Leatherman showed off their new Skeletool in both plain and fancy dress, the Skeletool ($72) and Skeletool CX ($96). They are scheduled to start shipping in November. "Skeletool" was originally shown in prototype form at SHOT Show earlier this year as the "Freestyle." Despite the name change, there will still be a Freestyle, but it will be a more basic version of the Skeletool that will be introduced at a later date.The basics of the tool have not changed much since the prototype we reviewed in our Shot Show 2007 Report, so I won't go over those elements again except for where the production version has changed. There's no titanium version that was rumored, at least not yet.Skeletool CX (top)The Skeletool CX incorporates carbon fiber on the frame and the stainless steel frame and blade are coated in black Tungsten DLC scratch-resistant Coating. The combination makes this the classiest looking production Leatherman by far. The Skeletool has a satin finish all stainless frame.The blade shape remains the same, a cross between a drop point and clip point. It is easy to open via the large opening hole. The Skeletool has Leatherman's standard 420HC stainless, the Skeletool CX gets 154-CM stainless, but unfortunately, unlike that shown in the photos, will come with a combo edge partially serrated blade. Just when you start to get a little excited about a product, they mess it up.The bit holder is equipped with a rocking button style lock to lock the bit in place, which is an excellent addition. No more easily losing the bit. The pre-production units were a bit difficult to operate, recessed too far to easily press down, but we're told minor changes are planned for production that will make it much easier to use. To use the screwdriver, the tool must be unfolded, which works just fine.Skeletool Pokcet ClipThe pocket clip looks good, but is a bit on the narrow side; we'll have see how well that works in the long term use. Narrow clips have been known to accelerate pocket wear compared to wider clips. It will differ slightly from that shown on these pre-production models by having a bit more upturn at the tip to ease slipping over the pocket. Based on a very brief test in my pocket, my initial reaction is that it seemed to carry fairly comfortably, like the medium frame pocket knife for which it is designed to substitute. The clip is right hand only and not removable. Being so thin, not being able to remove the clip isn't as big an issue as it is with some knives with bulky clips. I barely noticed it in the hand.I'm inclined to think that the clip will prove a lot more useful and functional for carry than the built-in carabineer/bottle opener at the end of the one handle. I rarely see knives with carbineers for EDC; that seems to be a narrow niche. No sheath is offered, this is been positioned strictly a pocket tool, a pocket knife replacement, really. It's much thinner than a Charge, for example, and I don't see the need for a sheath.Skeletool Blade openThe pliers jaws have some very shallow lightening recesses, though how much weight they actually save can't be much, they are very shallow. But, they do look cool. The design engineer we spoke with said that these smaller and thinner pliers still retain about 80% of the strength of the pair of pliers on the Wave/Charge (view comparison).While the Skeletool doesn't appeal to me, I'm a traditionalist that prefers a folder with a robust blade and a fully equipped multi-purpose tool, there's little doubt in my mind that they will find a ready market for this concept. It is a practical and functional compromise for someone who wants to carry only a single tool in their pocket that serves most of their likely needs. Add pliers and screwdrivers to a knife and you've covered most of the bases for most folks. In many respects, the Skeletool is the closest tool conceptually to a traditional Swiss Army Knife that Leatherman has produced to date.
Despite the name change, there will still be a Freestyle, but it will be a more basic version of the Skeletool that will be introduced at a later date
I am hoping to maybe get a couple of them and we could do a passaround if anyone is interested?Def
I'm looking at the picture comparing the Skeletool plier head to the Charge plier head. I didn't realize before that the Skeletool was smaller. The pliers must be about the same size as a Juice tool's?
I don't understand how they can simplify it either. It's already simple!
Interesting how the plier head has blunted nose pliers, more similar to the SwissTool's than the Juice's.Def
I hope the Freestyle is more of a knife if the handles are carbon fiber and they get rid of the carabiner (anyone guessed yet, how much I hate those things?) to allow a K5xx blade to be fitted and use a proper pocket clip. The bits I could carry in my pocket if necessary. It is a decent knife with a well designed plier I am most interested in. Although a quarter hex socket like on the Crunch only magnetic would (to me) be the icing on the cake.Dave
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