Skeletool Just Arrived!

Tom Munch · **Reply #90 on:** January 28, 2008, 12:09:59 AM

I'm updating the review with some of the other things that you folks asked about in this thread.

silentio · **Reply #91 on:** January 28, 2008, 02:27:37 AM

Great review! Thanks for adding in the part about the knife opening. I'm not that familiar with knives, and I usually see a protruding stud on my friend's knives for one-handed opening. Didn't know that the hole in the blade serves the same purpose.

trickknife · **Reply #92 on:** January 28, 2008, 09:49:06 PM

Quote from: Tom Munch on January 27, 2008, 11:03:15 PM

I posted the review to my site as well for now so you guys can read it & check for any mistakes.

http://skeletool.tommunch.com/

Awesome review Tom. I just read the entire thread and your review tops it off nicely. I'll be interested in the ETS review of it now that the final version has made it to the market.

I think it might be their best seller ever. I love it, but I haven't got my hands on one yet.

J-sews · **Reply #93 on:** January 29, 2008, 01:11:43 AM

Tom, any suggestions for improvement on the Skeletool? Anything they should have done differently?

Tom Munch · **Reply #94 on:** January 29, 2008, 01:27:10 AM

Good question, Bob, & a good way to find out what I don't like in light of my glowing review.

I'm not really sure.

The blade is really solid & deploys just fine. I think they should polish the holes up a little so they're not so sharp. Mine might have just been an early production run that missed a step.

The carabiner could be smaller & make the whole thing a little shorter. The length gives the handle more leverage though.

I suppose the spare bit holder could have a more secure storage slot, but I don't think it will fall out. I've tried banging it on the wooden workbench to get the bit fall out - it doesn't.

The mechanism of the folding pliers & knife could be even smoother I suppose. It's not as smooth as the Spirit, but it's awfully nice, & it clicks into place so sweetly.

The lock on the bit holder could be easier to press, but then some folks would complain that it's too easy. It locks in very well.

It's hard to find faults since there's just not much to this tool & not much that could go wrong. I know you guys don't believe me, but all the little niggling details that drive me nuts about other tools just aren't here. It doesn't have fingernail cutouts like SwissTools do that break off your nails. It's not loose like the Charge, Wave, or Surge (I know some of you guys like the looseness for one-hand action). It's not overly bulky in the pocket like the Zilla or even the X-Tract. You don't have to open up the tool & dig for the screwdrivers. The bottle opener actually works, & you don't have to unfold something.

What's not to love?

Tom Munch · **Reply #95 on:** January 29, 2008, 01:45:18 AM

Bob,

I like this thing enough that I'm ready to get another for backup & a CX as well to complete the collection - & then probably a Freestyle or two when they are ready.

But then you already knew that.

Tom

J-sews · **Reply #96 on:** January 29, 2008, 01:56:32 AM

Quote from: Tom Munch on January 29, 2008, 01:45:18 AM

Bob,

I like this thing enough that I'm ready to get another for backup & a CX as well to complete the collection - & then probably a Freestyle or two when they are ready.

But then you already knew that.

Tom

I read you loud and clear buddy!

prime77 · **Reply #97 on:** January 29, 2008, 04:06:01 AM

Just a strange question Tom. Are there any date codes stamped anywhere on the inside of the handles like other LM tools.

edap617 · **Reply #98 on:** January 29, 2008, 04:25:12 AM

Quote from: Tom Munch on January 29, 2008, 01:45:18 AM

Bob,

I like this thing enough that I'm ready to get another for backup & a CX as well to complete the collection - & then probably a Freestyle or two when they are ready.

But then you already knew that.

Tom

Tom,

Is Freestyle another version or variation of the Skeletool? What's the main difference between the Freestyle and the Skeletool?

Eddie

Tsquare · **Reply #99 on:** January 29, 2008, 04:29:18 AM

The freestyle has a fixed philips-flat screwdriver no bit driver. It does not come with a clip but I believe one will be available. It also has one zytel handle scale for comfort. And last but not least it will be cheaper. Probably 10 to 20 dollars cheaper. Hope this helps

Tom Munch · **Reply #100 on:** January 29, 2008, 04:35:04 AM

Quote from: prime77 on January 29, 2008, 04:06:01 AM

Just a strange question Tom. Are there any date codes stamped anywhere on the inside of the handles like other LM tools.

I did look & didn't find any dates anywhere.

prime77 · **Reply #101 on:** January 29, 2008, 04:37:31 AM

Quote

I did look & didn't find any dates anywhere.

Interesting, Thanks Tom.

Tsquare · **Reply #102 on:** January 29, 2008, 04:38:02 AM

May is what I am hearing but then again they said the skeletool would be out in November so dont count on it.

edap617 · **Reply #103 on:** January 29, 2008, 04:45:15 AM

Quote from: Tsquare on January 29, 2008, 04:29:18 AM

The freestyle has a fixed philips-flat screwdriver no bit driver. It does not come with a clip but I believe one will be available. It also has one zytel handle scale for comfort. And last but not least it will be cheaper. Probably 10 to 20 dollars cheaper. Hope this helps

Thanks, Tsquare! Your name reminds me of my college days, particularly during Engineering Drawing subject.

