Leatherman Skeletool

dissapointed – have lost both my screw driver inserts and now the blade snaps. it was so handy. it just snapped onto my jeans, I could hang it on a fence or similar so I would not loose it when I put it down and it was always in demand from people in my art group. it lasted about 2 years.

Great tool for Emergency Services – I have the Skeletool RX. This has everything I need for my role in SES and then some. Easy to use, light and simple. Add a pouch for an extra $20 and jobs done. Should be a recommended bit of kit to all SES members.

Nice, though with limited tools onboard – I became addicted to Leatherman's multitools after buying a Wave during the last year. This Skeletool was my second Leatherman purchase - I thought it might be something handy for carrying around, where my Wave feels just a little big in my pocket. I'm not a tradesman, more of a home handy person, hobbyist, and techie. The Skeletool is an interesting design (maybe even attractive, depending on your point of view). I expect that the curved form is supposed to slim it down, with holes throughout the body to cut down the weight. It is indeed lighter than some more fully featured tools, and mine seems to have better build quality than the Sidekick, Wingman, or Rev (though the Skeletool is pricier than these). Doesn't feel as substantial as the Wave, but does that mean that it's of lesser quality? Only time will tell.

Tool selection is limited, though I find that the pliers, knife, screwdriver, and bottle opener are the tools I most commonly use anyway - all of these are on the Skeletool. I would prefer a plain blade rather than the combo serrated/straight edge my Skeletool has - I may choose to mod this at some future time. The pliers feel sturdy enough to me, but are a little smaller and lighter than the Wave's pliers, so I won't go too hard on them.

All in all, quite nice, if difficult to get excited about. It still beats the generic multi-tools and the Gerbers I've owned.

Boring tool, hardly any real useful features – I have been a long user of Leatherman tools, I have the Supertool, the Supertool 200, updated Wave (Tactical Black), Sidekick (replaced once due to fault), 2 x TTi's (replaced & returned due to handles snapping) and the comprehensive bit kits, 2 x Micra's and other leatherman paraphernalia. I got the latest Skeletool after needing a smaller tool than the Wave to carry around at work, however until opening it up and getting used to the tool I really come to realisation of just how simple this tool is.

The tool as stated comes with pliers, a knife which is a combo blade, two bit sets (flat and phillips) and a carabiner end which doubles up as a bottle top opener.

If you need a set of glorified pliers this is the tool for you! Some people would be best to carry a set of Knipex pliers and a combo screwdriver - thats what I would call the Skeletool. For $70 RRP the Skeletool has priced itself too high and for the usefulness of the screwdriver bits is limited as these have such little reach for deep set screws. The plier teeth are also small and alike my Sidekick may snap if put to the test with use.

The Skeletool is also full of holes and crevices, this will be a lint collection tool when left in the pocket, there is just too much taken out of it to be really convenient.

The carabiner clip is also pointless, if you clip this to a belt loop on your jeans it sticks out and you are limited to crouching and moving it all the time. If its in your pocket it feels odd against your thigh, it also pulls funny against your pants. Other than using this clip for a backpack 'D' plastic loop I think that its just redundant piece of engineering that Leatherman have stuck on to make up space. The belt clip that comes standard is also very thin and flimsy, going over a thick lined pocket it seems to deform a little compared to the Sidekick clip. I think that Leatherman should have left with a more straight edge clip rather than the curved clip to suit the tool itself.

All in all its a good "emergency" tool, something to carry in a EDC (every day carry) bag or for a outdoors person that wants a lightweight tool and has a more comprehensive tool packed away somewhere. I couldn't live with this tool on a day to day basis or totally rely on it as its not anywhere near as sturdy or reliable looking as Leatherman's full size tools that I own. Looks good in the pack. A few items that I would change to make it more of a suitable everyday tool...