Ok, just a few thoughts to add to this.... The Zillatool's bit's are larger (length) than a standard bit, when you put a normal one in the holder it sits much lower than I would like. The Zilla is quipped with a
bottle opener and it works pretty good I might say. The Zilla is a beast, sometimes almost too big, yet the Zilla Jr. is a little on the smaller side. The Skeletool still remains a top EDC for me (I also rotate in the sideclip and Kick....a Spydewrench in the near future), I love lightweight tools and like to compare then against each other.
Don't mean to steal your thread buddy but this stuff is worth a read for Skeletool fans and light weight EDC guys, I have a review of my Zillatool
here and you can also read my EDC comparison between the Zilla Jr, Skeletool and Kick if you want to do some reading.......
As many of you know from reading my Editorial here and the forums, due to my job I am always in the pursuit of the perfect lightweight EDC. There are few tools that come close to what I am looking for. I can be such a stickler about the weight and it is a major factor for me. Anything over 7 oz. or so at work is too much and when I am not using the tool it feels like too much to carry. Ever since being introduced to the Leatherman Skeletool I thought I had found it, the perfect lightweight tool. What are my criteria for a tool that needs to a minimalist on weight and ease of convenience? Well first off, the tool needs to have a pocket clip, has to have a decent knife blade because it replaces the need to carry a dedicated blade and last it has to have pliers that are small but not too shabby when I need to put them to work for odds and ends. Since the Skeletool I have been toying around with two other tools and have decided to see which one comes out on top. The Leatherman Kick (with pocket clip) and the CRKT Zilla Jr. are serious contenders against the Skeletool. I have been carrying and rotating them around for weeks now to see if one would kick (no pun intended) the Skeletool out of its home, here is how the tools did against one another.
First up in this corner; weighing in at 5.7 oz. is the Leatherman Kick . This tool I purchased on a whim because it was a lot like the Leatherman Sideclip I use to own but slightly more robust. The Sideclip will always have a spot in my heart and I may need to hunt one down one of these days to fill the void. The Kick is a traditional style Leatherman where the tools are accessed from the inside of the tool and you have to butterfly the tool to get to the implements and use the pliers. The pliers themselves were more than up to the task of being an EDC; they are pretty close to those found on the Wave and can handle anything I throw at them. The screwdrivers are Leatherman fashion, sharp and can bite decent into most Phillips and regular screw types that I come into contact with. The knife blade is thin and cuts like a razor blade; the downside to this is that it’s not accessible on outside of the tool. Other than that the tool performs great, I have put together furniture out of boxes that needed to be assembled with no problem what so ever and the pliers came in handy when cutting bailing wire when the time arose. The Kick excelled at all the chores I put it to but two things kept bugging me; the knife takes time to get to and the pocket clip is not positioned right on the tool. With most tools that have a clip, the clip is closest to the seam of your pocket. When a tool rides in your pocket it has a tendency to ride to the edge of the seam, with most tools this works great. The Kicks clip is on the opposite side of where it should be located and tends to ride weird in my pocket. If I am wearing jeans it sits nice because the pocket is horizontal for the most part. In dress pants though your pockets run diagonal and stuff has a tendency to slide more to the corner. Because the clip is on the opposite side the clip runs to the corner and causes the tool to twist slightly. So it’s good but it doesn’t steal the spotlight, is there any hope?
In the other corner, weighing in at an incredibly low 3.8 oz. is the CRKT Zilla Jr . The Zilla Jr. is very different than the Skeletool or the Kick. The Zilla Jr. Features fixed pliers are similar to that of the Wenger Swissgrip . Because of this fixed nature the tool does not fold up in any way. This was an issue with the larger Zilla because the tool was so long it would bottom out in some folk’s pockets. This model is greatly reduced size-wise but still maintains the functionality of the full size tool. I found the Zilla Jr. to be great in many aspects, the knife cut very well although launching it took some practice. The Zilla Jr.’s knife blade is launched via a flipped on the end of the handle. With most knives you open them by means of a thumb stud or opening hole in the blade. The flipper works well if there is a lot of mass or weight to the blade, the blade and tool is so small that flicking motion needs to be used when deploying the knife blade. The pliers can handle most light duty jobs but because of their small nature you’re somewhat limited to what you can use them on. You probably could push them and make them do work they are not designed for but I don’t know if I would do that. If they were the only pair I had I would certainly try it. One of the most important things I need is good drivers. I use drivers as much as I use my knife blade on a tool. The Zilla Jr.’s drivers are very small; they are miniature versions of those found on its big brother. Because they are smaller you don’t have as much surface area with the screwdriver to torque down real good on screws, they have a tendency to slip out. The Phillips especially is very thin and limits itself to more #1 Phillips than it does for the #2 size. Lastly the bits even though they fit snugly along the handle are so small I am afraid of losing them, no it hasn't happened yet but the fear is there. Maybe when I can get the new Get-A-Way Driver from CRKT it will help alleviate some of my fears. So the CRKT Zilla Jr. is indeed a lightweight and if you intend on using it for very light work then you have nothing to worry about. Two down and one to go, guess that only leaves the reigning champion.
On the EDC throne sits the long time running champion; the Leatherman Skeletool. The Skeletool was put into rotation just like the other tools and was not favored in anyway I promise you. The Skeletool shined like it always had and put its rivals out to pasture. The Skeletool because of its design is not only lightweight but very comfortable and easy to use. The clip is very thin (width) compared to traditional style clips but is rather robust in the steel the used and it helps compensates for its thin style. The pliers are not nearly as robust as those found on the Kick but are much stronger than those found on the Zilla Jr. You have to know where the limits are and indeed I have pushed the Skeletool pretty far beyond normal use. It’s one of the reasons I carry a second tool in my lunchbox, you never know when you might need a bigger tool. The Knife blade is one hand opening like on most modern knives, its stiff still after all these months but it’s easier than those found on the other two tools. Lastly are the drivers; on most of the newer line of Leatherman tools they have incorporated a hex style system. Rather than having dedicated drivers, you can change these out to any one that you want for the job your doing. The down side is you cannot use standard quarter inch bits; you need to order a proprietary size that is made only by Leatherman. Their bit kit which covers most of what you need can be had for around twenty dollars or so, it’s a good investment if you EDC a newer Leatherman. The bits are made of S2 tool steel; they are very hard and sharp. I have not had any issues with slipping and the bits perform beautifully. This tool really continues to shine in its versatility.
I may have been long winded and I apologize, I felt it was necessary to properly convey the differences whether they are pros on cons on these tools and how they faired. In the end; after a lot of hard work on all of their parts (literally), the Skeletool still remains king and gets to stay seated or rather pocketed where it belongs. The Skeletool really is a fantastically designed tool and has remained a favorite. The tool earns a right to stay because of the hard work it delivers, never complains or says “uncle”. The other two tools are great EDC’s in their own right and should be looked upon when looking for a lightweight pocket tool. Decide what is right for you, but me I am sticking with what works.
