Classy or Gangsta ? Gold Leatherman

dks · **Reply #30 on:** April 14, 2012, 05:55:45 PM

As long as you are using them in some way you are not a hoarder!
You like looking at them, playing with them and showing them so it is not like you hide them in a secret box and do not get any use or pleasure out of them Chako.

Most people here have more tools, not just multitools, than they actually use on a daily basis anyway.

Chako · **Reply #31 on:** April 14, 2012, 06:19:09 PM

Exactly.

Another peak.

MultiMat · **Reply #32 on:** April 14, 2012, 06:46:18 PM

Dan I am keen to hear how the high friction areas hold up like on the blade detent ramps etc.
I think the pimped Skeletool looks the best

. I wonder if they disassemble the tools & have them plated or if they coat/paint the tools in their assembled state

.
I think if they pulled them apart,coated them & then reassembled them they would be more expensive that they are

Chako · **Reply #33 on:** April 14, 2012, 07:05:24 PM

I have looked at the joints very closely, and cannot see any missed areas. I think they disassemble them personally...otherwise there would be missed areas. The flathead driver on the other hand is of a lighter colour to the rest of the tool...making me think it got less gold plating.

I was curious...and I did buy all those painted tools...so why not something I wouldn't be caught dead wearing.

Syph007 · **Reply #34 on:** April 14, 2012, 07:06:59 PM

You'd for sure have to take them apart to coat, but leatherman's come apart pretty easy so that's no barrier. Try that with the swisstool line.

dks · **Reply #35 on:** April 14, 2012, 07:11:43 PM

I have bought several items from the gold LM dealer before (they changed their name a few months ago) and was happy with the service.
I am sure they must have done a pretty decent job with the gold coating.

Now lets wait for a youtube review with a paint detruction test!

MultiMat · **Reply #36 on:** April 14, 2012, 07:22:45 PM

Quote from: Syph007 on April 14, 2012, 07:06:59 PM

You'd for sure have to take them apart to coat, but leatherman's come apart pretty easy so that's no barrier. Try that with the swisstool line.

I don't know having this many parts(that was the best photo I know of) , having everything coated & then reassembled.That would be a $1000+ tool in Oz

Syph007 · **Reply #37 on:** April 14, 2012, 07:41:41 PM

Ive had my wave apart for cleaning twice now and it felt like a pretty smooth process. I found it best to keep both halves separated, and treat it like 2 knives joined by pliers, to keep the parts organized. But luckly most of the little fiddly bits only go on one way, and taking pics as you take it apart helps tons too.

David · **Reply #38 on:** April 14, 2012, 08:00:41 PM

Mat I got to agree that Skeletool is really sweet. I`m trying to talk myself into buying one.

Chako · **Reply #39 on:** April 15, 2012, 01:38:00 PM

Some more photographs for you.

MultiMat · **Reply #40 on:** April 15, 2012, 01:47:24 PM

Quote from: David on April 14, 2012, 08:00:41 PM

Mat I got to agree that Skeletool is really sweet. I`m trying to talk myself into buying one.

David I think you need to shout yourself a late birthday present

I have sent the seller some questions about their coating , I wonder what they will have to say

David · **Reply #41 on:** April 15, 2012, 06:02:13 PM

Quote from: MultiMat on April 15, 2012, 01:47:24 PM

Quote from: David on April 14, 2012, 08:00:41 PM
Mat I got to agree that Skeletool is really sweet. I`m trying to talk myself into buying one.

David I think you need to shout yourself a late birthday present

I have sent the seller some questions about their coating , I wonder what they will have to say

Mat, the durability of the finish is the only thing that has me concerned. It will be interesting to see what they have to say. I`ve bought several tools from them in the past with no problems.

MultiMat · **Reply #42 on:** April 16, 2012, 04:28:09 AM

OK here is the response they gave me ;

'Firstly, these tools are gold plated, an electro-chemical process (uses electricity to replace surface particles on a material). It is not a paint (like enamel), and it is not a purely chemical process (like black oxide).

Regarding the hardness of the gold. The formula we use has a .001% cobalt hardener in the gold that makes it much more scratch resistant than a normal gold finish. It is MUCH more durable than a gold plated piece of jewelery, for instance. The MIL spec refers to this wear resistance (instead of a purely ornamental finish).

Personally, I'm not a huge fan of the black oxide finish. Just due to the nature of the process, the finish is extremely uneven, and as you mentioned, starts to look worn very quickly. I've pulled brand new ones out of the box that already had some of the scratching. The gold finish isn't a miracle finish, but it will wear more like the base stainless steel than either the black oxide or enamel. It will not chip but can be scratched just like a stock Leatherman tool would be scratched. It is possible that you will eventually wear through the gold layer with heavy use, but we haven't experienced this yet. As an added benefit, the gold plate is incredible corrosion resistant (even in salt water).

