The Skeletool has been one of Leathermans most popular multi tools since its introduction in 2007. That would allow omission of the squashed bit driver and make room for the inclusion of scissors. That is admirably close to actual functionality (sometimes claimed functions are minimally useful or minimally different from one another; not so with the Signal). "author": { The Skeletool CX: who says more is better? Raise your voice in the movement to protect and share life outdoors. CX vs OE #leatherman #skeletool Leatherman Skeletool RX vs CX which is best? Other than the knife and pliers the most significant tool on any Skeletool is the large bit driver. As far as I can tell, the differences between the Skeletool and the Skeletool CX are the carbon fiber crap (meh), slightly better materials in the knife blade, and the combination serrated. It only has a blade and the needle-nose pliers (with the standard wirecutters built in). Always on hand: The Skeletool weighs just 5 ounces and is equipped with a removable pocket clip so it's always within reach and ready to work. Please visit following page for more information, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7b4R2iTTfAE, (You must log in or sign up to post here. Picture 1 of 3. When you click on links to buy products we may earn money to support, Tools Accessible without Deploying Pliers. If you do a lot more prying than hammering, this is what you want. Check out all the new cool deals in the REI Outlet! So Im deciding between the CX with carbon fiber or the red RX. After buying and using these three add-ons for the Skeletool, I can confidently say that theyve added to the utility and strengthened the usefulness of the multi-tool. By signing up you agree to Leathermans Privacy Policy and Terms & Conditions. Well, look no further than here because the boys at Leatherman got you covered. The Skeletool is better when you really want to use the blade a lot IMO because it is less bulky in the hand. Straight edge blades are the easiest to sharpen and do a great job at cutting smoothly and precisely through different materials. Those tools are regular pliers, needle nose pliers, regular wire cutters, hard wire cutters, a bottle opener, and a screwdriver. Man Makes Fire publishes in-depth outdoor gear reviews designed to help you find the right gear for your outdoor adventures. The back of the saw blade is sharp enough to get sparks from the fiery, detachable ferro rod. The removable parts are different than those on other tools. I need to buy me a bigger light first. When it comes to the Leatherman Freestyle, its much harder to recommend it as a gift let a buyer pick it on purpose for their own specific needs. For a single blade, its overweight (4.5 ounces) for no good reason except it does have decent pliers. NEW! I can clip the Leatherman Skeletool to a backpack or a fly fishing sling pack or use the pocket clip to pocket it and keep it handy. A full-size 1/4 inch bit driver on a Leatherman tool. "ratingValue": "4.8", "@type": "Brand", It hosts the same blades that popular replaceable-blade knives like the Havalon uses and folds up just like the original knife blade. Share your experience in the comments! Before I go on, I must also add this bit of information. The outside-opening blade is crucial. Sergey Kasimov 8.75K subscribers Join Subscribe Share Save 14K views 2 years ago Is the Leatherman. Being able to start a fire is a lifesaver, no doubt about it. Moosejaw: Need your Arc'teryx, Patagonia, and The North Face gear fast? The same weight as a lot of full sized knives but the added benefit of pliers, a bit driver, and a bottle opener/carabiner. The original knife uses 420 stainless steel, while the CX uses 154 CM stainless steel, a clear upgrade. Warranty We're proud to stand behind every product that leaves our factory in Portland, Oregon. Additionally, its extremely easy to sharpen it. Its a simple folding plier with wire cutters, a knife blade, bottle opener, bit driver, and storage for an extra bit. Both models also feature a safety blade locking feature. for your first email from REI. Lightweight, low volume, perfect size. For a lot of people though, carrying a half pound hunk of steel on their belt isnt appealing. The Skeletool CX has only the most necessary of multitool features, because sometimes that's all you need. 10 Best Sleeping Pads
So, to be clear, the most recent Skeletools have blades that are partially serrated, and the CXs have a clean edge? That being said, for its function and application, and understanding that it will last a long time, its value will be realized in the long run. Let us know! Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. "logo" : { Click to enlarge. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Leatherman Skeletool CX. The cut out steel handles are easy to clean and help reduce the weight even further. This gives you a good edge, excellent corrosion resistance, and the ability to easily sharpen up. After getting the Skeletool, I havent looked back. Frankly, Im not sure if I like it or not. Weight: The Skeletool weighs 0.31 pounds whereas the CX weighs 0.4 pounds. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. At a mere five ounces, the Leatherman Skeletool has a stainless steel combo blade, pliers, bit driver, removable pocket clip and carabiner/bottle opener. Ive picked up a G10 Charge +, Topo Signal, Wave +, and Surge. Although I carry the normal blade in my Skeletool for everyday life, Ill quickly swap it out and use it on hunting trips. Leatherman build quality leaves a lot to be desired, pricey, pliers uncomfortable for long term use, a multitool thats not ideal for hard use seems like an oxymoron. If youve never forgotten matches on any trip, bravo to you, but it has happened to me on those impromptu sorts of trips where hey, a fire on the beach is still legal or the portable barbecue igniter failed. The Skeletool and Freestyle share the same blade with the same laser etching while the survival-oriented Signal uses a different blade with a different set of topo lines. If I were lost in the woods, I would want the Leatherman Signal with me. For everyday use, scalpel blades arent the most ideal option for a multi-toolor thats