Leatherman Skeletool review... (pics)

Skeletool is a new addition to Leatherman’s full size tool family. At just 5 ounces it is stripped to bare minimum. I guess if you are a person who cuts of the handle of your toothbrush in order to save the weight when traveling than this tool is for you. In order to slim the tool down so Leatherman had to sacrifice few features. Things that are gone but not forgotten (or missed): can opener, serrated blade, file, saw, small screwdriver, and scissors. It’s really up to you to decide which feature you are going to miss the most. Skeletool has only few functions: pliers, wire cutters, screwdriver, bottle opener and of course a knife (plain blade for stainless steal model and partially serrated for carbon version).









It can be worn in a provided sheath, clipped to a pocket/belt with removable clip or using build-in carabineer hanged off loops/buckles/straps. Tool saves about 3 ounces over typical multitool like Charge. Tool is slimmer and feels lighter but seems bigger. Carabineer attachment makes a tool longer.



Screwdriver function can accept interchangeable bits from Charge line. It also features new way of securing the bits for use. Tension spring is used to secure the bit in place but in order to change it you have to press down on the lever to remove the bit. With older tools you just “yanked” the bit out. I guess this prevents the notch on the bit from wearing out. I’ve started to see this on bits I use and change quite frequently on my Charge multitool. Screwdriver on Skeletool can only be used in handles open position not giving you the best grip. One extra bit can be stored in the handle. Bit is held inside by friction and even after banging the tool on the table I couldn’t get it out but simple push with the thumb slides it right out.











For a slim tool, Skeletool is pretty comfortable. You will not get the “pinch” effect found with earlier Leathermans but with high pressure handles start to feel weird.

[img]http://brunerdog.tripod.com/skeletool/12.jpg[/img]

[img]http://brunerdog.tripod.com/skeletool/15.jpg[/img]

Bottle opener works in reverse way but it works. It also doubles as a carabineer. Now what I’m really missing from this tool is can opener. I guess all this weight saving was aimed at hikers, backpackers, kayakers, hunters or whoever has to hump their stuff on their back. Pretty good assumption could be made that most of those people will be using caned food at one point or another. Taking out the can opener made this tool little inconvenient but than again GI can openers don’t really weight that much either.

[img]http://brunerdog.tripod.com/skeletool/9.jpg[/img]

Tool carries easily by pocket clip and sits flat against the body. Clip can be removed if needed. Carbineer is a totally different story. Since the inside of the carabineer is flat (because it also serves as bottle opener) it doesn’t sit well with straps or fatter rings. It constantly rotates into vertical position causing obstruction. If the strap has little bit of slack and is made out of soft material than the tool will lie flat against the surface. Also using a small loop out of paracord, zip pulls or extra clip works just fine. I tried attachments to bunker gear, packs, med bags, pants, belts and it works. You just need to be creative about it.


Some examples:
[img]http://brunerdog.tripod.com/skeletool/16.jpg[/img]

[img]http://brunerdog.tripod.com/skeletool/17.jpg[/img]

[img]http://brunerdog.tripod.com/skeletool/18.jpg[/img]

[img]http://brunerdog.tripod.com/skeletool/22.jpg[/img]

[img]http://brunerdog.tripod.com/skeletool/23.jpg[/img]

[img]http://brunerdog.tripod.com/skeletool/24.jpg[/img]

[img]http://brunerdog.tripod.com/skeletool/25.jpg[/img]

[img]http://brunerdog.tripod.com/skeletool/26.jpg[/img]

[img]http://brunerdog.tripod.com/skeletool/27.jpg[/img]

Case that comes with Skeletool is big. On the left you see a Charge with 2 sets of bits and Arc AAA on the right you see Skeletool. My guess is to ditch the case for Skeletool.

