Struggling to replace the Skele

AimlessWanderer · **on:** October 17, 2011, 12:14:02 AM

Here's where I am with this so far.

I got a Buck X-Tract through the trade forum a while back. I liked the pliers, the drivers and the opener. The fact that everything is OHO is great. I didn't like the blade (too big for a "minimal" tool), and neither did I like the absence of a clip, so ...

I traded it for a Skeletool at this years UK meet. The bottle opener is fantastic as I'm sure everyone will testify. The knife in better (for me) than the Buck one in the role I'm looking at. I think the Buck blade is actually a better blade, but for a minimalist tool the Skele gets a better balance of blade to tool size IMO. I hate the drivers though, and the pliers ergos are an issue for me, so .....

I bought a Zillatool Jnr. Like the X-Tract it has fixed pliers and I LOVE fixed pliers. The knife is perfectly adequate, though a little delicate perhaps. The flipper blade takes a little time to get the hang of, but even if it doens't fully deploy you can still OHO it the rest of the way with the holes in the blade. Drivers are nice even if I am concerned about the bits going AWOL. The bottle opening function is farcical though. I forced myself to persevere with it and it took me 45 seconds to get the cap off a bottle. I might be doing something very wrong, but I still don't think that function is one of the tools strengths. So much so I'm still looking for alternatives

This is the only tool role I can't find something I'm happy with. I'm sorted for car, boat, work, EDC bag, organiser pouch and everything else. I've got other options stashed away for locking and non-locking, pliers based and knife based (SAK), but the role thats not sorted is the BBQ tool as I like to think of it. Pocket clip, OHO knife, quick access bottle opener (no faffing about looking for or extracting it), light to medium duty pliers ... the only other one I can think of is the Octane, but the bottle opener looks a bit of a faff and a few people haven't been to kind about the wire cutters and self-deploying pliers.

My BBQ tool actually used to be a Byrd Firebyrd. OHO slipjoint knife with lighter and bottle opener on a pocket clip - excellent (though a little bulky) but it want missing quite a while ago. What's a good quick access pocket clipped bottle opener that has a knife and pliers attached ... and that isn't a Skele? I'm not even that bothered about the drivers really. In fact I might even consider losing the pliers for the right blade/clip/opener combo

Any suggestions?

jekostas · **Reply #1 on:** October 17, 2011, 12:44:39 AM

If you're willing to lose the pliers, most of Leatherman's folding knives have quick-attach carabiners that double as bottle openers. They work well in that role as well. There are also a few models with drivers, or a few with bit drivers.

kirk13 · **Reply #2 on:** October 17, 2011, 12:47:56 AM

Gerber Crucial maybe?

Mercury · **Reply #3 on:** October 17, 2011, 01:59:53 AM

Quote from: jekostas on October 17, 2011, 12:44:39 AM

If you're willing to lose the pliers, most of Leatherman's folding knives have quick-attack carabiners that double as bottle openers. They work well in that role as well. There are also a few models with drivers, or a few with bit drivers.

I agree. My C33X has served me well for a while now. I really want to get the one with dedicated phillips and flathead drivers.

jerseydevil · **Reply #4 on:** October 17, 2011, 02:53:35 AM

Quote from: kirk13 on October 17, 2011, 12:47:56 AM

Gerber Crucial maybe?

That would work. Another good option would be the Octane, in my opinion. It feels better in my hand than the Crucial, and I like the pliers on the Octane better as well. Great minimalist tool IMO.

enki_ck · **Reply #5 on:** October 17, 2011, 03:02:35 AM

I understand the need for pliers on a BBQ multi. Around fire objects get hot pretty fast so something grippy comes in handy. But why do you need drivers? The skele seems the best.

As for the one handed opening bottle opener the Juice has one. If you choose the c2, sc2 or the cs4 you get a corkscrew too. Those come in handy on BBQs. Also there's the LM Flair

you even get a fork with that one.

Beerplumber · **Reply #6 on:** October 17, 2011, 03:17:16 AM

I have an octane and a skele, really considering a crater or expanse. I've been getting along with the skele really well though, pliers are redundant for me though so I don't mind.

Dr.Lipids · **Reply #7 on:** October 17, 2011, 03:42:56 AM

How about a CRKT Guppie? I know it doesn't have pliers but maybe since you got along with just that Byrd this could work. I've never had one, it just popped into my head from what you described.

AimlessWanderer · **Reply #8 on:** October 17, 2011, 07:38:44 AM

Thanks for the replies folks - certainly food for thought

Quote from: jekostas on October 17, 2011, 12:44:39 AM

If you're willing to lose the pliers, most of Leatherman's folding knives have quick-attach carabiners that double as bottle openers. They work well in that role as well. There are also a few models with drivers, or a few with bit drivers.

