Customer Reviews
Perfect for its intended purpose. 
2008-07-13
If you are thinking of buying the Skeletool or Skeletook CX, then you probably aren't looking for a multitool that has every possible gadget. It has a knife, a bit driver, a good set of pliers, a pocket clip, and a small carabiner clip that doubles as a bottle opener. That is all. It does not have scissors, a file or a saw. It does not come with a sheath. It comes with two double-ended driver bits - one with two sizes of phillips head and one with two sizes of flat head. These are proprietary bits so you cannot use any other bits from other tools you may already own. I strongly recommend ordering the Leatherman bit set right off the bat. It's mainly intended for backpackers who don't really need basic tools to repair and maintain gear in the field while keeping weight to a minimum. It's about the same size and weight as my Benchmade Stryker folding pocket knife and I find it comfortable to carry in my pocket or clipper to my pack or belt loop (though that's a good way to rip a belt loop and lose the tool).
The big debate is whether the CX model is worth the extra money or whether you should just buy the regular Skeletool. Both models weigh 5 ounces so the carbon fiber is decorative rather than genuinely weight-saving. The CX is a little sharper looking due to its darker color, but I paid the extra money to get the better knife blade. The blade on the CX is made of the tougher 154CM steel as opposed to the 420HC used for the regular Skeletool's blade. It should hold an edge better and take a little more abuse than the regular Skeletool's blade. The blade on the CX is also a partially serrated "Combo edge" that gives it an improved ability to cut through tough webbing or ropes if necessary.
Great Quality 
2008-07-04
Having owned the Skeletool CX for 2 days now here are my thoughts.
First, it has a pocket clip--When it was announced I tried to find this out, even calling the company and could not get a straight answer. I always have a bunch of stuff in my pockets, car keys, etc and a large knife is not something I want to add to the confusion.
Second, I was carrying a Benchmade mini-griptillian and I love it. It also has a pocket clip--my only complaint with the benchmade is that it is just a knife. Need a screwdriver, go find one. Pliers, go get those too.
The Skeletool provides the tools I need without extra stuff or extra weight. It fits in my pocket and with the clip is handy when I need it.
Weight is very acceptable, like the benchmade, I don't know it is there until I need it. The layout is great, access the knife without having to open anything. The screwdriver is accessed by a simple opening of the tool, and one more opening and you have the pliers. The carabiner allows you to clip this to a belt loop, or a backpack, etc. also.
Only 2 SMALL things keep this from being perfect. One it is slightly wider than my benchmade so reaching in my pocket around it is a little more difficult and secondly, the knife blade requires a little effort to get it out vs my benchmade. It can be done one handed, just not quite as easy as I would like.
The blade is RAZOR SHARP, right out of the box. Great knife, good quality--a winner.
Oh, I would have preferred the Stainless but the CX is the only way to get a serrated blade.
Spider tool 2008-06-27
I purchased this for my husband for fathers day along with the accessories and case. He loves it. He says it is very sharp and he uses it in the yard all the time and also carries it around so he had it just in case. The screw driver accessory kit is always handy because you have a screw driver available at al times. This all fits nicely in the case and hangs on his belt. We are thinking now that the boys need one for Christmas.
THIS IS A FANTASTIC PRODUCT! 2008-06-26
My Skeletool CX arrived a few days ago. A little Tuf-Glide and everything worked as smooth as silk. I noticed a number of complaints on Amazon. If the product they received is dysfunctional, I can't imagine a better company than Leatherman to deal with re: Customer Relations and repairs or replacement. Those who feel this multitool performs or resembles that of another company needs to give this tool more time. I've never seen anything quite like it since the original Spyderco Spyderwrench (which I also own). It's an ingenious design and the perfect balance between light weight, form and function. I'll always have my Wave and Charge close by, but Tim Leatherman has created what I consider to be his best multitool EDC with the Skeletool. By the way.......the carbon fiber makes the CX a jewel.
Skeletool CX - everyday carry essential 2008-06-26
Its small enough to clip to your pocket, versatile enough to carry in a belt pouch with additional bits, and its everything a Leatherman needs to be without being bulky. Opening the knife without unfolding the tool is very handy. It costs a little more due to carbon fiber components and the serrated blade makes it just a bit more aggressive. Its an everyday carry tool!
Its a great value on Amazon plus you get Super Saver shipping... its hard to pass up.
Lost my bits 2008-07-19
This item is so close to perfect. I use the carabeaner to attach it to my belt loop or just clip it to the band on my shorts. Very light weight. Great knife with one handed opening and closing.
