Who here has or has used Leatherman's Skeletool CX? The reason I ask it that a while back I bought two Leatherman Freestyle CX's from Woot.com; they were only $15 apiece and now I wish I'd have picked up more since that's less than 1/2 price. As great as the Freestyle is it's really not a "multi-tool"- it's just two tools, a pliers and a knife. The main use I have seems to be a pliers, then a screwdriver, then pretty much everything else.

The Leatherman Skeletool CX looks like it addresses the issue by adding a driver with changeable bits. I like that idea as they sell a driver set that goes with it. My questions are: Are there extra bits within the tool? And is there any provision to carry the spares inside the tool? Lastly, while the Skeletool CX appears to be very light it looks to be nearly as bulky as a full featured multi-tool. So how does is carry?

Lastly, the real downside is that the Skeletool CX has really just three useful tools yet costs more than most than a Wave, Blast, etc. Can any owners comment on whether they feel the Leatherman Skeletool CX is worth the price?

Thanks!

I got a Skeletool CX for Christmas 2010. I love it - use it every day. It has two bits on it all the time; one in the bit driver and one stored in the handle. The carabiner style clip works great for me to carry it (also doubles as a bottle opener - the fourth tool!). The handles on the pliers are more comfortable than previous Leathermans so you can squeeze tighter. Finally, the blade stays really sharp and is easy to hone/sharpen when needed. The price is a downside but it was a gift.

I've EDC'd a Skeletool CX for a couple years now and tool-wise it really has all I want. If I ended up having to buy another tool due to loss, I'd make the same choice today.

I carry it using the pocket clip in my front pocket. I assume it might be a bit more bulky than some folders you could carry this way (I haven't really compared much), but I really don't notice its there most of the time. Frankly, its more comfortable for me than the Leatherman Juice it replaced because of the Skeletool's pocket clip (I don't like things sitting in the bottom of my pant pockets). Also, I am not interested in belt carry which rules out the other large tools in my mind, but I've never had one of those larger models so I can't really make a fair comparison.

That said, the only real weakness of the design is the pocket clip which I've bent out of shape a couple times, but Leatherman did send me a replacement free of charge when I ran into problems with it the first time.

It comes with two double-sided bits: a Phillips 1 and 2, and a flat 3/16" and 1/4". Models sold in Canada also come with a third bit, a Robertson 1 and 2 (I am guessing on the sizes, I don't have that bit with me). As Wheels mentioned, there is only room for 2 bits on the tool itself - one in place and the other in a storage slot in the pier handle which doesn't hold the blade.

I did also get the bit kit which comes with a multitude of additional screwdriver bit types, but realistically I could probably count the number of times I've used them on one hand. The basic Philips / flat combination the tool comes with seem to handle the vast majority of uses I've come across where I'd be using the multi tool as opposed to dedicated tools. Though it is arguably something worth keeping in your bag when away from home.

I should also add that when I say EDC I'm really referring to day-to-day urban life. When I head out to the woods the Skeletool tends to stay home.

Thanks all. The Skeletool does sound like a great little tool. CM154 is a very good knife steel, especially at the price. As "cool" as all the tools are really a pliers, screwdriver and knife cover most stuff I'd need. Add a tweezer and scissors and you're probably at around 90%.

Overall my two favorite multi-tools have to be the Victorinox Spirit and the Leatherman Flair. Both are too big for pocket EDC but handy in a vehicle or on a belt.

If I can find a decent price on one I'll have to pick up the Skeletool CX.

I've got a regular Skeletool and I don't really like it. I find the pliers to be uncomfortable to use due to their handle shape (the sweeping radius on the bottle opener/clip side) and because the bit from the bit driver will dig into my hand if I forget to take it out.

I bought it after buying a Freestyle (which I really like), figuring it would be exactly like the Freestyle, but more useful....but in my experience it's just not the same. The Freestyle gets carried and enjoyed, while the Skeletool gets relegated to my collection of rarely used multi-tools.

Before spending the money, I would take the time to handle a Skeletool and be sure that you like it. Especially while using the pliers.

Hmmm...I also figured since they look the same they'd feel the same. Thanks for the tip. I'll try to find one locally to handle.

I think I have the Freestyle - the plier and blade only. If you haven't handled one, I'd recommend it. It's ridiculously heavy for the size. I think my Kick weighs less. For that reason, I rarely carry it - only when my sister-in-law is going to be around (since she bought it for a Christmas present)

In a head to head comparison, even with the 154CM blade on the Freestyle (I have one), I'd take a Kick (I have one of these too) for price and weight. The Kick weighs just a tad more, but look what you get for the 0.7 oz additional weight.