[img]http://brunerdog.tripod.com/skeletool/19.jpg[/img]

In the end it is a decent tool that I’m planning to keep. It is light and comfortable but lacking some features than you may find important. Again missing features can be improvised if needed so it might not be a big deal for some. Personally I see use of this tool in little different spotlight that Leatherman intended. It would be emergency work and it’s only due to its accessibility. Right now in emergency situation I might have to reach for a pouch to grab my tool but if stuff was hanging right of my turn out coat or vest I would have a tendency to use it more. One hand access plus if you get creative one hand opening can be accomplished if needed. But for outdoorsmen Skeletool saves weight but is not much change on the volume. If I needed one and only tool than I would carry extra 4 ounces of Charge and have everything I need. Cs4 at almost the same weight has 3 times the amount the tools that Skeletool has but is smaller and may not have the grip you want for your pliers and definitely coolness factor is not there either. Another option is Buck’s X-Track tool that for 1 ounce of weight extra might have extra function that you need. I would give Skeletool a 3.5 star rating out of 5. My dog gives it 1 and you go figure why.

[img]http://brunerdog.tripod.com/skeletool/20.jpg[/img]

Great review w/ very helpful photos. Thanks for posting, Matt!

That last pic is hilarious!

Awesome review!

Thanks for the great review Matt, I had saw some chat about this tool on the knife forums and was thinking about getting one. You've brought up a lot of good points (negative) about it that I think I'll hold off on it until they add some more blades. I would definitely miss the can opener although I do have several P-38's I do like to consolidate as much as passable.

WoW great pics!!

Thanks for the detail!!

You know you should not post things like this


It makes me want to spend more money….

PS Good review and pictures.

Nice post and great pics, especially your dog's squint-eyed annoyance at the lack of an opposable thumb. I passed on getting this tool a while back for the reasons you presented - for the weight, you can get a much more complete set of tools elsewhere with little if any tradeoff. Seems like they were targeting a niche market that barely exists.

I passed on it... I didn't say I didn't think about it! If I had a pile of cash I'm sure I'd find a use for it.

What is Diaper Exchange Tactical?

If you look up the partial national stock number, 6532-01-350 you get:
6532 Hospital and Surgical Clothing and Related Special Purpose Items
6532-01-350-1824 Diaper, Infant's, small
6532-01-350-1825 Diaper, Infant's, medium
6532-01-350-4084 Diaper, Infant's, large

Maybe it's a gag tag?

Nice review Polak187.

I wonder if this'll be in this year's SHOT Show report?

Nas.

It's a patch that few guys made about 3 years ago.

Very nice review! Thanks for taking the time to share it.

Great review! Is this the standard skeletool or the CX? I'm guessing the standard as I didn't think the CX was available yet.

It is a standard version.

Thanks for the great review! Agree, that is strange why Leatherman didn't include a can opener... oh well, at least folks can get into their beer.

That's one mighty fine multi-purpose tool! Any idea when it's going to hit the main retail stores?

It should be in the stores now. Carbon version of this tool should be avail late March.

Polak187,
1) That look's like Leatherman's answer to the Spydertool.
2) You are on a hiding to nothing trying to carabiner anything small directly to a strap. Full sized carabiners - yes. Mini's - No. Use a large split ring (sort you put keys on) on the strap and then clip the crab to that.
3) Any idea what the steel is? If it's not 154CM or better you had better tell them to try again.

Well they use: 420C on regulr tool (one I have) and their "premium" Cx version is going to have 154CM.

I was under impression that Spydertool is being reincarnated. I want it but not willing to pay $100 or so for used one.

Matt

Spydertools are showing up on E-bay as a regular item, so yes it looks like a new production run.

I am disappointed in the 420C. Thats the steel used (if memory serves) used on the first flight Waves. Got a universal hands down as I recall due to poor edge retention. Given that this has the potential to be a very popular item in the SAR/Emergency services community that is probably a mistake. 154CM/VG10 on the regular and S30V on the Cx would have been my prefered choice.


Think that I'm going to stick to a Wave and a Delica.
Or a Benchmade.

I look at the straight blade on a multi-tool as a back-up; even the S30V in my LM Charge TTi is just a back-up.

Can't find any on eBay

Yeah but point of skeletool was to eliminate backups and just have one lightweight tool.

Nice review & pics, Matt; thanks.

With no scissors, this unit is a no-go for me. Can't believe Leatherman doesn't appreciate the value of scissors.

I'm surprised Leatherman (or any of the other brands) don't make a full sized pliers with full goodies but no knife. There are many places these days where you can't take a knife inside (court houses, government buildings...even your every day job might prevent it). There have been many times I wish I could replace the blade in my Gerber multipliers with something that would let me take it in at work...the knife on some multi tools are the pits anyhow.

