Customer Reviews

Leatherman 830846 Skeletool Multitool

5 star:		(121)
4 star:		(48)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(9)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

WHAT THIS TOOL IS NOT
I have seen this tool pitched for hiking/camping. If you are an avid outdoorsman, get the Charge TTi. The Skeletool is lighter but only by 3.2 ounces (5 compared to 8.2). For that minimal weight savings, you sacrifice having a saw, file, backup blades and a can opener. Seems like a really bad trade off in survival situations.

WHAT THIS TOOL IS
The Skeletool is a great pocket knife replacement. It is light enough and compact enough to replace your trusty pocket knife. Without even openning the swing arms, you can access the knife (which is very solid) and bottle openner / carabiner. Openning the swing arms provides access to very solid pliers and screwdriver. The screwdriver gives access to 4 screwdriver heads since the removable bits are reversable and the handle stores an extra bit.

The Skeletool would also make a great multitool for IT support people since it has everything that a tech support person might need in a pinch.

THE BOTTOM LINE
Build quailty is great (as I have come to expect from Leatherman). For the minimal size and weigtht of the tool, it provides good functionality. If you carry a pocket knife and/or just need the few tools that the Skeletool provides, I would definately recommend replacing it with the Skeletool (a real set of pliers can be very handy). If you are looking for a toolbox replacement (or as near as you can get with a multitool) or if you are looking for an outdoor survival tool, get the Charge TTi. You will give up too much for the 3.2 ounces of weight savings.

Personally, I have both. I usually carry the Skeletool, but grab my Charge TTi when I need a fully functional multitool.

-Backstory-
One of the criterion for a great multitool is versatility, and for the longest time I thought that meant more blades, attachments, and enhancements. While that's partially true, that also means a bigger, heavier footprint. When I finally upgraded to the heavyweight behemoth that is the Leatherman 830160 Surge Pocket Multitool with Leather Sheath and found myself leaving it at home more and more often because of its weight, I realized something was wrong.

The reality is most blades/tool-blades seldom see the light of day outside of camping, and the added weight and size only serve to discourage daily carry. Barring camping or novelty, when was the last time you used your pocket-knife's can-opener? Wood saw? Awl? Corkscrew?? Is there anything you absolutely need scissors for that can't be accomplished with a blade or wire cutter? Do you unconditionally NEED eyeglass-sized screwdrivers on you 24-7?

Most daily applications can be accomplished with a simple blade, a couple drivers, a good set of pliers, and a bottle opener ;). And that's exactly what the Skeletool standard and CX multitools offer.

-Carryability-
What makes the Skeletool CX great isn't the *number* of tools, it's the *versatility* of its few, well thought out tools, allowing for a 5 ounces overall weight, slim form-factor, and not one but two carry clips. The standard side-clip is removable (thought cannot be installed in any other positions on the tool) while the carabiner turns out to be far more useful than I'd imagined -- I find myself hanging it on my belt loop most of the time, keeping my belt free of pouches and my pockets comfortably empty. This negates the need for a holster, though there are versions of the tool which come with one should you desire it.

-The Blade-
Like most modern multitools, the Blade rotates open easily, one-handed, without having to open the tool itself. This is a MUST HAVE feature for an Every Day Carry tool, and feels right at home on the Skeletool. The 2.5 inch blade is a perfectly functional length for everyday use (again, this is an EDC tool, not a survival knife, and anything longer would only make it heavier). The CX model has an upgraded 154CM steel blade and is *reason enough* to choose the CX over the standard model - 154CM is a far better, more modern steel which holds is edge VERY well while providing moderate corrosion resistance and takes nothing more than a good ceramic stone to sharpen. Over the past year I've used it for everything from prying and scraping to box cutting and (in a pinch) cooking, and despite never having sharpened it once the tip is still there (which is saying a lot for my knives) and it's still plenty sharp. The blade's liner lock does a noticeably firm job of holding the blade in place with NO WOBBLE. Quality! When closed, the blade is held in place via a blade-retention bump on the liner lock that mates with one of the skeletonizing holes near the base of the blade. Both Skeletools I've used had a ramp cut into the base of the blade near the joint, automatically depressing the retention-bump and allowing safe closure of the blade. One reviewer has proven that his Skeletool CX does not have this ramp, forcing him to grind off the bump or risk placing him thumb in danger every time he closed the blade. It is yet unclear as to why his knife didn't get the ramp.

