RECOMMENDATIONS! Leatherman Fuse, Kick or Skeletool to compliment a SAK?

[sir_mike]

I am looking for comments and suggestions based on these three Leatherman's, The Fuse, Kick or Skeletool to compliment a SAK, specifically the Ranger or an Explorer. 

My only need/thought is to have a set of plier's but having a second blade, especially the one on the Skeletool which I like the size, has got me leaning towards it.  I also think the other two will have too much duplication regarding tool set with the sak so I that is another reason I am leaning towards the Skeletool.

A reason to lean towards the Fuse and Kick is price, which will way heavily on my decision or I will consider posting for a trade deal on what I settle on.

The downside of some Skeletool's is the combo blade.  I dont want a combo blade, only a full plain blade.  I dont like to carry alot of stuff so the plier's setup will just be tossed into a jacket pocket when I leave the house.

Thanks in advance for any and all comments.

[Kampfer]

I know what I am going to say.

[ducttapetech]

How about modding the blade on the skele to a full SE blade?

[captain spaulding]

Out of the three you can rule out the Kick off the bat because why would you buy a kick when you could have a Fuse. It is the same size and more capable than the Kick. Between the Fuse and Skeletool I would personally pick the Fuse. It packas more tools and I just really like the design. I also do not like how you can only use the skeletool's bit driver with the tools handle fully extended.

[Corwyn]

I find the SkeleTool to be the best companion for a sak. It adds nice pliers, nice OHO blade and 4 versatile and quite strong drivers without much overlapping.
The fuse overlaps too much with Ranger IMHO. Also I hate the desig, especially that it's not OHO - for me it's the main "selling point" of the SkeTool and Wave families.

Ow and if you want PE... get a CX ;-)

[eddie1115]

I find the SkeleTool to be the best companion for a sak. It adds nice pliers, nice OHO blade and 4 versatile and quite strong drivers without much overlapping.
The fuse overlaps too much with Ranger IMHO. Also I hate the desig, especially that it's not OHO - for me it's the main "selling point" of the SkeTool and Wave families.

Ow and if you want PE... get a CX ;-)

+1   I started typing a similar response, but Corwyn said it pretty well.    After the Skeletool challenge, I may just add a SAK to my Skele carry.

[Kampfer]

A lot of people do the talking for me nowadays. 

[colt 1911]

I vote fuse, for me the skeletool is really uncomfortable when using both the pliers and driver.  This is where the fuse shines ! The kydex inserts are rounded so when using the drivers the back of the tool isn't digging in the palm of your hand. Hands down fuse !


Sak's  rule !

[sir_mike]

I was hoping that I can get the Skeletool in full plain edge without going to the CX model as they are too pricey for what you get except for the little better steel in the blade.  Are they really worth there price?

@ Captain - I agree withe the Fuse-Kick being basically the same but I dont need the extra tools that either one has so would like to keep it to a minimalistic carry as much as I can.  Otherwise I should just get a Rebar, which is found cheaper than the Skeletool CX!

Wait, gotta stay on track here!  Before you know if someone will say "well, just get a Surge" cause they are not much more than the Skeletool CX either!  LOL

Is the regular Skeletool only available with a combo edge?

[Kampfer]

I vote fuse, for me the skeletool is really uncomfortable when using both the pliers and driver.  This is where the fuse shines ! The kydex inserts are rounded so when using the drivers the back of the tool isn't digging in the palm of your hand. Hands down fuse !


Sak's  rule !

A good vote, depended on how hard you plan on using the pliers.
If you do use it hard, go with Fuse / Kick for stronger, more comfortable pliers setup.
If not, go with Skele, gain a OHO blade which others cant offer.

[Kampfer]

well, just get a Surge!

[eddie1115]

I was hoping that I can get the Skeletool in full plain edge without going to the CX model as they are too pricey for what you get except for the little better steel in the blade.  Are they really worth there price?

@ Captain - I agree withe the Fuse-Kick being basically the same but I dont need the extra tools that either one has so would like to keep it to a minimalistic carry as much as I can.  Otherwise I should just get a Rebar, which is found cheaper than the Skeletool CX!

Wait, gotta stay on track here!  Before you know if someone will say "well, just get a Surge" cause they are not much more than the Skeletool CX either!  LOL

Is the regular Skeletool only available with a combo edge?

The SS Skele used to come with a PE blade (that's what mine is).  You can find them on ebay occasionally, or once in a while from people here at MTO.

[Etherealicer]

How about a Mini? I know, not helping

[sir_mike]

I vote fuse, for me the skeletool is really uncomfortable when using both the pliers and driver.  This is where the fuse shines ! The kydex inserts are rounded so when using the drivers the back of the tool isn't digging in the palm of your hand. Hands down fuse !


Sak's  rule !

That is a big concern I have regarding the Skeletool but I do like the simplicity of them!    I have heard that from others before too!

 

[Kampfer]

I vote fuse, for me the skeletool is really uncomfortable when using both the pliers and driver.  This is where the fuse shines ! The kydex inserts are rounded so when using the drivers the back of the tool isn't digging in the palm of your hand. Hands down fuse !


Sak's  rule !

That is a big concern I have regarding the Skeletool!

Have you handle one? It is a "love it or hate it" thing.
Knife mode is where Skele shines.

[sir_mike]

I vote fuse, for me the skeletool is really uncomfortable when using both the pliers and driver.  This is where the fuse shines ! The kydex inserts are rounded so when using the drivers the back of the tool isn't digging in the palm of your hand. Hands down fuse !


Sak's  rule !

That is a big concern I have regarding the Skeletool!

Have you handle one? It is a "love it or hate it" thing.
Knife mode is where Skele shines.