Not a bad suggestion, I'll look into those

Quote from: kirk13 on October 17, 2011, 12:47:56 AM

Gerber Crucial maybe?

Hmmm. Pliers look like they might have similar ergos to the Skele, but that carabiner looks interesting and the pocket clip is deep carry. Is it possible to OHO the carabiner?

Quote from: jerseydevil on October 17, 2011, 02:53:35 AM

Another good option would be the Octane, in my opinion. It feels better in my hand than the Crucial, and I like the pliers on the Octane better as well. Great minimalist tool IMO.

How is the bottle opener on the Octane? Don't think I've heard much feedback on that function

Quote from: enki_ck on October 17, 2011, 03:02:35 AM

I understand the need for pliers on a BBQ multi. Around fire objects get hot pretty fast so something grippy comes in handy. But why do you need drivers? The skele seems the best. As for the one handed opening bottle opener the Juice has one. If you choose the c2, sc2 or the cs4 you get a corkscrew too. Those come in handy on BBQs. Also there's the LM Flair you even get a fork with that one.

Pliers are preferred for the reason mentioned, but drivers aren't a make or break on this tool. I have a CS4 and XE6 already, but they don't have a clip

Quote from: Dr.Lipids on October 17, 2011, 03:42:56 AM

How about a CRKT Guppie? I know it doesn't have pliers but maybe since you got along with just that Byrd this could work. I've never had one, it just popped into my head from what you described.

Interesting sugestion. I'll look into that. I don't know much about them

kirk13 · **Reply #9 on:** October 17, 2011, 10:20:20 AM

OHO the carabineer?Never tried it but I'll dig it out later and let you know!

Farmman · **Reply #10 on:** October 17, 2011, 11:39:43 AM

As most people here will know the skele is my BBQ tool of choice. The blade is great for opening packages, trimming fat ect. The bottle opener is the best I have found. I get what you mean about the pliers however I only use them for the moving of the hot grill so they are not constantly in use. The screwdriver again is only used for tightening up the screws occasionally and so I can live with it. It is a great tool which once clipped in the pocket disappears.
For me it is a better bet than any of the lm knives as it at least offers the option of pliers (even if you do not like them). On a package of comparable size.

AimlessWanderer · **Reply #11 on:** October 17, 2011, 12:09:27 PM

Quote from: kirk13 on October 17, 2011, 10:20:20 AM

OHO the carabineer?Never tried it but I'll dig it out later and let you know!

Cheers John

Quote from: Farmman on October 17, 2011, 11:39:43 AM

As most people here will know the skele is my BBQ tool of choice. The blade is great for opening packages, trimming fat ect. The bottle opener is the best I have found. I get what you mean about the pliers however I only use them for the moving of the hot grill so they are not constantly in use. The screwdriver again is only used for tightening up the screws occasionally and so I can live with it. It is a great tool which once clipped in the pocket disappears.
For me it is a better bet than any of the lm knives as it at least offers the option of pliers (even if you do not like them). On a package of comparable size.

Cheers Mark. I've not actually traded the Skele yet, and if I don't find something better (for me) I'll probably keep it for the reasons you've mentioned. I just don't feel overly happy carrying a tool when I'm only happy with 50% of the features $:-\$ The pliers and drivers are better than nothing though, and the bottle opener is perfect for the role but if there's something else which could compare on quick access and effective bottle opener I'd be tempted to try it.

On that note I've just been having a squint at the Li'l Guppie. Light tool, couple of drivers and a mini wrench - not heavy duty gear but no additional bits to lose, bottle opener already to use - no fishing around... AND ... SLIPJOINT blade (Woohoo!!) ... and it's a Wharnie too

I can live with having another pliers based tool in my pocket if this performs well as a bottle opener and knife - the wrench is about the right size for the fixing on many small BBQ's too

The bottle opener looks a little .... open though, as if the hook part really should curl round more and would slip off the cap

Can anyone tell me how well the bottle opener on the Li'l Guppie performs??

Mr. Whippy · **Reply #12 on:** October 17, 2011, 12:17:41 PM

Works fine. Not as good as the Skeletool, but it's much better than the Zilla Jr. I really like the lil' Guppie and only wish the wrench were a little bigger.

AimlessWanderer · **Reply #13 on:** October 17, 2011, 12:23:33 PM

Quote from: Mr. Whippy on October 17, 2011, 12:17:41 PM

Works fine. Not as good as the Skeletool, but it's much better than the Zilla Jr. I really like the lil' Guppie and only wish the wrench were a little bigger.

Splendid! Thank you

Guess what tool I'm going to be trying next

EDIT: Seems these tools are not that common over here. Surprising really when you consider the non-locking blade. Thankfully Heinnie have them listed and even though they're not in stock they're showing around 10 days so it shouldn't be too long before I can try this out

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