Leatherman Skeletool CX

To me, the Skeletool CX stands as the closest thing on the market to the platonic ideal for a minimalist pliers-based multitool. It has a basic multitool toolset—screwdriver, pliers, wire cutters, and knife—but it is executed in a way that elevates the Skeletool CX above its peers.The screwdriver takes the form of Leatherman's proprietary bit exchanger and out of the box, the Skeletool CX comes with two double-ended flat bits (#1 and #2 Phillips, and 1/4" and 3/16" slotted). The bit exchanger platform potentially increases the Skeletool's versatility as a bit driver when paired with the aftermarket Leatherman Bit Kit (and that increases further with the addition of a Leatherman ratcheting bit extension).The pliers feature excellent jaw alignment and ... MoreTo me, the Skeletool CX stands as the closest thing on the market to the platonic ideal for a minimalist pliers-based multitool. It has a basic multitool toolset—screwdriver, pliers, wire cutters, and knife—but it is executed in a way that elevates the Skeletool CX above its peers.The screwdriver takes the form of Leatherman's proprietary bit exchanger and out of the box, the Skeletool CX comes with two double-ended flat bits (#1 and #2 Phillips, and 1/4" and 3/16" slotted). The bit exchanger platform potentially increases the Skeletool's versatility as a bit driver when paired with the aftermarket Leatherman Bit Kit (and that increases further with the addition of a Leatherman ratcheting bit extension).The pliers feature excellent jaw alignment and apposition, although it is important to keep in mind that the Skeletool CX's pliers are best suited for light- and medium-duty tasks due to the weight-reducing cutouts in the jaws and relatively small pivot. It is no substitute for a Leatherman Surge or Super Tool 300 (or even a Wave+/Charge+) in terms of its pliers and wirecutting capabilities, and forcing it to do things it isn't really designed for such as cutting 3mm piano wire or stranded wire rope can permanently misalign its jaws.But what really sets the Skeletool CX apart is its knife. Most multitools in its price range are equipped with knives in a basic stainless steel like 420HC or even 5Cr15 or 3Cr13: okay for occasional cutting tasks, but their wear resistance won't really hold up to extended cutting. By contrast, the Skeletool CX comes with a reasonably thinly-ground blade in 154CM, a stainless steel with a chemistry that bestows it with significantly better edge retention. In fact, the combination of the Skeletool CX's light weight (for a multitool), excellent ergonomics, and excellent blade steel make it a reasonable replacement for a dedicated, premium folding knife.

EDC to end all EDC

TLDR: this is an incredible multitool and probably the best Leatherman I've ever owned. If you're on the fence, get it.My first Leatherman, at age 10, was a Juice S2. Since then, I've owned a Micra, a Style CS, a Free T2, a Free T4, a Wingman, and now the Skeletool. The Juice died a sad death, and after buying the Skeletool I gave everything else away, keeping only the Wingman as a beater.The thing that really sets the Skeletool CX apart is the blade. Every other Leatherman I owned had a standard 420HC blade. The 154CM blade is far and away better than anything I've ever owned and holds an edge much better than the 420HC.Other things:- The pliers aren't needle nose and aren't spring loaded. This takes getting used to, but the wire cutters are much better and ... MoreTLDR: this is an incredible multitool and probably the best Leatherman I've ever owned. If you're on the fence, get it.My first Leatherman, at age 10, was a Juice S2. Since then, I've owned a Micra, a Style CS, a Free T2, a Free T4, a Wingman, and now the Skeletool. The Juice died a sad death, and after buying the Skeletool I gave everything else away, keeping only the Wingman as a beater.The thing that really sets the Skeletool CX apart is the blade. Every other Leatherman I owned had a standard 420HC blade. The 154CM blade is far and away better than anything I've ever owned and holds an edge much better than the 420HC.Other things:- The pliers aren't needle nose and aren't spring loaded. This takes getting used to, but the wire cutters are much better and the joint mechanism is very strong.- The coating will wear heavily on the bits as you switch them out, and will be worn off the clip as you knock into stuff. Otherwise, looks like new.- The swappable bits are nice. Never had issues with losing the stored one. I usually keep the Philips in the driver because the flathead sticks out a bit and can scratch you up.- It's light, very light compared to something like a Wingman. It's super nice.- I had lots of concerns about the holes gathering dust - they did on my Style CS. Two (three?) years later and it's ever so slightly dusty on the inside, but never feels crusty or dirty.All in all, it just feels more refined and polished than most of the Leatherman tools I've owned, which it better be - it's definitely not cheap for a knife, pliers, and a driver. However, it has effectively killed my knife craze: it can play with fancier knives in terms of steel, has everything an ordinary schmuck like me needs (be honest, have you ever used the file on your tool?), and is light, durable, polished, and classy.I love it.