Leatherman Freestyle CX, DLC Coating: Weight: 4.5 oz
Suggested Retail: $72.00
Our Price: $44.95
Tools:
154CM Stainless Steel, Clip Point Knife
Needlenose Pliers
Regular Pliers
Wire Cutters
Hard-wire Cutters

Leatherman Kick: Weight 5.2 oz for 12 Tools in One
Suggested Retail: $43.95
Our Price: $28.95
Tools:
420HC Clip Point Knife
Needlenose Pliers
Regular Pliers
Wire Cutters
Hard-wire Cutters
Wire Stripper
Small Screwdriver
Large Screwdriver
Phillips Screwdriver
Bottle Opener
Can Opener
8 in | 19 cm Ruler

They are being replaced by the rebar, which looks just as good.

Well, I don't expect the Skeletool to "replace" a larger full featured MT for everything. It's just that I simply won't ever have the larger on one me for an EDC situation; just can't tolerate the bulk and weight. Realistically the Kick adds nothing of value (to me personally) and substitutes and inferior blade. Naturally that's JMOHO, no knock on the Kick.

I really love the Freestyle CX, and have two. I love that plain edge 154CM blade. It's a really good steel IMOHO. A serrated blade is useless to me and I'll never carry one unless it happens to be one of many features of a tool (eg Gerber Multipliers, Victorinox Spirit, etc).

I'm also a fan of the mighty SAK! But even the most robust SAK tool is pretty lightweight compared to an average multi-tool. I'd be hesitant to torque down too hard with the screwdriver on one. But I EDC a small SAK and would be lost w/o it.

Ultimately it comes down to what you are looking for in a tool.

For myself, after reading here and elsewhere, I came to the conclusion that what I wanted for EDC was a sturdy, one-hand opening, locking blade. However, at that point I had recognized the utility a multi-tool brought (I was using a Juice at that point) so what I didn't want was to either A) carry a blade alone, or B) carry a second tool on my belt.

I really wanted a single, flexible tool that could be carried comfortably in my pocket. For me, the Skeletool fits this bill exactly.

Others will obviously have different preferences and priorities so the "best" tool will really differ depending on these variables.

I agree with you on the steel. Actually, I have the older Skeletool CX that came with the serrated blade which I have mixed feelings about; for what it is - a general purpose urban tool - I do appreciate the serrations sometimes. But it definately makes it an urban-only tool for me.

I'm a semi-pro sharpener and a steel junkie, so I always gotta have the good stuff!

Yea, IMO, the Kick and Freestyle fit two totally different roles.

The Kick is better at being a multitool, but it's terrible at being a knife. It doesn't have a pocket clip unless you purchase separately (which brings the weight up to 5.5 ounces and the price up another $5), the blade is near impossible to safely open one-handed, it's slow to open two handed, it doesn't really lock, and the steel they use (420hc) is a bottom end knife steel.

Since I feel it necessary to carry a good knife, I end up having to carry a second folder or fixed blade with it anyway. (Or, I'll just carry my Charge Ti instead, which is pretty good at being both a knife and a multitool.)

The Freestyle, on the other hand, looses some functionality as a multitool, but makes for a much better knife. It easily opens and closes one handed, it has a liner-lock, it has bronze bushings, it's offered with 154cm blade steel, etc. I'll often carry that one by itself, instead of my EDC Benchmade folder.

The Skeletool is kinda the next step up from the Freestyle, as far as being a pretty good knife, but with some additional multitool capability. I have one of them too, but like I said, I didn't find it to be comfortable to use. Nor did I think it really added much over the Freestyle for me personally. I mean, I don't need the carabiner since I carry it clipped to my pocket, I don't really need the bit driver since I've got a little screwdriver in the Swisscard in my wallet, and I don't need a bottle opener since I can open bottles with the Freestyle just fine (also know how to open them with a normal ring, or a lighter, or my watch, or pretty much anything else we could find within arms reach in our college apartments).

While most would hate to ditch the blade, I could imagine a really good multi-tool if you were to replace the blade with a couple of drivers. Any time I'd be carrying the MT I'd also be carrying a knife. Of course a MT could probably be carried in places where a knife would be frowned on or even against the law.

I'll have to see if I can find the Skeletool CX locally and see how it feels in the hand.

Leatherman made a knifeless Fuse, where they replaced the normal Fuse's knife blade with a wood/metal file. I thought that was kind of clever. While you lost the knife, you gained a file that could be used to sharpen something else into a knife if the need arose. Unfortunately, they dropped that one from the lineup when they dropped the regular Fuse.

Now they make the Style PS, which is a little knifeless keychain tool. It has small pliers, scissors, a combination screwdriver/nail file, tweezers, and a bottle opener/mini-carabiner.



I kind of want to get one just for traveling. I don't like the file on it though. I wish they would have given it a small wood/metal file (like on the Squirt) rather than copy Victorinox's dedicated fingernail file (which I always found to be borderline useless).

I have a Skeletool CX in my (rather comprehensive) Leatherman collection, the first version with the half-serrated blade. I find that I don't carry it. Overall, I guess I am disappointed; I had hoped for more.

