This exceptional product is equipped with almost every imaginable tool, organized and optimized for compact function The bottle opener is one of the better versions we’ve seen on a multi tool and is fully capable of popping a beer or soda cap without issue. It comes standard with a double end Phillips head bit and has space in the handle to hold a spare. Depending on the variant you choose you can also get bits such as a carbide glass breaker, great for EMTs and other first responders. Carabiner/Bottle Opener The Gerber Center Drive Plus displaces its non-Plus predecessor for this specialized award. The Plus takes all we liked about the original Center Drive and adds scissors and a larger blade, which we deem significant and worthy upgrades. The screwdriver configuration has a long extension and a handle ready for more torque. This award-winning Gerber centers the bit along the handle's long axis, vastly improving ergonomics and making it feel like a true, single-purpose screwdriver. The 12 bits that come with this model fit inside the included leather sheath along with the tool.

If you’re someone who spends a lot of time outside, or if you simply want to up your emergency-preparedness game, we also like the Leatherman Signal. At its core, the Signal shares many characteristics with the Skeletool CX: a stripped-down tool selection, the asymmetrical handles, and the carabiner-clip bottle-opener feature. Where the Signal differs is in the added emphasis on outdoor-oriented tools. In addition to the knife, pliers, bottle opener, and screwdriver, there’s a whistle, fire-starter rod, knife sharpener, saw, and awl. This multi-tool is larger than the Skeletool CX, but the additional tools—especially the whistle, fire-starter rod, and blade sharpener—are so nicely integrated into the design that it’s surprising how little bulk they add. They also work well! Because it’s more geared toward camping and survival, the Signal is more robust than the Skeletool, with larger pliers, replaceable wire cutter blades, and longer plier handles. If you’ve never carried a multi tool before and want to give it a try, it’s hard to beat the Leatherman Skeletool as the multi tool to start out with. The Signal is Leatherman’s wilderness survival multi tool. It provides you with 19 different tools and is tailor made for hikers, campers, and other outdoorsman. It’s built on a slightly less beefy version of the Leatherman MUT frame and uses a butterfly fold design.Bottle Opener and Carabiner Clip: The Skeletool has a built-in bottle opener for enjoying your favorite beverages and a carabiner clip for easy attachment to gear or belts.

The Leatherman Skeletool is one of those iconic multi tool designs that really stands out. It embodies a minimalist aesthetic of ‘just enough’ that many people find appealing. A multi-tool that optimizes ergonomics and portability by reducing the tool set to the most important ones for daily use and carry The other half of deployment is the opening action of the handles themselves to access the pliers. Compared to something like the Charge, the pliers are quite stiff as they’re actuated by a series of slipjoints that hold the tool closed and open. I’ve had and used the Skeletool for several years now and it’s never even approached one handed opening for the pliers – although my Charge has loosened up to the point that I can flip it like a Balisong. I use both hands to open the pliers, grabbing the wing that covers the blade with my left hand and the carabiner/bottle opener section with my right to pull outwards. There is a very pronounced “snap” when the slipjoint drops into place in the open position on both sides, and this is not a tool that will unintentionally fold shut thanks to the strong tension. Also, both sides operate independently – which is important as we’ll get to in the next section. Features, Fit & Finish The Leatherman Skeletool Multitool is a versatile and compact tool designed for outdoor enthusiasts and campers. It combines multiple functions into a single tool, including pliers, a knife, screwdrivers, and more, making it a handy companion for various tasks in the wilderness. There are several different variants of the Skeletool, including the Skeletool CX and Skeletool RX. You also have multiple color and pattern choices. Each variety folds out butterfly style and has a variety of different tools and types of blades. Leatherman Skeletool Original, CX and RX ToolsThe Freestyle is to the Skeletool what the Skeletool is to the Wave+, a stripped down version. It combines the pliers of the Skeletool with a combo 420HC blade. Each type of Skeletool offers a different variety of knife. They come in straight edge, serrated or combo. Each blade is 2.6 in long and made from 420HC or 154CM stainless steel. Screwdrivers: The multitool features both a Phillips and a flathead screwdriver, offering versatility for tightening or loosening screws during camping trips. I found over time that the knife is well suited to small tasks but I occasionally wished for a full sized knife for some things – like puncturing oil bottles, cutting cardboard, that sort of thing. I also found the handles on the pliers to be somewhat uncomfortable in extended use due to the odd shape and some sharp edges. But this isn’t a dedicated tool – it’s a lightweight minimalistic do-everything tool. It’s not going to work as well as the pliers on the Charge or cut things as well as a PM2. It does a good job of covering your needs at home but it’s not quite up to snuff as a dedicated work tool, which I think is what Leatherman was going for anyway.

Part of the appeal of the Skeletool line is how stripped down they are. If you want to customize your Skeletool a bit there are plenty of accessories that can improve it. There’s no getting around it though, the Skeletool isn’t really a full size multi tool. It has no saw, no scissors, and none of the features like can openers, corkscrews or a steel file. If you’re looking for a full size and fully functional multi tool you should look elsewhere. The Leatherman Skeletool Multitool allows for component replacement. Leatherman provides various accessories and replacement parts for their tools, including blades, bits, and other components. This ensures that you can maintain and customize your Skeletool as needed. Overall if you’re considering the Wingman we’d recommend the Skeletool. It’s lighter and smaller, yet provides probably 80% of the utility of the Wingman. Beyond the Edge Ltd is based in Sheffield two hours by train from London and within easy travelling distance from Manchester, Leeds, Nottingham and other Northern towns and cities.That being said, the Skeletool is one of the coolest hybrid multi tools out there, made from quality materials by a well regarded manufacturer, and priced just at the point of affordability for the average multi tool user. A very well made and beautifully engineered multitool. With its lighter weight, pared down tools and custom choice of bit attachments it’s a great choice for winter walkers, climbers and mountaineers. It finishes its tool load with fixed screwdrivers and a small can opener and file. It’s larger and heavier than the Skeletool but provides only marginally more functionality. It also costs only slightly less than the Skeletool. The Skeletool Original, Skeletool CX, and Skeletool RX each have slightly different tool loadouts. The most noticeable difference is the type of knife blade included.

This gives you a good edge, excellent corrosion resistance, and the ability to easily sharpen up. Choosing between the blade types comes down to how you intend to use them. Straight edge blades are the easiest to sharpen and do a great job at cutting smoothly and precisely through different materials.

Performance Comparison

We are one of the UKs most experienced providers of climbing, walking, scrambling, mountaineering and navigation training courses. There are currently three versions of the Skeletool. The standard version which is available in a variety of colours with a knife blade that is partially serrated. The Skeletool RX is marketed as an emergency multitool which comes in a lovely red colour with a carbine glass breaking window bit attachment and a fully serrated blade. And then the CX version I own which has an upgraded non serrated blade. They will all do the job equally well. One thing the Skeletool CX has over many other multitools – and over the standard, much cheaper Skeletool – is a real knife. It’s not huge, but it’s what I consider real. By real I mean it’s made with an EDC-worthy stainless steel and it’s not partially serrated. This is the big issue with the standard Skeletool – using half of the small 2.6” blade for some partial serrations leaves you with hardly any cutting surface of either variety. Neither fish nor fowl, no thanks.