Leatherman Skeletool CX

Schmecky said:
supratentorial said:
only pliers, a one-hand opening blade, and a bit driver.
Click to expand...
what about the zilla from columbi river?
Click to expand...

Grant is that you?

The quote left out: "a compact multi-tool with..."

The Zilla-Tools do have some of those features but they don't fold and aren't really compact. The Zilla-Tool is 6.5". The Zilla-Tool Jr. is smaller than the regular Zilla-Tool but it's still 1.25" longer than the Skeletool.

The Skeletool is 4" folded. The Zilla-Tool Jr. is 5.25". The Zilla-Tool Jr. is 1.2 oz. lighter than the Skeletool but at 5.25" long, it's not really compact.
 
OK, thanks to Mary Beth's excellent follow up customer service over at New Graham, I have decided to take the plunge on a CX. This will be my first "upgraded" Leatherman tool. I have a Surge, but you're paying for mass with that bad boy, not the nicer steel/components.

I'm pretty stoked. I was on the fence about this one, but man it's gotta be karma or something for one to basically fall into my lap.:D
 
Steely_Gunz said:
OK, thanks to Mary Beth's excellent follow up customer service over at New Graham, I have decided to take the plunge on a CX. This will be my first "upgraded" Leatherman tool. I have a Surge, but you're paying for mass with that bad boy, not the nicer steel/components.

I'm pretty stoked. I was on the fence about this one, but man it's gotta be karma or something for one to basically fall into my lap.:D
Click to expand...

Cool! I'll be interested in hearing your opinion on it. I've been traveling a lot recently but I've gotten a chance to compare the Skeletool CX and the Zilla-Tool Jr. I think the quality of construction of the Skeletool is better than the Zilla-Tool Jr but the Zilla-Tool Jr is growing on me.

Although the Zilla-Tool Jr is 5 1/4" long and it doesn't fold up, it is rather thin and I don't find it too large for pocket carry (unlike the larger Zilla-Tool).

skeletool_zilla.jpg


The Zilla-Tool Jr pliers are small even compared to the Skeletool pliers. On the plus side, I find the Zilla-Tool Jr to be more ergonomic. The handles curve inward rather than outward which I find much more comfortable for gripping the pliers and drivers.

skeletool_zilla-2.jpg


The drivers are quite small though.

skeletool_zilla-3.jpg


I would have much preferred the same size drivers as those on the regular size Zilla-Tool. According to the CRKT website, an adapter will allow the Zilla-Tool Jr to be used with standard hex bits.

Edit:
I just noticed that the description of the CRKT Get-A-Way driver says that the adapter can be used with Zilla-Tool Jr.
 
OK the UPS guy just dropped off my CX from New Graham's. I have to say, as far as LM goes, this the highest fit and finish I have seen on any of their tools for some time.

Now, that is not to say that it is perfect. There is grind "oopsie" on the thumb hole. Some people got a bur there, I got a bit of a wallowed out spot. No big deal, really. Also the grinds on the primary blade are different. It might be that they had to grind it that way so that the blade could have both a plain edge as well as a serrated edge. No big deal there, either. I free hand sharpen, so i'll just angle the stone a bit more of less.

That brings me to the blade. This is my first 154cm blade on any knife that I can think of. When I opened up the CX, the blade action was pretty smooth with comparable lock-up. Really about on par of with any of the bronze washer blades that they have. The one thing that scares me is that the liner walks WAY over to the other side of the blade. Granted, this should never be a problem since one of the round "washers" keeps it from over extending if it ever tried, and that the lock up on a tool of this size is really not that big of an issue. Plus, it can always be sent back to LM if needed. The edge of knife was a little on the not so sharp side. However, most LM tools don't come with a finely honed edge. The serrated part was plenty sharp, but the plain edge was lack luster.

I have heard that 154cm is a bit tougher of a steel to sharpen than 420 HC, but really after only 5 or 10 minutes with an arkansas stone and a loaded strop the blade sharpness really popped out and would shave hair pretty easily. One thing that I do like about the knife blade is that although it is small, the edge is pretty thick. Sure, you're not going to cut circles around a thin edged SAK, but it will more than stand up to more heavy duty cutting jobs with its beefy obtuse edge.