-Half Serrated vs. Full Straight Blade-
NOTE: In mid 2009, Leatherman added half-length blade serrations to standard model and REMOVED them from the CX model. Confusingly, the model numbers were not updated to match the new configurations. Some online retailers may still have the 'old version' still in inventory, but as the model numbers are the same, there's no way of knowing what you'll receive. I contacted Leatherman about this and this is the reply I received:

"Thank you for your email and your interest in Leatherman Tools. Originally our Skeletool had a "straight blade", and the Skeletool CX had a "combo blade". The Skeletool CX has a higher grade of steel in its blade and those in the `knife world' came back to us, and stated that we should not use the combo blade with 154cm material. Therefore, in mid year of last year, we made a design change. ... All Current models of the Skeletool CX now have the straight blade. All current models of the Skeletool have the combo blade. ... There are some retailers out there, who have both in inventory. We did not change the item numbers when we made the blade change. Unfortunately, you will have to just check to see who has what in stock."

-Bit Driver-
This is THE tool to replace them all and one of the reasons the Skeletool can do so much while still being so thin and light. You can carry two double-sided bits with you (one in the driver and one in the spare bit slot). I got the Leatherman 934870 40 Bit Assortment with Nylon Sheath bit kit with my Skeletool and found that the two bits I use most are the [#0 & #3] Philips bit, and the [#1-2 & 3/16] Philips & flat-blade combo bit. I can attack any pretty much any screw-head and pry at anything without risking damage to the blade. The rest of the bits are stowed in my backpack.

One word of warning: make sure your spare bit slot is tight before clipping your Skeletool onto your pack while hiking. A friend of mine had his spare bit fall out! Nothing the aforementioned Leatherman 934870 40 Bit Assortment with Nylon Sheath couldn't replace, but you still might want to bend it a little to tighten it up. Mine was fine, so this may not be a problem for you.

-Pliers-
I admit, the jaws are a little thinner than I'd like, but have so far held up to everything I've thrown at it (including an accident with a Dremmel). It also would have been nice if the integrated wire cutters were a little harder as they developed a little "bump" after nibbling through a particularly tough strip of metal. For a while there was noticeable resistance when closing the pliers, but over time it's worn itself back in. My only lasting complaint is that, despite being so thin (3/16ths" at its widest point) the tip is just a tad too blunt to fit in the AR-15's firing-pin retaining-pin recess. It would have been nice if the "needle-nose" was a bit more "needle" ;)

-Bottle Opener-
A definite nice to have. Am I ashamed to admit this alone gets as much use as the rest of the tools combined? Nah ;)

Also, when I contacted Leatherman about the mid 2009 blade change, I was lucky enough to get a full list of all Skeletool models. Maybe it'll help you, maybe not. Here it is anyway:

Skeletool (Standard) - manufactured with a combo blade after mid '09
830845: 420HC No sheath, box packaging
830846: 420HC No sheath, Clam packaging
830847: 420HC No sheath, Gift Tin packaging
830865: 420HC Nylon sheath, Gift Tin packaging
830948: 420HC Nylon sheath, Box packaging

Skeletool CX - manufactured with a straight blade after mid '09
830849: 154CM No sheath, box packaging
830850: 154CM No sheath, Clam packaging
830851: 154CM No sheath, Gift Tin packaging
830866: 154CM Nylon Sheath, Gift Tin packaging
830950: 154CM Nylon Sheath, box packaging


So that's it. Don't let the Skeletool's small size and feature list deter you; The Skeletool is an extraordinary EDC tool!

So, the Skeletool is finally out. It was supposed to have been released November 2007. I've anxiously been awaiting the release (that keeps getting delayed), and finally got it a couple of days ago.

This may not be the most helpful review in the world, but since the tool is pretty minimal there isn't a whole lot to review. It's light (compared to other full-sized tools) but also seems to be very durable and well-made. It also feels comfortable to hold and has an ergonomic design.

The blade on it is quite nice and will replace my Leatherman C301 pocket-knife. It was a tad bit stiff at first, but after a couple of days it opens easily with 1 hand.

I really like the screwdriver bit storage in the handle. The way it works is, you always leave a bit that will be exposed and ready-to-use when the tool is opened (the philips is in when you first get it). The flat-blade bit is stored in the handle. Handy having the screwdriver readily available when you open it.

Overall I would recommend it if you're looking for a quality full-sized Leatherman tool that shaves off a few ounces over some of the heavier alternatives like the Wave. Very nice product!

