Signal vs. Skeletool CX

[fivesense]

I love the Skeletool CX but now carry a SAK because there are a few tools I need that the CX lacks. I am late to the party and just read the MTO review on the Signal, and it looks like Signal narrows the gap considerably.

As the Signal has more tools than Skeletool, what's the general comparison between the tools the two MT share? If the Signal had a 154cm blade, I'd probably already have pulled the impulsive trigger. How does the 420HC hold up?

I do love the hammer on the Signal too. Lots of cool extras in general.

[Aloha]

Having now had several Signals come thru my hand what I'll say is close to what you've come to.  I'm not recalling who made a terrific post about the Signal but there are a few fans of the tool here on MTO.  I was an early skeptic and will reserve anymore thoughts since there are others who have actually used the tool.

What I will respond to is "How does the 420HC hold up?"

In a word, wonderfully. 

I have used my Wave and Surge the most of all my tools.  I have also used my OHT, JPST, PST, OG Supertool as well as other MTs without "higher" end steels.  What I can report is Leatherman 420HC will handle all your cutting needs.  I dont find I am needing to touch up my blade so much so that its bothersome.  I also have never had a failure to cut situation. 

I believe you can replace the blade on the Signal  .  I hope I'm remembering that correctly 

In a nutshell, dont worry about LMs standard blade steel.  It honestly shouldn't be a deal breaker unless you really have a love of other steels.

[Poncho65]

I don't have a Signal but have meant to get one for some time now

As regarding Leatherman reg steel blades, they hold up for me as good as any knife blade steel that I own I am the same as Aloha and believe that there 420HC is a very good steel 

I just wish that the Signal had a PE blade instead of the combo blade

[fivesense]

Thanks for the info. Good to know and I'm pretty sure the Leatherman 420HC will serve well.

[King_Gorilla]

I carry a Signal every day.  I love it.  I really like the tools on it, especially the hammer, the saw, and the bit driver. 

I like the blade a lot even though I am NOT a fan of combo blades.  I wish they would make a Signal 2 that had the normal 4 outside tools like the Wave and the Charge.  That way I could have a file and separate PE blade and serrated blade. 

But other than that I am a big fan.  I also don’t have any issues with the steel.

[pietervn]

G'Day,

I'm a big fan of the Signal. Have a read at my first challenge I did back in November. In my last post for that month I add my view and opinion on it.

https://forum.multitool.org/index.php/topic,69091.0.html

There was also another MT.O challenge in January and quite a few members joined in.

https://forum.multitool.org/index.php/topic,69091.0.html

The blade stays pretty sharp for a long time. I use mine daily for lunch preparations and it only needs a touch up once a month or so. I use ceramic sticks and a leather strop and get it razor sharp. I too would love a PE blade in it, the one in there is OK. I also tried the Texas Tool Crafters Damascus blade, but that is not a perfect fit. Their blade is a little thinner and it rubs against the awl. It is a stunning looking blade, but it does not work well in my Signal. Obi added a Wave PE blade, which I also tried and found it rubbing against the awl. The Signal blade had a slight off-centre cut to accommodate the awl.

For the rest of the tool, the saw and Wave file are interchangeable. And that is what I did to my "Urban version". I have another one on the way which will stay "as is".

Enjoy the tool!!!

I don't think that you will be disappointed.

Cheers,

Pete

[italophil]

Great looking sheath, pietervn. 

[pietervn]

Great looking sheath, pietervn

Thank you, it was made by one of our inmates Gohard, it will most likely outlast the tool and me!!!

[zoidberg]

Leatherman Signal and Gohard Sheath.      

[Mechanickal]

Leatherman Signal and Gohard Sheath.      

That is one awesome combo!!

[stugumby]

The Signal will be far heavier, but many more tools, one could remove the whistle/ferro rod and the sharpener to save miniscule weight. pair the signal with one of the new skeletool bx straight blades and perhaps a good combination could be acheived. Lots of possible combinations would work, a juice for small; jobs, the signal for bigger or harder wire cutting etc.