If I had to describe this tool in one word? Tight. This is the first LM tool that I have come across in a good long while that has zero rattle to it. To me, rattle is not a big deal. Doesn't bother me in the least, though to some it does. One thing is for sure, you aren't going to butterfly this tool open. The handles are held closed with a couple sets of back springs. With time, I'm sure it will loosen up, but it is still going to have to be opened against your leg if you want to get to the pliers and driver with one hand.

For me, the tightness is kinda nice. I like that it won't open in my pocket. Also, I really plan on treating this like a pocket knife/bottle opener first and a "tool" second. I mean, if I wanted to pack a TOOL, then I would just grab another LM or SOG.

My final comment is on the new bit driver. MUCH improvement has been done to this design. Finally, a press lock holds the bit in place and not just a goofy exposed spring. It feels like you could do a lot of work for the size of the tool.

All and all, for the price and customer service that I received from NG, I am very happy with my CX purchase. I think it fills the nice niche of multi-tool for a multi-tool guy...when can't carry a "multi-tool". This tool would make a great casual/dress tool that would disappear in the pocket, but be ready at a moment's notice should the need arise.
 
Steely_Gunz said:
...Also the grinds on the primary blade are different. It might be that they had to grind it that way so that the blade could have both a plain edge as well as a serrated edge. No big deal there, either. I free hand sharpen, so i'll just angle the stone a bit more of less...
Click to expand...

The grinds on my Skeletool are actually off more than the grinds on my Skeletool CX. Maybe it's a manufacturing thing.

skeletool_grinds.jpg


Steely_Gunz said:
...The one thing that scares me is that the liner walks WAY over to the other side of the blade...
Click to expand...

The liner lock walks pretty far on both my Skeletool and Skeletool CX. But I've noticed the same thing on my Wave and Charge. For some reason my camouflage Charge XTi seems to have a slightly better fit and finish than the others and its liner lock hits dead center.

skeletool_locks.jpg


Steely_Gunz said:
...Also, I really plan on treating this like a pocket knife/bottle opener first and a "tool" second. I mean, if I wanted to pack a TOOL, then I would just grab another LM or SOG...
Click to expand...

That's a really good point. Leatherman does list the Skeletool under the category "full size" on their webpage but it's really not equivalent to other full size multi-tools. In my opinion, it's mostly a knife/carabiner that also has the capability to be used as a makeshift screwdriver and light duty pliers. I agree that it fits well into the category "multi-tool for a multi-tool guy...when can't carry a 'multi-tool'". Some people might be satisfied with the Skeletool as their only multi-tool but I would be more confident to recommend it as a "Sunday knife".
 
Hi all! Dumb question: which L-man tool bit do I use to unscrew the Skeletool's removable pocket clip? I've just gone through all the bits in the Bit Kit, but can't find one to do the job. Any ideas?
 
SteveK said:
Hi all! Dumb question: which L-man tool bit do I use to unscrew the Skeletool's removable pocket clip? I've just gone through all the bits in the Bit Kit, but can't find one to do the job. Any ideas?
Click to expand...

I just checked by trial and error. A Torx #8 will work but it's not included in Leatherman's bit kit. It's sort of funny that removing the clip requires a tool that's manufactured by another company. :D Maybe Leatherman will add a Torx #8 to the kit sometime in the future.
 
Put mine thru a good bushcraft workout, and it performed well. It's now a regular in the EDC and hiking/camping rotation:

SANY0010-2.jpg
 
I was just thinking about revisiting this thread:)

After about a month of EDC, I'm still feeling pretty positive about the Skeletool CX. The pliers have worked wonderfully, the driver has come in handy several times, and the bottle opener was a smash hit my mother-in-law's birthday party (lots of non-twist off beer brought to a house that only buys twist off=no bottle opener to be found!:eek:)

The only downside that I can see is exactly what I was anticipating...the combo edge. Serrations, how I loath thee when not implemented on a specialized tool and across the entire edge. I have cut a lot of stuff, and the serrated part is still plenty sharp. However, I'm getting little chips and rolls in the scalloped out parts of the blade. As an OCD sharpener/stropper these irk me to no end. I really wanted to keep this tool as more of an EDC knife with bonus features, but I can't walk around knowing that my EDC isn't honed to perfection...it's a sickness;)

I've decided to just strop the blade on a loaded strop to keep it sharp. The plain edge part will shave just fine and the scalloped serrated part will just be forgotten. I'll keep the teeth points sharp enough to cut/shave at the cost of wearing down their pointieness to some degree.

