Interesting Skeletool article from a backpacking perspective.

[Spoonrobot]

Link here.

Leatherman Skeletool - Aimed at wrong market?
Posted in Preparations, Sharps by storl on the November 29th, 2007
Leatherman has a couple of new multi-tools out that you may have seen, the Skeletool (ST)and Skeletool CX (STCX). They are billed as the multi-tools for today’s outdoor enthusiasts that want to save weight. It looks to me that they made a tool and then tried to find a market for it, but found the wrong market.

Leatherman’s site describes the STCX as:

Today’s outdoor enthusiasts want to keep weight and volume to a minimum without sacrificing quality and true functionality. While multi-tools have multiple options, they’re often heavier with more features than are used on a regular basis. Conversely, pocket knives are light and streamlined, but render themselves useless when necessary adjustments call for a tool. Enter the new Skeletool platform: Minimal weight, compact size and endless capabilities.

and the (ST) as:

At a mere five ounces the new, full-size multi-tool from Leatherman features a stainless steel blade, pliers, bit driver and carabiner/bottle opener—that’s it. Only the most necessary multi-tool features, because sometimes that’s all you need. Removable pocket clip means it easily clips onto a belt, pack, or vest—no sheath required.

So, you basically have a set of pliers with a knife, a carabiner, a can-opener, and a bit driver. That’s it. I am not counting the different parts of the plier section. How did they decide that those are the most essential tools that an outdoor enthusiast needs? What happened to the saw, awl, and scissors? Hell, even the fish scaler? I am guessing that the designers sat down and realized that if they distilled a Leatherman into the lightest, most essential parts, they would be left with a Swiss Army Knife. I doubt that their marketing would like that, even though I would love to see a SAK type tool come from Leatherman.

I obviously agree that a knife is essential. I don’t go outside of my bed, let alone into the woods, without a knife (or four). An argument could even be made for the pliers, even though they are really just extra weight to an ultralighter. How many times have you really needed pliers in the wilderness? I have used them many times, but could easily have done without. Not to mention that the SK pliers are much more blunt that most other Leatherman pliers. A saw, on the other hand? I would take a crappy saw over the best pliers in the world.

If you look at what are commonly considered the three immediate needs in a sticky situation (fire, water, and shelter), pliers do not really help you in any of those areas. A knife can help in all areas, and a saw is incredibly useful for fire and shelter. A bit driver doesn’t even enter into the equation. Actually, does a bit driver ever enter into the equation? I can’t think of a single piece of gear that I own that would take the size bits that come with most Leatherman bit sets. Some jeweler sized bits like a couple of the Charge bits, now those can be occasionally useful. Still, I can’t think of when I would ever really need a bit driver of any kind.

Now, let’s take a look at this tool from a different perspective. I started working in construction, specifically decks and trim carpentry, when I was 13. I had a Leatherman type tool back then with a lot of tools that I never used. The Skeletool would have been perfect for me, and the same holds true for many other similar jobs.

I guess saying that a tool is perfect for a construction worker is not exactly sexy marketing for their new tool. They do have tools, like the Core, that they market to that crowd. Of course, it has a saw. Maybe we were just privileged carpenters, but we had some badass saws and never even considered using the ones on our multi-tools. I don’t know if I ever used anything other than the pliers and occasionally the knife (usually a utility blade instead) and bit driver/screwdrivers.

Maybe I need to take the cue from someone on one of the 500 forums I read and build my own Leatherman (Sounds like he needs an email linking him here. ). I have enough multi-tools where I could take a few apart and cobble together the perfect tool for me. Now that I think about it, custom Leathermans would be a good business idea…

Thoughts?

I approach my multis from a more urban viewpoint so the lack of features for a backpacker is not a big deal to me. I don't think I would take the Skeletool if I was going into the woods though. Seems like a saw is common sense for a low-feature outdoor tool, but I lack that mindset to really discern what is good and what is not. I am curious what our more outdoorsy members think.

[Sea Monster]

I approach my multis from a more urban viewpoint so the lack of features for a backpacker is not a big deal to me. I don't think I would take the Skeletool if I was going into the woods though. Seems like a saw is common sense for a low-feature outdoor tool, but I lack that mindset to really discern what is good and what is not. I am curious what our more outdoorsy members think.

Given the popularity of the Farmer + Rucksack/Trekker SAK models, apparently the most interesting, minimalist outdoorsy tools are a Knife, Awl, Can Opener, and a Saw.

