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Tool Talk => Events Forum => Topic started by: Grant Lamontagne on February 05, 2008, 12:48:54 PM

Title: Skeletools and FreeStyle
Post by: Grant Lamontagne on February 05, 2008, 12:48:54 PM
We were treated quite well at the Leatherman booth, as Bob already mentioned.  I felt like we were imposing, but they made us feel right at home and bent over backwards to let us photograph anything and everything we wanted!  Naturally, the Skeletool was at the top of the list, and we also got an added bonus with a FreeStyle so we can compare them all!

We must have taken a hundred pictures at the Leatherman booth that day, and a couple of dozen with Skeletools in them.  Here's a few of my favorite- I'll post more when I get the chance.

(http://gallery.multitool.org/pbmirror/Skeletool01.jpg)

Special thanks to Mrs Bob for putting together a couple of these great Multitool.org polo shirts!

(http://gallery.multitool.org/pbmirror/Skeletool02.jpg)

Not terribly detailed, but I thought it made a nice photo! :D

(http://gallery.multitool.org/pbmirror/Skeletool03.jpg)

Here's a close up of the differences in screwdrivers between the Skeletool, Skeletool CX and FreeStyle.  I have some other pics of that solid screwdriver becaue it's a really neat design.  The flat head is angled corner to corner rather than being "straight" like most flatheads.  It certainly fits with the overall design, and it benefits from having a slightly wider blade.

Also not the bit holder is omitted on the FreeStyle for obvious reasons.

Def
Title: Re: Skeletools and FreeStyle
Post by: Spoonrobot on February 05, 2008, 12:52:53 PM
The CX looks classy.

Is that the model with the carbon fiber scale? I assume this is not a load-bearing structure and is similar to the titanium accents on the Charge TTi?

That serration pattern on the CX looks pretty deep near the thumbhole, any thoughts on it affecting blade strength?
Title: Re: Skeletools and FreeStyle
Post by: Grant Lamontagne on February 05, 2008, 12:59:47 PM
I think you are bang on the money there- the CF is tough but not tool tough and I don't think it's load bearing.  I was concentrating mostly on pictures, so maybe Bob might have some views on it- he handled it more than I did.  I just flipped them around a few times to take pics on different angles and such.

As for the serrations on the blade, I agree they do look like a pretty deep cut but I doubt they'll affect blade strength all that much.  This is a light to moderate duty tool, about the same size as a Juice, only with a carabiner stuck to it's backside.

Def
Title: Re: Skeletools and FreeStyle
Post by: J-sews on February 05, 2008, 02:28:12 PM
The CX looks classy.

Is that the model with the carbon fiber scale? I assume this is not a load-bearing structure and is similar to the titanium accents on the Charge TTi?


That particular component on the Skeletool-Freestyle series appears to be nothing more than a fancy spacer. Note how Leatherman changes the material, depending upon the model in question:

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/jooliesews/Bobbys/Spacermaterials.jpg)
Title: Re: Skeletools and FreeStyle
Post by: Tom Munch on February 05, 2008, 04:36:47 PM
It's more than just a fancy spacer, it's what your hand grips against.  It doesn't have to be terribly strong, but it has to be comfortable.
Title: Re: Skeletools and FreeStyle
Post by: J-sews on February 05, 2008, 07:56:21 PM
Good point Tom. What I meant to emphasize was that this component is not load-bearing, and so therefore folks shold not be concerned about strength when considering the Freestyle with zytel plastic.


By the way here are a couple close-ups of the Freestyle's integrated screwdriver Def was referring to:

(http://i32.tinypic.com/e63akx.jpg)

(http://i26.tinypic.com/4gt6cj.jpg)

Hopefully you can see how that driver is canted on a 45 degree diagonal, allowing it to be longer than if it had been rotated flat to the square shank. Oh, and speaking of square shanks, the intent is to have the Freestyle fit the Leatherman Removable Bit Driver (http://www.multitool.org/leatherman-tool-group/accessories/leatherman-removable-bit-driver.html) accessory.

(http://www.multitool.org/images/stories/Tool_pics/BitDriver/rbd7.jpg)

Cool, so the Freestyle gets to use bits after all! :)
Title: Re: Skeletools and FreeStyle
Post by: Tom Munch on February 05, 2008, 08:37:37 PM
Yeah, LM bits AND regular hex bits - COOL!  Although I'm sure others have noticed that both the Removable Bit Extension & the Bit Driver Extension are too deep for regular bits because they're made for the double-ended LM bit.  I think I've seen this mentioned here before.