Eddie

Tsquare · **Reply #104 on:** January 29, 2008, 04:50:24 AM

Glad to be of help. I just noticed I now have two stars. Cool. I like the blade on the freestyle better because it does not have as many holes in it as the skeletool and with a clip it may be more suited for me.(no bits to lose). I am really excited about the shot show report on a day by day basis. I hope the guys have a safe and wonderful trip with lots of good memories(and pictures of course). Well its about bedtime here. Gotta go for now.

prime77 · **Reply #105 on:** January 29, 2008, 04:55:57 AM

Quote

It also has one zytel handle scale for comfort.

I thought that the Freestyle will have one annodized alluminium scale, something akin to the Charge AL, not Zytel. I hope it's not Zytel.

Tsquare · **Reply #106 on:** January 30, 2008, 04:41:45 AM

I got the specs on it from the leatherman site under sell sheets I believe it was. I had to download it onto another computer and print it as the one I am on does not have excel.

J-sews · **Reply #107 on:** January 30, 2008, 12:42:10 PM

Tom, I'm still not used to that knife blade shape. (the way it looks I mean, as I have not received my Skeletool yet) How useful is the shape of the blade as compared to more traditional multitool blades like on the SwissTool or Wave?

Tom Munch · **Reply #108 on:** January 30, 2008, 01:13:06 PM

I was thinking about that as I was using it yesterday. It has a good point & a nice curve to it. The thick spine runs out further to the tip with this shape, so I think it will be more resistant to the tip breaking off.

It's also a little thicker all the way to the bevel. I've noticed it isn't quite as good at slicing an apple as a more hollow ground blade.

CQC-7 · **Reply #109 on:** January 31, 2008, 12:24:56 AM

Tom, where did you get that thing.

Tom Munch · **Reply #110 on:** January 31, 2008, 12:48:56 AM

Amazon

joebw · **Reply #111 on:** January 31, 2008, 12:54:48 AM

Hi CQC-7,

Mine is on the way from Moontrail. They showed 18 in stock a few hours ago.

Best - Joe

CQC-7 · **Reply #112 on:** January 31, 2008, 01:50:50 AM

I might have to visit those sites. However, I just had to pay my dues to Uncle Scam oh, I mean Uncle Sam.

I just got violated by the IRS so I might be on standby for a little bit but thanks for the info guys.

Viking · **Reply #113 on:** February 01, 2008, 02:26:42 AM

My wife just gave me my Skeletool. She's had it for a few days now! It was a early Valentine gift, she said she was worried I would go back on my word and order one for myself.(Which I was really tempted to do.)

After some initial hesitation, it's really growing on me. I'll carry it tomorrow for work and I can't wait to put it to use. It'll be hard to leave the Charge TTi at home, but I think I'll be ok.

J-sews · **Reply #114 on:** February 01, 2008, 02:52:01 AM

Congrats on your present Viking!

Now what are you going to give her for a Valentine's gift?

Tsquare · **Reply #115 on:** February 01, 2008, 04:47:35 AM

Life is like a box of chocolate but you just cannot beat jewelry.

Viking · **Reply #116 on:** February 01, 2008, 02:34:25 PM

Quote from: J-sews on February 01, 2008, 02:52:01 AM

Congrats on your present Viking!

Now what are you going to give her for a Valentine's gift?

I'll show my appreciation in the normal way.

Tom Munch · **Reply #117 on:** February 01, 2008, 08:43:13 PM

Quote from: Defender on January 26, 2008, 12:59:19 AM

I'v got to say I was pretty unimpressed at first, but now I think I may really like it, especially if it works with the Universal Tool Adaptor. Tom, do you have a UTA to try it out?

Def

I just got the UTA in. It works, but it's a bit clunky.

Viking · **Reply #118 on:** February 02, 2008, 12:52:20 AM

Went to work with the Skeletool today. I had some issues with leaving my Charge TTi and Benchmade Mini-Grip behind, but I got over it.

After only an hour on the job, I pulled out the Skeletool and used it to strip some 4/0-2/0-4/0 URD underground wire. The blade was sharp! It did an ok job, but I missed the bulk of the Charge in my hand. Haven't had to use the pliers or bit drivers yet, but that'll come with time. Overall, I'm imressed with it. I didn't feel it in my front right jeans pocket at all and had no troubles getting my hand passed it in my pocket.

I don't know if this will be an EDC for me while at work. I like the Charge and mini-grip combo because when I'm crawling in a dark crawlspace or climbing a 210' tower, I don't want to have to go back to the truck to get a tool and the Charge and Grip combo will give me some confidence in knowing that I could accomplish mostly everything with them if forgot a tool.

Sea Monster · **Reply #119 on:** February 02, 2008, 02:49:59 AM

Just looked up the Freestyle Sell sheets (I wonder when they went up?)

anyway, yeah, Zytel handles,

Some pics still show it without scales though.

"Plier head with wire cutters and folding handles" - Sorry Leatherman, not actually a big selling point on a multi these days. Does it have any other tricks?

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