These tools are entirely disassembled for plating and each part is fully submerged for an even finish. You should be aware, however, that the finish isn't 100% perfect as any imperfections in the stainless steel will show through the plate.'

So they do disassemble

Lynn LeFey · **Reply #43 on:** April 16, 2012, 04:35:47 AM

After the detail photos, I very much like the black and gold one more than the all-gold.

Good to know about the process.

David · **Reply #44 on:** April 16, 2012, 05:11:12 AM

Mat thanks for posting their response. I just got a reply about the durablity of the finish and got a similar reply as yours.

David · **Reply #45 on:** April 16, 2012, 05:44:17 AM

Well Mat I bought one. I was waiting on an answer about the liner locks lock up and whether they had plain or partial serrated knife blades. So now the wait begins.

MultiMat · **Reply #46 on:** April 16, 2012, 06:44:27 AM

,really keen to hear what you think of your Skeley & how it holds up to use David

. Maybe I could get one in a few months with my tax return

Chako · **Reply #47 on:** April 16, 2012, 10:10:03 PM

It looks great with the others.

Threeme2189 · **Reply #48 on:** April 16, 2012, 10:51:29 PM

I like the looks of that skeletool, I don't think I would EDC one though...

Chako · **Reply #49 on:** April 17, 2012, 01:22:29 AM

I agree. At least they didn't gold plate the blades or any of the working parts like those Waves. This one does make more sense as a user though.

David · **Reply #50 on:** April 17, 2012, 06:48:57 AM

Nice pics as usual Chako. The one I've got coming is suppose to have a plain edge knife blade. I do plan on using it but gently.

Chako · **Reply #51 on:** April 17, 2012, 12:14:07 PM

Thanks David. I hope you enjoy yours. The plated Skeletool is a real looker.

MultiMat · **Reply #52 on:** April 17, 2012, 02:23:10 PM

Quote from: David on April 17, 2012, 06:48:57 AM

Nice pics as usual Chako. The one I've got coming is suppose to have a plain edge knife blade. I do plan on using it but gently.

Sweet David

, that would be my choice for a pimped skeley as well

.

Chako · **Reply #53 on:** April 17, 2012, 02:24:58 PM

I just checked eBay. There is even a gold Wingman now.

David · **Reply #54 on:** April 17, 2012, 05:12:15 PM

Looks like they have sold two of them all ready. Believe I`ll pass on the Wingman.

David · **Reply #55 on:** April 17, 2012, 05:18:20 PM

Quote from: MultiMat on April 17, 2012, 02:23:10 PM

Quote from: David on April 17, 2012, 06:48:57 AM
Nice pics as usual Chako. The one I've got coming is suppose to have a plain edge knife blade. I do plan on using it but gently.

Sweet David , that would be my choice for a pimped skeley as well .

Mat, I asked them if the knife blades on the Skeletools were plain or partial serrated? Their reply was they could equip mine with either one to let them know with the checkout note.

David · **Reply #56 on:** April 20, 2012, 08:05:41 AM

I got the gold Skeletool yesterday and it is real nice.

Except for one small thing the liner lock locking bar is so far right that it is starting off the tang of the knife blade when locked up so it is going back tomorrow. I`m not to picky about most things about MT`s as they are a tool after all. But I really want a liner lock to have an early lock up when it`s new.

MultiMat · **Reply #57 on:** April 20, 2012, 09:41:23 AM

That is a real shame about the lock up mate

, I agree early lock up is much better.
My NIB CX Skeletool has a very late lock up & it bugs the hell out of me , I think the early Skeletools/CX's were prone to this & it is one of the reason's LM did the larger button fastener, it actes as a blade stop

, VERY odd solution though as it gives you no leeway for linner lock wear. One of my 'blade launcher' LM's knives has worn & now has a poor lock up , that again bugs me

. I do not think MT manufactures, LM , VIc & Wenger, do linner locks as well as dedicated knife manufactures

David · **Reply #58 on:** April 25, 2012, 01:37:28 AM

I just got a photo of my gold Skeletool that I sent back to KTRS. It now has an early lock up and will be headed back to Kansas tomorrow.

I dont know how they fixed it but am looking forward to getting it back. They now have some gold Micras that look real tempting also.

David · **Reply #59 on:** May 06, 2012, 08:05:06 AM

The gold Skeletool was sent back again this time for a refund. While it did have an early lock up it had other problems. KTRS really tried it just didnt work out this time.

Hello Lurker! Remove this ad and much more by logging in.

Classy or Gangsta ? Gold Leatherman

Donations

Community Links