and prybar (I mean, um, screwdrivers)!

I could maybe EDC the Skeletool, with my PST happily in my briefcase, and then maybe add a surge to my glove box. I really wanted to like the Charge Ti, but...just couldn't. This one is quite appealing. Every multitool is a set of compromises, and I like the ones they made on the Skeletool. Screwdriver bits, thin pliers, and a nice rectangular steel shape (you've never used yours as a mini hammer or chisel?) will take care of 90%+ of my needs, the knife another 5%, and I like that it's not made too small to get all four fingers on for a grip. I use other tools, but can go without them easier, if it means a tool that is easier to carry.

 

[TORCH_BOY]

It's become my spare emergency tool for the glove box. Perfect
I still like my Wave and the New Surge as my full toolkits.

 

[Beastmaster]

I got two Skeletools....I got one extra by accident, so that's going to be my spare.

Frankly - I love it. I've been carrying either the Juice XE4 or the original Charge on a pocket clip (and then I lost the Charge).

For my purposes, I need the tool as a long nose plier/cutter, screwdriver, or a bottle opener. For a knife - I use my Gerber/Emerson automatic, so the knife blade isn't as important to me.

The Juice is way too thick and didn't give me enough hand purchase in plier mode, and the Charge was a tad thick and scooted out of my pocket way to easily.

The Skeletool works well for me. Worth every penny.

I will say - I have a pretty narrow need. The Skeletool fits it perfectly.

-Steve

 

[diff_lock2]

Check this outrageous price (100EU). While you guys can pick it up for 60 bucks (or less?!?!?!?!)

http://www.lohenette.fi/product_14899.html

 

[Malpaso]

REI now has the skeletool CX in stock. I just ordered one. I was able to use my member dividend and coupon, so I got it for a good price. I'll write up a review when it comes in.

http://www.rei.com/product/762082

 

[wmirag]

I ordered a CX from Amazon back on Jan 5 and I just got it today, March 21!

Though they are unquestionably solid tools, I looked at several Leathermans over the years but never bought one, mostly because I found the fit and finish a little rough for my taste. I've been happy with the Swiss Spirit.

But I wanted a tool that had a real knife, real enough to replace a proper folder in everyday situations, and not so large that it could be mistaken for a weapon in the Socialist State of New York.

Contrary to the experience that some of you folks had, the Skeletool CX I received today has an excellent fit and finish. Maybe they tweaked up their quaility control since the first batch.

1. The pliers have no play at all. The handles are curved convex on the palm side and concave on the finger side making for a comfortable and secure grip.

2. The knife blade is thick and has zero play and zero flex. Its liner lock fits perfectly and locks solidly. The blade is quite thick and 30 seconds of honing made it razor sharp. In use, the grip is great in my hand because there is an indent for the index finger and a nice purchase for the thumb.

3. The screwdriver bits fit snugly.

4. It looks cool.

I dunno how it will be in actual use. Only a few months of carry will tell me that. The bottle opener is pretty useless. I always use the back of a folder to open bottles - just to show off. The carabiner might be a usefull attachment point.

W.

 

[jzmtl]

I was pretty crazy about CX, but now I have decided against it. The plier head is too small, but because of the carabiner it's same size as a midsize multitool. If I carry a multitool I want it to be dependable, and I already carry a good pocket knife.

 

[kaichu dento]

Nice looking tool, but without the saws and files I guess I'll be sticking
with my Wave for now.

 

[tvodrd]

My Skeletool arrived the week before last, and I carried it all last week to "break it in," I'll clip it on my BOB as a back-up, or something. It's not going to replace the Charge Ti with TTi blades I EDC! Yeah, it's a bunch lighter, but the functionality comes up short for me, even though I also EDC a Squirt S4.

Larry

 

[Styerman]

I played with my buddie's CX . Fit and finish were very nice . The pliers are about comparable to the juice - OK by me . The bit driver is much improved over the Charge and Surge iterations . The blade was fine for light-medium duty EDC use . The Pliers were well aligned , and clicked smartly into position .

Overall I liket it lots , I may banish the heavier multis to my tool case , glove box , and man bag . Would be a good summer carry , when wearing lite clothing .

Chris

 

[cy]

staying w/squirt P4 for backpacking... 5oz is too heavy vs 2oz

 

[Meduza]

Does the skeletool use the same bits as the Charge and Wave?

 

[NeonLights]

Does the skeletool use the same bits as the Charge and Wave?

I just swapped the bits back and forth between my Skeletool and my Charge Ti, and they fit in eachother with no problems.