I love my Spirit, but it is just too bulky and heavy to EDC it in my pocekt or on my belt. I carry it in my bag, so I wanted a light tool to carry when I´m without my bag. I searched the net, but did not find many tools that would fit my bill.
MT.org introduced me the Juice line, the CRKT Zilla, Minitool and Skeletool - but for the LM tools are WAY too expensive here I decided to wait. Then Amazon offered the Skeletool for as low as 57 Bucks (44 Euro at this time) I decided to go for it - still expensive compared to the US, bt a great deal here!
So my Skeletool joined my "League of EDC".
When it arrived I first thought: Oh, not too small for a small tool. I just imagined it being much smaller. In fact the Skeletool is about the sized of my Spirit and not even really thinner. But lighter and with the pocket clip convenient to carry in cargo pants. Still, too large too carry it when wearing jeans, it does not feel comfortable then.
Let´s have a closer look on the tools
The main tool is
the pliers. They are small, considering the overall size of the tool maybe too small, and thin, but I guess they are strong enough to handle most EDC and medium duty tasks. Wire cutters and hard wire cutters are included and just work fine. For the pliers are the most important tool on a MT in my opinion they fit my bill. The handles look interesting, but do not feel good in my hands. There is just no way to make them feel comfortable.
Next: The bladeOne hand opening, locking blades in a functional blade style. Nice. Easy to sharpen for it is quite soft steel. BUT
The blade does not keep an edge. I collect knives, but I have not seen many blades keeping an edge that lousy. 420 HC may not be the worst steel there is, but it is definitely not the best. I sharpened the blade on my Sharpmaker, it gets very sharp, very fast, but it does not keep the edge. Having the normal retail prices here in mind (not the MRSP, here called UVP, but the street prices) I can not understand why they did not use better steel - but I know there are some people who prefer softer steel for it is easier to sharpen, and there is the improved (but VERY expensive here) CX version offering a good blade steel, so it´s my own fault. Still, I´m not happy with that blade and therefore not using it. It´s too short too, seeing the size of the handles.
Anyways, there are more tools to mention.
There are no screwdrivers, but there is a locking
bitdriver. And there are two doublesided bits, so the Skeletools offers two flathead and two Phillips screwdrivers. I do not really like the flat Phillips bits, they just look strange, but they work very well. The bitdriver is a great addition to the tool, and even if it only takes special LM bits it´s very versatile. Bit kits are not cheap, but can be found on sale sometimes.
The last tool is the
carabiner. it double functions as a
bottle opener, that works really well. The carabiner might be usefull to backpackers or people in need of this mounting option, but it is useless to me and just makes the tool larger.
Conclusion:I would not buy that tool again. It´s just too limited for i´ts size. I know, it is supposed to be minimalist, but for it´s size there could be more tools - or the tool could be smaller. I have ordered a Juice to replace it as my pocket EDC and think I will give the Zilla Jr. a try too (this forums make me spend money
) for they seem to be better tools for what I want.
I carried the Skeletool for about 8 months, backed up by a good pocket knife and a SAK most of the time. In combination with a Cadet that adds some tools in a small package the Skeletool is OK for most EDC tasks, without any additional SAK or other tools (Squirt S4 for scissors etc) the Skeletool is just a pair of light duty pliers in oversized handles.
Pros:Weight
pocket clip!
pliers work fine
nice techno look
bit driver
Cons:Size
poor tool selection
blade
price
Will I recommend the tool? Maybe, for I know some of the negaitve points I experienced might be an advantage to others. One who just needs pliers and likes softer blade steel will be happy. One who likes the carabiner mounting option will be pleased. The Skeletool is definitely not bad, it´s just the wrong tool for me. Think I will present it to my brother once my Juice arrived, or store it in my car.