The Cap Lifter and either Phillips or Corkscrew are probably more luxury items.

The PLumberjack (knife, saw, combotool) is also in evidence a popular light woodsy tool.

I would think a dedicated outdoors tool would be better suited to having big snippers on the front, instead of pliers - but perhaps in todays world a handy plier is more suited to messing with malfunctioning technocrap you are carrying along.

[Tom Munch]

I think this guy has it a little wrong.  I would use the pliers as a potlifter on any backpacking trip.  That's something that's needed continually & a separate potlifter usually has to be carried.  I've never used a saw on any multitool when backpacking.  It's simply not big enough to cut anything that can't be broken for firewood.  To tell the truth we used to limit ourselves to carrying only a blade when I taught backpacking at Philmont Scout Ranch.  Anything more was just added weight that would seldom if ever see use.  (This was before the advent of the first Leatherman though, so who knows if we might have carried a PST.)  I agree that the bit driver has little purpose in the backcountry.  Most gear is welded or held together with something other than screws.

[toytoy]

You must use a saw to cut a wood board. I guess this is not an outdoors backpacker's activity.

If all you need to do is to chop off a branch, I would like to use a longer saw (if you cannot break the branch). Most of the times, you just pick a thinner branch for fire wood.

A short saw (e.g., LM Surge) is not very useful for cutting branches. It may be used to cut a thin wood board at home. You can always use a cheap and sturdy survival knife to chop branch. If you don't have a survival knife at hand, you may use the serrated blade to make a shallow cut and kick the branch like hell. You can always find yourself a thin branch.

If you are outdoors, depending on your weight carrying ability (ultralight or with a gas-guzzling RV by yourside), you may or may not carry unneeded weights. If I really need to keep it light weight, I may carry a survival knife with a compass, a SAK with fish scaler and maybe a can opener and a serrated blade, some fishing equipments, a piece of firesteel, and JUST the T-shanked diamond file of LM Surge. I can use the diamond file to sharpen the knifes and fish hooks. I can use the survival knife to chop firewoods, gut the fish, shave firesteel and kill angry 10-foot tall bears (well, I am not strong enough to fight a Velociraptor let alone a hungry T. rex). On the other hand, there are cheaper diamond files available from any hardware store. I may not carry LM's diamond file which is proprietary and possibly very expensive to replace.

I think a survival knife and an optional SAK are all I ever need if I want to go outdoors. On the other hand, I will never visit Jurassic Park without bringing some college eggheads and lawyers as dino dinners. I don't want to be eaten alive.

[trickknife]

If you look at all the implements on any multi-tool regardless of the brand or size, which components are the ones that you use the absolute most, assuming you don't carry around an extra tool kit.  Personally, I'm always using the knife (serrations are great, but not critical).  I always use my screw drivers phillps and flat at least 2-3 times a week.  I use the pliers less, but when I need them, it's usually important and going to the garage for one is so inconvenient when I'm up on the roof.  I could do without the cheesy caribiner, but if that's all you have to hold on to then so be it.  Well there is the occassional beverage that might need opening, but please...that's a bit overkill.

All around, they seemed to have marketed it to the wrong crowd, but a huge piece of the population will find that it has exactly what it needs.  It's obviously not sexy to market it to the average shmoe, but even the average schmoe thinks about camping and backpacking even if he never gets off his butt to do it.  I think I can see my self in there...the sitting on my butt part...

[crls1]

When outdoors, i always take my F1 with me, plus a small machete. My Vic Rucksack is my backup knife/tool. Pliers? Never need it, non of my gear uses screwdrivers, and the electronics are too complicated (GPS) to try to repair in the field. I think that the Skeletool is more a urban tool than an outdoors tool. If i remember well, Leatherman advertises the wave as their outdoor tool (or it was the charge?).

Carlos

[J-sews]

I think the fellow pretty well hits the nail on the head. Leatherman talking about the Skeletool being an "outdoors" tool is simply marketing strategy. As Carlos says, it is far more suited to urban situations, and it will sell well to those type of folks.

[toytoy]

Most SUV owners are wannabes who drive oversized vehicles only to supermarkets. ... What a marketing strategy.

[J-sews]

True enough, but their goal is to sell multitools, and wannabe SUV owners tend to have lots of money for gadgets.