As a piece of functional art, it is beautiful. I mean that sincerely: it is a genuinely cool piece of design and engineering.

As a tool for executing field tasks, though, it is somewhat useful but with some very real limits. As others have noted, you can get a lot more functionality in the same general range of weight and price.

So here's my 2 cents' worth FWIW:

Blade: A decently stout blade, and a good liner-lock. But the handle, while really cool to look at, is very uncomfortable in hard use. If you have gloves, no problem; and you can wrap the handle with any cloth, a sock or a sleeve, and get by just fine. But otherwise, in hard use, it will tattoo your hide.

Pliers: Strong, but small. Don't plan to tighten the connections on a garden hose with these; they don't open wide enough. And, worse, they will absolutely pinch the flesh of your index finger if you aren't very, very careful. But: if you are careful, they can do a great deal more real work than the other junk pliers in this size category.

Clip: Not all that strong. I wouldn't trust it in a front pocket. Though it's okay when clipped to your waistband, with a belt holding it tight against your jeans. It does stick out, and is rather less discreet than a Wave with clip.

Screwdrivers: Two sizes of Phillips and two sizes of slots/flats, one in the holder and one tucked into the handle. Quality drivers, but none provides the beefy prybar that protects the blade from abuse. Anything but the #2 Phillips digs into the hand unmercifully when using the pliers.

Here's the bottom line, I guess: I will probably put mine up for sale, hoping to recover some of my dollars (I paid about full price -- ouch).

On the other hand, if I was in a pickle and this tool was handed to me, I would be glad to have it.

As mentioned earlier (and as you plan to do) I guess it pays to get it in your hand and see how it feels to you. I have no complaints with the Skeletool's ergonomics and find it quite comfortable to use. Others obviously have had different results with the tool.

I have the leatherman SideKick Multitool.

It's has a locking blade and Phillips and Straight blade drivers built in. It also has a file, letter-opener (can opener), and a great plier grip with wire stripper.

I carry it with me everywhere, but it's definately heavier than the skeletool.

The blade on mine is wicked sharp.. and I've managed to draw blood on myself more than once when I wasn't being very careful with it.

Huh? Both the Wingman and Sidekick are made in Portland, Oregon.

http://www.leatherman.com/about/release?id=37

from http://www.leatherman.com/product/Wingman: ... but what they don't say is that it is actually made in Portland, OR. I have no idea where they are manufactured.

Leatherman have parts from all over, pliers head are from Mexico, the bit holders are from India, file used to be from Switzerland but not sure about now. Obviously they do make some parts in house, but those casted parts are just not something anyone can easily set up to do.

I too was given a CX in addition to a Juice S2 for Christmas (I have good friends)and over the years, like most here, have acquired... Gerber tool, Victorinox Swiss tool, some of the Leatheman line... original Survival Tool, MUT, Micra, StyleCS,Squirt PS4...when I switched out the Vic Farmer in my EDC pouch went with the Juice S2..primarily for the scissors....it has slightly smaller pliers than the CX (broke the pliers on the Squirt through abuse)... I carry a Benchmade axis lock folder for cutting chores, so the one handed opening is not a priority for the multitool...

I have a number of LM tools including the Skeletool CX. The Charge TTi is probably my favorite, but I rarely carry it due to always carrying a locking folder. I don't need the Charge TTi's S30V blade if I already have one. The LM I carry quite often is the Fuse (now retired by LM); it has a good selection of tools and is significantly lighter than my SuperTool 300.

I'm considering picking up a LM Blast -- not retired and still lighter than the SuperTool. There is no way the Skeletool can replace any of those other tools, but it was never supposed to replace them.

I see there is a sheath for the Skeletool if you so desire. What do they think the carbiner is for?? My Skeletool hangs on the outside of my backpack -- that's what is good about the Skeletool. When you really need a tool, it's right there on your chest.

Out of curiosity, I checked with Leatherman. This is what they told me:

"Both come out of our one and only manufacturing facility here in the USA (Portland, OR)."

Leatherman should put "Made in U.S.A." on each tool's page of the LM website (assuming it applies to each).

California (who else?) sued them for having foreign parts so they dropped the made in us logo.

I would never complain about Japanese knife blades. IMOHO most of the finest blades in the world are Japanese.

And VG-10 is really just entry level Japanese steel. Takefu Special Steel Co.,Ltd makes some pretty killer steel, as does Hitachi.

I stopped in to my local Scheel's store today and handled the Skeletool CX- it felt great to me. The fly in the ointment? It cost $25 more than it does on Amazon. I like to shop local when I can (even though Scheel's is a very large chain) but it's hard to justify spending 40% more to do so. But I hate to be "that guy" that uses the local store as a showroom for Amazon.

I'm an Amazon Prime member, so free 2 day shipping on most stuff.