No I have not but I think I would prefer the blade size!   Do you have a problem using the plier's and driver like colt 1911 commented on?

[Kampfer]

I vote fuse, for me the skeletool is really uncomfortable when using both the pliers and driver.  This is where the fuse shines ! The kydex inserts are rounded so when using the drivers the back of the tool isn't digging in the palm of your hand. Hands down fuse !


Sak's  rule !

That is a big concern I have regarding the Skeletool!

Have you handle one? It is a "love it or hate it" thing.
Knife mode is where Skele shines.

No I have not but I think I would prefer the blade size!   Do you have a problem using the plier's and driver like colt 1911 commented on?

It is a moot point, how I use the skele is very different from how Colt uses it.

[Romanoat]

I'd honestly vote for kick or fuse. Really small form, lots of good tools packed in (fuse), pocket clip (kick). All around good tools.

[captain spaulding]

I was hoping that I can get the Skeletool in full plain edge without going to the CX model as they are too pricey for what you get except for the little better steel in the blade.  Are they really worth there price?

@ Captain - I agree withe the Fuse-Kick being basically the same but I dont need the extra tools that either one has so would like to keep it to a minimalistic carry as much as I can.  Otherwise I should just get a Rebar, which is found cheaper than the Skeletool CX!

Wait, gotta stay on track here!  Before you know if someone will say "well, just get a Surge" cause they are not much more than the Skeletool CX either!  LOL

Is the regular Skeletool only available with a combo edge?

If you just want the pliers and want to go real minimal then just buy a $1 pair of pliers from OSH.  You said you are going to throw it in a jacket pocket right.  That was a bit of a joke, but seriously if you just want the pliers then why not just buy a pair of pliers to carry. It will be real cheap.


EDIT: Just remembered you wanted a second blade. Maybe the Skeletool is a good option for you then. Either that or a Freestyle.

[colt 1911]

This is what I am talking about

Palm digger



The driver is kind of s shaped so it's kind of awkward .



I guess it depends on what you plan on using the tools for.

Man that's the most action my skeletool has seen today.


Sak's  rule !

[Kampfer]

This is what I am talking about

Palm digger

(Image removed from quote.)

The driver is kind of s shaped so it's kind of awkward .

(Image removed from quote.)

I guess it depends on what you plan on using the tools for.

Man that's the most action my skeletool has seen today.


Sak's  rule !

This is what I am talking about, if you keep the Philips bit in then there is no problem.
Keep pliers head on the driver side of handle while you screwing.

[sir_mike]

Thanks for the pics!  It does seem kinda awkward!

I was just researching blade sizes and the Fuse has a 3 inch blade where as the Kick and Skeletool have a 2.6 inch blade but I would give a plus to the Skeletool for OHO and 154 steel.

I might have to just go with the Fuse so I can get alittle longer blade length without hardly any size difference from the Kick.  Then again, the Kick has a pocket clip and wish the Fuse had one but not a deal breaker.

[colt 1911]

This is what I am talking about

Palm digger

(Image removed from quote.)

The driver is kind of s shaped so it's kind of awkward .

(Image removed from quote.)

I guess it depends on what you plan on using the tools for.

Man that's the most action my skeletool has seen today.


Sak's  rule !

This is what I am talking about, if you keep the Philips bit in then there is no problem.
Keep pliers head on the driver side of handle while you screwing.

I see what you are talking about on the driver, it is straighter. Thanks



Sak's  rule !

[Ryo Saeba]

Have you thought about a freestyle?

[sir_mike]

Have you thought about a freestyle?

I did look into those rather briefly but all I could find was a combo edge, which I hate!  They are pretty basic with just the plier's and blade though, which I did kinda like!  Then I moved up to the Skeletool as a possibility! 

[colt 1911]

I just want to make this clear..
The skeletool is a totally worthy tool, it is far more robust than it looks. It's hard to beat the OHO, pocket clip and how light it is. I've had it in the skeletool challenge for 11 days now and it has not let me down. I just wanted to point out what issue I have with it. So in true MT.O fashion buy both !


Sak's  rule !

[Kampfer]

So in true MT.O fashion buy both !

I have all three tools in front of me. 

[colt 1911]

So in true MT.O fashion buy both !

I have all three tools in front of me. 

You can just touch, no fixing


Sak's  rule !

[sir_mike]

I just want to make this clear..
The skeletool is a totally worthy tool, it is far more robust than it looks. It's hard to beat the OHO, pocket clip and how light it is. I've had it in the skeletool challenge for 11 days now and it has not let me down. I just wanted to point out what issue I have with it. So in true MT.O fashion buy both !


Sak's  rule !

Haha, dont you mean "buy all three"?  LOL

I do like the clip and the OHO, which is also why I also like the Kick for the clip!  The problem I have so far with the Skeletool is the lack of a full plain edge blade, unless you get into the $55+ CX model.  Not sure what the combo blade runs but to me a blade with only about 2 1/2 inches total is kinda useless as in not enough plain edge and not enough serrated edge.  I will admit that I have never tried a combo edge for very long as I had a Delica with one.

On a side note, I think about if I decided to leave my sak at home, then I still like to have a few tools available to me.  Thinking about the summer already so when I wear shorts, I get even more minimalistic!! 

Has there ever been a "30 day challenge" with a Fuse or Kick?  Been reading the Skeletool one!!

I should post a "Wanted" thread and see what I can get and just use what comes along!!

Thx. for the comments everyone!   

[shark_za]

I carry a SAK compact and the skelly fills all the gaps.

The compact is lacking in drivers and adding a oho blade and pliers to my edc has been awesome.
Skelly is the "dirty" blade, SAK for food and such.



I went cx when I realised this was such a perfect dovetail to my SAKs, who cares about the cost.