[Anthony]

Around a campsite with a camper, grill, propane grittle, other assorted mechanical junk, the Skeletool might be useful...but if you're camping out of a camper...you've probably got a modest toolbox with Vise Grips, a half dozen screwdrivers, a utility knife, etc...so having an $80 Skeletool woulden't be that special.

On a trail the Skeletool is next to useless.  I'm assuming a Mora weighs about the same, and would be cheaper and way more valuable.  A $30 Vic Trekker or a Camper model would be ideal.  Even an old model Wave that you can usually get for under $30 would be pretty good (maybe file down one of the many flatheads into an awl...)

The Skeletool series should have been made with a finer needle nose plier head, and an extendable long bit shank like on the Cybertool (with a few bits on the tool itself), the knife blade, and maybe a nice file, and been marketed to city dwelling tech geeks.  Those are the guys and gals who DON'T need a saw, awl, etc, and IMO the Skeletool just LOOKS like something technical and futuristic.  I'm sure there are lots of computer savvy people out there who write off the basic plier based multi because of the "extra" stuff that makes it look like a survival tool...take that away and you've got a whole new audience.

[ducktapehero]

For 80 bucks I'd much rather have a Vic Spirit AND a decent ax.

[Sea Monster]

Some one else mentioned it in another thread -
You're not actually marketing to the people you expect to buy it.
You're marketing a fantasy to the aforementioned "average shmoe" - If you tell him it's a Extra Light Outdoors Multi with "Just what you need and nothing you don't" - he will buy it (or three), even if he never goes on trips further than the bottleo, and when he does go for a trek, forgets to take it anyway.


In any case- aside from a knife, the most used tool for me on a SAK or Multi is the Awl.
However, the value of this specific tool is up for debate, as many of things I use it for could be done by another tool, just with less class. (A small phillips or flathead can be used to punch air holes things, or to assist in untangling knots, etc - I use the Awl instead of the knife to open letters, as a knife may cut the missive within)

[Sea Monster]

DOUBLE POST! ARREST THAT MAN.

Rather than my usual game of bringing ancient threads to the fore, I'll just drag a quote from the graveyard this time.

For those who don't have a SideClip, I suggest getting one anywhere you can find it.  It's actually a really really good little tool.  It's a full sized tool that is extremely slim, has the most important tools and is so light you will actually forget you have it in your pocket!  It would be really cool to see a new one surface, maybe in aluminum or titanium, with a one handed opening blade like the Wave....

Happy now Boss?

[Grant Lamontagne]

I guess that's a subtle int that I'm to blame for the Skeletool?  I'll take that blame if I also get a share of the profits! 

You are absolutely right about the marketing angle.  While I plan to get one of each model, I can't see myself actually EDC'ing the Skeletool/Freestyle because of the lack of available tools, and from the pictures I've seen, I can think of several things I'd change on it already.  But, like any other tool, there's lots of folks who'd buy it, and given it's relatively simple design I'm sure Leatherman has already made their money off it.  If nothing else, it's drawn attention to the brand and that alone is worth it's weight in gold.

Def

[NeitherExtreme]

I'd have to agree in general with the first post. To me, pliars and screwdrivers are not the first outdoors tools I think of.

So another way to look at it is that the Skeletool might be weakest in the Outdoor market (of all of LM's usual markets). So they marketed it to them, figuring everyone else will already like it (Construction, Knife EDC'ers, Urban handymen, Etc.). Just a thought...  Also, the outdoors/backpacking/college crowd might be drawn to simply by feeling like it is marketed towards them (think carabiners...), even though they might not buy it for the purpose of outdoors use.

[Sea Monster]

I suspect (and I believe the brits will be in a similar boat) that the more prominent the knife, the more Authoritay you annoy.

While technically illegal, you can probably get away with a Wave unless you act like a git, but that is pretty borderline for when a Tool becomes a Knife and your reason to carry has to be a lot more convincing - this thing is more in line with the Zilla. A big ol' Folder with some pliers stuck to it somewhere.

[J-sews]

Rather than my usual game of bringing ancient threads to the fore, I'll just drag a quote from the graveyard this time.

For those who don't have a SideClip, I suggest getting one anywhere you can find it.  It's actually a really really good little tool.  It's a full sized tool that is extremely slim, has the most important tools and is so light you will actually forget you have it in your pocket!  It would be really cool to see a new one surface, maybe in aluminum or titanium, with a one handed opening blade like the Wave....

Wow! Talk about a prediction! That's almost spooky!

[Grant Lamontagne]

Defender= Certified Leatherman Psychic!

Def