[Padre]

Signal has two major things against it for me. The combo blade and the flimsy plastic tools, its silly that without whistle, the pliers cannot close properly all the time.

It just doesnt have any more to Skeletool besides better plierhead and saw for me. I dont care about the hammer (not enough for mechanical work) or the hex hole for bits (awkward to actually use). The inside tools (reamer and opener) are meh and this makes the bit changer slower to use.

Weight isnt issue at all. They weight almost the same.

One thing to consider: The pocket clip is on the other handle on Signal. This might be good or bad thing to some.

[WiSAKfan]

Signal has two major things against it for me. The combo blade and the flimsy plastic tools, its silly that without whistle, the pliers cannot close properly all the time.

It just doesnt have any more to Skeletool besides better plierhead and saw for me. I dont care about the hammer (not enough for mechanical work) or the hex hole for bits (awkward to actually use). The inside tools (reamer and opener) are meh and this makes the bit changer slower to use.

Weight isnt issue at all. They weight almost the same.

One thing to consider: The pocket clip is on the other handle on Signal. This might be good or bad thing to some.

some good points to consider IMHO although some people might say 2.5 oz is noticeably heavier.

I took the plastic bits out the day I got my signal and noticed the issue you are talking about it not closing right some of the time.

The pocket clip location is strange to me, almost seems like it's designed to go in the left pocket...

In my use the skeletool bit driver became second nature.  Open the skele to desired position and bit driver is revealed and ready to go.  When you are done, simply close the tool and it's ready to go back in your pocket.  With the signal and most other MT's you have to open the tool and then open the bit driver then close the tool.  In addition I don't think the signal when in 'screwdriver' position is as comfortable as the skele, the pliers and handles are floppy compared to the skele in this position

I've used the saw a few times on the signal and it's functional...for my uses it's a welcomed additional tool.

The hammer will get used at some point but I'd never fully hammer in a nail or tent pegs with it (rocks; the orignal multi-tool  )...I can see instances where I'm trying to get pins out or pins seated where it will come in handy, you know the stuff I normally use the side of my MT for.

The hex driver has become my lanyard ring as the coyote tan signal would be a royal pain to find if dropped so I put some bright orange para on it.

combo blades have grown on me but I wish they made a signal with the better knife steel.

The awl might come in handy some time for me but I don't need the can opener and would prefer a smaller straight screwdriver (come on leatherman you used to put ten of them on every MT  )

The coyote tan signal is a real beaut in my eyes...I've never been super excited about the skele aesthetics but that will vary from MT addict to MT addict 

I'd like to see some additional versions of the signal minus the whole survival thing.

Oh I forgot to mention the signal's pliers are much more comfortable then the skele's and they are more robust.

[Etherealicer]

It still feels strange to me to write it out but: The Signal is my favorite LM.

I wish they made PE blade for it.
Unlike Padre I found the hammer part pretty handy, more often than I realized having something at hand for a gentle tap is really useful. The plastic bits are useless but other than that, it is a really good tool.

[Mechanickal]

It still feels strange to me to write it out but: The Signal is my favorite LM.

I wish they made PE blade for it.
Unlike Padre I found the hammer part pretty handy, more often than I realized having something at hand for a gentle tap is really useful. The plastic bits are useless but other than that, it is a really good tool.

Why does it feel strange?
Because you didn't expect it? Or because opinions are so devided?

[Etherealicer]

It still feels strange to me to write it out but: The Signal is my favorite LM.

I wish they made PE blade for it.
Unlike Padre I found the hammer part pretty handy, more often than I realized having something at hand for a gentle tap is really useful. The plastic bits are useless but other than that, it is a really good tool.

Why does it feel strange?
Because you didn't expect it? Or because opinions are so devided?

Because I did not expect it.

[King_Gorilla]

It still feels strange to me to write it out but: The Signal is my favorite LM.

I wish they made PE blade for it.
Unlike Padre I found the hammer part pretty handy, more often than I realized having something at hand for a gentle tap is really useful. The plastic bits are useless but other than that, it is a really good tool.