Leatherman Knifeless Fuse

Wow. How did I miss this one for so many years!? Ironically too late as it's not a concern with my current employer.

What idiot designed this with no can opener? I mean, how much weight could that have possibly saved?

Actually that's meant as a dual-purpose item. My LM knife has one that folds out. It's both a bottle opener and a carabiner of sorts. It's useful for attaching to a D-ring or belt loop.

I'm an idiot. I thought you were saying that about the bottle opener and missed the "no can opener" part. Note to self: Read thoroughly before responding.

I wish they made a form of the Wave (perhaps a thinner model?) without the sharps. It would be better than the fuse. I own several Kick's as backups and the handles are murder on your hands. I've taken to using a file and grinding down the sharp plastic edges, but that only improves them slightly. I just find it bad design to have an very little surface area against the hand when that's the part you use to apply pressure.

Just ran out and bought one after reading this review. Haven't had time to field test it yet, but so far I am quite pleased with it. Sure it doesn't have a can opener, but if you're buying it to save weight you'll probably be carrying freeze dried instead of cans. As for its lack if scissors, I can't remember having ever used the scissors on my wave in all my years of carrying it. Skeletool has definitely has earned a spot in my EDC rotation

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

Very much looking forward to that; as (believe it or not) the Skeletool Cx will be my first and maybe only EDCed item outside of a newest generation single AA led light.

I picked up a Skeletool CX a couple of days ago. My evaluation is ongoing, and since I haven't decided if I'm keeping it, I'm not abusing it. But here are some initial notes and impressions.

First things first: the design of the CX is drop-dead sexy. A standard form multi-tool would generally rate a yawn these days. Not so with the CX. It really has a futuristic cyborg terminator intricacy to it. When you open it, it seems almost to morph from one thing into another. Someone with immense visual talent gave this thing life. I love looking at it. It's as much a piece of art as a tool.

Second, kudos to Leatherman for the fit and finish. It is flawless -- I can't find a single thing wrong with it. I have never seen a first-run production tool that's so nicely put together.

The blade locks open and closed, with a small detente halfway. It's easy to find on the tool and works well one-handed.

The blade is thick - thicker than either blade on my Wave II. The grip is more comfortable and natural than you'd expect from an assemblage of small parts. There are natural "fencing" and "hammer" grip positions. I think if you did a lot of heavy woodcraft-style cutting, though, your hand would start to get sore from the many metal contact points.

Serrations: personally, I don't mind serrations if they're done well. But I absolutely hate serrations that are done badly because they grab and bind the material being cut. The CX's serrations are the deep scalloped style that actually work well.

Pliers:

I'd put the pliers in roughly the same category as the PST and Sideclip models. Good wirecutters and surprisingly sturdy. They're much better than the Juice series. But don't be fooled into thinking you'll do nearly as much with the CX's pliers as you will with a Wave II/Charge. You don't have nearly the grip or the leverage. Still, the pliers would be welcome and useful on a backpacking trip.

I think I would take the bit out for extensive pliers work. Otherwise the palm of your hand will suffer. The bit holder is rounded to make this somewhat more comfortable.

BTW, the carbon fibre piece flexes a little when using the pliers, and makes the grip a little more comfortable and secure. So maybe it's not all eye candy.

Screwdriver: The bit holder is the best I've seen from Leatherman. I hope they use this design in all their tools from now on. The handle shape of the CX puts the screwdriver bit at an angle, though, which may annoy frequent users.

Bits: I'll probably switch the included bits for a flat/phillips combo and keep the Robertson bit in the handle. (Robertson? Canadians note that my CX, bought from MEC, includes a Robertson/square drive bit -- hooray! These are used extensively up here. I only wish it was a #1/#2 combo instead of a #2/#3. Other retailers may not include this; better check before buying.)

Pocket clip: Functional and reasonably secure. Not quite as strong as the Wave II/Charge clip, and the tool sticks up quite a bit (rather like the old Sideclip). I think the Wave II clip allows a much more discreet carry inside my waistband. I don't trust either in rough terrain.

So, bottom line: do I feel as well equipped with a Skeletool as opposed to a Wave II? In all honesty, I do not. But I'm not sure I can part with something this freaking gorgeous.