Leatherman Skeletool CX

pkdmslf

pkdmslf

Joined
Jun 16, 2006
Messages
1,411
Well, I'm guessing that the Skeletool CX's are now available. I wanted the model with the CF handles and the CE knife blade. Found a few sellers on an auction site that said they actually have them on hand. Hopefully I'll have it within a week or so. Can't wait.
 
Can't wait.
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Me too. I ordered mine from KnifeCenter.com this morning where they were flagged as in stock. I guess the CX is slightly lighter in weight than the all steel version. I wish it could be had with a non-serrated blade but I'll have to live with it.
 
pkdmslf said:
Well, I'm guessing that the Skeletool CX's are now available...
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Scheels has them in stock locally.

condahaw said:
...I guess the CX is slightly lighter in weight than the all steel version. I wish it could be had with a non-serrated blade but I'll have to live with it.
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According to the Leatherman website both the standard and CX version weigh 142g (5oz). I haven't weighed them though.

I also would have preferred a 154CM plain edge blade.

skeletoolcx-1.jpg


skeletoolcx-2.jpg
 
By the way, the carbon fiber is a single piece on one of the handles.
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Not much to the carbon fiber then. I wonder why they bothered? They could have just coated the steel piece it replaced. At least the blade steel is a bit better...
 
The carbon fiber gives one of the handles a slightly cushioned grip but I think it's mostly for appearance.

I don't find the Skeletool pliers particular comfortable to grip since the handles are so narrow. The wider handle of the Charge is much more comfortable in my opinion. Also the Skeletool's carabiner forms an abrupt curve on the handle which squishes my fingers together unless I only hold the handle by two fingers.
 
Good stuff to hear, guys. Thanks. I've been interested in the Skeletool CX for some time now. So overall, what do you think, supratentorial? Is it worth getting one? Sounds like it has some minor design flaws regarding the actual handling of the tool.

I too think the carbon fiber is just so they can say "carbon fiber" in the description of the multi-tool, personally. I think it's mostly for cool factor.
 
tka1,

I really like the concept of a compact multi-tool with only pliers, a one-hand opening blade, and a bit driver. And the Skeletool doesn't currently have any competition so if you want these features its your only choice.

If you want a compact multi-tool and you are willing to give up the one-hand opening blade and pocket clip, I strongly recommend looking at the Juice series (or even the PST and PST II). The Juice K4, for example, weighs only 1/2 oz more than the Skeletool and it has additional implements (including a diamond file) and a more comfortable grip for the pliers and other tools (atleast in my opinion).

Even if you intend to buy online, I'd recommend going to a local store and handling the display model before purchasing it. Although I appreciate that some people will really like the Skeletool, the design doesn't work well for me. Here are some gripes that I mentioned in another topic:

"After 24 hours with the Skeletool my opinion hasn't changed much. I have similar gripes to those that have been mentioned by others but I have a slightly more negative opinion about the Skeletool because of them. I don't find it particularly comfortable to use the bit driver with the handles fully open or with the handles at 90 degrees. I won't use the carabiner since I'd prefer to have it clipped to my pocket than dangling around. And the curved end of the carabiner isn't a particularly good grip for the pliers. Neither is the bit driver which forms the end of the other handle."

I do like the shape of the Skeletool's blade much more than the long slender blade on the Charge. But like others, I also wish the plain edge was available in 154CM.

The Skeletool is a nice size for pocket carry but it lacks the range of tools present in other multi-tools such as the Charge or even the PSTII. I do like the idea of a slimmed down Leatherman Charge but I don't like several aspects of the Skeletool's design. I'd like to see Leatherman release a Skeletool 2.0 with a folding bit driver and no carabiner."
 
Here's a satellite photo ;) of the carbon fiber scale on the Skeletool CX.

skeletools.jpg


There's still a metal edge but the carbon fiber does form part of the grip.
 
supratentorial,

Thanks a ton for the information and pictures! That was very helpful. I will take your suggestion and see if I can handle one in the store to see how it works for me. I do have a Leatherman Wave already, and I love that thing. It's a bit heavy, however, and thus I became interested in the Skeletool concept. (I'd be using it mostly outdoors on hikes and such.) I was especially attracted to Leatherman's use of 154CM but like you and so many others wish they offered a plain blade as well for the CX. It's nice to see them step it up and offer some different steel than the past, however. Thanks again for your help!
 
I want the Skeletool because it "doesn't" have all the extra tools that I "normally" don't use. I find that generally, a partially serrated knife blade (with a decent blade steel", pliers and wire cutters and phillips/flat blade screwdriver generally will handle what I need. The carbon fiber...yes, the cool factor. I have the Ti Charge, Wave, SOG, Tough Tool, etc., etc., I want to go minimalist now.;)
 
I'm really tempted to pick up a skeletool now. I love my ByrdRench, but I made the mistake of loaning it to my dad which means that it might be 10 years or better before I see it again:rolleyes: Also, I see that the Renches have gone up almost 20 bucks in price!:eek:

My needs are few, knife blade that I can get to without a lot of fuss, driver for the little things that crop up, some kind of pliers, and a bottle opener since I don't buy anything with twist offs.

I do have a question for you CX owners. I know that the blade is a combo edge, but does it have a full chisel grind or just on the serrated side? What I am trying to find out is if the plain part of the edge has a bevel on BOTH sides or just one side. I have convinced myself that I can deal with a combo edge for the better steel. However, I CANNOT abide a chisel grind on the plain part of the edge. I hate those, and for 80 bucks I don't want to have to reprofile the edge. I'll just get the standard version if that is the case;):thumbup:
 
Jake,

You're in luck...The plain part of the blade has a double bevel, not a chisel grind. The serrated edge is single-sided.

Did the ByrdRench go up in price?! :( I was thinking of giving one as a gift.

--Jake
 
I want one in the worst way . I dont think Ill be disapointed , I intend it as an offduty , or weekend multitool .
 
supratentorial said:
Jake,

You're in luck...The plain part of the blade has a double bevel, not a chisel grind. The serrated edge is single-sided.

Did the ByrdRench go up in price?! :( I was thinking of giving one as a gift.

--Jake
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Thanks for the info:) I think I'll snag on the next time I get the itch. As far as the ByrdRench goes, yeah:( At least the pricing went up at Newgraham.com. I generally buy more everything from them. The wife got my ByrdRench for around $68 bucks in December. It now goes for $83.05 and the SpydeRench is up over 100, another 20 dollar jump.

The Byrd is a great tool, but it was the pricepoint that steered me toward it over some of the other tools. I know it is very well made and nowhere near what you typically find from something made in China, but $83 for any tool that doesn't have premium blade steel and maybe some titanium or carbon fiber whiz-bang on it is tough to swallow as a consumer.
 
My Skeletool CX will be here tomorrow. My thought in making this purchase was this....less is more. I carry around a bunch of knives and tools that do basically the same thing. I don't need a file, I don't need tweezers, I don't need half of the stuff in a multi-tool that they pack into them. It makes it difficult to get the items out when you need them and I have to search for itwhen I do. With the Skeletool I know what I have and I can get to each tool easily. The carabiner is something I will have to experiment with. If I don't like it I'll remove it and mod it.
 
Received my Skeletool CX yesterday. A bit smaller than I expected but very happy with it. Very minimalist and has what tools that I would actually use. Nice design, feels good my large hands as well. Well done Leatherman!:thumbup:
 
Mine arrived today. Very well done! I'm not sure what the Carbon Fiber 'scale' does for it but otherwise it's a nice unit. The bottle opener is very functional and has assisted me in opening a couple Hefe Weissbier already this afternoon.
 
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