Skeletool CX Anomalies

[Outback in Idaho]

 Traded for a Skeletool that the owner claimed was used once since having it repaired by Leatherman. Not to be nit picky, just noticed a couple of unusual things about it.

1. Designer Tiger Stripes in the finish?

These appear to be scratches on the pocket clip side, yet when running a fingernail/finger over the area it is smooth. Is this a new finish design, or something that comes about when applying the coating on the metal surface?

2. Uneven Blade Bevels

Did not even notice this of visual inspection. Only when I was sharpening the blade with my Spyderco Triangle Sharpmaker did I feel the difference.
One back bevel is cut more into the blade on one side, not so much on the other. Almost looks like a chisel cut, with a bevel on the back end.
Is this a new way of sharpening, or just a black sheep that got away from the factory?

Have since put a 30° back bevel on the one side so it won't feel so odd the next time I sharpen it.


Anyone else notice any of these two anomalies on their Skeletool CX tools?

[jekostas]

1.  The stripes are just abrasions in the finish.  The guy may have used it once, but if he was constantly walking in to things with the Skeletool clipped to his pocket it's easy to see how that could happen.
2.  I've found that Leatherman MTs (and knives, for that matter) often have uneven grinds.  Nothing that will keep the blade from being usable or sharpenable, but there just the same.

[turnsouth]

2.  I've found that Leatherman MTs (and knives, for that matter) often have uneven grinds.  Nothing that will keep the blade from being usable or sharpenable, but there just the same.

This is true, and something that I never understood. If you look at the video you see them going through the steps of tool construction. At 1:20 you can see the robot sharpening a blade, and if it is set correctly that should mean that every edge should be the same and even:

[trickknife]

2.  I've found that Leatherman MTs (and knives, for that matter) often have uneven grinds.  Nothing that will keep the blade from being usable or sharpenable, but there just the same.

This is true, and something that I never understood. If you look at the video you see them going through the steps of tool construction. At 1:20 you can see the robot sharpening a blade, and if it is set correctly that should mean that every edge should be the same and even:

that looks like a buffing wheel, not a sharpener.

if the stripes are perpendicular to the back of the folded metal handle, then it is probably from when it was folded in the press.

[turnsouth]

that looks like a buffing wheel, not a sharpener.

Maybe, but if you put the video on full screen, and advance frame by frame it appears that the edge develops as it is passed over the wheels.

[J-sews]

2.  I've found that Leatherman MTs (and knives, for that matter) often have uneven grinds.  Nothing that will keep the blade from being usable or sharpenable, but there just the same.

This is true, and something that I never understood. If you look at the video you see them going through the steps of tool construction. At 1:20 you can see the robot sharpening a blade, and if it is set correctly that should mean that every edge should be the same and even:

that looks like a buffing wheel, not a sharpener.

if the stripes are perpendicular to the back of the folded metal handle, then it is probably from when it was folded in the press.

Good point TK


Say, you've spent a bit of time in a manufacturing environment have you not? What in your opinion is the cause for the unequal edge bevels that Xelkos pictured in the first post?

[Outback in Idaho]

The stripes had to been done during the manufacturing process as the surface is smooth, glossy with an even fishing, and passes nail scraping. It is smooth, yet I'd figured the coating would of been applied after the folding/pressing process. Guess I was wrong.


If those are the sharpening stones; then either the blade was not centered in the blade holder, or one of the wheels was a lot smaller around. I'd guess more the blade was not centered.
Feels rather strange sharpening on a Spyderco Triangle Sharpmaker when the one side with the deep bevel was dragging over the stones. Had to run a back bevel just for that one side.

And there the CX is the premium Skeletool. One would of thought the tolerances would been more exact and the QA more strict.

[jzmtl]

This particular coating is extremely thin, any imperfection on steel would show through.

As for uneven bevels, even knives with 2 or 3 times the price will sometimes have it.

[edcgear]

Send it to me, I'll have NO complaints!!