I purchased the Skeletool as a replacement for a Leatherman Kick I gave to my stepson, thinking it would be an improvement; however when I received it from Amazon, it was not exactly as I imagined. First, it is a little smaller than I thought it would be, about 4/5ths the size of the Kick, with proportionately smaller pliers and knife blade. It is a little lighter, but not much, and with all the nooks and crannies I kept looking for more tools. One feature I miss from the Kick is the ability to use the screwdriver with the handles closed. In the Skeletool one must extend the handle with the carabiner end out to use the bits. And speaking of those bits, they are rectangular in cross section. This is fine for the flat bits, but the Phillips bits don't look like they would work as well as a regular hexagonal bit. It is the first Leatherman tool I've had that I thought was more about form than function. It certainly looks cool, but just doesn't seem to have the substance to back it up.

After using the tool a couple of times, I remain disappointed. the black coating on the screwdriver bits comes off during the first use, the handles have a lot of sharp edges, (I pinched the web of my hand while using the pliers). I have always liked leatherman products, but this one does not impress me.

This is a well designed tool. It's nice to have a "full size" tool that is as light and easy to carry as this. I have a Victorinox Swiss Tool that I love, but it is heavy and requires a sheath and belt (to mount sheath) to wear it comfortably. With the Skeletool, I can just clip it on a belt loop using the carabiner or use the detachable belt clip.

I don't know all of blade metal types, but the blade on the Skeletool is very sharp and appears to hold its edge well. It is nice that it can be opened one handed like a regular pocket knife as well.

The screwdriver bits are nice and the design allows for a solid, comfotable grip when using it as a screwdriver. The phillips style tips seem to narrow to work, but I have found that they do grip the screw head and work fine.

The bottle opener is great. Not only does it work well, but with the springed clip of the carabiner located where it is, it actually holds on to the bottle cap when you remove it.

One note of warning, and thus the 4 start review. It is very easy to pinch the underside of your fingers if not careful with the pliers. I write this review with a significant blood-blister after having the grip of the pliers slip while I was applying force and got pinched.

I love having a multi-tool that covers the basics as well as this one that I can carry around with me so easily.

This is a really nice tool. It's several ounces lighter than any other multi-tool with comparable features, and very well designed at that. My favorite feature (sadly) is the bottle opener. Every other multi tool I've seen has a small flat bottle opener, which is only used when absolutely necessary. The Skeletool has a very functional opener, and with it's overall slim profile, which hooks nicely inside my jean's pocket, it's the first thing I reach for when cracking open a cold one.

The outside knife is also very handy, and comes surprisingly sharp (have the cut thumb to prove it). I didn't find it overly tight at first, and after a few dozen openings it did make it more smooth. It also locks very nicely, and feels very solid once opened. There's no noticeable wobble unless excess force is applied side to side. The cut-out makes it very easy to flick open. The slight curve in the body makes for a very comfortable hold when the knife is extended, and feels very solid.

The universal bit screw driver works well when one side of the body is opened, however you cannot use it when the body is collapsed. I do wish they had found two places to stach extra bits instead of only one, which could have let them extend the recepticle for the driver bits and make the driver usable while the body is closed. Oh, well.

The pliers work well, no spring action, though maybe a little wide at the tip. This likely adds strength, so I'm not complaining, but a more needle like profile would be nice (I might try grinding down the tip a bit). TAKE NOTE: The plyer head is NOT stainless, and if get it wet with salt water it will rust QUICKLY. I accidentally took in into the ocean while fishing, and the next day it was difficult to open. The blade also became very difficult to flick open and for a couple days I had to use two hands to open the blade. This was solved however by a little gun oil and loosening the torq screws ever so slightly, then working the pivots back and forth repeatedly. Everything opens fine now, however there are still rust spots on the plyer head in the coarse ground areas. This was my stupidity however, and not the tools fault. Steel and salt water don't mix.

It would have gotten 5 stars except that I felt it lacked one useful feature; A file. I can see several places they could have incorporated a file, even if in the outer handle structure. Maybe even on the side of the blade. If it had a file, it would have gotten 5 stars.

SUMMARY:
A very good BASIC multi-tool. It doesn't have all the bells and whistles of larger tools, so if you want saws and scissors and a fold-out BBQ grill, go with something else. If you want a bare bones, light weight EDC tool that fits in your pocket (relatively comfortably) this is it. Highly Recommended.