FLAW!: The bits don't stay in place. I lost 3 bits in a week so I just saudered the #2 phillips in place since I use it the most. If the bit holders would have worked, this would be the perfect light weight knife/pliers/driver.
Love Mine 2008-07-18
I've always wanted a leatherman, but am not the type of person to carry one on my belt. The Skeletool is as light as the pocket knife I used to tote and a lot more functional. Basically, there's just about everything I need on here except a lighter and flashlight. The fact that the blade opens from the outside of the handle is a great step forward for Leatherman and the factory edge is razor sharp. I now realize how handy it is to have a wire cutter and screw driver with you at all times. Normally my key ring always had a bottle opener on it ever since college, but after the years, I finally wore it out. Having one on the Skeletool makes it a necessity to keep in my pocket wherever I go. I don't make a living using this tool, but as someone who just likes to be prepared, I'm really happy with the purchase.
Good design, good build quality 2008-07-18
The Skeletool is an excellent niche tool that falls comfortably between Leatherman's larger outings and simple folding knives. At 5 oz., it is not exactly featherweight, but it is considerably less bulky and less heavy than most other multi-tools.
It has a couple of downsides which are immediately apparent or become apparent quickly. 1) No saw. Although the blade is 50/50 smooth/serrated, the serrations would be a poor saw substitute. 2) The "extra bit" slot in the handle is not secure enough. In my first week, I lost the stored bit in the handle. I've been more careful in how I handle it, but I think they could have tightened up the tolerances a little. 3) Bad initial bit selection. My Charge TTi came with a reversible phillips/flathead bit in the kit. The Skeletool comes with a phillips/phillips and flat/flat. I generally find the mixed phillips/flat bits to be useful because then I can carry an allen bit as well. Finally, 4) bad for lefties. Unfortunately, as a conscious design decision, the tool is not reversible for lefties, in particular this means that you have to open the knife blade by flicking it out with your middle finger instead of your thumb (and close the lever lock the same way). This is neither as safe or as comfortable as thumb operation. But, if you're used to left-handed opening of folding knives, then it's nothing new to you. As I rightie, it doesn't matter to much to me, so I'm just putting this issue out there.
One the plus side: everything else. Good ergonomic design for such a lightweight and minimalist tool. The build quality is high, with steel support bands and brass bearings for smooth action. Probably the best pliers you will find in a multitool of this size/wight, and a well designed blade. Lightweight package, but still sturdy enough to see some serious duty, and a good selection of tools (pliers, wirecutter, knife, bit driver, bottlecap lifter, and carabiner tool).
I would point out tool two issues in particular. 1) The "carabiner/bottlecap lifter" is really mislabeled and should be just called a tension clasp. While it has the limited functionality of being able to attach your Skeletook to a belt or gear loop, you should not overlook the fact that it can assist you one-handed openings. I found it to be very difficult to open the pliers with one hand (after a lot of practice I found an unintuitive way of doing pretty consistently), until I realized that if I snapped the clasp to my belt loop, I could use that as an extra hand of sorts. Also, while the bottlecap lifter is neat, it can also operate as a parcel hook.
2) The knife blade on the CX model is 154CM stainless. I believe the blade on the other model is 420HC stainless. I've had great luck with the 154CM steel, and I think it is a worthwhile upgrade for the relatively modest difference in cost. 420HC is more of a tool grade steel. Easier to sharpen, but it won't hold an edge as long.
All in all, a great multitool if weight and size are an issue.
Pretty awesome tool! 2008-07-16
Really awesome tool! I love the feel of it, and the lack of weight to it. I just wish that they hadn't dropped the function of the saw. Also, there's no can opener.
Multi-tool Lust 2008-07-16
I had my eye on the Skeletool CX for some time. I'm one of those pocket knife/flashlight fetishist and this design was too cool for me not to have. Once I had the multi-tool in my hand, I was immediately impressed. Very light, machined to the n-th degree, classic Leatherman blade honed to a scalpels edge and the carbon fiber elements had me open eyed like a kid. My only sense of disappointment had to do with the pliers. I realize the tool was designed to be ultra compact & lightweight but the size & gripping surface of the jaws seemed almost on the toyish size. Regretfully, my Skeletool never made it home from it's inaugural run on a recent out of town install so I never truly had a chance to put it to the test. Not pointing fingers at the TSA but I know it went into my bag before catching my flight home & it wasn't there when I arrived. Somebody else must've thought it was as cool as me.