Fourth one...I'm a lifer

This is my fourth Skeletool. I used to use the super tool and it legit pulled my pants down, and I got the first one as a gift I would have never chosen myself. I gave one to TSA (lol) then I dropped one in the ocean, and my partner did manage to break the last one using it inappropriately (it was the carbon one they don't make anymore because they flex too much) Super super handy to have around and you can get kits with little flat allen wrenches and different things to put in the screwedriver area. When the handle is open it is a way better handle for screwing than most multitools. I love that the locking blade can open and close with one hand. This one has the non-serrated blade for easier sharpening. The one with the serrated blade is good too especially for ... MoreThis is my fourth Skeletool. I used to use the super tool and it legit pulled my pants down, and I got the first one as a gift I would have never chosen myself. I gave one to TSA (lol) then I dropped one in the ocean, and my partner did manage to break the last one using it inappropriately (it was the carbon one they don't make anymore because they flex too much) Super super handy to have around and you can get kits with little flat allen wrenches and different things to put in the screwedriver area. When the handle is open it is a way better handle for screwing than most multitools. I love that the locking blade can open and close with one hand. This one has the non-serrated blade for easier sharpening. The one with the serrated blade is good too especially for cutting ropes.

Great tool, pliers lacking in reliability

Got this as a gift for fathers day. He likes the slim fit, pocket knife feel. I didn't think he would care for the carabiner clip but he uses it often. His only complaint was the grip strength of the pliers. He tried to use them to grip/twist a nut to remove it and the pliers separated, unable to remove the nut. That said he still loves this pocket tool!

Lightweight and super useful

Bought this just before travelling overseas without tools. Has everything you need and nothing you don't.Have used all the tools including putting a whole kitset of drawers together with the Phillips head screwdriver. Knife is razor sharp. Lightweight and slim profiled that it disappears on your belt. Fantastic tool!

Pretty clever device it is

Depending, it's become my EDC. If it's a knife day this sits on the dresser, but I am four weeks into a couple months long road trip and it sits in my jeans. SURPRISINGLY comfortable in the pocket. Little weird about the size of the clip but works fine. It's stiff but will work in. The pliers and cutter are really good. The knife is small but super sharp from the factory, decent steel, (154CM) sharpens easily, actually hones easily. The screw drivers are kind of emergency only but work. I haven't shopped the optional bits that might be more useful to me.

So-so, and That's Generous

The tool is tight! Hard to open and close. And if you're not careful, you can pinch your fingers. Oil will not loosen this up. The knife was hard to sharpen; way harder than any other Leatherman tool so far. The bit sort of locks in, but can be removed with a little force without pressing the release. The carabiner is useless and can also pinch fingers if not careful. The only upside is that the tool is much lighter than any other, and can easily be thrown in a bag. I can't see using the pocket clip, so I removed it. I guess it's fine to carry and use in a pinch, but as far as anything other than light duty use, this isn't the right tool.