Being part man, part monkeyboy, and part lizardbrain, I'm very susceptible to tool lust. If a tool is metal and/or shiney, bonus. If the tool can fit in a black case on my belt, bonus. If the tool in any way at all folds, big bonus! If the tool has a blade in it somewhere, bigger bonus. And if the tool has a sinister sounding name, SUPER BONUS!

Enter Leatherman's Skeletool. Let me say that slowly: skel - eh - tool! It's like a spooky old skeleton, but it's a tool! Nice, right? Plus it has all the naughty lusty features (see above) that immediately had me reaching for my wallet.

Trust me, it is even better in person. And after it was revealed at work, nobody with a Y-chromosome could resist playing with my skeletool. Every chimpy monkey lizard boy at the office took a turn opening it and clipping it on their belt and folding out the knife and playing with the locking mechanism. The cool kids figured out that the loop on one handle can also be a bottle opener. The uberbrainiacs noticed the extra screwdriver bit cleverly concealed in the handle, too. Every male loved it. Every male wanted one. (I should have sold it at a substantial profit while the lust was upon them!)

Two features I didn't mention: it is very very light but very very rugged. Not the least bit flimsy even considering its lack of heft.

Two features I didn't like: the price is a smidgen steep ($80+ with the case) and the removable bit is so thin it is hard to grip/extract sometimes.

All in all, a most manly investment. Slightly expensive however pleasing to wield and a pleasure to taunt the other chimps with!

Leatherman Tool Group owes its great name to its founder, Tim Leatherman. In 1983, Tim Leatherman invented the multi-tool and began selling it himself when knife and tool companies lacked the vision to buy his invention. The rest, as they say, is history.

The Leatherman Skeletool is one of several full-size tools that Leatherman currently manufactures, with more than 60% of the manufacturing work done right from their Portland, Oregon facility. Leatherman's website recommends the Skeletool for biking, boating, and fishing, but they may want to add that it's also great for techies.

PROS
- Great build quality
- Just the right amount of tools
- Awesome bit driver
- Easy to operate knife, one-handed
- Looks great
- Just 5 ounces
- Incredible 25 year warranty

CONS:
- None

I bought my first Leatherman, the Super Tool, way back in 1995, when Eddie Bauer used to sell them in their stores. For years, it was the only tool I owned or wanted and is still my favorite tool by far. I'm fortunate enough to have added a second Leatherman to my collection and now have two favorite tools--my trusty old Super Tool and the new Skeletool.

BUILD QUALITY
The Skeletool's build quality is indisputably Leatherman-grade. The Skeletool exudes quality and durability. Every piece of the Skeletool lines up perfectly and operates smoothly. If it's anything like my Super Tool, it's going to take a lot to break the Skeletool and it should last a very long time.

TOOLS
All told, there are seven tools on the Skeletool:

1. Needlenose pliers
2. Regular pliers
3. Combo straight/serrated knife
4. Wire cutters
5. Hard-wire cutters
6. Bit driver
7. Carabiner/bottle opener

Whew! I'm going to be honest with you here and tell you that I am *not* an outdoorsman. I had no fantasies of cutting fishing line or repairing a boat engine with the Skeletool. As a techie, I tend to tinker with computer components, wires, and cables. Also, as a product reviewer and an avid Internet shopper, I open a lot of packages. The Skeletool is very handy for most of my day-to-day needs. I just clip it onto a belt loop on my pants and go about my day. On just the second day of having the Skeletool, I was at a friend's house and needed a bottle opener for a beer bottle. On any other day, I would have been asking someone if they had a bottle opener, but on this day, I had my Skeletool. Oh, but the Skeletool is so much more than just a fancy bottle opener.

The interchangeable bit driver was of particular interest to me since I work with devices that use different types of screws and in different sizes. The Leatherman bits have little notches on the sides that lock into place, keeping them securely attached to the Skeletool. To remove the bits, you simply press on the release mechanism. Incredibly, Leatherman also found a way to include storage on the Skeletool for a spare bit. Keep in mind that these are flat bits, not your typical hex bits. For light to medium-duty tasks, I expect the flat bits to hold up just fine.

The knife is made out of 420HC (high carbon) stainless steel. 420HC is strong, resists corrosion, and stays sharp. The knife is serrated on the inner half of the blade while the outer half is straight. It's pretty easy to open and close the blade one-handed. You can use the knife, as well as the bottle opener, without having to unfold the Skeletool--very convenient!

The pliers and wire cutters are very easy to use and the curve of the lower handle makes it more ergonomic than if it were just straight. The Skeletool cut through a CAT5e patch cable well, but wasn't sharp enough to cut the pull down string. For that, I just used the knife.