All and all, I could get by day to day most easily with the Skeletool. I really like it for what it is. If LM releases a plain edged CX in the future, I will most certainly buy it. I will also be keeping and eye out for the up coming Free Style. A scaled down version of the CX with plain 420HC blade (which I honestly like better than the harder 154CM) would be a welcome rotation as a work knife.

For now, I feel a tad under knifed (more so that when I pack just a Fuse or Surge) since the blade is not to my liking. I'm currently packing the CX every day (to damned useful not to) in my right pocket, but the left pocket is sporting the rotation of a Kershaw Shallot or Benchmade Monochrome for the day to day cutting needs. The knife/tool pair works great, but if the CX JUST HAD A PLAIN BLADE, I wouldn't need the second knife;)
 
"As an OCD sharpener/stropper these irk me to no end."

Steely, that's too funny :). Now you have a valid reason for a new OCD - "mandatory EDC blade redundancy".

Brian
 
I have carried my standard Skeletool for 2 weeks now and I really like it. I would like to see a premium version with an S30V plain edge blade and titanium handles. I would definitely buy at least one.
 
The one thing that is getting on my nerves is the lack of replacement Skeletool clips on Leatherman's site. :thumbdn:

I bent my clip and they told me I had to send it in for repair. Not gonna' happen. I haven't been without it since I got it. I'll wait until they have them available, if they become available.
 
I've had my Skeletool CX for about a month now as well, i'm loving it :D

All the tools function very well and the thing is so damn lightweight (and good looking). The PS blade in 154cm is very good. I'm a fan of 154cm (holds a good edge and easy to sharpen). The serrations are easy enough to sharpen in a Spydie Sharpemaker and are very sharpe.

It has earned a spot on my hip as an EDC.
 
I bought a CX today. I mostly like it, except for one issue: it's very difficult to open the blade. Now, as a lefty I am at a disadvantage here to begin with, but even when using two hands it is not smooth at all. From reading this thread so far, it seems that that is not normal?

Loosening the pivot, even to the point where the blade 'rattles' in the open position, does not seem to help. What seems to be going on is that the liner lock pushes the blade against the piece of carbon steel. In fact, loosening the pivot makes it worse, because then the liner lock actually pushes the blade *beyond* the outside of the knife, so that the blade cannot be closed without pushing very hard against it.

Anybody else have this problem? There doesn't seem to be a way to loosen the tightness of the liner lock. Hopefully it will become less of an issue with time.. Or maybe, if this affects only my particular knife, I should take it back to the shop and exchange it.
 
While the knife blade is a bit stiff to open (sort of going along with the entire tight feel of the tool), you shouldn't have THAT much of an issue. It looks like you might need to send your CX to LM for warranty repair.
 
How does the Skeletool compare to the Squirt in size and toughness?
 
Last edited:
Sharp Eye said:
How does the Skeletool compare to the Squirt in size and toughness?
Click to expand...

It's gigantic compared to the Squirt line. I would place the Skeletool between a Juice and a PST-type of tool. The pliers seem to be a bit more robust than the Juice, but more squared off and not quite as substantial as the fuse/kick/blast type of plier.

With the clip/bottle opener, the Skeletool is about the same size as the Fuse folded up (about 4 inches). It's a tad lighter but quite a bit thinner (much better for pocket carry).

I know my last review post sounded a little harsh, but it really is a fantastic tool. I have used it pretty much for every at work (cutting, clipping wire, turning screws with various bits) and it has performed these tasks beautifully. I am quite happy with the tool as a whole even with my compulsive dislike to partial serrations.
 
Hi,

Bob (juliesews) suggested breaking the edge of the hole in the knife blade with a dremel tool where the raised area of the liner lock hits it. Did this on my Skeletool and it worked a charm. Look for the drag marks on the back of the blade and take less rather than more at one grind.

Thanks Bob.

Best - Joe
 
I'll take it back to the shop as soon as I have a chance, and compare it to another one. If they all have the same problem, I might try the dremel tip.

Thanks,

Martin
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top