Gear Review: Leatherman Skeletool
I’ve used a few multitools in my day, and the Leatherman Skeletool holds a special place in my heart, and my kit. I’d like to preface this review with the a quick reminder, multi tool scan be situational, and each person will need to consider how and when they will be using a multi tool.
First, a few quick specs… The Skeletool weighs in at 5oz, uses 420HC Stainless Steel, and has a closed length of 4in. and a blade length of 2.6in. It’s on the lighter side of many of the multi tools i’ve tried. Part of this is due to the machined out sections in the handle in blade. And part of this is due to the fact that this multi tool has a smaller assortment of tools included. Leatherman generously lists 7 tools, but in reality it’s fairly lean as far as multi tools go, with a knife, pliers, and screwdriver (flat and phillips), and of course… a bottle opener. The 420 HC stainless steel is sort of a middle of the road steel in terms of quality, but i’ve found it holds a fairly decent edge and the durability has been pretty good. With that said, if you find yourself using your knife frequently, you might want to consider a tool with a better steel material. I use mine mainly for backpacking and fishing, and the material I cut with it is generally not too hard.
Why I Like It: I find the skeletool to be a great lightweight, minimal option for backpacking and fishing. It holds up well under a variety of conditions and light to moderate usage. I think it’s also a solid choice for somebody looking for something to carry around on a daily basis under similar circumstances. And I very much appreciate the biner/clip that allows me to clip it somewhere handy, rather than in a pack or requiring some sort of sheath to carry it in. It has exactly the tools I need and nothing more. The price is great too, at $55-65 it’s quite affordable. Finally, it’s ergonomic and feels good in the hand.
Why You May Not Like It: As mentioned, the quality is sort of middle of the road. Heavy/rough usage will probably find that knife isn’t quite up to par. It’s also light on versatility. There are no scissors. No tweezers. No can openers. No saw blade. Some of you may need a multi tool that can handle other functions and bigger applications. Weight is also a consideration for many, but not everyone. For the car campers, an axe or hammer might be more important than the weight. For the ultralighters, saving a couple ounces might be worth the tradeoff of having durable pliers and other “luxuries”.