ACCESSORIES
The Skeletool by itself, is a very versatile tool. However, combining it with a few accessories, takes the Skeletool even further.

Though a Leatherman sheath isn't included with the Skeletool, it is available for purchase separately. I originally considered the omission of a sheath as a con, but the more I use the Skeletool, the more I realize that I probably wouldn't use a sheath very often anyways. Using the carabiner clip is quick and easy and for carrying in a pocket or bag, the pocket clip works well.

The Leatherman Bit Kit is a must if you plan to use the drivers extensively, like I do. It comes with 21 double-sided steel bits and can also be used on many of Leatherman's other tools.

The Leatherman Bit Driver Extender is also a must for me. It allows you to extend the driver by 3.25 inches. You can even use regular hex bits with it, in addition to the Leatherman flat bits.

SKELETOOL CX
If you've already decided to get the Skeletool, you might be wondering what the differences are between the standard Skeletool, and the Skeletool CX. There are two main differences--the knife blade and black DLC coating.

The knife blade on the CX is made out of 154CM, which is a premium stainless steel. It is stronger than 420HC stainless steel, resists corrosion better, and holds an edge longer. The CX knife blade is also straight, while the standard Skeletool's blade is a combo serrated/straight blade. The black DLC coating on the CX helps resist scratches and corrosion. So, for about a $20 difference in retail price, you get a better knife blade, added durability, and a cool black color.

WARRANTY
Leatherman warranties the Skeletool, and all of their other tools, for 25 years. How many products do you own that have a 25 year warranty? I'm willingly to bet, not many. As I mentioned previously, I've had my Leatherman Super Tool for 16 years and the only thing that ever went wrong with it is that the wire cutters became damaged. I'm not sure how or when it happened, but I recently sent it to Leatherman for repair. I'll try to update the warranty process and my experience as soon as the repair has been completed.

SUMMARY
The Leatherman Skeletool's value, performance, and versatility is unmatched by any other tool on the market. The easy one-handed knife operation, kick-ass driver bits and the clever carabiner/bottle opener, all work together to provide yet another example of Leatherman's intelligent designs and precision workmanship. I can't recommend the Skeletool highly enough.

I love my skeletool. I recently moved and was so happy to have it for all the little things I was going to need to do like cut open boxes, fix broken things, unscrew doors and whatnot, and cutting and crimping wire to set up the home theatre. It's lighter than it looks, and I like to keep mine in my back pocket, wallet on the left, skeletool on the right clipped to the inside, and I really don't even notice it when I sit down which surprised me.

It's sturdier and stronger than it looks as well, and is ergonomically designed to fit in your hands better than the typical multi-tool. The knife can be pulled out one handed, and I love not having to use my fingernails to get the screwdriver out. Plus, the bottle opener (the carabiner clip holds onto the caps when they come off, a nice touch) came in handy after the moving was done (:

I had been waiting to get ahold of this tool for a long time, and it exceeded my high expectations. It innovates little things that have yet to be seen in Leatherman products so far that I know of, like how when you open it it "clicks" into place, the ergonomic "hull" for a better grip, how some tools are immediately accessible without having to dig around for them, and onboard storage of extra screwdriver bits.

I think it's perfect for people who want a multitool but don't actually need the 50 other things built into it most of the time. I also have a Leatherman Wave, but in the last two months I have yet to use it thanks to the utility and versitility of the skeletool.

The Skeletool is a niche product; it fits neatly in the gap between a pocket knife and a full-featured multitool. And, in my view, it fills that gap perfectly.

I used to carry a Wave, which I liked a lot. However, the reality is that I didn't use most of the tools on it. The ones I relied on about 90% of the time were the knife blade, the pliers/wire-cutter, and a couple of the screwdrivers.

Those are the things that the Skeletool has, in a stylish package that weighs about half of what a Wave does.

And it is stylish. In contrast to the boxy Wave, the Skeletool has a swoopy, ultra-modern, almost Transformer look to it. You expect it to unfold itself and go cut some wire... Seriously, the swoopiness has a purpose: The curves of the tool fit your hand perfectly. I find it much easier to keep a grip on and to control than the smooth-sided, box-shaped Wave.

Like all Leatherman tools, the Skeletool looks like it was made by a fine jewelery artist from bullet-proof materials. The fit and finish is impeccable.

The Skeletool certainly isn't cheap, but I think it's worth its price. I'm very happy I bought it, and I'd happily do it again.