I'm still concerned that you won't get much of a bite on a slotted screwdriver without chewing it up with the Freestyle driver.
Title: Re: Skeletools and FreeStyle
Post by: J-sews on February 05, 2008, 08:45:57 PM

I'm still concerned that you won't get much of a bite on a slotted screwdriver without chewing it up with the Freestyle driver.

Same concern here. Because while we have seen that "flat" phillips before on the Micra, at least the Micra also had a flathead screwdriver. Whereas on the Freestyle, the one screwdriver is expected to handle both types of screws.
Title: Re: Skeletools and FreeStyle
Post by: prime77 on February 06, 2008, 07:37:12 AM
I have a bad habit of chewing up screwdrivers. The Freestyle driver looks something I'll destroy in minutes.
Title: Re: Skeletools and FreeStyle
Post by: J-sews on February 06, 2008, 07:52:40 AM
I have a bad habit of chewing up screwdrivers. The Freestyle driver looks something I'll destroy in minutes.


It does seem as if a screwdriver designed to work on both flathead screws and phillips screws will not likely be suitable for either one.  :-\
Title: Re: Skeletools and FreeStyle
Post by: J-sews on February 06, 2008, 07:56:25 AM
Wading through a ton of pictures here. I just found another one of the Freestyle:

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/jooliesews/Bobbys/freestyle.jpg)
Title: Re: Skeletools and FreeStyle
Post by: Benner on February 06, 2008, 05:33:47 PM
I have a bad habit of chewing up screwdrivers. The Freestyle driver looks something I'll destroy in minutes.


It does seem as if a screwdriver designed to work on both flathead screws and phillips screws will not likely be suitable for either one.  :-\

It's almost as if they have just attempted to make a point at the end of a metal rod.  Perhaps it's not a screwdriver at all but a  :pok:.  :D
Title: Re: Skeletools and FreeStyle
Post by: Tom Munch on February 06, 2008, 05:56:57 PM
You know how much I like these tools, but it just struck me how much cooler they would be if that entire end with the carabiner & bit driver was replaced with a ratcheting bit driver & storage for a couple more bits.  This may even be a mod that I could do.
Title: Re: Skeletools and FreeStyle
Post by: Sea Monster on February 06, 2008, 08:04:49 PM
Quote
Wading through a ton of pictures here. I just found another one of the Freestyle:

That's one fine looking letter opener you got there bobby.
Title: Re: Skeletools and FreeStyle
Post by: hawkchucker on February 06, 2008, 11:00:24 PM
I really dont like the driver on the freestyle, so I guess I will just stick with the skeletool.
Title: Re: Skeletools and FreeStyle
Post by: Leatherman123 on February 07, 2008, 02:41:05 AM
I think in time I am going to get all three!!
Title: Re: Skeletools and FreeStyle
Post by: J-sews on February 07, 2008, 02:55:29 AM
You know how much I like these tools, but it just struck me how much cooler they would be if that entire end with the carabiner & bit driver was replaced with a ratcheting bit driver & storage for a couple more bits.  This may even be a mod that I could do.

That sounds like a good idea Tom!  :) 
Title: Re: Skeletools and FreeStyle
Post by: I'm Still Bison on February 07, 2008, 03:55:57 AM
Seeing all these pics has really whetted my appetite for one or more;and has me thinking that Leatherman has now put pressure on Vic/Wenger to add an Alox model or two to the 111/120mm lines.
Title: Re: Skeletools and FreeStyle
Post by: J-sews on February 07, 2008, 04:24:04 AM
Seeing all these pics.......

Yet another, courtesy Defender:

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/jooliesews/Bobbys/s-f.jpg)
Title: Re: Skeletools and FreeStyle
Post by: Grant Lamontagne on February 07, 2008, 04:33:10 AM
Hoo boy, I'd post all of the pics of the Skeletool, CX and Freestyle we took, but I doubt Photobucket has that much bandwidth and server space!  I know I sure don't!

We spent about an hour there, literally, taking pictures of Leatherman tools, and most were the Skeletools and Freestyle, although I did get some pictures of the Genus and maybe some other stuff I don't remember! :P

Def