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Leatherman 830846 Skeletool Multitool
This entry was posted in Online Tea Shop and tagged 830846, Leatherman, Multitool, Skeletool. Bookmark the permalink.
Finally a tool that fits comfortably between the Micra and Charge,
WHAT THIS TOOL IS NOT
I have seen this tool pitched for hiking/camping. If you are an avid outdoorsman, get the Charge TTi. The Skeletool is lighter but only by 3.2 ounces (5 compared to 8.2). For that minimal weight savings, you sacrifice having a saw, file, backup blades and a can opener. Seems like a really bad trade off in survival situations.
WHAT THIS TOOL IS
The Skeletool is a great pocket knife replacement. It is light enough and compact enough to replace your trusty pocket knife. Without even openning the swing arms, you can access the knife (which is very solid) and bottle openner / carabiner. Openning the swing arms provides access to very solid pliers and screwdriver. The screwdriver gives access to 4 screwdriver heads since the removable bits are reversable and the handle stores an extra bit.
The Skeletool would also make a great multitool for IT support people since it has everything that a tech support person might need in a pinch.
THE BOTTOM LINE
Build quailty is great (as I have come to expect from Leatherman). For the minimal size and weigtht of the tool, it provides good functionality. If you carry a pocket knife and/or just need the few tools that the Skeletool provides, I would definately recommend replacing it with the Skeletool (a real set of pliers can be very handy). If you are looking for a toolbox replacement (or as near as you can get with a multitool) or if you are looking for an outdoor survival tool, get the Charge TTi. You will give up too much for the 3.2 ounces of weight savings.
Personally, I have both. I usually carry the Skeletool, but grab my Charge TTi when I need a fully functional multitool.
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|Well designed tool for the minimalist.,
So, the Skeletool is finally out. It was supposed to have been released November 2007. I’ve anxiously been awaiting the release (that keeps getting delayed), and finally got it a couple of days ago.
This may not be the most helpful review in the world, but since the tool is pretty minimal there isn’t a whole lot to review. It’s light (compared to other full-sized tools) but also seems to be very durable and well-made. It also feels comfortable to hold and has an ergonomic design.
The blade on it is quite nice and will replace my Leatherman C301 pocket-knife. It was a tad bit stiff at first, but after a couple of days it opens easily with 1 hand.
I really like the screwdriver bit storage in the handle. The way it works is, you always leave a bit that will be exposed and ready-to-use when the tool is opened (the philips is in when you first get it). The flat-blade bit is stored in the handle. Handy having the screwdriver readily available when you open it.
Overall I would recommend it if you’re looking for a quality full-sized Leatherman tool that shaves off a few ounces over some of the heavier alternatives like the Wave. Very nice product!
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|Excellent EDC (every day carry) tool!,
-Backstory-
One of the criterion for a great multitool is versatility, and for the longest time I thought that meant more blades, attachments, and enhancements. While that’s partially true, that also means a bigger, heavier footprint. When I finally upgraded to the heavyweight behemoth that is the Leatherman 830160 Surge Pocket Multitool with Leather Sheath and found myself leaving it at home more and more often because of its weight, I realized something was wrong.
The reality is most blades/tool-blades seldom see the light of day outside of camping, and the added weight and size only serve to discourage daily carry. Barring camping or novelty, when was the last time you used your pocket-knife’s can-opener? Wood saw? Awl? Corkscrew?? Is there anything you absolutely need scissors for that can’t be accomplished with a blade or wire cutter? Do you unconditionally NEED eyeglass-sized screwdrivers on you 24-7?
Most daily applications can be accomplished with a simple blade, a couple drivers, a good set of pliers, and a bottle opener ;). And that’s exactly what the Skeletool standard and CX multitools offer.
-Carryability-
What makes the Skeletool CX great isn’t the *number* of tools, it’s the *versatility* of its few, well thought out tools, allowing for a 5 ounces overall weight, slim form-factor, and not one but two carry clips. The standard side-clip is removable (thought cannot be installed in any other positions on the tool) while the carabiner turns out to be far more useful than I’d imagined — I find myself hanging it on my belt loop most of the time, keeping my belt free of pouches and my pockets comfortably empty. This negates the need for a holster, though there are versions of the tool which come with one should you desire it.
-The Blade-
Like most modern multitools, the Blade rotates open easily, one-handed, without having to open the tool itself. This is a MUST HAVE feature for an Every Day Carry tool, and feels right at home on the Skeletool. The 2.5 inch blade is a perfectly functional length for everyday use (again, this is an EDC tool, not a survival knife, and anything longer would only make it heavier). The CX model has an upgraded 154CM steel blade and is *reason enough* to choose the CX over the standard model – 154CM is a far better, more modern steel which holds is edge VERY well while providing moderate corrosion resistance and takes nothing more than a good ceramic stone to sharpen. Over the past year I’ve used it for everything from prying and scraping to box cutting and (in a pinch) cooking, and despite never having sharpened it once the tip is still there (which is saying a lot for my knives) and it’s still plenty sharp. The blade’s liner lock does a noticeably firm job of holding the blade in place with NO WOBBLE. Quality! When closed, the blade is held in place via a blade-retention bump on the liner lock that mates with one of the skeletonizing holes near the base of the blade. Both Skeletools I’ve used had a ramp cut into the base of the blade near the joint, automatically depressing the retention-bump and allowing safe closure of the blade. One reviewer has proven that his Skeletool CX does not have this ramp, forcing him to grind off the bump or risk placing him thumb in danger every time he closed the blade. It is yet unclear as to why his knife didn’t get the ramp.
-Half Serrated vs. Full Straight Blade-
NOTE: In mid 2009, Leatherman added half-length blade serrations to standard model and REMOVED them from the CX model. Confusingly, the model numbers were not updated to match the new configurations. Some online retailers may still have the ‘old version’ still in inventory, but as the model numbers are the same, there’s no way of knowing what you’ll receive. I contacted Leatherman about this and this is the reply I received:
“Thank you for your email and your interest in Leatherman Tools. Originally our Skeletool had a “straight blade”, and the Skeletool CX had a “combo blade”. The Skeletool CX has a higher grade of steel in its blade and those in the `knife world’ came back to us, and stated that we should not use the combo blade with 154cm material. Therefore, in mid year of last year, we made a design change. … All Current models of the Skeletool CX now have the straight blade. All current models of the Skeletool have the combo blade. … There are some retailers out there, who have both in inventory. We did not change the item numbers when we made the blade change. Unfortunately, you will have to just check to see who has what in stock.”
-Bit Driver-
This is THE tool to replace them all and one of the reasons the Skeletool can do so much while still being so thin and light. You…
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