[Rewarded Review] Great EDC

I really do love this tool. It made it right into the first position for my everyday carry. It fits perfectly into my right pocket without much bulk at all. It has the top 4 things that I use almost everyday: knife, pliers, screwdriver and bottle opener. That it! Don't really need anything else on a quick grab tool. If I do, I will just grab a much better tool. Speaking of this, other than the knife, the tools are really for light work. Not super reliable for consistent work. For example, the pliers are manual open and close, and fairly small. The screwdriver bits are small, so as to fit in the small storage (they can be lost easily too). The knife is great and will be used the most, which will allow for this tool to stay in my pocket over just a knife that would be ... MoreI really do love this tool. It made it right into the first position for my everyday carry. It fits perfectly into my right pocket without much bulk at all. It has the top 4 things that I use almost everyday: knife, pliers, screwdriver and bottle opener. That it! Don't really need anything else on a quick grab tool. If I do, I will just grab a much better tool. Speaking of this, other than the knife, the tools are really for light work. Not super reliable for consistent work. For example, the pliers are manual open and close, and fairly small. The screwdriver bits are small, so as to fit in the small storage (they can be lost easily too). The knife is great and will be used the most, which will allow for this tool to stay in my pocket over just a knife that would be much better. However, this knife is easy to open with one thumb flick, it locks great, and can be closed with one hand. It is also very sharp at the moment, and has a straight and serrated blade. Love it! I like the deep carry pocket clip and the a simple carabiner to attach to belt loop when using a lot. Overall, love the tool. I like the color and design. It is fairly light and holds well in the hand.

[Rewarded Review] Great EDC for anyone

Been carrying this for almost a month and have found myself using it everyday. Having pliers available has been a game changer. And doing it in a lightweight package makes the Skeletool a huge win. I’ve carried a bunch of knives through my short lifetime, Spyderco, Benchmade, Kershaw, Microtech, etc. and they’ve all been great knives and I still own those knives. But the convenience of having a multi tool that weighs a little more or as much as a knife I already have, plus having a similar footprint as said knives, there’s no reason I shouldn’t carry the skeletool everyday. Now is it perfect? No. If it had a pair of reliable scissors, like the ones from Swiss Army knives, then we would be inching towards perfect. But it definitely does a lot more than only having a ... MoreBeen carrying this for almost a month and have found myself using it everyday. Having pliers available has been a game changer. And doing it in a lightweight package makes the Skeletool a huge win. I’ve carried a bunch of knives through my short lifetime, Spyderco, Benchmade, Kershaw, Microtech, etc. and they’ve all been great knives and I still own those knives. But the convenience of having a multi tool that weighs a little more or as much as a knife I already have, plus having a similar footprint as said knives, there’s no reason I shouldn’t carry the skeletool everyday. Now is it perfect? No. If it had a pair of reliable scissors, like the ones from Swiss Army knives, then we would be inching towards perfect. But it definitely does a lot more than only having a knife, and it does it very well. I’ve come to find that the skeletool is also very customizable. There’s a huge market that offers aftermarket modifications you can add to the tool. I’ve seen mods where you can add a hammer/pry tool to the end. And even seen guys add the aforementioned scissors. Possibilities seem endless. Should you carry it everyday in place of a knife? I don’t know, that’s up to you. But should you give a try and see how you like it? I’d say absolutely and you’ll be pleasantly surprised.

[Rewarded Review] Lightweight and clips to your pack easily

The Skeletool CX is a great addition of a Leatherman tool, used every day for minor repairs. The green frame and black tool theme are a perfect match for a camo pack and outdoor gear. The pliers nose grips well and the wire cutter is fantastic for small wires. The flat and Phillips bits are essential for ski bindings and other screws. The pocket clip holds well. Be careful of it catching your seatbelt when you get out of your truck! The CX knife holds a good edge and is ergo-comfortable when locked into place. Overall fantastic tool, when you only need the minimum gadget to get the job done.