what theyd come with. Of the wide variety of multi-tools available today, one of the most universally useful is the Leatherman Skeletool. This gives you two great ways to carry your Skeletool. Unfortunately, these arent removable/replaceable parts like those found on many of Leathermans other premium multi tools but they are good tools job are effective at cutting through wire. The only downside to having your scalpel knife and pliers as one is that pliers are one of the best tools for swapping blades easily and safely. They weigh about 5 oz and measure 4 inches long when closed. Leatherman Skeletool RX Multi-Tool (1) Leatherman Skeletool CX Multi-Tool with Nylon Sheath (Stainless) (14) Leatherman Crunch Multi-Tool with Black Leather Sheath (6) Shipping No Longer Available No Longer Available No Longer Available Technical Specifications Blade Length 2.6" / 6.6 cm 2.6" / 6.6 cm 2.2" / 5.6 cm Length 4" / 10.2 cm (Closed) }, A purpose-built, specialized tool for outdoor adventure and wilderness survival, while also serving purpose around the house, Versatile and comprehensive outdoor tool kit. The result is simple but it manages to evoke a sense of the outdoors. We had no issues with the construction of the Signal. Each variety folds out butterfly style and has a variety of different tools and types of blades. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. The Freestyle is to the Skeletool what the Skeletool is to the Wave+, a stripped down version. The blade is quite solid. ). Just real, honest, side-by-side testing and comparison. 3D-printed mods like the Wedgey Bar make the Skeletool even more handy. Part of the appeal of the Skeletool line is how stripped down they are. Its lighter and smaller, yet provides probably 80% of the utility of the Wingman. Different Colors The Skeletool and its variants are available in a wide range of colors and patterns. The fire-starter ferro rod is also small, but again, the key is always having it ready. Couldn't the standard 1/4 inch driver be turned 90 degrees from where it is to be more useful? Leatherman Skeletool vs Skeletool CX: Differences Materials Materials-wise, the main difference between the regular Skeletool and the CX is the blade steel. As a prying tool, its stronger than the Hammer/jammer, and the direction of prying is more rigid considering the Skeletools frame design. We've been sharing our passion for the outdoors since 1938. This makes a noticeable difference in its stainless edge retention.. 61. Depending on the variant you choose you can also get bits such as a carbide glass breaker, great for EMTs and other first responders. Though a standard Skeletool costs about $10 less, the CX models upgrade the blade steel from 420HC to the superior 154CM. Please visit following page for more information. With a sharpener built-in, the full edge could be regularly tuned up, even in the field. "@context": "https://schema.org", Bit Kit One of our biggest gripes with Leatherman bit drivers is their use of a proprietary bit size rather than the ubiquitous inch. The Wingman has full sized pliers, a full size combo knife, and a large pair of scissors. Were not going to lie to you, the Signal is a sweet multi tool. Guaranteed: Our 25-year limited warranty ensures that your Leatherman will give you many years of dependable service. Its larger and heavier than the Skeletool but provides only marginally more functionality. With the ones that suit your needs, youll find yourself using them often. If youre looking for a special gift for a backpacker, hiker, camper, climber, hunter or fisher . If youre more likely to be riding a desk than hiking down the trails though, the Skeletool is definitely your best choice. Of course, if youre cynical, the laser etchings are just a cool new decoration. "@type": "Person", SherlingLake.com uses cookies to improve your experience. Still, both blades have their pros and cons. The main tool of all Skeletool variants is a pair of needle nose pliers with regular pliers below them. Its just half the cost of the stock Signal. Its built on a slightly less beefy version of the Leatherman MUT frame and uses a butterfly fold design. You wont be hammering railroad spikes with it, but over eight months of having one, Ive found it to be incredibly handy. "name": "Outdoorsman Toolkit", Patagonia: FREE Shipping at Patagonia.com on all orders of $75 or more! The original knife uses 420 stainless steel, while the CX uses 154 CM stainless steel, a clear upgrade. There are two variants of the Stainless and carbon fiber Skeletools. In the last six weeks, Ive fallen into the deep end. As for the signal whistle, its small but surprisingly loud and shrill. Notable special outdoor features include a firestarter, signal whistle, and tent stake hammer. It has no saw, no scissors, and none of the features like can openers, corkscrews or a steel file. Cookie Notice The Leatherman Signal Topo Multi-Tool is one of our favorite Leatherman multi-tools. Get FREE 2-Day Shipping on orders over 49! It also costs only slightly less than the Skeletool. There are several different variants of the Skeletool, including the Skeletool CX and Skeletool RX. The Leatherman Skeletool features a 420 HC combo knife with a partially serrated edge, making it perfect for tasks such as cutting ropes. The former will likely be more common in your world, while the latter could be more important. It takes advantage of otherwise un-used space in the tool and fills the gap between the frame at the top of the bottle opener, all the way down to the spacers on either side of the plier jaws. The Skeletool CX featured a 154CM stainless steel blade. Something about having a new baby at home makes me feel like I need to always be prepared. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. Leatherman Topo Designs X Skeletool Limited Edition Multi Tool! odds are, those kinds of people will appreciate the laser etching. By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. The regular Skeletool uses 420 stainless steel in the blade, where the Skeletool CX uses upgraded 154 CM stainless steel in the blade. Weighs 0.31 pounds whereas the CX uses upgraded 154 CM stainless steel blade is! 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