That is exactly how I feel.     
Although, I don't think the plastic parts are useless.  I simply think the Signal was designed with camping and outdoors stuff in mind and those 3 tool functions that you get from the two plastic tools are not very useful unless you are lost in the woods. 
-The ferro rod is an emergency fire starter, not even close to convenient compared to a lighter or matches. 
-The whistle is to help you signal people to find you lost in the woods, but it's not convenient for immediate use so it less useful as a rape whistle.
-The sharpener could sharpen your blade several times and keep your blade useful if you were lost in the woods, but it's definitely not a good way to sharpen your blade at home after regular use. 

Conclusion:  The 3 plastic tools are fantastic, possibly life-saving, additions to the Signal - if you were lost in the woods.  But if you live in a city, they don't serve any purpose in your day-to-day EDC use.  You could place them in a drawer and remember to add them back to the Signal if you are ever going anywhere near a wilderness situation.    Once again, a good reason for LM to make some additional tools that can replace the whistle and sharpener with "urban" EDC in mind.

All that being said; I don't see those two little tools as a reason to NOT get a Signal. 

[Wallace72]

I think that the reason people use not to buy the signal is that for usually ten dollars less and only an ounce more they could get a wave.

[hiraethus]

I want a Signal with plain edge blade, diamond file and a flat driver in place of the awl.

[pietervn]

I want a Signal with plain edge blade, diamond file and a flat driver in place of the awl.

Me too, however, you should be able to do the file (Wave donor) easily. I've done the swap. The flat where the awl is might not be that easy. The awl and the blade are shaped to fit together, hence the off-centre bevel on the blade. I checked the flat screwdriver from a Charge and they are the same thickness. The flat driver is slightly longer and may need to be shaved a little on the blade side to fit in. It is merely speculation, you will have to take the tool apart and try. The awl also has a washer between itself and the outer frame. I have tried a few iterations of inside tools, but the speciality of the Signal ones make it difficult swap the inner tools around or out.

For a PE blade, there have been Wave blade swaps but they rub against the awl. I also tried the Damascus blade from Texas Tool Crafters, but it is 1mm thinner and also rubs against the blade. I am hoping that LM will release a PE version, or an Urban version with a file and a PE blade and an extra bit carrier that sits where the fero rod sits. PLEASE LM!!!

Cheers,

Pete

[hiraethus]

Thanks Pete.  I don't know why I put awl, I meant the can opener   That might be easier to replace - but at £125 list I won't be hacking one apart any time soon.

[pietervn]

Thanks Pete.  I don't know why I put awl, I meant the can opener   That might be easier to replace - but at £125 list I won't be hacking one apart any time soon.

Thickness is the same and length is nearly the same. The problem might be a small metal tab that sits under the opener. I tried to add a Wave scissors and moved the bit driver across. It could not close completely due to a little metal tab inside the handle. Again I have not taken it apart to check, but it might fit as is. If not I think only a small "v" should give you enough space to close it completely. If I look at the angle of the large flat driver as it is in the Charge, it may very well clear the metal tab... I think that the metal tab stops the lock-release to be pushed through into the tool.

Have a look at the pic, I circled it in red.

Cheers,

Pete

[hiraethus]

Thanks Pete.  IIRC I had similar issues when adding Rebar tools to a Wave.  Nothing a bit of grinding can't fix.

[pietervn]

Thanks Pete.  IIRC I had similar issues when adding Rebar tools to a Wave.  Nothing a bit of grinding can't fix.

Indeed 

I think if you dump the bit driver, add a medium flat and a phillips it will be a cooler tool. But I don't know which phillips will fit though. There are probably cheaper options, but they will not be so much fun.

Pete

[AimlessWanderer]

I want a Signal with plain edge blade, diamond file and a flat driver in place of the awl.

I want a Signal with better ergonomics, unimpeded main gripping area, no crappy plastic bits on the outside, knifeless, diamond file, scissors ....

.... I don't want a Signal at all, do I?